User vs. Subscriber vs. Active Member: What's the Difference?

User vs. Subscriber vs. Active Member — CREDN Reference
CREDN · Membership Reference

User, Subscriber & Active Member

What these three labels mean on a WordPress account, and how they connect to Stripe.

The Three Terms

WordPress Account
User

They have a login. That's all this means on its own.

Base WordPress Role
Subscriber

The starting role every account gets. Can log in, nothing more.

Added WordPress Role
ACTIVE CREDN Member

Added on top of Subscriber when Stripe shows an active membership. This is what unlocks access.

How They Connect

$
Stripe
New active subscription
OttoKit
Fetches the customer, runs the automation
WP
WordPress User
Account created or updated
Subscriber
+
Role Added
Layered on top of Subscriber
ACTIVE CREDN Member
Access Granted
Community space + included courses
$
Stripe
Subscription canceled or lapsed
OttoKit
Fetches the customer again
Role Removed
Dropped back to just Subscriber
ACTIVE CREDN Member gone
WP
Login Still Works
Account isn't deleted, just downgraded
Access Removed
Community + course access revoked
On the Users screen, this is why you'll see roles stacked like Subscriber, ACTIVE CREDN Member, that's a currently active member. Just Subscriber alone means the account exists but membership isn't active. Board and staff accounts pile on more roles (Editor, Administrator, CREDN BOARD) on top of the same base.

Quick Answers

Someone can log in but isn't getting member access.

They're missing the ACTIVE CREDN Member role. Check their Stripe subscription status first, that's the source of truth.

Someone's membership was canceled. What changes?

ACTIVE CREDN Member is automatically removed. Their login still works, they just lose community and course access.

Someone can't log in at all.

Check whether they have a WordPress account yet. No account means none of the roles above apply.

Stripe is the source of truth for membership status. OttoKit handles the automation between Stripe, WordPress, FluentCRM, and FluentCommunity. For identity or billing issues, contact board@credn.org.


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