5 Best Gumroad Alternatives to Gumroad that are cheaper and more effective (2023) --
Last updated: December 20 20, 2022
Update:As as of the end of 2022 in December, Gumroad will announce a price increase and will charge an additional 10% per sale it makes on its platform (plus any additional fees for transactions that come from Paypal and Stripe). If you're caught in the middle of this devastating news and are considering switching to other platforms Here's a listing of Gumroad alternatives that you'll definitely need to check out!
Gumroad is one of the most popular platforms to sell digital goods. It offers a online storefront that allows you to make sales on digital items online within a matter of seconds. Gumroad also comes with other options like the ability for selling subscriptions, integration of Paypal and Stripe, and many more.
However, it has negatives that discourage people from staying on the platform. Review sites have proven among other issues prices that are expensive for Gumroad in addition to the lack of customer service, and lack of scalability for large volume sellers has led customers to move to different platforms.
In this article, we'll explore Gumroad's top alternatives for selling digital products to help you take a shrewd decision about your company. We've included a variety of options that are perfect for businesses who are just beginning their journey However, we've also included the issue of scalability with an eye on ensuring that you will never have to move to other platforms as your business grows.
Here is a quick list of the best Gumroad choices that's cheaper and better:
What exactly is Gumroad and What does it offer?
Gumroad can be described as an eCommerce platform that's geared to digital products. Gumroad offers a variety of options, including selling different categories of digital products like subscriptions and digital downloads. Additionally, it provides analytics and marketing tools in addition to the ability to embed products on your website.
With Gumroad it is possible to have an entirely hosted online store which you can sell your products from. Gumroad also offers a tiny online marketplace named "Gumroad Discover" in which you are able to showcase your product listings amongst other artists.
What is the cost of Gumroad Price?
Gumroad will charge you 10% of the amount per sale it makes on its platform.
Additionally, you'll also need to pay transaction charges through Paypal and Stripe which usually are around 2.9 percentage plus $0.30 per transaction.
It is important to note that Gumroad used to have an alternative pricing structure before 2023. However, they have decided to adopt this price structure for the future.
Why Should You Look at Gumroad Alternatives?
1. Costly Pricing and no Scalability
Gumroad's flat rate of a 10% charge for each purchase is extremely costly for companies just starting out, but it's even more expensive as your company grows, as your expenses will continue to grow as a proportion of your revenue.
Imagine making $100,000 per month and having to pay the $10,000 fee - it does not look very exciting. Furthermore to that, the 10% charge is notinclude additional Stripe and Paypal fees (which usually cost around 2.9 percent plus $0.30 for each transaction) which you'll also have to pay.
2. The lack of customizability
Although Gumroad has a fully-hosted storefront to sell your products online, you'll not be able to alter the appearance of your online store in order to reflect your brand. Gumroad is a unique design for its storefronts that is used on every seller's stores. There is nothing you can modify on your storefront is a single highlight color and a few small customizations like your name, bio, and logo.
As a contrast, the alternatives that are discussed in this article offer advanced tools for building stores that are suitable for novices (no need for coding or designing skills needed), but are still capable of giving you the full freedom to create a highly converting online store which is in line with your brand.
3. Get Better Solutions to sell online courses
If you're selling products such as digital downloads, Gumroad is generally quite efficient in delivering the downloads to clients. But, if you're selling online courses, the platform isn't equipped with the powerful functionalities that other online platforms generally provide.
Gumroad's online course feature allows users to upload videos or any other file that your students can download, or simply click to view the video. However, this isn't exactly the interactive learning experience you'd hope to get from an online course platform. There are no advanced course options like assessments and drip schedules, as well as certificates of completion.
Here's an example of a student's course experience:
Here's an example of an exciting learning experience that incorporates various lesson formats would appear to be (the illustration below comes taken from ):
features to look for in the Gumroad Alternative
If you are looking for a replacement to Gumroad, there are several crucial aspects to take into consideration.
1. Features to Sell Various Product Types
Does the platform have the necessary tools to market different digital goods? This will allow you maximize the revenue you can earn from various verticals. Think about features like:
- Digital downloads can be sold with features that include: instant file delivery, PDF stamping, download limits, and other features.
- Online course features that can be sold: engaging online course player that includes a variety of kinds of lessons (e.g. assignment videos, video lessons or assignments) and drip content schedule different pricing options for course as well as certificates.
- Features to sell coaching service including integration with online meetings platforms such as Zoom and Calendly as well as other
- Options to sell subscriptions or memberships: the ability to charge recurring payment
Additionally, you should look at the possibility of being able to incorporate product pages into your website. It allows you to integrate a shopping cart and seamless checkout functionality into any site.
