Adam Greenwell

Guard Dog is a focused WordPress security plugin for the login door, authentication, sessions, and practical access workflows. With custom login URLs, two-factor authentication, passkeys, CAPTCHA providers, access control, and activity logging, Guard Dog helps site owners tighten the parts of WordPress that get bothered most.
Key Features:
<ul>
<li>Custom Login URLs – Hide your wp-admin and wp-login.php from attackers</li>
<li>Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) – TOTP-based authentication with recovery codes</li>
<li>Social Login (OAuth) – Sign in with Google, Microsoft, or Apple</li>
<li>Passkeys – Use device-based biometric authentication like Face ID, Touch ID or Windows Hello</li>
<li>Multiple CAPTCHA Providers – Support for Google reCAPTCHA v2/v3, hCaptcha, and Cloudflare Turnstile</li>
<li>Login Attempt Limiting – Prevent brute-force attacks with intelligent lockout</li>
<li>Access Control – IP-based whitelist/blacklist protection</li>
<li>Activity Monitoring – Comprehensive logging of security events</li>
<li>Temporary User Access – Create temporary WordPress users with time-limited, secure access</li>
<li>Frontend Account Security – Shortcodes and blocks for login, passkeys, 2FA, and session controls</li>
</ul>
Why Choose Guard Dog?
<ul>
<li>Privacy-Focused – Multiple CAPTCHA options including privacy-first providers</li>
<li>WordPress.org Compliant – Built following WordPress coding standards</li>
<li>Site-Owned Controls – No central cloud platform required for core protections</li>
<li>User-Friendly – Intuitive interface with helpful documentation</li>
<li>Regular Updates – Actively maintained and updated</li>
</ul>
Perfect For:
<ul>
<li>Business websites requiring enhanced security</li>
<li>WordPress sites handling sensitive data</li>
<li>Multi-user sites with complex access requirements</li>
<li>Anyone wanting practical login and account protection without a central SaaS dependency</li>
</ul>
Frontend Shortcodes:
<ul>
<li><code>[guard_dog_login_form]</code> renders a public Guard Dog-managed login form</li>
<li><code>[guard_dog_passkey_login]</code> renders a standalone passkey sign-in button for custom login pages</li>
<li><code>[guard_dog_two_factor]</code> renders logged-in 2FA management</li>
<li><code>[guard_dog_passkeys]</code> renders logged-in passkey management</li>
<li><code>[guard_dog_sessions]</code> renders logged-in active-session management</li>
<li><code>[guard_dog_account_security]</code> renders the composite logged-in account security widget for 2FA, passkeys, and sessions</li>
<li><code>[guard_dog_2fa]</code> remains supported as the legacy alias for the account security widget</li>
</ul>
Block-based themes can use the matching Guard Dog Login Form, Passkey Login, Two-Factor Auth, Passkeys, Sessions, and Account Security blocks.
<h3>Additional Information</h3>
Support: 
For support questions, please use the WordPress.org support forums.
Privacy: 
Guard Dog respects user privacy and offers multiple privacy-focused options. Third-party services are only contacted when you enable features that need them, such as CAPTCHA, email delivery, social login, IP reputation, or geolocation.
Security: 
Guard Dog follows WordPress security best practices. User input is sanitized and output is escaped throughout the plugin.
<h3>Third-Party Services</h3>
Guard Dog integrates with the following third-party services to provide CAPTCHA protection. These services are optional and only used when CAPTCHA features are enabled.
<h3>Google reCAPTCHA (v2 and v3)</h3>
What it is: Google’s CAPTCHA service that helps protect websites from spam and abuse.
What it’s used for: 
– Verifying that login, registration, and password reset attempts are made by humans 
– Preventing automated bot attacks on your WordPress forms
What data is sent and when: 
– User interaction data (mouse movements, time spent on page) when CAPTCHA is solved 
– IP address of the user 
– Site domain for verification 
– CAPTCHA response token
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy" rel="nofollow ugc">Google reCAPTCHA Privacy Policy</a> 
– <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms" rel="nofollow ugc">Google reCAPTCHA Terms of Service</a> 
– <a href="https://developers.google.com/recaptcha/docs/v3#data_usage" rel="nofollow ugc">Google reCAPTCHA Data Usage</a>
<h3>Cloudflare Turnstile</h3>
What it is: Cloudflare’s privacy-first CAPTCHA alternative that doesn’t require user interaction.
What it’s used for: 
– Invisible verification of human users during login, registration, and password reset 
– Privacy-focused protection without tracking or cookies
What data is sent and when: 
– Non-interactive browser signals when forms are submitted 
– IP address for verification 
– Site domain for validation
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://www.cloudflare.com/privacypolicy/" rel="nofollow ugc">Cloudflare Privacy Policy</a> 
– <a href="https://www.cloudflare.com/terms/" rel="nofollow ugc">Cloudflare Terms of Service</a> 
– <a href="https://developers.cloudflare.com/turnstile/" rel="nofollow ugc">Turnstile Documentation</a>
<h3>hCaptcha</h3>
What it is: A privacy-focused CAPTCHA service that doesn’t track users across websites.
What it’s used for: 
– Human verification during login, registration, and password reset forms 
– Privacy-conscious alternative to Google reCAPTCHA
What data is sent and when: 
– User interaction with CAPTCHA challenge 
– IP address for verification 
– Site domain for validation
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://www.hcaptcha.com/privacy" rel="nofollow ugc">hCaptcha Privacy Policy</a> 
– <a href="https://www.hcaptcha.com/terms" rel="nofollow ugc">hCaptcha Terms of Service</a> 
– <a href="https://www.hcaptcha.com/data-processing" rel="nofollow ugc">hCaptcha Data Processing</a>
<h3>Google OAuth (Social Login)</h3>
What it is: Google’s OAuth 2.0 service that allows users to sign in using their Google account.
What it’s used for: 
– Authenticating WordPress users via their Google account 
