Are you ready to turn your passion into profit in 2024? If you’re looking for a side hustle to sell digital products like e-books, online courses, stock photos, or SaaS, then these are the best platforms for selling digital products in 2024.
But how do you choose the one that’s perfect for you? Don’t sweat it—we’ve got you covered!
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through the best platforms including their features, pricing and more.
Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just starting out, this list will help you find the ideal platform to showcase your creations and maximize your passive income earnings. So grab a cup of coffee, settle in, and let’s get started!
Why Sell Digital Products?
Before we dive into the platforms, let’s quickly chat about why selling digital products is a fantastic business idea and one of the best passive income opportunities:
- Low Overhead Costs: No inventory or shipping hassles.
- Scalable Income: Sell unlimited copies without additional work.
- Flexibility: Work from anywhere at any time.
- Global Reach: Tap into a worldwide audience.
Sound good? Great! Let’s find the platform that’s right for you.
Criteria for Selection
We’ve selected these platforms based on:
- Ease of Use: User-friendly interfaces.
- Features: Tools that enhance selling digital products.
- Pricing: Affordable plans and fair transaction fees.
- Customizability: Flexibility to create a unique storefront.
- Integration: Compatibility with other tools and services.
- Customer Support: Reliable help when you need it.
Top 12 Platforms for Selling Digital Products
Discover the top platforms that make it easy to showcase, market, and sell your creations—whether they’re ebooks, software, online courses, or digital artwork.
1. Shopify
Shopify is a powerhouse in the e-commerce world, suitable for both physical and digital products.
Shopify stands out for its robust e-commerce features, user-friendly interface, and extensive app ecosystem that allows for significant customization and scalability.
Click each of the tabs below to view the details.
- Digital Downloads App: Seamlessly sell digital products.
- Extensive App Store: Enhance functionality with apps.
- Customizable Themes: Create a unique storefront.
- Secure Payment Processing: Multiple payment gateways.
- Basic Shopify: Starting at $29/month.
- Transaction Fees: 2.9% + 30¢ per transaction (can vary)
- Scalability: Grow your business with ease.
- Support: 24/7 customer service.
- Community: Large user base and resources.
2. Sellfy
Sellfy is designed specifically for creators selling digital products, subscriptions, and even physical goods with minimal setup.
What makes it special is its simplicity and built-in marketing tools, such as email marketing and upselling features, enabling users to start selling quickly without technical hurdles.
- Quick Setup: Start selling in minutes.
- Built-In Marketing Tools: Email marketing, discount codes.
- Unlimited Products: No restrictions on listings.
- Print-on-Demand: Expand into merchandise without inventory.
- Starter Plan: Starting at $22/month.
- No Transaction Fees: Keep more of your earnings.
- Simplicity: User-friendly and straightforward.
- All-in-One Solution: Storefront, marketing, analytics.
- Affordability: Competitive pricing plans.
3. Gumroad
Gumroad is a simple platform that allows independent creators, writers, and artists who want a straightforward way to sell digital products directly to their audience.
It’s no wonder why Gumroad is one of the best micro-saas companies. Gumroad’s uniqueness lies in its ease of use and direct-to-consumer approach, allowing sellers to set up product pages swiftly without the need for a full online store.
- Easy Integration: Sell through social media or your website.
- Pay-What-You-Want Pricing: Let customers choose the price.
- Subscription Support: Sell memberships or recurring products.
- Analytics Dashboard: Track sales and customer behavior.
- Free to Start: Pay a transaction fee per sale.
- Fees: 10% flat
- No Monthly Fees: Great for beginners.
- Flexible Payment Options: One-time or recurring payments.
- Community-Oriented: Designed for indie creators.
4. Etsy
While known for handmade goods, Etsy is also a massive marketplace for digital products.
Etsy is for artisans and creators offering handmade, vintage, or unique digital products who wish to tap into a large, ready-made customer base. What makes Etsy special is its established marketplace with high traffic, giving sellers increased visibility and access to a niche audience interested in unique goods.
- High Traffic: Access to a large, ready-to-buy audience.
