13 Platforms Like Gumroad: Top Alternatives to Sell Digital Products

Gumroad takes 10% of every sale—but does it deserve that cut? Many creators love its simplicity, but hidden fees and limited features quietly eat into profits. You might not notice at first, but as sales grow, that 10% feels increasingly unfair for what’s simply a basic storefront. Worse, Gumroad lacks built-in tools to market the digital product, forcing you to integrate third-party apps just to run discounts or affiliates.

There’s a better way. Platforms now offer lower fees, smarter tools, and real customization—without Gumroad’s restrictions. Whether you sell courses, downloads, or subscriptions, the right alternative can mean keeping more money and scaling more easily. So, let’s explore the top options that eCommerce development agencies use to make sure your business remains scalable.

What is Gumroad?

Gumroad is an easy-to-use online platform that helps creators sell digital products, subscriptions, and physical items directly to their audience. Founded in 2011, it’s designed for indie creators, artists, writers, and small businesses who want a hassle-free way to monetize their work.

If you sell digital products, memberships, or even physical goods, you’ve probably heard of Gumroad. But what exactly is it, and how does it work? Let’s break it down in simple terms.

Key Features:

• Sell digital products (eBooks, courses, software, music, etc.).
• Offer memberships & subscriptions (recurring revenue).
• Sell physical products (though it’s not the main focus).
• Simple store setup (no coding needed).
• Pay-what-you-want pricing (great for fans who want to support you).
• Built-in audience discovery (Gumroad’s marketplace).

How does it make money? Gumroad charges a 10% transaction fee (plus payment processor fees). There’s no monthly fee, making it beginner-friendly, but fees can add up as you grow.

Who’s it For?

• Writers selling eBooks.
• Designers offering templates.
• Musicians selling beats or albums.
• Course creators with small-scale offerings.

Gumroad is great if you want a simple, no-fuss way to sell digital products. But if you need lower fees, better branding, or advanced features, you might want to explore alternatives.

Gumroad Alternatives: Quick Comparison

Alternative	Top Feature	Pricing
Lemon Squeezy	Global payments & tax automation	Starts from $0 (10% + payment fees)
Etsy	Built-in marketplace for digital goods	Free version available; paid plan starts from $0.20 + 6.5% fee per listing
WooCommerce	Full control (self-hosted WordPress)	Free plugin; costs depend on hosting & extensions
MemberPress	Membership & course management	Starts from $179.50/year (WordPress plugin)
Sellfy	All-in-one eCommerce for digital goods	Starts from $22/month ($264 billed yearly)
Mighty Networks	Community + courses + memberships	Starts from $41/month (when billed annually)
Shopify	Best for scaling digital + physical	Starts from $29/month (plus transaction fees)
Payhip	Low fees + built-in affiliate marketing	Free version available; paid plan starts from $29/month
LearnDash	Powerful LMS for course creators	Starts from $199/year
Podia	All-in-one (courses, memberships, downloads)	Starts from $33/month + 5% transaction fees
Teachable	Course creation & school customization	Free version available; paid plan starts from $39/month (when billed annually)
Paddle	SaaS & software billing solution	Starts from 5% + 50¢ per checkout transaction
Patreon	Recurring memberships & fan support	Free version available; platform commission starts from 8% of the income you earn on Patreon

Best Gumroad Alternatives

Gumroad’s simplicity comes at a cost, both in fees and limitations. These alternatives deliver more value, whether you’re after lower fees, better features, or room to grow. From all-in-one platforms to specialized solutions, here are your best options for selling digital products.

1. Lemon Squeezy

Lemon Squeezy is like the modern, hassle-free upgrade to Gumroad. It handles everything from digital downloads to SaaS subscriptions with a clean, intuitive interface. What stands out is its automatic tax compliance—it calculates and remits sales tax globally, so you don’t have to sweat the paperwork.

The platform also shines with its developer-friendly tools, making it a hit for software sellers. Unlike Gumroad, it offers native subscription management, one-click upsells, and detailed analytics. Plus, the branding options are way more polished, so your store doesn’t scream “generic”.

