Gumroad vs. Payhip: Which Is Better for Selling Digital Products? 🚀

If you’re a creator looking to sell digital products—whether eBooks, courses, software, or art—choosing the right platform is crucial. Two popular options are Gumroad and Payhip, both offering unique features to help you monetize your work.
But which one is better for your needs? 🤔
In this in-depth comparison, we’ll break down Gumroad vs. Payhip across pricing, features, customization, marketing tools, and more. By the end, you’ll know exactly which platform suits your business best.
🔍 Overview of Gumroad and Payhip
What Is Gumroad?
Gumroad is a user-friendly platform designed for creators selling digital products, memberships, and even physical goods. It’s known for its simple setup, built-in audience, and powerful analytics.
Best for:
✅ Solo creators & indie makers
✅ Selling eBooks, courses, software, and memberships
✅ Those who want a built-in marketplace
What Is Payhip?
Payhip is an e-commerce platform focused on digital and subscription-based products. It offers more customization than Gumroad, allowing sellers to create a branded storefront.
Best for:
✅ Entrepreneurs & small businesses
✅ Selling digital downloads, subscriptions, and coaching
✅ Those who want a fully customizable store
💰 Pricing: Gumroad vs. Payhip
One of the biggest deciding factors is cost. Let’s compare their pricing structures.
Gumroad Pricing
Gumroad uses a transaction fee model with no monthly subscription (unless you opt for Gumroad Pro).
Plan | Fee | Features |
---|---|---|
Free Plan | 10% per transaction | Basic features, Gumroad discovery |
Gumroad Pro ($10/month) | 8% + $0.30 per transaction | Lower fees, advanced analytics, email marketing |
Payhip Pricing
Payhip offers three paid plans with decreasing transaction fees at higher tiers.
Plan | Monthly Cost | Transaction Fee | Features |
---|---|---|---|
Free | $0/month | 5% + $0.30 + Stripe/PayPal fees | Basic store, coupons |
Plus ($29/month) | $29/month | 2% + $0.30 + payment fees | Remove Payhip branding, upsells |
Pro ($99/month) | $99/month | 0% + payment processor fees | Affiliate program, subscriptions |
Key Takeaway:
✔ Gumroad is cheaper for beginners (free plan available).
✔ Payhip’s free plan has higher payment processing fees but lower % cuts at higher tiers.
✔ Payhip becomes more cost-effective at higher sales volumes.
🛍️ Features Comparison
1. Product Types Supported
Both platforms support digital products, but there are differences.
Feature | Gumroad | Payhip |
---|---|---|
Digital Downloads | ✅ | ✅ |
Subscription/Memberships | ✅ (Pro plan) | ✅ |
Physical Products | ✅ | ❌ |
Courses | ✅ (via PDF/ZIP) | ✅ (better structured) |
Affiliate Program | ❌ | ✅ (Pro plan) |
Winner:
- Payhip (better for courses & subscriptions)
- Gumroad (better for physical + digital mix)
2. Store Customization
Branding matters! Here’s how they compare.
Feature | Gumroad | Payhip |
---|---|---|
Custom Domain | ✅ (Pro plan) | ✅ (all plans) |
Themes & CSS | Limited | ✅ (Full customization) |
Checkout Branding | Gumroad branding (unless Pro) | Fully white-label |
Winner: Payhip (more branding control)
3. Payment Options
Both integrate with Stripe & PayPal, but Payhip offers more flexibility.
Feature | Gumroad | Payhip |
---|---|---|
Stripe | ✅ | ✅ |
PayPal | ✅ | ✅ |
Apple/Google Pay | ❌ | ✅ |
Tax/VAT Handling | ✅ | ✅ |
Pay-in-installments | ❌ | ✅ (via PayPal) |
Winner: Payhip (more payment methods)
4. Marketing & Sales Tools
Growing your audience is key—let’s see which platform helps more.
