PostGate vs Steady

PostGate is a WordPress plugin for charging for access to premium content. Publishers can protect an entire site or selected categories, posts, pages, supported custom post types, taxonomies and Gutenberg blocks. Access can require payment or login, and protected material unlocks after successful payment. Stripe-hosted Checkout supports one-time purchases and recurring subscriptions; public previews can be limited by paragraph count or word count. In the WordPress dashboard, publishers can track orders, subscriptions, payment status, revenue and premium-content performance. Subscribers manage billing details, invoices and subscriptions through Stripe Billing Portal. Optional Google Sign-In can be configured with Google OAuth credentials. PostGate says Stripe-hosted Checkout handles payment details, verified webhooks update orders and access, and card details are not stored on the WordPress server. The free plan has no monthly PostGate subscription, but successful transactions incur a 5% platform fee and Stripe processing fees apply separately. The plugin requires WordPress 6.2 or higher and PHP 8.1 or higher. It does not include community profiles or member directories.

Steady is a web and API platform for independent media makers, including magazines, newsletters, podcasts and video channels. It helps creators publish newsletters and memberships and earn directly from audiences. Newsletter sending is free without audience limits or escalating costs. Memberships use recurring billing, with monthly or annual charges, and Steady takes a 10% commission on membership revenue once earning begins; payment-provider fees and VAT also apply. The service supports full-site content gating, flexible paywalls, embedded buttons and supporter prompts. Newsletter tools can welcome readers automatically, resurface selected work and re-engage quiet subscribers. Externally hosted podcasts can be gated by membership tier and distributed through Spotify or private RSS. Steady Code adds website layers and embeds regardless of a site’s CMS. Creator income is transferred in lump sums, and failed payments are retried automatically. The Free plan is free. Custom domains are not supported.