Key Features of Lemon Squeezy

• Built-in tax and VAT handling (huge time saver for EU and global sales)
• Simple product creation for software, downloads, subscriptions, and licenses
• Email marketing tools included—no need to connect another service
• Clean and customizable checkout experience
• License key management for software sellers
• Analytics and reporting are built right in

Pros of Lemon Squeezy

• Lower fees than Gumroad (just 5% + $0.50 per transaction)
• Sleek, customizable storefronts
• Zero headaches with tax compliance
• Great for SaaS and software sellers

Cons of Lemon Squeezy

• No free plan (but no monthly fees either)
• Limited marketing tools (no built-in email or affiliates)
• Not ideal for physical products

Best for: SaaS founders, indie developers, and digital creators who want a Gumroad alternative with global tax support and scalable subscriptions.

2. Etsy

Etsy isn’t just for handmade crafts—it’s become a solid option for selling digital products too. The built-in marketplace gives you instant access to millions of buyers searching for printables, templates, and digital art. Unlike Gumroad, you don’t need to drive all your own traffic.

The platform keeps things simple with an easy upload process and automatic delivery. But there are quirks, like listing fees and strict category rules. It works best for visual digital products (think planners, fonts, or SVG files) rather than complex downloads like software.

Key Features of Etsy

• Easy product listings for both digital and physical items
• Built-in traffic from a global marketplace
• Simple shop setup with customization options
• Seller dashboard with order tracking and insights
• Secure payments and buyer protection are built in
• Integrated messaging system to connect with customers

Pros of Etsy

• Instant access to buyers (no marketing needed)
• Low barrier to entry—anyone can start selling
• Handles VAT for EU customers automatically
• Great for visual digital products

Cons of Etsy

• Listing fees ($0.20 per item) plus 6.5% transaction fee
• Strict rules about what counts as “digital”
• Limited customization for your storefront
• Competitive—hard to stand out in crowded categories

Best for: Designers, artists, and creators selling visual digital goods (like printables, patterns, or templates) who want built-in traffic without building their own audience.

3. WooCommerce

WooCommerce is one of the best eCommerce plugins for WordPress for building a full-featured online store. It’s free to install, but you’ll need hosting and likely some paid extensions to match Gumroad’s out-of-the-box features. The tradeoff? Complete control over your store’s design and functionality.

Unlike Gumroad’s simple setup, WooCommerce requires more technical tinkering. But it pays off—you can sell anything (digital, physical, subscriptions) without platform restrictions. Payment gateways, tax settings, and shipping options are all customizable to your needs.

Key Features of WooCommerce

• Seamless integration with WordPress
• Supports physical, digital, and subscription products
• Tons of extensions for shipping, tax, and payment handling
• Full design control with themes and plugins
• Inventory, order, and customer management
• One-time and recurring payment options

Pros of WooCommerce

• Zero transaction fees (just payment processor costs)
• Fully customizable—your store, your rules
• Scales from small shops to enterprise-level
• Huge community and support resources

Cons of WooCommerce

• Requires WordPress hosting and maintenance
• Learning curve for non-technical users
• Real costs add up with extensions and themes
• You’re responsible for security and updates

Best for: WordPress users who want full ownership of their store and don’t mind some setup work. Perfect for sellers who outgrow Gumroad’s limitations.

4. MemberPress

MemberPress is the WordPress plugin that turns your site into a membership powerhouse. While Gumroad handles simple memberships, MemberPress goes deeper—think drip content, course protection, and detailed access rules. It’s like having a private club on your own website.

The setup takes more work than Gumroad’s one-click solution, but you get way more control. Bundle courses with memberships, set up recurring payments, and restrict content by user roles. Just know you’ll need to handle hosting, security, and updates yourself.

Key Features of MemberPress

• Create unlimited membership levels and rules
• Drip content scheduling for course delivery
• Built-in paywall and subscription tools
• Integrates with Stripe, PayPal, and Authorize.net
• Easy setup with powerful access controls
• Works with LMS plugins and email tools

Pros of MemberPress

• No transaction fees beyond payment processors
• Complete ownership of member data
• Works with any WordPress theme
• Excellent for course creators

Cons of MemberPress

• Requires WordPress technical know-how
• Add-ons get expensive fast
• No built-in community features
• You handle all customer support

Best for: WordPress-based course creators and membership sites that need advanced content control. Not ideal if you want a hands-off solution.

