5 Best Gumroad Alternatives to Gumroad that are cheaper and better (2023) -
Last updated: December 20, 2022
update:As from December 20, 2022 Gumroad will announce a price increase and will charge an additional 10% for every sale that users make through the platform (plus additional transaction fees from Paypal and Stripe). If you're caught in the middle of this devastating news and are contemplating switching to another platform Here's a checklist of Gumroad alternatives that you'll need to check out!
Gumroad is a well-known platform to sell digital goods. It offers a online storefront that allows you to sell digital products online in just a few minutes. Gumroad is also equipped with additional capabilities like features that allow you to sell subscriptions, integration to Paypal and Stripe, and more.
But, there are drawbacks that turn people off from staying on the platform. Reviews on the internet have revealed among other issues the high cost of pricing on Gumroad, lack of customer support as well as the inability of scaling to handle large volumes of sales are causing users to switch to different platforms.
In this piece this article, we'll review Gumroad's top alternatives for selling digital products in order to take a shrewd decision about your business. There are many options which are ideal for companies who are just beginning their journey however, we've included the issue of scalability in mind to ensure you don't have change platforms when your business expands.
Below is a short overview of the top Gumroad alternative options that can be less expensive and superior:
What exactly is Gumroad and what does it Offer?
Gumroad can be described as an eCommerce platform that is geared toward digital goods. It provides a range of options, including the capability to market various product types including subscriptions and digital downloads. Additionally, it provides marketing and analytics tools in addition to the capability to integrate the product page on your site.
With Gumroad offers you an entirely hosted online store which you're able to market your items via. Gumroad also provides a smaller online marketplace known as "Gumroad Discover" in which you are able to showcase your product listings amongst other artists.
What is the cost of Gumroad cost?
Gumroad will charge you 10% of the amount per sale it makes on its platform.
Furthermore, you'll be required to pay transaction charges through Paypal and Stripe which usually cost around 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per transaction.
Be aware that Gumroad was using unorthodox pricing structures prior to 2023. they've since settled on this current pricing structure.
Why Should You Look to Gumroad Alternatives?
1. Expensive Pricing and Lack of Scalability
Gumroad's flat rate of a 10% commission for each purchase is extremely costly for businesses who are just starting out, but it's more costly as your company grows, as your costs will only grow as a proportion of your revenue.
Imagine earning US$100,000 per month and having to pay the $10,000 fee - it does not look very exciting. Furthermore, the 10% fee does notinclude additional Stripe and Paypal fees (which usually cost around 2.9% + $0.30 for each transaction) that you also need to pay.
2. Lack of Customizability
Although Gumroad provides a fully-hosted storefront to sell your products on, you won't have the ability to modify the appearance of your online store to fit your company's branding. Gumroad offers a distinct style of store that can be found on every seller's retail stores. There is nothing you can customize on your storefront is one color for your highlight and a few small customizations such as your name, bio, and logo.
As a contrast, the alternative platforms presented in this post have sophisticated features for store builders that are beginner friendly (no need for coding or designing skills needed), but are still able to give you the freedom to design an online store that is highly profitable that is consistent with your brand.
3. Discover Better Options to Sell Online Courses
If you're selling goods such as digital downloads, Gumroad is generally quite proficient in providing your files to your clients. But, if you're selling running online courses, this platform does not provide robust functionalities that other online courses platforms usually have.
Gumroad's online course feature allows you to upload a video as well as other documents for your students to download, or simply click to view the video. However, this isn't exactly the interactive educational experience you'd like to see from an online course platform. There's no sophisticated course options like assessments and drip schedules, as well as certification of achievement.
Here's an example of student's experience in a course:
In comparison, here's what an enjoyable learning experience using diverse lesson styles could take on (the example below is taken from ):
features to look for in the Gumroad alternative
In the search for alternatives to Gumroad, there are a number of crucial aspects to take into consideration.
1. Features to Sell Various Product Types
Does the platform offer robust tools to sell different digital goods? This will allow you maximize your source of income across various industries. Take into consideration features like
- Digital downloads can be sold with features that include: instant file delivery, pdf stamping, download limitations, and more
- Online course features that can be sold include: a fun online course player with various different types of lesson (e.g. videos, assignment, etc) as well as a drip schedule of content and a variety of pricing options for courses, certificates, and more
- The features to promote coaching including integration with online meetings platforms such as Zoom and Calendly and many more.
- The features to market subscriptions or memberships: the ability to bill recurring payments
Additionally, you should look for flexibility to be able to integrate product pages onto your website. This lets you embed an order cart, and a an effortless checkout process into your web page.
2. Cheap Pricing (Little to No Upfront Costs)
How much will it price per transaction? Are there monthly costs that are not disclosed, fees hidden, or limitations?
