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Everything you need to
get started.

Publisher Paywall is designed to be simple. But if you get stuck, we've got you.

Getting started

New to Publisher Paywall? Follow these steps to get set up.

STEP 1
Install the plugin

Two ways to install it, whichever you prefer.

From your WordPress dashboard: go to Plugins → Add New, search for "Bobasoftware Publisher Paywall", then click Install Now and Activate. Nothing to download. It appears in your plugins list under that full name.

Or install it manually: download the .zip from WordPress.org, then go to Plugins → Add New → Upload Plugin, select the file, and activate it.

STEP 2
Complete the setup wizard
After activation, Publisher Paywall guides you through a short setup wizard. Set your subscription prices, choose how many days a new post stays free, and connect Stripe. (Tip unlock and per-article purchase are Pro, and they add their own step to the wizard when Pro is active.)
STEP 3
Connect Stripe
Enter your Stripe API key and webhook secret in the setup wizard or under Publisher Paywall → Settings. Restricted keys (rk_) work as well as secret keys, and Stripe now recommends them. Publisher Paywall uses Stripe to process all reader payments securely.
STEP 4
Launch your paywall
Click 'Launch paywall' at the end of the wizard. Your posts will automatically become premium after the number of days you set. Readers will see the paywall when they try to access locked content.
FAQ

Common questions

You set a number of days (for example, 7). Any post published within that window is free for everyone to read — no account needed. After that time passes, the post becomes premium and the paywall appears for readers who don't have access.

Both let readers pay to unlock a single post. Tip unlock lets readers choose how much they pay, above a minimum you set. Per-article purchase is a fixed price you set. You can enable one but not both at the same time. Both are Pro features.

Yes. Readers can cancel any time from the 'Manage subscription' link at the end of every unlocked article. This takes them to a secure Stripe page where they can cancel, update their payment method, or view past invoices, with no need to contact you.

They lose access to premium content and will see the paywall again. They can resubscribe at any time.

No. A tip or a per-article purchase is a one-time payment for that specific article, so it does not expire with a subscription. If a reader's monthly or annual subscription lapses, they lose access to the rest of your premium archive, but the individual articles they already paid for stay unlocked. Tip unlock and per-article purchase are Pro features.

Readers only appear after they log in or make a payment. Anonymous readers who haven't created an account won't show up yet.

Still stuck?

I read every email. Drop me a line at hi@bobasoftware.com and I'll get back to you.

Publisher Paywall Pro subscribers get priority support.

Ready to launch your paywall?

Download Publisher Paywall free and set your paywall up this afternoon.