– Retrieving basic profile information (name, email) to link or create accounts
What data is sent and when: 
– User is redirected to Google’s authorization server when clicking “Sign in with Google” 
– An authorization code is exchanged for an access token on your server 
– Basic profile information (name, email, Google user ID) is retrieved from Google’s API 
– No ongoing data sharing – data is only retrieved during the login process
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy" rel="nofollow ugc">Google OAuth Privacy Policy</a> 
– <a href="https://policies.google.com/terms" rel="nofollow ugc">Google OAuth Terms of Service</a> 
– <a href="https://developers.google.com/terms/api-services-user-data-policy" rel="nofollow ugc">Google API Services User Data Policy</a>
<h3>Microsoft Azure AD (Social Login)</h3>
What it is: Microsoft’s OAuth 2.0 service via Azure Active Directory that allows users to sign in using their Microsoft account.
What it’s used for: 
– Authenticating WordPress users via their personal Microsoft account or organizational (work/school) account 
– Retrieving basic profile information (name, email) to link or create accounts
What data is sent and when: 
– User is redirected to Microsoft’s authorization server when clicking “Sign in with Microsoft” 
– An authorization code is exchanged for an access token and ID token (JWT) on your server 
– Basic profile information (name, email, Azure object ID) is extracted from the ID token 
– No ongoing data sharing – data is only retrieved during the login process
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement" rel="nofollow ugc">Microsoft Privacy Statement</a> 
– <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/servicesagreement" rel="nofollow ugc">Microsoft Services Agreement</a> 
– <a href="https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/entra/identity-platform/" rel="nofollow ugc">Microsoft Identity Platform Documentation</a>
<h3>Apple Sign In (Social Login)</h3>
What it is: Apple’s OAuth 2.0 / OpenID Connect service that allows users to sign in using their Apple ID.
What it’s used for: 
– Authenticating WordPress users via their Apple ID 
– Retrieving basic profile information (name, email) to link or create accounts
What data is sent and when: 
– User is redirected to Apple’s authorization server when clicking “Sign in with Apple” 
– An authorization code is exchanged for an access token and ID token (JWT) on your server 
– Basic profile information (email, user ID) is extracted from the ID token 
– User’s name is only provided on first authorization; subsequent logins return only the user ID 
– Apple may provide a private relay email address instead of the user’s real email 
– No ongoing data sharing – data is only retrieved during the login process
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://www.apple.com/legal/privacy/" rel="nofollow ugc">Apple Privacy Policy</a> 
– <a href="https://developer.apple.com/sign-in-with-apple/get-started/" rel="nofollow ugc">Sign in with Apple Guidelines</a> 
– <a href="https://developer.apple.com/terms/" rel="nofollow ugc">Apple Developer Program License Agreement</a>
<h3>TOTP (Time-based One-Time Password) Standard</h3>
What it is: An open standard (RFC 6238) for generating time-based one-time passwords used in two-factor authentication.
What it’s used for: 
– Generating secure, time-limited authentication codes for 2FA 
– Providing backup authentication when primary 2FA methods are unavailable 
– Enabling compatibility with popular authenticator apps (Google Authenticator, Authy, Microsoft Authenticator, etc.)
What data is sent and when: 
– No external data transmission – TOTP codes are generated locally using the TOTP algorithm 
– Secret key generation – A unique secret key is generated locally when 2FA is enabled for a user 
– QR code generation – QR codes are generated locally for easy setup with authenticator apps 
– Code verification – Generated codes are verified locally against the stored secret key
Privacy and Terms: 
– <a href="https://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc6238" rel="nofollow ugc">RFC 6238 – TOTP Standard</a> 
– <a href="https://policies.google.com/privacy" rel="nofollow ugc">Google Authenticator Privacy Policy</a> (if using Google Authenticator app) 
– <a href="https://authy.com/privacy/" rel="nofollow ugc">Authy Privacy Policy</a> (if using Authy app) 
– <a href="https://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/privacystatement" rel="nofollow ugc">Microsoft Authenticator Privacy Policy</a> (if using Microsoft Authenticator app)
<h3>Data Handling Summary</h3>
When CAPTCHA is disabled: No data is sent to any third-party services.
When CAPTCHA is enabled: Only the specific provider you choose receives verification data. Data is not shared between providers or stored by Guard Dog beyond the verification process.
When 2FA is disabled: No external data transmission occurs.
When 2FA is enabled: 
– All TOTP operations (code generation, verification) happen locally on your server 
– No data is transmitted to external services for 2FA functionality 
– Authenticator apps only receive the initial setup QR code or secret key 
– Recovery codes are generated locally and stored securely
When Social Login is disabled: No data is sent to any OAuth provider.
When Social Login is enabled: 
– Data is only sent to the configured providers (Google, Microsoft, Apple) during the login process 
– Only basic profile information (name, email, user ID) is retrieved 
– Social account links are stored locally in your WordPress database 
– Users can unlink their social accounts from their profile at any time
User control: Users can choose which CAPTCHA provider to use, or disable CAPTCHA entirely. 2FA can be enabled/disabled per user, and users can choose their preferred authenticator app. Social login can be enabled/disabled by administrators, and users can manage their linked social accounts. All security features are optional and configurable.