5. Sellfy

Sellfy is like Gumroad’s more stylish sibling—it handles digital and physical products with cleaner store designs. You get built-in marketing tools that Gumroad lacks, like email collectors and discount codes, right from the start. The interface is intuitive, so you’re not wasting time figuring things out.

While it’s pricier than Gumroad’s free plan, the flat monthly fee means no surprise transaction cuts. Their print-on-demand service is a nice bonus if you want to sell merch without inventory hassles. Just don’t expect advanced course features—it’s best for straightforward digital sales.

Key Features of Sellfy

• Sell digital, physical, subscription, and print-on-demand products
• Built-in marketing tools like email, discounts, and upsells
• Simple storefront builder with no coding
• Embed buy buttons anywhere—YouTube, Instagram, etc.
• Built-in payment processing with PayPal and Stripe
• Supports EU VAT and tax settings

Pros of Sellfy

• Predictable pricing (no % fees at paid tiers)
• Beautiful, mobile-ready store templates
• Handles both digital and physical products
• Better marketing tools than Gumroad

Cons of Sellfy

• $29/month entry price (no free plan)
• Limited course functionality
• No native affiliate program
• Transaction fees on the cheapest plan

Best for: Designers, musicians, and creators who want a polished storefront with solid marketing tools. Ideal if you’re tired of Gumroad’s basic look and hidden fees.

6. Mighty Networks

Mighty Networks is where your community and courses live together—unlike Gumroad, which just handles sales. It’s built for creators who want to foster a dedicated audience, not just process transactions. You get discussion spaces, events, and memberships all in one place.

The platform shines when you want to go beyond selling downloads. Members can interact, take courses, and attend live events—all while paying you monthly. But it’s overkill if you just need a simple digital storefront.

Key Features of Mighty Networks

• Build private or public communities under your own brand
• Create and sell online courses with built-in tools
• Host live events and offer memberships
• Mobile apps are available for iOS and Android
• Powerful member engagement features like polls, DMs, and topics
• Custom landing pages and onboarding flows

Pros of Mighty Networks

• Keeps everything in one place (no patching tools together)
• Members actually stick around (not just one-time buyers)
• Beautiful, branded mobile apps included
• No transaction fees on higher plans

Cons of Mighty Networks

• Steep learning curve compared to Gumroad
• $39/month minimum (no free plan)
• Not ideal for simple product sales
• Limited design customization

Best for: Coaches, educators, and community builders who want to combine content with connection. Worst for creators who just want to sell PDFs and move on.

7. Shopify

Shopify is one of the biggest names in the eCommerce world—and for good reason. It gives you all the tools you need to start a Shopify store, manage and grow your own online store, even if you’re not tech-savvy. From physical products to digital goods, you can sell pretty much anything.

What stands out is how easy it is to get started. You pick a theme, add your products, set up payments, and you’re live. Plus, the app store has tons of integrations if you want to customize things further. It’s built to scale with you, whether you’re just starting or already making steady sales.

Key Features of Shopify

• Drag-and-drop store builder with beautiful themes
• Built-in payment processing (Shopify Payments)
• Supports digital and physical products
• Large app ecosystem for custom features
• Detailed analytics and inventory tracking
• Multi-channel selling (Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, etc.)

Pros of Shopify

• Scales from small shops to enterprise-level
• Beautiful, mobile-optimized themes
• 24/7 customer support
• Better for physical + digital hybrid stores

Cons of Shopify

• $29/month starting price (plus app costs)
• Transaction fees if not using Shopify Payments
• Digital features require add-ons
• Overkill for simple digital products

Best for: Businesses selling both physical and digital goods or creators who’ve outgrown Gumroad’s limits. Not ideal if you just sell cheap PDFs occasionally.

8. Payhip

Payhip feels like Gumroad but smarter—it does everything Gumroad does (digital products, memberships, even physical goods) with lower fees and better features. The free plan is generous, taking just 5% per sale compared to Gumroad’s 10%.

