Five of the Best Gumroad Alternatives that're less cost and superior (2023) --
Updated: 20th December, 2022.
Update:As from December 20, 2022 Gumroad has announced a price increase, and they will charge 10 percent of every transaction you complete on the platform (plus additional transaction fees that come from Paypal and Stripe). If you're in the situation of this shocking announcement and considering moving to other platforms, here's the list of Gumroad alternatives you might want to think about!
Gumroad is a well-known platform to sell digital goods. It is a online storefront that allows the seller to put digital items online for sale within a matter of seconds. Gumroad comes with extra capabilities, like tools that let you sell subscriptions, integrate with Paypal and Stripe, and many more.
But, there are issues that prevent people from staying on the platform. Online reviews reveal that amongst other factors, Gumroad's high prices, insufficient customer support and inability to scale up to handle large volumes of sales are causing users to switch to other platforms.
In this blog this article, we'll review Gumroad's top alternatives for selling digital items to help you make an informed decision for your company. There are a variety of alternatives that can be ideal for small businesses who have just begun their journey. However, we've also considered the possibility of scaling with an eye towards making sure that you don't have to switch platforms when your company grows.
Below is a list of the best Gumroad alternatives that could be less expensive and effective
What Is Gumroad and What does it offer?
Gumroad is an eCommerce platform designed for digital goods. It offers a wide range of options, such as the ability to sell various kinds of products, including subscriptions and digital downloads. The software also provides analytics and marketing tools, as well as the ability to embed the product's pages onto your site.
With Gumroad provides you with a fully hosted online store where you can sell your products via. Gumroad also provides an online marketplace that is smaller in size, called "Gumroad Discover" where you're allowed to display your catalogs alongside other designers.
How Much Does Gumroad Cost?
Gumroad will cost you 10% of this total amount for every sale that it generates on its platform.
Furthermore, you'll have to also pay transaction charges to make transactions through Paypal and Stripe which usually will cost you about 2.9 percent plus $0.30 per transaction.
Take note you Gumroad was using a different pricing structure in 2023. But, they've chosen to use the current pricing structure.
Why are there motives to consider Gumroad Alternatives?
1. Pricey and not scalable
Gumroad's flat rate of a 10% commission per sale can be extremely expensive for businesses who are new to the market, but it's also higher when your company increases because your expenses will increase as a proportion of your earnings.
Imagine earning $100,000 a month while having to cover the $10k fee, this doesn't seem like a lot of enjoyable in the least. In addition the fee of 10% does notinclude any additional PayPal and Stripe charges (which usually cost around 2.9 per cent plus $0.30 for each transaction) which you will also have to cover.
2. The inability to customise
While Gumroad offers an entirely hosted online storefront that allows you to market your products, you do not have the ability to alter the look of your online store to match your branding. Gumroad has a unique look and feel to its storefronts that can be found at the seller's stores. All you have to do is customize on the front of your store is one accent color as well as a couple of tiny changes such as your company's name or bio and the logo.
As a contrast, the alternatives to the platforms described in this article provide advanced store builder capabilities which can be used by beginners (no knowledge of programming or designing necessary) They are capable of giving users the ability to create your own highly-converting online store which is in line with your branding.
3. Improve Your Selling Strategies to Online Courses
If you're selling items such as downloading digital files, Gumroad usually good at instantly delivering your documents to customers. If you're running online courses, this platform does not provide robust functionalities that other platforms for online courses typically provide.
Gumroad's online courses feature lets users upload videos along with other files that your students can download or download to watch the video. But this isn't the engaging educational experience you'd like to experience from an online course platform. There are no advanced courses that have tools for assessment, such as drip schedules or the capability to issue certificates for the completion of the course.
Here's an example of a student's learning experience
Here's an example of an stimulating learning experience using various types of lesson plans (the below example comes an example taken from ):
attributes to search for in an Gumroad other
When looking for alternative options to Gumroad, there are several essential aspects to be considered.
1. The benefits of selling diverse types of goods
Does the platform have robust tools to sell various digital products? This could help increase your source of income in a variety of industries. Consider features such as
- Digital downloads with features that can be sold immediate file delivery PDF stamping and download limitations, and many more
- The benefits of marketing online courses: engaging online course players with a range of kinds of lessons (e.g. video lessons, assignments and much more) along with drip-based content as well as a range of pricing options for courses including certificates and diplomas.
- The features to promote coaching include integration with online meeting platforms, such as Zoom and Calendly, as well as more
- Options to sell subscription or membership: capability to bill recurring payments
Also, search for flexibility to integrate product pages on your website. It allows you to integrate an online store, as well as a an effortless checkout process into your web site.
2. Affordable Prices (Little to no initial costs)
How much does it price per transaction? Are there any month-long charges, hidden fees or limitations?
