5 Best Gumroad Alternatives to Gumroad that are cheaper and better (2023) --
The last update was December 20 in 2022.
Version 1.0 UpdateAs from December 20, 2022 Gumroad will announce a price hike and is charging 10 percent for every sale that it makes on its platform (plus any additional fees for transactions that come from Paypal and Stripe). If you're affected by this terrible news and you're considering switching to other platforms Here's a list of Gumroad alternatives you'll need to check out!
Gumroad is a popular platform that sells digital items. It offers a online storefront that allows you to sell digital products online within a matter of seconds. Gumroad also comes with other capabilities like features that allow you for selling subscriptions, integration to Paypal and Stripe, and other features.
However, it has disadvantages that deter people from staying on the platform. Reviews on the internet have revealed that , among other things the high cost of pricing on Gumroad in addition to the lack of customer service and inability to scale for big volume sellers has led customers to move to other platforms.
In this article this article, we'll review Gumroad's best alternatives for selling digital products in order to choose the best option for your company. We've included a variety of options that will be perfect for small businesses who are just beginning their journey however, we've included the issue of scalability with an eye on ensuring that you will never have move onto other platforms as your company grows.
Below is a short overview of the top Gumroad alternative options that can be more affordable and better:
What is Gumroad and What Does it Offer?
Gumroad offers an eCommerce platform that's designed towards digital products. It offers many options, including the ability to sell various product types including digital downloads as well as subscriptions. The software also provides marketing and analytics tools in addition to the capability to integrate the product page on your site.
With Gumroad it is possible to have a fully-hosted online store where you're able to market your items via. Gumroad also provides a smaller online marketplace known as "Gumroad Discover" which allows you to display your listings of products among other designers.
What is the cost of Gumroad Cost?
Gumroad charges 10% flat for every sale that it makes on its platform.
In addition, you will have to also pay transaction charges for transactions with Paypal and Stripe which usually are around 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction.
Note that Gumroad had a different pricing structure prior to 2023. they had since settled on this new pricing structure going forward.
Why Should You Look to Gumroad Alternatives?
1. Expensive Pricing and Lack of Scalability
Gumroad's standard rate of 10% commission for each sale can be extremely expensive for businesses who are only beginning their journey, however it's more costly as your business grows because your costs will only increase as a percentage of your revenue.
Imagine earning US$100,000 per month, and then having to pay $10,000 fees - that doesn't look very exciting. In addition that the fee of 10% doesn't notinclude any additional Paypal or Stripe charges (which usually cost around 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per transaction) that you also need to pay.
2. Inability to Customize
Although Gumroad offers a fully hosted website to display your merchandise on, you won't have the ability to modify the design of your web store to match your branding. Gumroad offers a distinct design for its storefronts that is used on all of its sellers' storefronts. There is nothing you can customize on your storefront is one color for your highlight and a few small customizations such as the name of your business, bio and your logo.
As a contrast, the alternatives that are discussed in this post have sophisticated tools for building stores that are beginner friendly (no need for coding or designing skills required), but are still capable of giving you complete freedom in creating a highly converting online store that matches your branding.
3. Discover Better Options for Selling Online Courses
If you're selling products such as digital downloads, Gumroad is generally quite proficient in providing your files to your clients. If you're offering online courses, the platform does not provide robust functionalities that other online course platforms typically provide.
Gumroad's online course feature allows you to upload a video as well as other documents that your students can download and then click on to watch the video. However, this isn't exactly the interactive learning experience that you'd expect to see from an online course platform. There's no sophisticated course features such as assessments and drip schedules, as well as certificates of completion.
Here's an example from a student's experience in a course:
Here's an example of an exciting learning experience that incorporates various lesson formats would appear to be (the example below is drawn from ):
Specific Features to Search For in the Gumroad Alternative
When looking for an alternative to Gumroad, there are a number of crucial aspects to take into consideration.
1. Features to Sell Various Product types
Does the platform have robust tools to sell various digital products? This will allow you maximize the revenue you can earn from various verticals. Consider features such as:
- The features to market digital download immediate file delivery pdf stamping, download limitations and much other features.
- Online course features that can be sold include: a fun online course player that includes a variety of different types of lesson (e.g. videos, assignment and more), drip content schedule and a variety of pricing options for courses including certificates and certificates.
- Tools to market coaching services Integration with online meeting platforms like Zoom and Calendly and many more.
- The features to market subscriptions or membership: capability to bill recurring payments
In addition, look for the flexibility to incorporate product pages into your site. This allows you to embed an online shopping cart as well as a an effortless checkout process into your web page.
2. Affordable Pricing (Little to No Upfront Costs)
What is the take to complete a transaction? Are there monthly costs, hidden fees, or limits?
