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Head-to-head · Paywall Software

Cleeng vs PaywallProject

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Cleeng #2 in Paywall Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Cleeng
PaywallProject #8 in Paywall Software 8.5/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 4 features Visit PaywallProject

Cleeng leads on 0 checks, PaywallProject on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCleeng · 9.2/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPaywallProject · 4 of 4

Cleeng scores higher on our rubric for paywall software: 9.2 against 8.5 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #8.

Cleeng is the better fit for multichannel subscription businesses. PaywallProject is the better fit for wordPress publishers wanting apps included.

  • Cleeng fits best

    Multichannel subscription businesses

  • PaywallProject fits best

    WordPress publishers wanting apps included

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Cleeng 9.2/10 Visit ↗ PaywallProject 8.5/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.5
Ranking #2 in Paywall Software #8 in Paywall Software
Best for Multichannel subscription businesses WordPress publishers wanting apps included
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $299/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted, Mobile
Platforms Web, iOS, Android Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Docs Email, Docs
Integrations 15 integrations 12 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cleeng 2/4 · PaywallProject 4/4
Metered paywall Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Registration wall Not checked yet ✓ (best)
One-time payments ✓ ✓
Entitlement rules ✓ ✓
Specs
Included pageviews Not checked yet Not checked yet
Supported CMS Not checked yet WordPress
Payment processors Adyen, PayPal, Stripe, Primer, dLocal Stripe
Our review
Pros
  • Supports web, mobile and connected-TV billing
  • Combines entitlements, billing recovery and hosted checkout
  • Offers subscriptions, passes, live events and one-time purchases
  • Free self-serve tier with unlimited subscribers
  • Metered and registration walls with flexible payment options
  • Enterprise plan includes native iOS and Android apps
Cons
  • Enterprise pricing is tailored rather than publicly specified
  • Full platform configurability is limited to Enterprise
  • Merchant services are split across separate plan options
  • Self-serve installation and configuration require publisher effort
  • Standard starts at $299/month before revenue-share terms
  • Best suited to WordPress rather than multiple CMS platforms
Our verdict

Cleeng is a cloud-based subscriber retention management platform for digital subscription businesses. It brings together subscriber accounts, identity management, subscription offers, recurring billing, payment processing, entitlement…

Read the review →

PaywallProject is a WordPress-based paywall and membership platform for local news publishers. It combines metered and registration walls with subscription checkout, subscriber management, group and gift subscriptions, newsletters,…

Read the review →
  1. CleengPaywall Software 9.2Free plan
  2. PaywallProjectPaywall Software 8.5Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Cleeng — where it wins

    • Supports web, mobile and connected-TV billing
    • Combines entitlements, billing recovery and hosted checkout
    • Offers subscriptions, passes, live events and one-time purchases

    Where it doesn't

    • Enterprise pricing is tailored rather than publicly specified
    • Full platform configurability is limited to Enterprise
    • Merchant services are split across separate plan options

  • PaywallProject — where it wins

    • Free self-serve tier with unlimited subscribers
    • Metered and registration walls with flexible payment options
    • Enterprise plan includes native iOS and Android apps

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-serve installation and configuration require publisher effort
    • Standard starts at $299/month before revenue-share terms
    • Best suited to WordPress rather than multiple CMS platforms

More comparisons

All paywall software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update