Select platforms with the track experience of reliability in pricing strategies. While a lot of companies might offer a reasonable price structure at first it's crucial to be certain that you don't have unanticipated price rises later on in the near future.
3. Tools for marketing that are robust Tools
In addition to the standard marketing techniques like coupons for discounts It is essential to find the system that provides higher-end and effective marketing techniques like affiliate marketing. It allows you to conduct multiple marketing campaigns in order to expand the reach of your company.
This is the only option that offers an the affiliate marketing service at free. Some platforms cost monthly subscription fees for the use of these features.
4. User-friendly and Custom-designed Store Builder is a great tool for beginners.
The present day the need for an online shop or website is essential for every company or brand that wants to increase trust with customers and show the professionalism of their employees. If done correctly the creation of a website is not simply a method of setting yourself as an authority in your area, but it can also aid in building relationships with your customers since it allows them to learn about the company's brand better.
Search for websites that allow the creation of a custom online store that will reflect your brand's image with the most professional way possible. There are a variety of choices that do not need any experience in design or programming.
5. Tax Department Tax Department will take care of the VAT. So You Will Not Have to
A fear of the complicated tax laws could hinder the expansion of your business and dampening your expansion. Look into a service that is fully compliant to not only collect VAT from your customers during the checkout process, but also to remit VAT for you so you won't need to do anything.
5 of the Best Gumroad Solutions to Sell Digital Products
Let's look at several of the best alternatives to Gumroad for selling digital products. Every platform has its own unique features and pricing options and therefore, it's important to look over them thoroughly prior to choosing.
1.
is the best Gumroad alternative for price in terms of affordability.
is , by far, the most popular platform. It frequently gets compared to Gumroad due to the fact that they're the closest Gumroad competitor , and have all the functions that Gumroad has to offer for a fraction of the cost which makes them ideal for firms which are all sizes.
Gumroad is famous for its free subscription, which gives sellers access to the full range of the instruments the platform can offer. As opposed to the huge 10% Gumroad is charging, they only charge buyers 5% for each sale. If your business is growing and you're looking to upgrade, change to the monthly service to reduce your expenses. You don't have to worry about increasing your company's size .
If you're in search of an organization that's focused on the development of your company, this platform is the best alternative.
PRICING:
The company has disrupted the market by offering unorthodox pricing strategies that are designed to aid small businesses in achieving success while ensuring companies will be cost-effective even as they grow to become multimillion-dollar businesses.
There are three pricing plansavailable:
- Free for life with only 5% fee (perfect for newbies)
- $29/month with 2% fees
- A monthly payment of $99 with no fee
Why is cost "unconventional"? It is because every pricing plan gives every user with equal access to the alternatives. The company's founders founded the company on the belief that they'd be able to achieve their goal of creating an online platform that assists small businesses by never limiting their access to advanced technology they require. This philosophy of the company is well-liked by the majority of buyers who read its reviews online.
If you're starting from scratch and want to get started, then you should start with the most popular Plan, Free for Lifewith no monthly fees + 5percent fees per sale (excluding the shipping cost). If you grow your business, you'll be able to move to the Plus plan for $29.90 per month to pay monthly fees plus 2percent fees per sale or Pro plan for $99 per month fees (no additional fees for sales).
It has remained steady throughout the years, and today we can have confidence that this price isn't going to change.
PROS :
- A more affordable alternative to Gumroad
- The key features that are built-in will help market various products, such as:
- Unlimitless product listings, and unlimitless revenue
- Improved checkout experience to ensure the highest conversion
- Powerful and easy-to-use store builders - no coding or design expertise necessary
- It is possible to totally customize the online look of your store's website to reflect your brand
- Storefront that is hosted for free (you can also sign up to the domain you've created)
- If you already have an online presence, it's easy to incorporate your site onto any eCommerce website.
- Payouts instantaneous and safe via Paypal and Stripe
- You are able to choose to add what you want to your goods (a.k.a. Tip Jar)
- The company pays for and takes care of UK & EU VAT on your behalf
- Analytics for Stores and the ability to be a part of Google Analytics
- Bonus: is also highly appreciated for its quality of support. Every user is treated with prioritization regardless of what pricing plans that you're currently using.
CONS
- The shipping label isn't connected to any automated system or any software (e.g. Shippo, or ShipStation). Its platform is more focused towards digital items, but it is still possible to provide physical products should you wish to.
2. Shopify
As one of the largest eCommerce platforms in the world, Shopify is often a known Gumroad alternative. Shopify is an extensive online shopping platform that lets you create of an online shop and regulate the items you sell. In addition, it provides an extensive array of tools and features, including the capability to manage payments, analyse information, and market tools. In addition, Shopify has a variety of pricing plans which can be customized to different budgets.