Find platforms with solid records of stable pricing models. While a lot of companies may offer you a favorable pricing plan at the start but you'll want to be sure you're not facing sudden price hikes in the future.
3. Robust Marketing Tools
In addition to the standard marketing tools, such as discount coupons, you must seek out a system that can offer more complex and effective marketing tools, such as affiliate marketing. This allows you to run various marketing campaigns to scale the size of your business.
Note that is the only alternative which offers affiliate marketing option for no cost Other platforms require monthly subscription fees to access those tools.
4. A Beginner-Friendly Store Builder that is Fully Customizable and Fully-Custom
Today, having an online store or web site is critical for any company or brand to build customer loyalty and display their professionalism. When done properly, having your own website can not only set you up as an expert in your field but it can also build connections with your customers since they can learn about the company's brand better.
Find platforms that permit the creation of a custom online store that will showcase your company in the most professional possible manner. There are plenty of possibilities that don't require any coding or design expertise.
5. Takes Care of VAT and you won't have To
The dread of having to navigate the confusing tax system could prevent you from expanding your business and dampening the growth. Consider selecting a platform that is fully compliant to not only take VAT payments from your clients at checkout and remit the VAT on your behalf which means you do not have to lift a finger.
5 Top Gumroad Solutions to Sell Digital Products
Let's review some of the most popular alternatives to Gumroad for selling digital items. Every platform has its own unique features and pricing plans, so it's important to compare them carefully before making your choice.
1.
The best Gumroad alternative overall in terms of value as well as affordability.
is easily the most well-known platform and often gets compared to Gumroad since they're the closest Gumroad rival that has everything Gumroad has to offer with way more affordable pricing which is ideal for companies regardless of size.
The platform is well-known due to its Forever-free plan that gives sellers access the entirety of the tools which the platform can offer. In lieu of the huge 10% charge that Gumroad makes, only charges 5percent for each sale. If your business is growing and you are ready to upgrade, switch to 's monthly subscription for a lower cost. You will never have to fret about scaling your company's size .
If you're searching for an online platform that's dedicated to the success of your enterprise, then this platform is the best choice.
PRICING:
disrupted the industry by providing unorthodox pricing plans designed to help small-scale businesses grow, while in addition, ensuring that businesses keep their costs low in the process of growing into million-dollar enterprises.
There are three pricing plans:
- All-year-round free with 5% annual fees (perfect for newbies)
- Amount of $29 per month with 2% fee
- Monthly payment of $99 and no fee
Why is the pricing "unconventional"? This is because all pricing plans provide all users the exact same accessibility to all of their awesome features. The company's founders founded it by embracing a belief that they can succeed in creating a platform that aids small companies grow by never limiting their access to the advanced tools they require. The company's philosophy is admired by a large number of sellers who have's online reviews.
If you're only starting out then you should start off on the most popular Plan, Free for Lifewith no fees per month and 5percent fees per sale (excluding shipping fees). Once your business grows and you need to expand, you may move to's Plus plan for $29 per month fees + 2% fees per sale, or to the Pro plan for $99 per month fees (no other fees per sale).
has maintained this pricing for a long time, so it is possible to have confidence that this pricing isn't going anyplace.
PROS :
- This is the cheapest alternative to Gumroad.
- Built-in key features to sell diverse products, including:
- Unlimitless product listings, and unlimitable revenues
- Optimized check out experience for higher conversion
- Easy-to-use and powerful store builders - no coding or design expertise required
- You can completely personalize your store's online appearance to reflect your branding
- Storefront that is hosted completely for free (you can also connect a custom domain)
- If you have already got your own website it is easy to embed into any eCommerce website
- Payouts instantaneous and safe via Paypal and Stripe
- You can choose to pay what you want to your goods (a.k.a. Tip Jar)
- Pays for and collects UK & EU VAT on your behalf
- Store analytics & ability to link to Google Analytics
- Bonus: is also highly praised for its customer support quality. Every user is treated with prioritization regardless of price plans you're currently on.
CONS:
- There is no automated integration of shipping labels or software (e.g. Shippo, or ShipStation). The platform of ShipStation is more targeted toward digital products, but you can still offer physical items if you wish to
2. Shopify
One of the most popular online marketplaces in the world, Shopify is often a well-known Gumroad alternative. Shopify is an extensive eCommerce platform that allows the creation of your own online store as well as manage the products you sell. It also offers a wide variety of features and software, such as payments processing, analytics as well as marketing tools. Additionally, Shopify has a variety of pricing plans that will fit various budgets.
Because of the massive size of the online marketplace, you will find many third-party software applications across all business categories that you can connect to the Shopify store. This lets you equip your shop online with distinctive software , from tweaking the appearance of your website , to marketing tools, and many more. One caveat to note is that these apps are often not free, so you'll have to manage your expenses carefully.