- Digital Listings: Automated file delivery to customers.
- Seller Tools: SEO guidance, shop stats.
- Setup fee: $15-$29
- Listing Fee: 20¢ per item.
- Transaction Fee: 6.5% per sale.
- Payment Processing: 3% + 25¢ per sale.
- Built-In Audience: Ideal for artsy and creative products.
- Ease of Use: Simple to set up and manage.
- Community: Supportive seller ecosystem.
5. Teachable
Teachable specializes in helping you create and sell online courses and coaching services.
Teachable is tailored for educators and professionals seeking to create and sell online courses and coaching services. Its standout feature is its intuitive course creation tools and customizable learning platform, which enable users to offer engaging educational content without needing technical expertise.
- Course Builder: User-friendly interface to create courses.
- Quizzes and Certificates: Enhance learning experience.
- Marketing Tools: Affiliate programs, coupons.
- Secure Payments: Handles EU VAT, too.
- Basic Plan: Starting at $39/month + 5% transaction fees.
- Pro Plan: $119/month with no transaction fees.
- Education-Focused: Perfect for course creators.
- Robust Features: From content delivery to student management.
- Reliable Support: Knowledgeable customer service.
6. Thinkific
Thinkific is another excellent platform for creating and selling online courses.
Thinkific is for individuals and businesses wanting to build, market, and sell their own online courses and membership sites. It distinguishes itself with powerful course-building capabilities, customization options, and support for multimedia content, providing a comprehensive solution for online education.
- Drag-and-Drop Builder: No coding required.
- Multimedia Support: Video, quizzes, surveys.
- Market and Sell: Coupons, promotions, and affiliate tools.
- Student Tracking: Monitor progress and engagement.
- Free Plan: Limited features.
- Basic Plan: Starting at $49/month
- Flexible Course Options: Drip content, memberships.
- No Transaction Fees: Keep 100% of your sales.
- Scalable: Suitable for small and large course offerings.
7. WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a free WordPress plugin that turns your website into an e-commerce store.
WooCommerce is ideal for WordPress users who wish to transform their website into a fully functional e-commerce store for digital or physical products. Its integration with WordPress and the flexibility offered through numerous plugins and themes make it special for those seeking extensive customization and control.
- Customizable Storefront: Full control over your site.
- Digital Product Support: Sell downloads, memberships.
- Extensions and Plugins: Expand functionality.
- SEO-Friendly: Benefit from WordPress’s SEO capabilities.
- Plugin: Free.
- Additional Costs: Hosting, domain, paid extensions.
- Flexibility: Highly customizable.
- Cost-Effective: Free to use basic features.
- Community Support: Extensive documentation and forums.
8. Payhip
Payhip helps you sell digital products, memberships, and courses directly from your website or via a hosted storefront.
Payhip suits creators and authors looking to sell digital downloads, memberships, and courses directly to customers. It stands out due to its simplicity, affordability, and features like EU VAT handling and built-in marketing tools, making it easy to manage sales and promote products.
- Unlimited Products: No restrictions.
- Built-In Marketing: Affiliate programs, coupons.
- EU VAT Handling: Automatic calculation and collection.
- Secure Delivery: Automated download links.
- Free Plan: 5% transaction fee.
- Plus Plan: $29/month with 2% transaction fee.
- Pro Plan: $99/month with no transaction fees.
- Simple and Transparent Pricing: Choose what fits your needs.
- User-Friendly: Easy setup and management.
- Versatile: Supports various types of digital products.
9. BigCommerce
BigCommerce is a robust platform suitable for businesses of all sizes.
BigCommerce targets businesses from startups to large enterprises seeking a scalable e-commerce solution for selling digital and physical products. Its special features include robust built-in tools, multi-channel selling capabilities, and strong SEO performance without heavy reliance on third-party apps.
- Flexible Product Options: Digital and physical goods.
- SEO Tools: Advanced features to improve visibility.
- Multi-Channel Selling: Integrate with Amazon, eBay, social media.
- Analytics: Detailed reports on sales and customers.
