Creating Your Membership Application Launch Strategy with Premier Platforms for 2025

Mobile usage has expanded tremendously in the last decade. Currently, more than half of all internet traffic occurs on mobile devices, making mobile-friendly options absolutely crucial.

If you’re offering membership products, you’ve likely recognized the importance of having an app to leverage this trend effectively.

To simplify your journey toward launching a membership app, we’ve developed this comprehensive guide highlighting the best solutions for creators, considering every potential requirement.

Read on to discover why launching an app in 2025 should be part of your strategy and explore the most effective platforms offering both free and paid solutions.

Let’s begin!

What Is a Membership App?

A membership app serves as a delivery channel for membership services, specifically designed for mobile devices, tablets, or smart TVs.

This app houses all membership content, encompassing community features, courses, services, and live streaming capabilities.

Many membership sites initially launch with a web application, allowing users to access content through browsers. Later, as they expand, creators typically seek to broaden their reach by developing an app.

It’s worth noting that native apps differ substantially from web apps and provide a significantly enhanced user experience on mobile devices and smart TVs.

For instance, mobile apps enable users to download videos for offline viewing – a valuable feature unavailable on standard websites.

A prime example of a successful membership app is TINT Yoga. Beyond their website, they’ve developed native applications for Android, iOS, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV platforms.

TINT Yoga offers a yoga streaming membership where users can participate in live classes or follow pre-recorded series.

Since yoga content is frequently consumed on television devices, their decision to provide both TV and mobile applications makes perfect sense.

Another notable example of a membership site offering native apps is Hey College, a college counseling service designed for prospective students.

They provide expert guidance, facilitate connections between prospective students, and assist in identifying suitable college matches.

The platform has developed a mobile application available for download on both the iOS App Store and Google Play.

As an educational support provider, having a dedicated mobile application is essential to offer students a streamlined, user-friendly connection method. Other app formats, such as smart TV applications, aren’t necessary in this context.

Why Launch a Membership App?

Several compelling reasons exist for launching a membership app. Let’s explore these advantages.

Improve Member Engagement

Three key factors contribute to increased member engagement and retention when implementing a membership app:

• Enhanced User Experience: Native mobile applications provide a noticeably smoother and more intuitive interface compared to web-based apps, encouraging users to spend additional time engaging with your content.
• Push Notifications: These direct alerts sent to users’ devices highlight ongoing conversations and new updates, effectively drawing them back to the application regularly.
• Offline Content Access: Membership apps typically allow content downloads for on-the-go viewing on mobile devices or tablets, offering a convenient engagement method that enhances user satisfaction.

Charge a Premium for Your Membership

Apps are generally perceived as premium offerings, allowing you to market your memberships accordingly.

In numerous cases, the additional benefits and convenience provided by an app justify charging premium rates, boosting your revenue potential.

Grow Your Membership Revenue

Applications can significantly increase customer lifetime value through available in-app purchases and specialized marketing techniques.

Here are effective strategies to achieve this:

• Push Notifications: When promoting special offers for products or services, you can create notifications delivered directly to all app users. This direct-response marketing approach typically achieves substantially higher reach, open rates, and conversion percentages compared to alternative methods.
• Streamlined Payment Processing: App-based checkouts leverage users’ existing Google or Apple account payment information, creating a frictionless purchasing experience for in-app transactions.
• Automated Subscription Renewal: If you’re planning to operate your membership service exclusively through applications on Google Play and the iOS App Store, you can implement automatic recurring subscription systems for consistent revenue.

Now, let’s examine the available options for developing your membership application.

Option 1: Use a Membership Platform That Has Free Apps

Numerous membership platforms exist, but Kajabi and Mighty Networks stand out as popular options offering free mobile applications for end users.

Kajabi delivers a comprehensive all-in-one solution suitable for various membership site types. The platform accommodates multiple product formats including online courses, communities, podcasts, and coaching services.

Additionally, Kajabi provides an extensive suite of marketing tools covering blogging, lead generation, funnel development, and email marketing, enabling you to manage your entire business operations within a single platform.

In contrast, Mighty Networks primarily functions as a community platform that can be adapted for membership sites. Its primary strength lies in community development, making it particularly well-suited for community-centered membership offerings.

When you subscribe to either Kajabi or Mighty Networks, your members can download their complimentary iOS and Android mobile applications to access your content and community features.

An illustrative example of a membership app utilizing this approach is The Moon Maison Portal.

This membership is constructed on the Mighty Networks platform and can be accessed through both the web application and Mighty Networks’ iOS and Android mobile apps.

Through the application, members gain access to community features and identical functionality available on the web version.

The major advantage of this approach is the ability to launch a membership app quickly and efficiently. No technical expertise, development knowledge, or maintenance skills are required.

Simply share the download link for your platform’s mobile application, and your members can immediately access your membership through their mobile devices.

This represents the most economical option since no additional fees apply for utilizing the mobile application features.

However, a limitation exists as well. Your users will be accessing the Kajabi/Mighty Networks application rather than a branded app specific to your business.

For example, members seeking to access your Kajabi membership site must download the Kajabi application and then log in to view your content.

Beyond the inability to personalize branding elements, you’ll also lack design and functionality customization capabilities.

Nevertheless, this option will serve the needs of most membership sites effectively, particularly those in the early stages of development.

Option 2: Use a Platform That Offers Branded Apps

Select membership platforms enable you to develop personalized branded applications.

The implementation process involves first creating your membership site on the platform. Once completed, the platform transforms it into a membership application without requiring additional effort from you.

