Directorist vs MembershipWorks (October 2026)
Updated October 22, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Directory Plugins top 10: Directorist at #2 and MembershipWorks at #13. Directorist leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
Directorist
Directorist: AI-Powered Business Directory, Listings & Classified Ads
Build any type of directory website such as a business directory, job directory, classifieds directory, and more with this WordPress directory plugin.
MembershipWorks
MembershipWorks – Membership, Events & Directory
All-in-one membership, directory, events and donations for organizations. Secure member profiles, renewals, upgrades and limit member only access to c …
Who leads on what
Directorist leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track.
Directorist ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #13 in Directory Plugins.
Directorist has more users: 20,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: Directorist has 698, MembershipWorks has 37. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Directorist has more reviews behind its score: 698 against 37.
Directorist was updated more recently, on October 18, 2026; MembershipWorks on August 27, 2026.
Directorist was downloaded more in the last 30 days: 44,278 times against 977.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
Directorist
Pick Directorist if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them, you want the plugin more sites already run, you want the score backed by more reviews, you want the one shipping releases most recently or you want the one being installed faster right now.
MembershipWorks
MembershipWorks does not lead on any measure we track, so pick it only for something these numbers cannot show, such as a feature you need.
Directorist vs MembershipWorks side by side
| Directorist | MembershipWorks | |
|---|---|---|
| Directory Plugins ranking | #2 | #13 |
| Rating | 4.6 | 4.4 |
| Reviews | 698 | 37 |
| Active installs | 20,000+ | 2,000+ |
| Total downloads | 1,342,120 | 99,694 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | 44,278 | 977 |
| Last updated | Oct 18, 2026 | Aug 27, 2026 |
| First published | Aug 27, 2017 | Nov 20, 2012 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1.3 | 7.1.3 |
| Requires PHP | 7.4 | – |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
Downloads per day, last 48 days
Directorist ratings
MembershipWorks ratings
How we compare these two
Every figure here is pulled from the WordPress.org plugin API every day at 03:00 UTC, for both plugins in the same run, so the two are always read on the same day. We compare only what the directory reports: active installs, the rating and how many reviews stand behind it, the last release date and, once we have a month of history, downloads over the last 30 days. Ratings are only called a win above 50 reviews each, because a handful of five-star reviews is not evidence. Nothing is weighted into an overall score, no measure is worth more than another, and neither Directorist nor MembershipWorks can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Directory Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
Directorist vs MembershipWorks: common questions
Is Directorist better than MembershipWorks?
Directorist leads on 5 of the 6 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Directorist ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #13 in Directory Plugins.
Which has more users, Directorist or MembershipWorks?
Directorist ranks higher on WordPress.org: #2 against #13 in Directory Plugins.
Which is rated higher, Directorist or MembershipWorks?
Directorist has more users: 20,000+ active installs against 2,000+.
Are Directorist and MembershipWorks free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. Directorist may also sell a paid version or add-ons. MembershipWorks may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to Directorist and MembershipWorks
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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What moved this week
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