The Best Platforms to Sell Digital Downloads: Payhip vs Gumroad vs Podia
Discover which digital product platform—Payhip, Gumroad, or Podia—is right for your business. Compare features, pricing, ease of use, and more.
Introduction
If you're ready to start selling your digital downloads, you're probably wondering:
“Which platform should I use?”
Payhip, Gumroad, and Podia are three of the most popular tools for creators and solopreneurs looking to monetize their digital products without coding or complicated setup.
This comparison guide breaks down each one to help you choose the best fit for your needs.
Why Choosing the Right Platform Matters
The wrong platform can eat into your profits, limit your branding, or frustrate your customers. The right one makes selling seamless—and supports growth.
Let’s compare them based on:
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Ease of Use
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Pricing
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Features
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Payment Options
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Integrations
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Branding Control
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Affiliate & Marketing Tools
1. Payhip (https://www.payhip.com/)
Overview:
Payhip is a simple, beginner-friendly platform built specifically for selling digital downloads, courses, and memberships.
Key Features:
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Sell ebooks, templates, music, courses, etc.
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Simple drag-and-drop product setup
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Free plan with unlimited products
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EU/UK VAT automatically handled
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Built-in affiliate system
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Create discount codes, upsells
Pros:
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Free to start
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Instant payouts via PayPal or Stripe
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Embed checkout on your site
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No need for a website
Cons:
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5% transaction fee on free plan
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Limited site customization
Pricing:
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Free Plan: 5% transaction fee
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Plus ($29/month): 2% fee
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Pro ($99/month): 0% fee
2. Gumroad (https://www.gumroad.com/)
Overview:
Gumroad is a creator-first platform that supports digital products, memberships, and physical goods.
Key Features:
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Sell digital files, subscriptions, software licenses
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Customizable checkout pages
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DRM for ebooks/videos
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Built-in analytics and email marketing
Pros:
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No monthly fee
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Wide variety of digital file types supported
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Easy to use for beginners
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Hosted storefront + embeddable buttons
Cons:
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High transaction fee (10%)
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Basic design limitations
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Fewer advanced marketing tools
Pricing:
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No monthly fee
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10% flat fee on every transaction
3. Podia (https://www.podia.com/)
Overview:
Podia is an all-in-one platform ideal for creators selling digital products, online courses, webinars, and memberships.
Key Features:
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Sell downloads, courses, bundles
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Create full storefront & blog
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Live chat with site visitors
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Built-in email marketing
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Custom domains
Pros:
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No transaction fees
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Beautiful, fully hosted site
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All-in-one: No need for third-party tools
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Customer-friendly UI
Cons:
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No free plan
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Requires more setup than Payhip or Gumroad
Pricing:
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Mover ($39/month): Full access, no fees
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Shaker ($89/month): Adds affiliate marketing + more features
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Free 14-day trial
Side-by-Side Feature Comparison
| Feature | Payhip | Gumroad | Podia |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transaction Fees | 5% (free plan) | 10% | None |
| Free Plan Available | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Sell Courses | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Built-In Affiliate Tools | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ (Shaker Plan) |
| Custom Domain Support | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Email Marketing | Basic | Basic | Advanced |
| Customer Analytics | Basic | Yes | Yes |
| Payouts via | PayPal/Stripe | PayPal/Stripe | Stripe only |
Which One Should You Choose?
Choose Payhip if:
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You want to get started for free
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You’re selling a few simple downloads
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You want built-in EU VAT support
Choose Gumroad if:
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You need simplicity + no monthly fees
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You’re okay with higher transaction costs
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You want to sell directly from social media
Choose Podia if:
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You're building a full digital product business
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You want advanced tools + email + webinars
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You plan to scale or offer memberships/courses
Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best platform for you depends on:
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Your budget
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Your product type
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Your marketing strategy
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How fast you want to grow
For lean creators: Start with Payhip.
For quick setups: Try Gumroad.
For long-term business building: Invest in Podia.
Related Resources:
Tags:
#Payhip #Gumroad #Podia #DigitalDownloads #CreatorTools #SellOnline
