MembershipWorks vs Simple Link Directory (September 2026)
Updated September 7, 2026 · Data from WordPress.org, refreshed daily · How this works
Both rank in the WordPress.org Directory Plugins top 10: MembershipWorks at #11 and Simple Link Directory at #7. Simple Link Directory leads on 2 of the 5 measures we track. Every number below comes straight from WordPress.org and is refreshed every day.
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 …
Simple Link Directory
Simple Link Directory – AI Powered
AI Powered LINK DIRECTORY Plugin for WordPress to Curate Links for Web Directory. Link Management, Directory Listings, Link Archive, Vendor Directory
Who leads on what
Simple Link Directory leads on 2 of the 5 measures we track.
Simple Link Directory ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #11 in Directory Plugins.
Both report 2,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Not enough reviews to compare ratings fairly: MembershipWorks has 37, Simple Link Directory has 121. We compare ratings only above 50 reviews each.
Simple Link Directory has more reviews behind its score: 121 against 37.
MembershipWorks was updated more recently, on August 27, 2026; Simple Link Directory on August 25, 2026.
Which one to pick
Each plugin is the better answer for the measure it actually leads on. Nothing here is a recommendation we invented.
MembershipWorks
Pick MembershipWorks if you want the one shipping releases most recently.
Simple Link Directory
Pick Simple Link Directory if you go by where WordPress.org itself puts them or you want the score backed by more reviews.
MembershipWorks vs Simple Link Directory side by side
| MembershipWorks | Simple Link Directory | |
|---|---|---|
| Directory Plugins ranking | #11 | #7 |
| Rating | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| Reviews | 37 | 121 |
| Active installs | 2,000+ | 2,000+ |
| Total downloads | 98,049 | 378,740 |
| Downloads, last 30 days | – | – |
| Last updated | Aug 27, 2026 | Aug 25, 2026 |
| First published | Nov 20, 2012 | Sep 14, 2016 |
| Tested up to WordPress | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Requires PHP | – | 7.4 |
| Pricing | Free on WordPress.org | Free on WordPress.org |
30-day download figures appear after both plugins have 30 days of tracking.
MembershipWorks ratings
Simple Link Directory 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 MembershipWorks nor Simple Link Directory can pay to appear here: the pair exists only because both plugins reached the Directory Plugins top 10. Full methodology.
MembershipWorks vs Simple Link Directory: common questions
Is MembershipWorks better than Simple Link Directory?
Simple Link Directory leads on 2 of the 5 measures we track. Neither is better at everything, and the answer depends on which measure you weigh. Simple Link Directory ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #11 in Directory Plugins.
Which has more users, MembershipWorks or Simple Link Directory?
Simple Link Directory ranks higher on WordPress.org: #7 against #11 in Directory Plugins.
Which is rated higher, MembershipWorks or Simple Link Directory?
Both report 2,000+ active installs on WordPress.org.
Are MembershipWorks and Simple Link Directory free?
Both are free to install from WordPress.org. MembershipWorks may also sell a paid version or add-ons. Simple Link Directory may also sell a paid version or add-ons.
Alternatives to MembershipWorks and Simple Link Directory
Plugins that score close to both in the same WordPress.org rankings and tags.
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