If you had asked me to imagine being an online seller of digital products back then, I wouldn’t have believed it. Since I still believed in what I imagined, I was just unsure where to begin. I found myself like many others: constantly on social media, seeing other experts introduce their products and considering whether I could too. It turns out I did have the skills. Anyone can do it, too.
The fact is, selling digital products is easy for new business owners to do online. You can start selling with no warehouse, no inventory, and a small audience. You need access to a valuable product, a place to sell it, and some motivation to learn. Additionally, if you want to give online selling of digital products a try, here are 10 top options for 2025, plus the key advantages and disadvantages I have observed.
Gumroad
The first place I started selling online was on Gumroad. A lot of people in the indie and digital entrepreneurship community love it since using it is so simple
Pros:
- User-friendly interface that doesn’t require tech skills
- Free to start (they take a percentage from your sales, so you don’t pay upfront)
- Supports pay-what-you-want pricing, which is great if you want to experiment
- Let you sell all kinds of digital products: PDFs, videos, music, memberships, and more
Cons:
- Limited customization for storefronts (you can’t make it look super unique)
- Transaction fees (about 10%) can add up as you scale
- If you just want to get something out there quickly without setting up a full website, Gumroad is a solid place to start. It’s also where I made my very first digital sale.
Payhip
I moved over to Payhip when I wanted a little more control over how my products looked on the page. It’s another beginner-friendly platform that caters to a wide range of digital products.
Pros:
- Supports selling downloads, courses, and memberships
- Takes care of VAT automatically for EU customers (huge bonus!)
- Customizable checkout and product pages
- Offers discount codes, affiliate programs, and also upsell options
Cons:
- Transaction fees on the free plan (5%)
- Storefront design is a bit plain unless you integrate it with your site
- Payhip is great for people who want to start small but think long-term. I liked how I could grow into the features as my product library expanded.
Stan Store
Stan Store feels like it was built for the modern content creator. If you’re active on TikTok or Instagram and want to sell directly to your followers, this platform is also for you.
Pros:
- Mobile-first design that’s great for social media audiences
- Super easy to set up and use (you can launch a store in less than an hour)
- Let you sell courses, coaching, digital downloads, and calendars
- Designed to link directly from your bio
Cons:
- Monthly fee starting at $29 (no free plan)
- Not great for complex product setups or extensive branding
- I see a lot of creators making full-time income just by linking their Stan Store in their Instagram bio. If you’re already building an audience, it can also be a game-changer.
Etsy
Most people think of Etsy as the go-to place for handmade crafts and vintage items. But it’s also a surprisingly powerful platform for selling digital products, especially printable templates, planners, art, and designs.
Pros:
- A massive built-in audience looking for creative products
- Instant credibility and trust (people feel safe buying on Etsy)
- Great for visual products like planners, stickers, or art prints
Cons:
- Listing fees ($0.20 per product) and transaction fees (around 6.5%)
- High competition, so you’ll need to learn how to optimize your listings with good SEO and keywords
- Limited to certain types of products
When I listed my first digital planner on Etsy, I made sales almost immediately. It was a huge confidence booster. But I quickly realized the importance of standing out with clear branding and great product images.
Ko-fi
Ko-fi is one of the most creator-friendly platforms out there. It feels less like a business platform and more like a way to connect with supporters while offering value.
Pros:
- No platform fees for one-time digital product sales (on the free plan)
- Accept donations, offer memberships, and sell digital downloads all in one place
- Supporters can also leave notes and tips
Cons:
- Not ideal for large-scale businesses or advanced selling features
- Limited storefront customization
I love using Ko-fi to sell small digital items like wallpapers, coloring pages, or short eBooks. It’s casual, supportive, and perfect for community-oriented creators.
Sellfy
Sellfy feels like a serious upgrade when you’re ready to turn your digital side hustle into a real business. It’s designed for people who want more control and scalability.
Pros:
- Fully hosted storefront (you don’t need your website)
- Supports digital, physical, and subscription products
- Built-in email marketing, upsells, discount codes, and analytics
Cons:
- No free plan (paid plans start around $29/month)
- Fewer third-party app integrations
I like that Sellfy is an all-in-one solution. If you’re serious about growing a brand and want to avoid duct-taping different tools together, it’s worth the investment.
Teachable
If you’re leaning into online education and want to turn your knowledge into income, Teachable is a strong contender.
Pros:
- Designed specifically for online courses
- Offers quizzes, drip content, certificates, and student analytics
- Handles payment processing, taxes, and even affiliate programs
Cons:
- Paid plans can get expensive as your course catalog grows
- Less flexibility for selling non-course products
I built my first mini-course on Teachable, and it felt incredibly rewarding to package up what I knew and share it in a structured way. It’s perfect for those who love teaching and want to build a course-based business.
Podia
Podia is like the friendly cousin of Teachable. It offers a little bit of everything and is incredibly intuitive to use.
Pros:
- Sell courses, webinars, downloads, and memberships in one place
- Excellent customer support (they’ve helped me more than once!)
- No transaction fees on paid plans
Cons:
- Monthly fee required
- Fewer design customization options compared to some competitors
What I love about Podia is how everything just works. If you want a smooth, low-stress setup with plenty of flexibility, this could be your go-to.
Thinkific
Thinkific is a powerful course platform that gives you a ton of control, especially if you like building things your way.
Pros:
- Generous free plan to get started
- Highly customizable course builder with flexible pricing options
- Offers student engagement tools like quizzes, communities, and certificates
Cons:
- Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners
- Fewer marketing tools built-in compared to Podia or Teachable
I recommend Thinkific for creators who want to build something more complex or who already have some tech skills. It’s flexible, reliable, and has a solid free plan.
Lemon Squeezy
Lemon Squeezy isn’t as well-known as the others, but it’s a rising star, especially for creators selling to a global audience.
Pros:
- Handles international tax compliance (VAT, sales tax, etc.)
- Modern, user-friendly interface
- Supports subscriptions, email marketing, and product licensing
Cons:
- Smaller user base (so fewer tutorials and community forums)
- Takes a percentage of each sale
I stumbled upon Lemon Squeezy while looking for an EU-compliant solution, and I was pleasantly surprised. If you’re planning to sell internationally or want a clean, modern alternative, give it a try.
Final Thoughts
Whether you should sell your digital products on a particular platform can seem difficult, but I say don’t overcomplicate it. The most important factor is the one you will stick with.
Later on, if you want to switch platforms, you can do so. The key thing is to start the process. Launch something. Make use of the experience. Beginners should continue to sharpen their skills while gaining new experience.
Gaining your first sale? This work could require some patience. Once we experience it, it will confirm all the efforts. You will see that there is a desire for what you have. It is possible to create something worthwhile on the internet.
There’s always a market here for your checklists, classes for particular groups, or collections of digital worksheets. Start small. Stay consistent. Just remember that your success will be unique.
If you found this useful, tell a friend planning to launch their digital product. Please tell me which platform you are looking forward to exploring in the comments.
Also Read: How to Make Money on LinkedIn as a Remote Worker or Freelancer