2. Cheap Pricing (Little to No Upfront Costs)
How much will it take to complete a transaction? Are there any monthly fees such as hidden charges, limits?
Choose platforms that boast an established track record of stability in pricing structure. While many companies may offer you a favorable price structure at first, you'd want to make sure you're not facing sudden price hikes down the line.
3. Robust Marketing Tools
In addition to the standard marketing tools, such as discounts, it is important to aim to find a platform which can provide more sophisticated and powerful marketing tools like affiliate marketing. This lets you run different marketing campaigns that can grow your company.
This is the only alternative on this list which offers affiliate marketing service for free Other platforms require monthly subscription fees to access the features.
4. Beginner-Friendly and Fully-Customizable Store Builder
Today, an online store or website is essential for any company or brand to build customer loyalty and display the professionalism of their business. If done correctly, having your own website can not only set you to be a professional within your industry, but it can also help build relationships with customers as it allows them to learn about the company's brand better.
Look for platforms that allow the creation of a customized online store to showcase your company in the most professional possible way. There's a myriad of choices that do not need any programming or design expertise.
5. Takes Care of VAT and you won't have To
The dread of having to navigate the confusing world of VAT may stop you from expanding your business and dampening your expansion. Consider selecting a platform that is fully compliant to not only collect VAT at the time of checkout from customers and remit the VAT on your behalf and you don't have to do anything.
5 of the Best Gumroad Alternatives for Selling Digital Products
We'll now take a look at some of the top alternatives to Gumroad when it comes to selling digital goods. Each one has unique options and plans for pricing, so it's important to compare them carefully before making your selection.
1.
The best Gumroad choice all-round in terms of price and price.
is easily the most well-known platform and frequently gets compared to Gumroad as they are the closest Gumroad competitor , and they offer everything Gumroad has to offer with way more affordable pricing that is perfect for businesses that are of any size.
is popular for having a Forever-free plan that gives sellers access all of the functions which the platform can offer. In lieu of the huge 10% that Gumroad charges just 5percent for each sale. Once your revenue grows and you are ready to upgrade, switch to 's monthly subscription for a lower cost. It is not necessary to fret about scaling your business at .
If you're looking for a platform that is genuinely dedicated to the success of your enterprise, then this platform is your ideal choice.
PRICING:
The company has disrupted the market by offering an unconventional pricing plan which is designed to assist small businesses succeed, but in addition, ensuring that businesses maintain their prices at a low level in the process of growing into million-dollar businesses.
There are three pricing plans:
- Forever-free with 5% fees (perfect for newbies)
- $29.30/month, 2% of which is fees.
- Monthly payment of $99 and no fee
What makes this "unconventional"? It's because the pricing plans give you the same access to all of their amazing capabilities. The company's founders founded it by embracing a belief that they can succeed in creating a platform that aids small companies grow in the long run by ensuring they have access to the powerful features that they need. This sentiment is greatly appreciated by the majority of buyers on its online reviews.
If you're only starting out, you can start on 's most popular free-forever planswith no monthly charges and 5% fees for each sale (excluding shipping fees). As your business expands then you'll be able to switch to 's Plus plan for $29 per month fee plus the 2% fee per sale or Pro plan for $99 per month fees (no additional fees for sales).
has maintained this pricing for years, and customers can rest in assurance that this pricing isn't going anywhere.
PROS :
- The most affordable alternative to Gumroad
- Key features built-in to help sell diverse products, including:
- Unlimited product listings and unlimited revenues
- Improved checkout experience to ensure the highest conversion
- Powerful but easy-to-use store builder - no coding or design expertise required
- Ability to fully customize your online store to match your branding
- Fully hosted and free storefront (you are also able to connect with a customized domain)
- If you already have your own site, you can easily embed into any eCommerce website.
- Instant and secure payouts via Paypal and Stripe
- You can choose to pay what you want to your goods (a.k.a. Tip Jar)
- Collects and remits UK & EU VAT on your behalf
- Store analytics & ability to link to Google Analytics
- Bonus: also acknowledged for its support high-quality. All customers are given priority regardless of the pricing plans that you're on
CONS :
- The shipping label is not integrated with any automated system or application (e.g. Shippo or ShipStation). The platform of ShipStation is more targeted toward digital products, but you're still able to comfortably offer physical goods if would like to.
2. Shopify
As one of the largest online marketplaces in the world, Shopify is often a well-known Gumroad alternative. Shopify is an online store that lets you to create an online shop and control the products you sell. It also offers a wide range of software and features, such as payment processing, analytics, as well as marketing tools. Furthermore, Shopify has a variety of pricing plans that will fit different budgets.