What really stands out is the built-in affiliate program. You can set commission rates and track referrals without needing another tool. The store designs are cleaner, giving you more control over how your brand looks.

Key Features of Payhip

• Sell digital downloads, physical products, and memberships
• Built-in affiliate system to grow your reach
• Automatic tax and VAT handling
• Customizable store pages and checkout
• Pay-what-you-want pricing option
• Supports coupons, discounts, and email marketing

Pros of Payhip

• Keep more of your profits (lower fees than Gumroad)
• Your own affiliate program included
• Clean, professional store designs
• Easy migration from Gumroad

Cons of Payhip

• Course features are basic (no video hosting)
• Limited email marketing tools
• No physical product inventory management

Best for: Authors, musicians, and indie creators who want Gumroad’s simplicity but with lower fees and built-in affiliates. Not ideal for complex courses or large inventories.

9. LearnDash

LearnDash is the powerhouse for course creators on WordPress. Unlike Gumroad’s simple approach, it turns your site into a full-fledged learning platform. Think quizzes, drip content, certificates—everything serious educators need.

It’s not just a sales tool like Gumroad. You’re building a complete learning experience. The tradeoff? You’ll need WordPress hosting and some tech comfort to set it up right. But once it’s running, your courses look professional and function smoothly.

Key Features of LearnDash

• Drag-and-drop course builder
• Drip-feed content and lesson scheduling
• Quizzes, certificates, and assignments
• One-time payments, subscriptions, or memberships
• Works seamlessly with WordPress themes and plugins
• Built-in reporting and analytics

Pros of LearnDash

• No transaction fees (unlike Gumroad)
• Complete control over your course design
• Handles complex course structures easily
• Active user community for support

Cons of LearnDash

• $199/year base price (plus WordPress costs)
• Steeper learning curve than Gumroad
• Requires additional plugins for memberships
• You handle all tech maintenance

Best for: Professional educators and businesses selling structured courses. Overkill if you just sell simple PDFs or videos occasionally.

10. Podia

Podia is the all-in-one platform Gumroad wishes it could be. It handles digital downloads, memberships, and courses without forcing you to glue different tools together. The interface is clean—no clutter, just what you need to sell.

Unlike Gumroad’s piecemeal approach, Podia bundles email marketing and community features right in. Your customers get a seamless experience, and you avoid paying for five different services. It’s slightly pricier, but the time you save is worth it.

Key Features of Podia

• Online course and digital product hosting
• Membership and community features
• Built-in email marketing tools
• Live and pre-recorded webinars
• No transaction fees on paid plans
• Customizable website builder

Pros of Podia

• Everything in one place (no app-hopping)
• Zero transaction fees on all plans
• Clean, intuitive interface
• Great customer support

Cons of Podia

• Very few advanced marketing tools for scaling
• Limited design customization
• Basic analytics
• No physical products

Best for: Course creators and membership hosts who want simplicity. Perfect if you’re tired of patching together Gumroad + Mailchimp + Discord.

11. Teachable

Teachable is where course creators go to build serious online schools, not just sell downloads like Gumroad. It gives you polished course pages, quizzes, and certificates without needing tech skills. The platform handles video hosting, student management, and payments all in one place.

While Gumroad keeps things simple, Teachable offers depth. You can create multi-tier courses, offer coaching add-ons, and even white-label your school. But this power comes with higher costs and a steeper learning curve than Gumroad’s straightforward approach.

Key Features of Teachable

• Drag-and-drop course builder
• Integrated payment processing
• Built-in sales pages and checkout
• Email marketing and student engagement tools
• Course completion certificates
• Analytics and progress tracking

Pros of Teachable

• Beautiful, professional course templates
• Handles everything from hosting to payments
• Great for upselling (courses + coaching)
• Strong student engagement tools

Cons of Teachable

• Higher plans can get pricey
• Limited customization on lower tiers
• Overkill for simple digital products

Best for: Educators and coaches building full-fledged courses. Not ideal if you just sell quick PDFs or want Gumroad’s simplicity.