Find platforms with an established track record of stability in pricing structures. Although a majority of businesses may offer you a favorable pricing structure in the beginning but you'll want to be sure that you won't face unanticipated price rises later on later on.
3. Tools for Marketing that are robust Tools
Apart from basic marketing tools like discount codes, you should look for a platform that can offer more complex and efficient marketing tools such as affiliate marketing. It allows you to conduct various marketing campaigns to scale your company.
It is the sole option on the list that offers the affiliate marketing service for free Other platforms require monthly subscription fees to use those features.
4. Easy-to-use and Custom-designed Store Builder for Beginners
Today, the online store, or site is essential for every company or brand to build brand loyalty and show their level of professionalism. When done properly, having your own website will not just set you on the right path to becoming an expert in your field but it can also build relationships with customers as it allows them to learn about the brand more closely.
Look for platforms that allow you to build a fully custom online store that will represent your business in the best possible manner. There are a ton of possibilities that don't need any programming or design expertise.
5. Takes Care of VAT and you won't have to
The fear of the complex tax system could stop you from expanding the scope of your business, and could slow down your expansion. You should consider a system that is fully compliant to not just collect VAT from your customers during checkout as well as remit taxes on behalf of your business so you won't need to lift a finger.
5 Best Gumroad Solutions to Sell Digital Products
Let's glance at some of the top alternatives to Gumroad for selling digital products. Every platform has its own distinctive options and plans for pricing, so it's important to compare them carefully before making your decision.
1.
The best Gumroad choice for value and price.
is by far the most popular of platforms that often gets compared to Gumroad since they're the closest Gumroad competitor , and they offer all the features that Gumroad has to offer and a price that is much more reasonable that is perfect for businesses of all sizes.
The platform is well-known due to its forever-free program that grants the sellers access to the entirety of the functions that the platform has to offer. In lieu of the huge 10% charge that Gumroad makes, only charges the buyer 5% per sale. Once your revenue grows then you may move to a monthly subscription to reduce your expenses. There is no need to think about scaling up your company's size .
If you're looking for a platform that is genuinely invested in the success of your company, this is your ideal choice.
PRICING:
The company has disrupted the market by offering an innovative pricing strategy which is designed to assist small-scale businesses grow, while also ensuring that businesses will keep their costs low in the process of growing into million-dollar enterprises.
Offers a selection of 3 pricing plans:
- Free for life with only 5% fee (perfect for newbies)
- $29.30/month, 2% of which is fees.
- $99/month with no fees
What makes it "unconventional"? It's because the pricing plans provide all users the exact same accessibility to all of their incredible options. 's founders created the company because of their belief in creating a platform that assists small-scale businesses in the long run by ensuring they have access to the powerful features that they need. This belief is well-received by many sellers on 's online reviews.
If you're starting your business from scratch, you can start on 's most popular Free-forever planwith no fees per month and 5percent fees for each sale (excluding shipping costs). As your business expands and you need to expand, you may switch to 's Plus plan at $29 per month fee plus 2percent fees per sale, or to the Professional plan for $99 per month fee (no additional fees for sales).
The price has been maintained for years, and customers can rest in peace of mind that this pricing isn't going anywhere.
PROS :
- This is the cheapest alternative for Gumroad.
- Inbuilt key features that allow you to market various products including:
- Unlimited product listings and unlimited revenues
- Improved checkout experience to ensure high conversion
- Powerful but easy-to-use store builder There are no design or coding expertise required
- You can completely personalize the online store you have created to fit your brand
- Fully hosted and free storefront (you can also connect with a customized domain)
- If you already have your own website it is easy to embed into any eCommerce site.
- Instant and secure payouts via Paypal and Stripe
- Pricing options for Pay-what-you-want for your products (a.k.a. Tip Jar)
- Remits and collects UK & EU VAT on your behalf
- Ability to store analytics and join with Google Analytics
- Bonus: is also highly acknowledged for its support level. Each user gets respect regardless of what price plans you're currently on.
CONS
- The shipping label is not integrated with any automated system or software (e.g. Shippo or ShipStation). 's platform is more geared towards digital goods, however you're still able to comfortably offer physical goods if want to
2. Shopify
Being one of the biggest online marketplaces in the world, Shopify is often a preferred choice as a Gumroad alternative. Shopify is an extensive eCommerce platform that allows you to create an online store and manage the products you sell. It also offers a wide range of software and features including the ability to process payments, analyze data, and marketing tools. Furthermore, Shopify has a variety of pricing plans that will fit diverse budgets.