Due to the sheer size of this eCommerce platform, there are many third-party software applications every business category that you can connect to your Shopify store. This allows you to equip your store's online shop with exclusive software from tweaking the design of your website , to marketing tools and much more. There is one caveat: the apps typically are not completely free. You'll have to manage your expenses with care.
While Shopify is an effective eCommerce platform however, it's offer no offer built-in functions to sell digital products because Shopify's platform is geared toward tangible products. You will have to install other third-party applications that could likely increase the costs for selling digital goods.
PRICING:
For small businesses that want to test different platforms prior to settling on one that suits the needs of their business, Shopify offers a 14-day free trial. There is no forever free plan.
For a price of just $29 per month, Shopify's Basic Plan is the most well-liked plan. Other Shopify plans are offered for $79/month, $299/month to use Advanced Shopify, and $2000/month for Shopify Plus/Enterprise. You will be charged an additional transaction cost that is required for each sale.
The Shopify platform doesn't have integrated features for selling digital products. Most likely, you'll require third-party apps through the Shopify app store which generally comes at additional cost.
PROS :
- You can access thousands of 3rd app developers through Shopify, the Shopify app store
- It supports multi-channel sales. This is particularly helpful when your store is brick and mortar
- Shopify is utilized by a variety of small businesses, as well as by content creators that specialize with Shopify content. These communities will probably provide you with a lot of helpful tips on online businesses
- Although Shopify's capabilities aren't enough for retailers whose catalogue is predominantly digital items, physical product sellers could gain from Shopify's eCommerce features
CONS :
- The app doesn't have built-in capabilities to sell digital goods. There is the requirement to install applications from third parties, which probably come with additional costs. Shopify is not a suitable choice for designers.
- There are no built-in marketing tools like affiliate marketing, referralmarketing, upsell, cross-sell, and more
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is a different option to Gumroad since it offers an all-in-one solution for the sale of digital items. The major benefit over Kajabi against Gumroad is the fact that it allows creators to set up a community. However, Kajabi is also known for having monthly fees which aren't ideal to small-sized businesses who are just starting out.
PRICING:
Kajabi provides the option of a 14-day trial. The trial requires you to enter your credit card information prior to being allowed to begin your trial. trial.
After your trial period is over You have the option to choose between three paid plans:
- Basic: $149/month
- Growth: $199/month
- Pro: $399/month
There's a tiny savings if you opt to sign up for the year-long subscription.
PROS :
- Kajabi is a provider of educational materials to their customers through Kajabi University (although it's worth noting that you're probably going to be able to obtain the information you need from YouTube videos on the internet)
- Access to features that aren't offered on Gumroad including community services, sales funnels, and much more.
CONS
- It is not affordable for small-scale business customers
- A complex marketing function, such as the affiliate program are available only with plans like the Growth and Pro plans.
- Many restrictions on things such as the number of products, numbers of contacts, the number of members, administrators, and so on. 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 for designers. One of the main advantages of using Podia is that they offer a forever-free plan. However, keep in mind you won't be able upload more than one products on the free plan.
PRICING:
- The cost is free: 8 percent of fees
- Mover: $39/month
- Shaker: $89/month
- Earthquaker: $199/month
PROS :
- Features to sell other kinds of products that aren't offered through Gumroad including community-based and webinars
- A chat-on-page widget that can help to interact with site's visitors
CONS :
- The free plan comes with 8% transaction fees and allows you to sell 1 digital download (you'll probably need to upgrade to one of Podia's paid plans to be a fully-functioning eCommerce store)
- The more complex marketing tools, such as affiliate marketing is only available for Shaker ($75/month) or Earthquaker ($166/month) plans.
- It is necessary to pay an additional $20/month for additional team seats
- You can't turn off Podia brand unless you purchase for the Shaker ($75/month) or the Earthquaker ($166/month) plans.
5. Mighty Networks
If you're looking for a Gumroad alternative to establish communities, sell online courses, or sell the services of a coach, Mighty Networks is a very popular choice. Although this site may not be the best choice for selling digital downloads but you may discover this as a more suitable Gumroad alternative to selling your courses.
PRICING:
You have a choice between two paid plans:
- The Community Plan is $39/month.
- The business planis $119 per month.
- Mighty Pro: You'll have to reach out to the team in order for prices.
PROS :
- Mighty Networks' community feature is more sophisticated than any of the platforms in this list Its interface is almost like what you would see on a social media platform
- Members are able to view 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 aren't as strong as the other online course platforms as they don't offer lesson types including assessments, quizzes along with certification of successful completion
- It is not integrated with PayPal
Final Thoughts - Finding the Best Option for Your Business
Here you go! There's a wide range of Gumroad options to test, so don't be a fool to avail each of the platform's free trials to see which options provide the ideal blend of benefits and pricing plans that suit your business requirements.