Ever wanted to run your online store like an exclusive club? You know. The kind where not everyone can stroll in. Where only members, approved customers, or maybe your VIP buyers get to see what’s inside. That’s where private shop plugins for WooCommerce step in. They turn your store into a gated world. A world where you decide who gets in and who doesn’t.
Let’s be real. Not every product should be public. Some things are better behind closed doors. Maybe you sell high-end items, B2B deals, or special handmade stuff for loyal clients. Whatever your reason, these plugins let you lock the doors and hand-pick the guests.
So, let’s open that door just a little. Here are the top 5 WooCommerce Private Shop plugins that help you create a smooth, secret, and stylish member-only experience.
1. WooCommerce Private Shop (By Motif Creatives)
If you want a plugin that feels both powerful and flexible, this one by Motif Creatives should be on your radar. It’s a full solution that hides your store or selected products from guests. What makes it shine is the balance between control and customization.
Key Features:
- Hide the full shop or specific products.
- Password-protected store option.
- Redirect non-logged-in users to a registration page.
- Manual or automatic approval of new accounts.
- Email notifications on registration and approval.
- Custom login and signup page with your design.
- Option to discourage Google from indexing the site.
- Allow users to choose their role on registration.
Why It’s Special:
It’s not just about hiding your shop; it’s about managing your users like a pro. The admin manually approves registrations, giving full control over who enters. This makes it perfect for wholesale stores, private suppliers, or membership clubs.
Downsides:
It might feel feature-heavy if you only want a simple “lock-the-store” plugin. But if you value flexibility, this one’s gold.
2. WooCommerce Private Store (By Barn2)
This one is a classic. Known for its simplicity, WooCommerce Private Store by Barn2 hides your entire store behind a login or password. It’s quick to set up and works seamlessly.
Key Features:
- Hide shop, products, cart, and checkout from guests.
- Unlock the store via password or user login.
- Prevent indexing by search engines.
- Lightweight and clean UI.
Why It’s Special:
It’s minimal and reliable. Within minutes, your store becomes private — no coding needed. For those who want a WooCommerce Private Store without the extra fluff, this is perfect.
Downsides:
It doesn’t support advanced user management or manual approvals. Everyone who logs in sees the same thing.
3. WooCommerce Members Only (By Plugin Republic)
This plugin goes beyond hiding. It’s about membership management. It lets you create multiple access levels, restrict products, and even hide prices from non-members.
Key Features:
- Restrict content by role or membership level.
- Hide prices or purchasing options.
- Manual approval or invite-only access.
- Supports both login and password protection.
- Integrates with membership systems.
Why It’s Special:
If your store runs on a membership model like premium content or tiered access, this plugin fits perfectly. It’s not just private, it’s personalized.
Downsides:
Slightly more complex setup. You’ll need a few minutes to get familiar with its layers of control.
4. WooCommerce Memberships (By WooCommerce)
The official plugin from WooCommerce itself. It’s professional, clean, and deeply integrated into the platform. You can create unlimited membership levels, restrict product access, and even drip content over time.
Key Features:
- Unlimited membership tiers.
- Restrict view or purchase options.
- Offer member discounts or perks.
- Schedule (drip) content for members.
- Great compatibility with other WooCommerce tools.
Why It’s Special:
It’s the most stable and integrated option if you’re deeply tied to the WooCommerce ecosystem. Works smoothly with WooCommerce Subscriptions, too.
Downsides:
It’s expensive and may feel overpowered if you need to hide your store. Perfect for large-scale membership businesses, though.
5. B2BKing – Private Store For WooCommerce
If your business runs on B2B or wholesale, then B2BKing gives you everything you need and more. It combines private store features with advanced wholesale management.
Key Features:
- Hide prices or entire products from guests.
- Require login to view or purchase.
- Role-based pricing and tier discounts.
- Registration approval for wholesale users.
- Show “Login to see prices” message.
Why It’s Special:
It’s built for B2B sellers who need both privacy and bulk-buying features. It helps you manage customer groups, pricing, and access from a single dashboard.
Downsides:
It can feel heavy for small stores or beginner users. But for serious B2B businesses, it’s excellent.
Why You Need A Private Shop Plugin (Even If You Think You Don’t)
Here’s the truth. Privacy sells. When people can’t see everything, they want it. Exclusivity creates curiosity.
Think of those luxury brands that never put all their items online. They make people ask. That’s power. And for online stores, private shop plugins give you that same effect.
You can build mystery. Reward loyalty. Offer deals that only “insiders” get to see. Maybe you run a wholesale business and want to keep retail prices hidden. Or maybe your brand values privacy.
Whatever the case, a private shop plugin gives you control. You decide who enters the room. You determine what they see.
Your Store, Your Rules — Pick The Gate That Fits
Every store’s story is different. Some want privacy. Others crave control. A few need order in the chaos. So, the right plugin depends on your vibe and your goal.
Suppose your store feels like a private lounge where only loyal customers walk in. Motif Creatives’ WooCommerce Private Store fits perfectly. It’s sleek, secure, and gives you total command. You decide who gets in, what they see, and when they see it.
If you’re someone who wants simplicity without the extras, go for WooCommerce Private Store by Barn2. It’s clean, fast, and doesn’t play around—no heavy setup, no confusion, just privacy that works.
Running something bigger? Try WooCommerce Memberships. It’s the official one from WooCommerce, built for brands that want structure, levels, and perks for members. Think loyalty programs, premium access, or long-term communities.
And for the serious B2B folks, B2BKing is your guard at the door. It handles wholesale pricing, custom roles, and private catalogs like a boss.
Every plugin has its charm. Some whisper exclusivity. Some shout controls. It’s up to you to decide which gate looks best on your shop.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a private WooCommerce shop?
A private shop restricts access so only logged-in users or members can view or buy products.
2. Why create a members-only store?
To sell exclusively to wholesale clients or members, offer premium products, or maintain privacy from the public.
3. Can I hide only certain products or categories?
Yes, most plugins let you restrict specific products, categories, or pages instead of the entire shop.
4. Will my private products appear in Google search?
No, plugins usually prevent restricted content from being indexed by search engines.
5. Do I need coding skills to set it up?
Not at all. Most plugins are plug-and-play with simple setup options.
6. What features should I look for?
Role-based access, password/login protection, hide prices for guests, and easy member management.
7. Who uses private shops?
Wholesalers, clubs, employee stores, or brands offering exclusive products to members.
8. Are these plugins suitable for small stores?
Yes, even small businesses can use them to build exclusivity or manage private sales.
9. How do I choose the right plugin?
Pick one that matches your needs—simple restriction or full membership control—and ensure it’s compatible with your theme.
Final Thoughts
Privacy isn’t about hiding. It’s about inviting differently. When your WooCommerce store becomes member-only, it’s no less visible; it’s more special. People start to value what’s behind that login page. They feel chosen.
So, build your private space. Choose your plugin. And start welcoming only those who truly belong inside. Because sometimes, the best way to stand out online is to stay just out of reach.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Digitalz Pro Media & Technologies.