Although this approach significantly increases the cost of your membership website, it offers numerous benefits.

• First and foremost, the application represents your brand, not the platform’s. Users will search for your company name in app stores and download your distinctive application.
• Your platform handles the conversion of your membership site into native applications and manages their publication on app marketplaces.
• The platform also takes responsibility for application updates and maintenance, eliminating the need for additional effort on your part.
• A seamless integration exists between your membership website and applications, requiring changes in just one location that apply universally across all platforms.

Therefore, we recommend this option for anyone desiring white-label membership applications.

Currently, several prominent membership platforms offer branded app solutions.

The first option is Uscreen, a specialized platform for creating video membership sites. This platform allows you to upload videos, organize them into Netflix-style catalogs, and monetize your content according to your preferences.

Uscreen provides numerous application options, supporting both mobile and Smart TV platforms. Compatible devices include iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, FireTV, and Android TV.

For comprehensive information about Uscreen and its functionality, consider reading our detailed Uscreen review.

To create branded applications, you’ll need to purchase the Uscreen Plus subscription. However, pricing information isn’t publicly available on their website, requiring direct contact with their team for a customized quote.

Another platform offering branded applications is Mighty Networks. Their specialized plan called Mighty Pro enables you to launch white-label applications for your community membership.

As previously discussed, Mighty Networks excels with community-based memberships. For more detailed information about this platform, we recommend reading our Mighty Networks review.

While Mighty Pro pricing isn’t publicly displayed on their website, it typically ranges around $30,000 annually, representing a significant investment.

Your third option for creating a branded application is BuddyBoss. This WordPress-based solution offers community and course delivery capabilities.

One of their subscription offerings includes a turnkey mobile application service for launching custom membership applications in both iOS and Google app marketplaces.

The service costs include a $1,999 setup fee, a $348 onboarding fee, and ongoing monthly subscription payments of $219.

This solution is specifically designed for WordPress-based membership sites and isn’t compatible with hosted membership website builders.

A notable example of a membership app developed using this approach is RedWall Tutorials, an online dance instruction platform built using Uscreen.

Their catalog features hundreds of classes available for streaming or downloading on demand.

Members can access content through iPhone, Android, or Smart TV applications.

The primary limitation of this approach is that your application functionality depends on the capabilities provided by your chosen platform. You cannot modify core features and functions beyond the existing framework.

Despite this limitation, it remains the simplest and fastest method for launching branded membership applications.

Option 3: Create an App Using VidApp Builder

The third approach for developing an application involves using VidApp, a specialized application builder offering greater customization flexibility than previously discussed options.

Creating your application with this platform requires additional effort and necessitates learning to navigate VidApp’s application builder interface.

The builder features three templates alongside various tools, features, and technical support resources, enabling rapid setup and launch of your application.

Available application features include integrated calendars, daily journals, push notification systems, in-app purchasing options, and content download capabilities.

VidApp seamlessly integrates with popular membership platforms such as Kajabi, MemberPress, Uscreen, Vimeo OTT, and others, allowing synchronization between your application and existing membership site.

Once you’ve completed and finalized your application, you can publish it across multiple platforms, including iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, and Amazon Fire.

After publication, ongoing maintenance and updates become the responsibility of the VidApp team, eliminating further concerns for you.

The most basic subscription plan costs $399 monthly, representing a significantly higher investment than some previously mentioned options. This expense comes in addition to your membership platform subscription costs.

We recommend this solution exclusively for businesses with established membership management software.

For instance, One Commune’s membership site was developed on Kajabi, but they wanted to create a branded application without changing platforms.

Since Kajabi currently doesn’t provide branded application options for their users, One Commune selected VidApp to launch their membership applications.

Option 4: Get a Custom App Developed

If none of the previous solutions meets your requirements, commissioning a custom application development might be your most suitable option.

However, we consistently recommend that individuals considering custom mobile application development possess substantial technical knowledge, expertise in managing development teams, and sufficient financial resources.

The principal advantage of creating your own application is the unparalleled flexibility to realize your exact vision.

Nevertheless, after fully conceptualizing your application, you’ll need to recruit a development team to bring it to life. Beyond the initial investment costs, you’ll also face ongoing expenses for maintenance and updates.

Predictably, the financial commitment is considerable, with some projects reaching tens of thousands of dollars in development costs.

Very few membership site owners will require such a comprehensive solution. For the vast majority, the three previously outlined options will adequately address their needs.

Consequently, due to the extensive knowledge requirements, significant financial investment, and time commitment involved, custom mobile application development represents our least recommended approach for membership site owners.

Conclusion

This comprehensive guide has explored various approaches to launching a membership application and available solutions. The optimal solution will depend on your specific circumstances, and here’s a summary of our recommendations.

If you want to provide your members with access to your membership through iOS or Android applications without prioritizing branding considerations, we suggest using Kajabi or Mighty Networks, as both platforms include complimentary mobile application features.

However, if launching branded membership applications is your priority, we recommend Uscreen, Mighty Pro, or BuddyBoss, as these platforms fully support white-label application development.

If you’ve already established a membership site and prefer not to switch platforms, consider utilizing VidApp, which integrates seamlessly with popular membership platforms and facilitates converting your membership into a fully-functional application.

Finally, if none of the previously mentioned solutions satisfies your requirements, you may need to pursue custom application development.

This concludes our comprehensive overview of the four primary options for launching a membership application, and we hope you’ve found this information valuable.

If you have additional questions or remain uncertain about the most appropriate option for your situation, please leave a comment below. We’d be delighted to assist you further!