Steady vs WildApricot
Steady
steady.page
WildApricot
wildapricot.comSide by side
| Figure | Steady | WildApricot |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $66/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | — | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Membership Site Platforms | 8.3 (#29) | 8.9 (#11) |
| Content gating | full_site | page |
| Custom domain | No | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Security | Steady’s API is accessible only over HTTPS and uses OAuth 2.0 for application authorization. | WildApricot says it provides HTTPS traffic encryption and that its cloud infrastructure runs on AWS. |
| Subscription billing | recurring | both |
| Support | The creator success team helps creators price membership tiers, plan launches and maintain momentum after launch. | The pricing page says every plan includes full customer support at no extra cost and offers onboarding coaches for the free trial. |
| Transaction fee | 10% Steady commission, plus variable payment-provider fees and VAT | No per-transaction platform fee; payment-provider fees may apply. |
Plans
In their own words
Steady
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.
WildApricot
WildApricot is browser-based cloud software for managing membership organizations, websites, events, and related administration. Its online member database supports automated renewals, invoicing, recurring payments, and member self-service. Event tools handle custom registration forms, online payments, reminder emails, and attendance tracking. Email features include customizable templates, performance tracking, and scheduled or automated messages. The service describes WordPress widgets and single sign-on, Make and Zapier workflows, webhooks, and administrator and member APIs. Separate mobile apps for administrators and members include event, profile, directory, and payment features. The 100 Contacts plan costs $66 a month and includes a cloud-based membership and contact database and full customer support. WildApricot has no free plan, but offers a 60-day free trial without a credit card. Personify Payments processes membership, event, donation, and sales payments. There is no per-transaction platform fee, though payment-provider fees may apply; listed card rates are 2.99% + $.30 for Visa, MasterCard, and Discover, and 3.5% + $.30 with AMEX.