No, not at all. You cant buy cloths unless it is some holiday and they are free and you don't get as much things offered to you. I have an account and I don't have a membership and I really want one cause I can not do a lot of things without it. There is more games and more secret places to search with one so your question is, is Club Penguin better with a membership and that is YES! Really, it is.
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Moshi Monsters, as you can do more things without being a member. In club penguin, you can HARDLY do anything without having a membership.
You can buy club penguin membership codes from the shop but unless you win one in a competition there is no such thing as a free club penguin membership code.
A membership that is unused
You can't unless you use Penguin Storm.... but i wouldn't recommend that (It can get you banned FOREVER!)
Club Penguin has membership and at least half are members.