Feature | Gumroad | Payhip |
---|---|---|
Email Marketing | ✅ (Pro plan) | ✅ (built-in) |
Discount Coupons | ✅ | ✅ |
Upsells/Cross-sells | ❌ | ✅ |
Affiliate Program | ❌ | ✅ (Pro plan) |
Built-in Marketplace | ✅ | ❌ |
Winner:
- Gumroad (better for organic discovery)
- Payhip (better for direct sales & upsells)
5. Analytics & Reporting
Tracking sales is crucial.
Feature | Gumroad | Payhip |
---|---|---|
Basic Sales Stats | ✅ | ✅ |
Advanced Analytics | ✅ (Pro plan) | ✅ |
Customer Insights | Limited | Detailed |
Export Data | ✅ | ✅ |
Winner: Payhip (more detailed reporting)
🚀 Which Should You Choose? Gumroad or Payhip?
Pick Gumroad If…
✔ You’re a solo creator just starting out.
✔ You want low fees and a built-in audience.
✔ You sell both digital & physical products.
✔ You don’t need heavy customization.
Pick Payhip If…
✔ You want a fully branded storefront.
✔ You sell subscriptions or courses.
✔ You need advanced marketing tools (upsells, affiliates).
✔ You’re scaling beyond $1K/month in sales.
🔚 Final Verdict: Gumroad vs. Payhip
Both platforms are excellent, but your choice depends on your business needs.
Factor | Winner |
---|---|
Pricing for Beginners | Gumroad |
Customization & Branding | Payhip |
Payment Flexibility | Payhip |
Built-in Audience | Gumroad |
Marketing Features | Payhip |
Scalability | Payhip |
👉 For most creators starting out, Gumroad is the simpler, cheaper option.
👉 For serious sellers scaling up, Payhip offers more control & features.
🎯 Conclusion
Choosing between Gumroad vs. Payhip comes down to:
- Budget (Gumroad is cheaper initially)
- Branding needs (Payhip offers more customization)
- Product types (Payhip is better for subscriptions)
- Sales strategy (Gumroad has a marketplace; Payhip has better marketing tools)
Whichever you choose, both platforms make selling digital products easy and profitable. 🚀
Now it’s your turn! Have you tried Gumroad or Payhip? Which do you prefer? Let us know in the comments! 💬👇
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) – Gumroad vs. Payhip
Q1: Which platform is cheaper for beginners, Gumroad or Payhip?
A: Gumroad is cheaper for beginners because it offers a free plan with a 10% transaction fee, while Payhip’s free plan includes payment processing fees (5% + $0.30 + Stripe/PayPal fees).
Q2: Can I sell subscriptions on both Gumroad and Payhip?
A: Yes, but Gumroad requires a Pro plan ($10/month) for subscriptions, while Payhip supports them on all plans, including free.
Q3: Which platform has better customization for my store?
A: Payhip wins—it allows full branding, custom domains on all plans, and checkout white-labeling. Gumroad’s customization is limited unless you upgrade to Pro.
Q4: Does Gumroad or Payhip have a built-in audience?
A: Only Gumroad has a marketplace where customers can discover your products. Payhip relies entirely on your own marketing.
Q5: Which platform is better for selling online courses?
A: Payhip is stronger for courses—it supports structured content delivery, while Gumroad requires manual PDF/ZIP distribution.
Q6: Can I use affiliate marketing with Gumroad or Payhip?
A: Only Payhip’s Pro plan ($99/month) includes an affiliate program. Gumroad does not offer this feature.
Q7: Which has better payment options—Gumroad or Payhip?
A: Payhip supports more options, including Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal installments. Gumroad only offers Stripe & PayPal.
Q8: Can I switch from Gumroad to Payhip later?
A: Yes! Both platforms allow exporting customer & sales data, so migration is possible.
Q9: Which has better analytics—Gumroad or Payhip?
A: Payhip provides more detailed reports, while Gumroad’s analytics are simpler (unless you upgrade to Pro).
Q10: Is Gumroad or Payhip better for scaling a business?
A: Payhip is better for scaling—it offers lower fees at higher tiers, upsells, and affiliate programs, while Gumroad stays flat-rate.
Have more questions? Drop them in the comments! 💬👇
By now, you should have a clear winner in the Gumroad vs. Payhip battle. Happy selling! 🎉💻
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