Because of the massive market size there are a variety of Third-party software solutions across every business type that you can integrate into the Shopify store. It allows you to equip your shop online with distinctive tools for everything from changing the design of your site to marketing tools and more. However, the only drawback is that the tools typically are not cost-free, and you'll have to plan your expenses cautiously.
While Shopify is an efficient eCommerce platform, it does provide no offer built-in functions to market digital items since Shopify's platform is geared to selling tangible goods. It is necessary to download additional third-party software which will likely raise the prices for selling digital items.
PRICING:
For small businesses that want to explore the various platforms before choosing one that meets their requirements, Shopify offers a 14-day free trial. The trial is not an forever-free service.
For a price of just 29 dollars per month, the Shopify Basic Plan is the most loved plan. The other Shopify plans start at $79/month, $299/month for Advanced Shopify, and $2000/month for Shopify Plus/Enterprise. There is an additional transaction cost that must be paid for each sale.
Like we said, the Shopify platform isn't equipped with functions to sell digital products. Most likely, you'll need to install third party apps that are available through the Shopify app store, which typically comes with additional cost.
PROS :
- Access to thousands of third applications developed by third parties is available on Shopify. Shopify app store
- It can be used for multi-channel sales. This could be especially useful if you have a brick-and-mortar shop
- Shopify is utilized by a variety of small-scale businesses and by content creators which are experts in Shopify content. They can provide a wealth of tips on how to run online companies
- Although Shopify's capabilities aren't enough for stores whose inventory includes mostly digital items, physical products sellers could gain by Shopify's eCommerce tools.
CONS:
- The app does not have built-in capabilities to sell digital items. The app requires you to download third-party apps and they will probably be charged extra. Shopify is not a suitable choice for designers.
- The website isn't equipped with any tools for marketing including affiliate marketing or referrals, cross-sell, upsell and much more.
3. Kajabi
Kajabi is another option to Gumroad because it provides the complete platform for selling digital goods. One of the major advantages over Kajabi over Gumroad is that it also lets creators set up an internet-based community. It's a disadvantage that Kajabi is famous for the monthly charges which aren't ideal for smaller businesses who are just beginning their journey.
PRICING:
Kajabi offers the option of 14 days of trial. You must provide your credit card details prior to being eligible to get started with your free trial.
When your trial is over You have the option of 3 plans that are paid
- Basic: $149/month
- Growth: $199/month
- Pro: $399/month
A small portion 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 important to note that you'll probably find this information through free YouTube videos that are available on the internet)
- Access to functions that aren't available through Gumroad like community funnels for sales, community services, and more
CONS:
- Not affordable for small business customers
- An intricate marketing feature like the affiliate program , is only offered in plans similar to Pro and Growth plans. Growth and Pro plans
- There are many limitations to specific items such as the quantity of productsavailable, the amount of contacts, 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 among the most well-known options for graphic designers. One of the biggest advantages of Podia is they offer a life-time free plan. Be aware that you won't be able to make multiple product launches on the basic plan.
PRICING:
- For free, 8% fee
- Mover: $39/month
- Shaker: $89/month
- Earthquaker: $199/month
PROS :
- These features will help sell additional kinds of items that aren't sold through Gumroad like community or webinars.
- Chat widget is on the homepage to let to interact with visitors on the site.
CONS
- The plan for free comes with transaction costs of 8% and lets you offer one digital download (you'll probably need to an upgrade to the premium plan of Podia in order to have an operational eCommerce store)
- Advanced marketing tools like affiliate marketing are only found with plans like the Shaker ($75/month) or Earthquaker ($166/month) plans
- You must pay an additional $20/month for additional seats in the group
- It is impossible to remove the Podia logo, unless you sign up to an annual subscription fee Shaker ($75/month) or Earthquaker ($166/month) plans.
5. Mighty Networks
If you're looking for a Gumroad alternative for establishing an online community, offering classesor the services of a coach, Mighty Networks is a preferred choice. While this platform might not be suitable for selling digital downloads, you could find this a better Gumroad alternative to selling courses.
PRICING:
There's a choice of two paid plans:
- The Community Plan: The Community Plan: $39/month
- The plan for business: $119 per month
- Mighty Pro: you'll have to contact the team for pricing.
PROS :
- Mighty Networks' community feature is superior to the other platforms in this article . The user interface is similar to the one of social media sites.
- Members may view one another's blog posts by consuming content feeds. This can encourage real engagement
CONS:
- Lack of robust features for the selling of products like digital downloads
- The course options on online courses don't have the same strength as other online platforms since they do not offer any type of lesson such as assessments or quizzes along with the certifications of success.
- It is not integrated with PayPal
Final Thoughts - The best way to solve the problem for your business
You've got it! There's an array of Gumroad choices to explore and don't forget to avail every one of their free trials to find out what options have the greatest combination of features and price plans to meet your company's needs.
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