12. Paddle

Paddle is the behind-the-scenes powerhouse for selling software and SaaS products. Unlike Gumroad, which focuses on simple digital sales, Paddle handles everything from payments to tax compliance globally. It’s like having a full finance team in your pocket.

The platform shines for developers and SaaS businesses. Automatic tax calculations, subscription management, and fraud prevention work out of the box. But it’s overkill if you’re just selling ebooks or courses—this is built for serious software sellers.

Key Features of Paddle

• Acts as your Merchant of Record
• Handles global payments and currencies
• Automated tax compliance (like VAT & sales tax)
• Subscription billing and management
• Built-in fraud protection
• Detailed revenue and customer analytics

Pros of Paddle

• Handles VAT/Sales Tax automatically
• Developer-friendly API
• Lower fees than Gumroad for software
• All-in-one payment solution

Cons of Paddle

• 5% + $0.50 per transaction
• Only for digital products
• No storefront customization
• Learning curve for beginners

Best for: SaaS companies and developers selling software internationally. Terrible fit for authors or course creators.

13. Patreon

Patreon flips Gumroad’s model—instead of one-time sales, you get recurring income from fans. It’s built for creators with loyal audiences who’ll pay monthly for exclusive content. Think behind-the-scenes access, not just downloadable files.

The platform thrives on community. You can offer tiered memberships, private posts, and even Discord perks. But it’s not a traditional store—your success depends on constantly delivering fresh content to keep subscribers happy.

Key Features of Patreon

• Monthly membership tiers
• Exclusive content for subscribers
• Direct fan messaging
• Integration with Discord and other tools
• Analytics to track revenue and patrons
• Creator-branded pages

Pros of Patreon

• Predictable monthly income
• Superfan-friendly platform
• Handles all payment processing
• Lower fees than Gumroad (5-12%)

Cons of Patreon

• Requires constant content updates
• Less control over branding
• Not for one-time product sales
• Fans can cancel anytime

Best for: Business podcasts, artists, and creators with engaged audiences. Worst for selling standalone digital products.

What to Look for in a Gumroad Alternative?

Gumroad works for some, but not all, creators. If you’re searching for a better fit, here’s what really matters when picking an alternative.

1. Pricing & Fees

Gumroad takes 10% of every sale, which adds up fast. Look for platforms with lower transaction fees or flat monthly pricing if you sell a lot. Some even offer free plans with basic features.

2. Product Types

Need to sell courses, memberships, or physical products? Not all platforms support everything. Double-check if the alternative fits what you’re selling.

3. Customization

A generic storefront won’t help you stand out. If branding matters, pick a tool that lets you tweak colors, fonts, and layouts without coding.

4. Payment Options

Stripe and PayPal are common, but what if your buyers prefer Apple Pay or regional methods? Check which payment gateways the platform supports.

5. Marketing Tools

Upsells, coupons, and email integrations can boost sales. Gumroad’s basics might not cut it—see if the alternative has better built-in marketing features.

6. Ease of Use

Complicated setups waste time. The best alternatives balance power with simplicity, so you spend less time fussing with settings and more time selling.

7. Customer Support

When something breaks, you need help fast. Look for platforms with live chat, docs, or active communities—not just slow email tickets.

There’s no perfect Gumroad alternative for everyone. Focus on what you need—whether it’s lower fees, more features, or better design control—and test a few options.

FAQs on Gumroad Alternatives

Let’s Summarize

Gumroad works fine when you’re starting out, but as your sales grow, those fees and limitations are not worth it. Why settle for less control and higher costs when there are platforms built to help you scale with more profit?

Whether you need lower fees (like Payhip), better course tools (Teachable), or a full-blown eCommerce solution (Shopify), there’s an alternative that fits. The good thing is you don’t have to give up simplicity to get better features. Plus, many of these options are just as easy to use as Gumroad, with lower pricing and more flexibility.

So if Gumroad’s been holding you back, it might be time to switch. If you want to set up your store with a platform that aligns with your needs, explore the top eCommerce development companies. They have skilled developers with expertise in various tools and technologies for providing you with the best solutions.