Guard Dog

Plugin-first WordPress login and account security with custom login URLs, 2FA, passkeys, CAPTCHA protection, access control, sessions, and activity lo …

Josh

Since 2019, we’ve helped thousands of businesses to generate $125,000,000 in revenue through premium content and membership sites. Our customers range from high school seniors to teams at Slack, Reddit, American Airlines, Webflow, IDEO, etc.
Whether you’re creating a custom SaaS application, online course, subscription service, premium content site, or member community, we’re ready to help!
Our WordPress integration makes it simple to protect content, manage members, and process payments without any coding knowledge. Perfect for content creators, course developers, and businesses looking to monetize their WordPress sites through memberships.
<h4>Getting Started Guide</h4>
Quick Start Video Tutorial
Check out our installation and setup guide video: <a href="https://youtu.be/N-S2CJjomK8?si=nGboxSIPbjHHbCoO" rel="nofollow ugc">Watch Getting Started with Memberstack + WordPress</a>
In this video, you’ll learn how you can add gated content, social auth, and more to your WordPress site using the Memberstack plugin with WordPress!
<h4>Why Choose Memberstack?</h4>
<ul>
<li>No Coding Required – Easy setup with visual builders and pre-built components for WordPress</li>
<li>Professional Features – Enterprise-grade security and functionality at a fraction of the cost</li>
<li>Flexible Pricing – Start building in test mode for free with no credit card required</li>
<li>Modern Authentication – Social login, passwordless options, and traditional email/password</li>
<li>Page Builder Ready – Works seamlessly with popular builders like Bricks, Elementor, Gutenberg, and more</li>
</ul>
<h4>Perfect For</h4>
<ul>
<li>Online Courses & Educational Content</li>
<li>Premium News & Media Sites</li>
<li>Subscription Services</li>
<li>Member Communities</li>
<li>Digital Downloads</li>
<li>Professional Services</li>
<li>Content Creators</li>
<li>Online Coaches</li>
<li>Digital Products</li>
</ul>
<h4>Essential Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>
Smart Content Protection
<ul>
<li>Protect entire pages or specific sections</li>
<li>Create multiple membership plans, paid or free</li>
<li>Set up trial periods for paid plans</li>
<li>Custom access rules</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Modern Authentication
<ul>
<li>Social login (Google, GitHub, LinkedIn, etc.)</li>
<li>Passwordless email login</li>
<li>Traditional email/password</li>
<li>Custom registration fields, we call them “custom fields”</li>
<li>Profile management</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Payment & Subscriptions
<ul>
<li>Stripe integration – Memberstack exclusively uses Stripe</li>
<li>Multiple pricing tiers</li>
<li>Free and paid plans</li>
<li>Trial periods</li>
<li>Payment management</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
<h4>Pricing</h4>
Start in test mode for free – no credit card required. When you’re ready to launch, choose the plan that fits your member count. As your business grows, unlock lower transaction fees. We added this section because we want to be transparent about our pricing and help you make an informed decision.
<ul>
<li>
Basic – $29/mo
<ul>
<li>Perfect for up to 1,000 members</li>
<li>4% transaction fee – great for testing the waters</li>
<li>All core features included</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Professional – $49/mo
<ul>
<li>Scale up to 5,000 members</li>
<li>Reduced 2% transaction fee</li>
<li>All core features included</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Business – $99/mo
<ul>
