Step 1. Decide what kind of seller you are
Link-in-bio store
You sell from Instagram/TikTok/YouTube. Look at Stan or Beacons.
Newsletter + checkout
You sell to your list. Kit lets you sell on its free plan.
Merchant of record
You want tax handled. Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy or Payhip.
Step 2. Understand the three fee models
- Percentage only, no monthly fee, a cut of each sale (Gumroad 10% + $0.50 plus card fees; Lemon Squeezy 5% + 50¢; Payhip Free 5% + processing).
- Flat monthly, a subscription, 0% platform cut (Stan $29/mo; Payhip Pro $99/mo).
- Hybrid, lower subscription plus a smaller % (Payhip Plus $29/mo + 2%).
*Stripe processing assumed at its standard US card rate of 2.9% + $0.30 where the vendor says processor fees are charged separately. International cards, PayPal and currency conversion can cost more.
At low volume, percentage-only platforms are cheapest because you pay nothing when you don’t sell. As volume grows, flat-fee platforms win. Model your own numbers in the fee calculator.
Step 3. Don’t ignore sales tax and VAT
Selling digital goods to buyers in the EU, UK and many US states can create tax obligations. A merchant of record (MoR) is the seller of record and handles that for you. Per their official pages. Gumroad is a MoR (since 1 Jan 2025) and Lemon Squeezy is a MoR; Payhip handles EU/UK VAT and US/Canadian sales tax. With a non-MoR platform, the tax admin is yours.
Step 4. Pick a platform
| Tool | Pricing | Fees on sales | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Free + 5%, $29/mo + 2%, or $99/mo + 0% | 5% / 2% / 0% by plan; PayPal and Stripe charge their standard rates on top. Payhip handles EU/UK VAT and US/Canadian sales tax. | Sellers who want every feature on a free plan and to trade monthly fee for % fee as they grow |
| Gumroad | No monthly fee; 10% + $0.50 per sale | 10% + $0.50 per direct sale plus card processing (2.9% + $0.30) or PayPal fees; 5% + $0.50 on direct sales after $20k/month; 30% all-in for Discover sales. Gumroad is merchant of record and handles sales tax. | Testing a first product with zero fixed cost |
| Stan Store | $29/mo Creator or $99/mo Creator Pro; 0% Stan transaction fees | 0% Stan transaction fee; Stripe/PayPal processing fees apply | Social-first creators selling from a link-in-bio (courses, coaching calls, downloads) |
| Lemon Squeezy | No monthly fee; 5% + 50¢ per transaction | 5% + 50¢ per transaction (some payments may be subject to additional fees). Merchant of record, handles sales tax/VAT. | Software, templates and licence-key products sold globally |
| Beacons | Free plan (9% fee); paid plans from $10/mo | 9% on Free and Creator plans; 0% on Creator Plus and Creator Max | Creators who want link-in-bio, media kit, store and email in one cheap starting plan |
| Kit | Free up to 10,000 subscribers; Creator from $39/mo | Commerce (products & paid newsletters), 3.5% + $0.30 per USD transaction, all-in, on every plan including Free | Creators who sell products and need automations/sequences |
Official sources, checked Nov 2026. Payhip · Gumroad · Gumroad help · Stan Store · Stan Store help · Lemon Squeezy · Beacons · Kit · Kit help. Prices in USD unless shown otherwise. Vendors change pricing, so confirm on their site before buying.
Step 5. Launch checklist
- Write a sales page that names the outcome, not the file format.
- Price for value; consider an annual or bundle tier.
- Add a free lead magnet to build an email list.
- Set up delivery and a refund policy.
- Send launch emails to your list; post to social with the link-in-bio.
- Ask early buyers for honest feedback and improve the product.
Start free, switch to flat-fee as you grow
Payhip’s free plan gives you every feature plus tax handling at 5% per sale; move to Plus or Pro as revenue grows. Social-first creators who also sell calls and courses often prefer Stan’s all-in-one store.
Best platforms rankedGumroad alternativesPayhip vs Gumroad
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way to sell digital products online?
A hosted platform such as Payhip, Gumroad or Stan, upload the file, set a price, share the link. They handle checkout and delivery.
Which platform has the lowest fees for digital products?
It depends on volume. With no monthly fee, Payhip Free (5% + processing) and Lemon Squeezy (5% + 50¢) are lower than Gumroad (10% + $0.50 + card fees). At higher volume, flat plans like Stan ($29) or Payhip Pro ($99) cost less.
Do I need to collect VAT on digital products?
Often, yes, when selling to EU/UK buyers. Merchant-of-record platforms like Gumroad and Lemon Squeezy handle this; Payhip handles EU/UK VAT and US/Canadian sales tax. Get tax advice for your situation.
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