Given the size of this online marketplace, you will find many third-party software applications every business category that you can connect to the Shopify store. It allows you to outfit your online store with unique tools for everything from changing the look of your website to marketing tools, and many more. One caveat to note is that they are usually not cost-free, which means you'll have to manage your expenses with care.
Even though Shopify is a powerful eCommerce platform but it's not have built-in capabilities for selling digital items because Shopify's platform is geared to selling tangible goods. It is necessary to download an additional app from third parties that can likely increase the costs for selling digital goods.
PRICING:
Small businesses who want to try different platforms before settling on one that suits their needs, Shopify offers a 14-day trial for free. The service isn't a permanent free program.
For a price of just $29 per month, Shopify's Basic Plan is the most loved plan. Additional Shopify plans are available at $79/month, $299/month in the case of Advanced Shopify, and $2000/month for Shopify Plus/Enterprise. You will be charged an additional transaction fee that you'll need to pay for each sale.
The Shopify platform doesn't have integrated features for selling digital goods. Most likely, you'll need to install third party apps from the Shopify application store. This typically comes with additional fees.
PROS :
- Access to thousands of third app developers available on Shopify, the Shopify app store
- Multi-channel sales are supported. This is especially helpful if you have a brick-and-mortar store
- Shopify is used by many small-scale businesses and also by content creators who specialize with Shopify content. The communities you join will likely be able to give you many helpful suggestions regarding online business
- Although Shopify's capabilities aren't enough for sellers whose catalog is predominantly digital products, physical product sellers could gain from Shopify's eCommerce features
CONS:
- The app doesn't have built-in capabilities to sell digital products. There is the requirement to install applications from third parties, which be accompanied by additional charges. Shopify is not a suitable choice for designers.
- The website does not come with any marketing tools such as affiliate marketing, referralmarketing, cross-sell, upsell and much more.
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is a different option to Gumroad because it provides an all-in-one marketplace for selling digital items. The major benefit of Kajabi over Gumroad is the fact that it lets creators set up communities. But, Kajabi is well-known for its monthly costs which aren't ideal for small businesses that have just started out.
PRICING:
Kajabi gives 14 days of trial period. You will need to input the details of your payment before being allowed to begin your trial. trial.
After your trial period is over, you have an option to choose between three paid plans:
- Basic: $149/month
- Growth: $199/month
- Pro: $399/month
There's a small amount of savings if you opt 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 likely be able to obtain these information from free Youtube videos online)
- The ability to access features that aren't offered on Gumroad like community features sales funnels, sales funnels and much more.
CONS :
- Not affordable for small business customers
- Complex marketing feature such as affiliate program are available only on the Growth and Pro plans
- Numerous limits on various things such as the number of products, numbers of contacts, the number of members, 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 also one of the most popular alternatives for designers. One of the major advantages of using Podia is that they provide a lifetime-free plan, but bear your mind that you'll not be able to publish multiple products on the free plan.
PRICING:
- Free: 8% fee
- Mover: $39/month
- Shaker: $89/month
- Earthquaker: $199/month
PROS :
- The features are designed to help sell additional kinds of products that aren't offered through Gumroad like community or webinars
- On-page chat widget to help to interact with website visitors
CONS
- The free plan comes with the transaction fee of 8% which means you're only able to sell one digital download (you'll most likely need to upgrade to Podia's paid plans in order to have a functioning eCommerce store)
- The more complex marketing tools, such as affiliate marketing are only available for Shaker ($75/month) or the Earthquaker ($166/month) plans.
- You'll need to pay an additional fee of $20 per month for any additional seats in the team
- It is impossible to turn off Podia branding unless you pay the Shaker ($75/month) or the Earthquaker ($166/month) plans.
5. Mighty Networks
If you're in search of an Gumroad alternative for establishing communities, sell online coursesor coaches services Mighty Networks is a popular option. While this platform might not be the best choice for selling digital downloads but you may discover this as a more suitable Gumroad alternative to selling your online courses.
PRICING:
There are two plans to choose from: two plans that are paid for:
- The community plan The community plan: $39/month
- The business plan: $119/month
- Mighty Pro: You'll have contact the team to inquire about pricing
PROS :
- Mighty Networks' community feature is more developed than other platforms mentioned in this article The interface is similar to what you would see on a social media platform
- Members can see each other's posts by logging into a content feed, which may encourage more genuine interactions
CONS :
- Lack of robust features for selling product types such as digital downloads
- The online course options don't have the same quality as other platforms for online courses since they do not offer any type of lesson including assessments, quizzes and the certificates of achievement
- Does not have integration with PayPal
The Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Option for Your Business
Here you go! There's plenty of alternatives to Gumroad to test Don't forget to take advantage of all of the platforms' free trials to see which options provide the ideal combination of features and price plans to meet your company's requirements.