<li>Support up to 10,000 members</li>
<li>Ultra-low 0.9% transaction fee</li>
<li>All core features included</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
Established – $499/mo
<ul>
<li>10,000+ members</li>
<li>ZERO transaction fees – maximize your revenue</li>
<li>All core features included</li>
<li>Priority support included</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
Every Plan Includes:
<ul>
<li>WordPress integration</li>
<li>Social login options</li>
<li>Stripe payment processing</li>
<li>Custom SSO</li>
<li>Branded emails</li>
<li>Member management dashboard</li>
<li>Save 20% with annual billing</li>
</ul>
Start for free in test mode and upgrade when you’re ready to launch. No hidden fees or surprises – just straightforward pricing that scales with your success.
<h4>Page Builder Integration</h4>
Works seamlessly with your favorite page builders:
<ul>
<li>Bricks – Native elements for forms and buttons</li>
<li>Elementor – Custom widgets for membership features</li>
<li>Divi – Built-in module support</li>
<li>Gutenberg – Dedicated blocks for content protection</li>
</ul>
<h4>Easy Implementation</h4>
Add membership features anywhere with our shortcodes:
<ul>
<li><code>[memberstack_login]</code> – Display login form</li>
<li><code>[memberstack_signup]</code> – Display signup form</li>
<li><code>[memberstack_protected]</code> – Protect content sections</li>
<li><code>[memberstack_member]</code> – Display member information</li>
<li><code>[memberstack_modal]</code> – Add modal triggers</li>
<li><code>[memberstack_logout]</code> – Add logout buttons</li>
</ul>
<h4>Getting Started</h4>
<ol>
<li>Install the Memberstack WordPress plugin</li>
<li>Create your free Memberstack account at <a href="https://memberstack.com" rel="nofollow ugc">memberstack.com</a></li>
<li>Copy your App ID from the Memberstack dashboard</li>
<li>Paste the App ID in WordPress under Settings > Memberstack</li>
<li>Start protecting content and adding membership features!</li>
</ol>
<h3>Professional Support</h3>
<ul>
<li>Extensive <a href="https://docs.memberstack.com/hc/en-us" rel="nofollow ugc">Documentation</a></li>
<li>Support Team – <a href="https://docs.memberstack.com/hc/en-us/requests/new" rel="nofollow ugc">Contact Us</a></li>
<li>Community Forum – <a href="https://docs.memberstack.com/hc/en-us/community/posts" rel="nofollow ugc">Join the Discussion</a></li>
<li>WordPress Slack Community – <a href="https://www.memberstack.com/wpslack" rel="nofollow ugc">Join the Slack Community</a></li>
</ul>
<h3>Privacy Policy</h3>
Memberstack integrates with our cloud service to manage memberships and protect content. <a href="https://docs.memberstack.com/hc/en-us/articles/11419812024347-Privacy-Policy" rel="nofollow ugc">View our Privacy Policy</a>.

Memberstack – Member Management & Content Protection


I created this plugin for the Memberstack Wordpress community. It's ok i guess.


Great Plugin


Memberstack has been a game-changer for my website! Setting up user authentication, memberships, and paywalls was incredibly easy, even without coding experience. The plugin integrates smoothly, and the UI is clean and intuitive.



I love how Memberstack handles user management and payments effortlessly, making it perfect for subscription-based sites. Their support team is also responsive and helpful whenever I have questions.



If you're looking for a simple yet powerful membership solution, I highly recommend Memberstack! 🚀


Amazing Membership Solution!

Transform your WordPress site into a premium membership platform. Create members-only content and manage subscriptions with ease.

Guard Dog vs Memberstack – Member Management & Content Protection