Even though Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform however, it does not come with built-in features to market digital goods because Shopify's platform is geared toward tangible products. You will have to install an additional app from third parties that can potentially add to the cost of selling your digital products.
PRICING:
Small businesses who want to test different platforms prior to choosing one that best suits the requirements of their company, Shopify offers a 14-day trial at no cost. It is not a forever-free plan.
At $29/month, Shopify's Basic Plan is the most popular plan. Other Shopify plans are available for $79/month, $299/month in the case of Advanced Shopify, and $2000/month for Shopify Plus/Enterprise. The additional transaction cost that you'll need to pay per sale.
The Shopify platform does not come with built-in features to sell digital products. You'll most likely need to install third party apps through the Shopify app store which typically comes with additional fees.
PROS :
- Access to thousands of third party apps on Shopify, the Shopify app store
- It supports multi-channel sales. This can be particularly useful if you have a brick-and-mortar store
- Shopify is utilized by a variety of small and medium-sized businesses, in addition to content creators that specialize with Shopify content. These communities will probably be able to give you a lot of helpful tips about online companies
- While Shopify's features aren't sufficient for sellers whose catalog is predominantly digital items Physical product sellers can benefit from Shopify's robust eCommerce capabilities
CONS
- There are no built-in functions to market digital items. You'll need to install third party apps which will be accompanied by additional charges. Shopify isn't a good option for creators
- No built-in complex marketing instruments like affiliate marketing, referrals, upsell, cross-sell, and more
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is another well-known alternative to Gumroad as it also provides an all-in-one platform to sell digital products. The major benefit for Kajabi over Gumroad is that it permits creators to create communities. But, Kajabi is known for having monthly fees which aren't ideal to small-sized businesses who have just started out.
PRICING:
Kajabi gives 14 days of trial. You will need to input the details of your payment before being eligible to get started with your free trial.
After your trial period is over You have the option between 3 paid plans:
- Basic: $149/month
- Growth: $199/month
- Pro: $399/month
There's a tiny discount if you choose to sign up for the year-long subscription.
PROS :
- Kajabi offers educational tools for their users through Kajabi University (although it's worth noting that you'll probably find the information you need from YouTube videos on the internet)
- Access to features that aren't offered via Gumroad like community features sales funnels, community, and much more.
CONS :
- Small business owners can't afford it. customers
- A complex marketing function, such as the affiliate program are available only with those plans. Growth and Pro plans.
- There are numerous limitations on different aspects like the number of items, the numbers of contacts, the number of members, the number of admin users, and more. Not recommended for those of you who would like to "set-it-and-forget-it" because you'll need to keep track of your usage
4. Podia
Podia is among the most well-known options to creators. One of the major advantages of using Podia is that they offer a forever-free plan, but bear your mind that you'll not be able upload more than one merchandise on the plan for free.
PRICING:
- The cost is free: 8 percent of fees
- Mover: $39/month
- Shaker: $89/month
- Earthquaker: $199/month
PROS :
- Features to sell other categories of product that aren't on Gumroad such as community and webinars
- A chat-on-page widget that can help to interact with site's users
CONS
- The free plan comes with an 8% transaction cost and allows you to sell 1 digital download (you'll most likely have to upgrade to Podia's paid plans to be a fully-functioning eCommerce store)
- Advanced marketing tools like affiliate marketing can only be found with the Shaker ($75/month) or Earthquaker ($166/month) plans.
- It is necessary to pay an additional 20 dollars per month to add seats in the team
- It is impossible to turn off Podia brand unless you purchase an annual fee for Shaker ($75/month) or the Earthquaker ($166/month) plans
5. Mighty Networks
If you're looking for an Gumroad alternative to establish a community, sell online courses, or sell coaching services, Mighty Networks is a popular option. Though this option might not be the best choice for selling digital downloads, you might discover this as a more suitable Gumroad alternative for selling online courses.
PRICING:
There are two plans to choose from: 2 paid plans:
- The community plan is $39/month.
- The plan for business: $119/month
- Mighty Pro: You'll have to reach out to the team in order for price
PROS :
- Mighty Networks' community feature is more advanced than the other platforms in this list The interface is similar to that of Facebook's social media site
- Members may view one another's posts through content feed which could encourage genuine interaction
CONS :
- Insufficient features to support selling product types such as digital downloads
- The online course options don't have the same quality as other courses on the internet, since they do not offer any type of lesson like quizzes or assessments and certification of successful completion
- It is not integrated with PayPal
Last Thoughts on Choosing The Best Alternative For Your business
There you have it! There's a wide range of Gumroad alternatives to test and don't be a fool to avail each of the platform's free trials to see what options offer the best combination of features and price plans to suit your company's demands.