- Standard Plan: Starting at $29/month
- Plus Plan: $79/month
- Pro Plan: $299/month
- No Transaction Fees: Unlimited staff accounts.
- Scalability: Ideal for growing businesses.
- Feature-Rich: Extensive built-in tools.
- Support: 24/7 customer service.
10. Podia
Podia offers an all-in-one platform to sell online courses, memberships, and digital downloads.
Podia is designed for creators selling online courses, memberships, and digital downloads, offering an all-in-one platform. It shines by combining storefront capabilities, email marketing, and affiliate management in a user-friendly interface, all without transaction fees.
- Beautiful Storefronts: Customize without code.
- Messaging: Live chat with customers.
- Webinars and Downloads: Host events and offer freebies.
- Migrate for Free: Assistance in moving from other platforms.
- Mover Plan: $39/month with 5% transaction fee
- Shaker Plan: $89/month no transaction fees (includes memberships, affiliates)
- No Transaction Fees: Keep all your earnings.
- Ease of Use: Intuitive platform.
- Excellent Customer Support: Responsive help team.
11. SendOwl
SendOwl focuses on delivering digital products securely and efficiently.
SendOwl is for businesses and individuals needing a simple platform to sell digital products, subscriptions, and memberships. Its distinguishing feature is the straightforward setup and focus on automated digital delivery, including features like license key distribution and drip content.
- Instant Delivery: Automated email with download links.
- Drip Functionality: Schedule content delivery.
- Upsells and Discounts: Boost sales with marketing tools.
- Multiple Payment Options: Accept various currencies.
- Standard Plan: Starting at $18/month, with 5% fee per order
- Growth Plan: $37/month, with $0.47 fee per order
- Pro Plan: $89/month, with $0.28 fee per order
- Security: PDF stamping, link expiration.
- Integration: Works with various platforms and services.
- Simplicity: Streamlined for digital products.
12. Kajabi
Kajabi is a premium platform offering tools to create, market, and sell online courses and memberships.
Kajabi is tailored for entrepreneurs and experts creating and selling online courses, memberships, and digital products. What makes Kajabi special is its all-in-one nature, combining website building, marketing automation, and customer management tools, providing a comprehensive solution without the need for multiple platforms.
- Website Builder: Customizable themes.
- Marketing Automation: Email sequences, funnels.
- Analytics: In-depth business insights.
- Mobile App: Customers can access content on the go.
- Kickstarter Plan: Starting at $55/month
- Basic Plan: Starting at $119/month
- Growth Plan: Starting at $159/month
- Pro Plan: Starting at $319/month
- No Transaction Fees: Unlimited marketing emails.
- All-in-One Solution: Everything under one roof.
- Professional Tools: High-quality features.
- Support and Training: Webinars, tutorials, live chats.
FAQ
Can I sell multiple types of digital products on these platforms?
Absolutely! Most of these platforms support various digital products, including e-books, courses, music, software, and more. Be sure to check the specific features of each platform.
Do these platforms handle EU VAT for digital products?
Platforms like Teachable, SendOwl, and Payhip handle EU VAT automatically, ensuring compliance with tax laws. Always verify this feature based on your target market.
Are there transaction fees in addition to subscription costs?
Some platforms charge transaction fees on top of monthly subscriptions, while others do not. Always read the pricing details carefully.
Can I use my own domain name?
Most platforms allow you to use a custom domain for a more professional appearance. This feature might be included in the plan or available for an additional fee.
Is customer support readily available?
Shopify, BigCommerce, and Podia offer 24/7 support, while others might have limited hours. Check the support options if this is important to you.
Can I integrate these platforms with other tools?
Integration capabilities differ per platform. Shopify and WooCommerce have extensive app stores, while others offer specific integrations. Ensure the platform supports the tools you rely on.
Conclusion
There you have it—the 12 best platforms for selling digital products in 2024! Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your digital product business, these platforms offer a variety of features to suit your needs.
From user-friendly interfaces like Sellfy and Gumroad to robust, all-in-one solutions like Shopify and Kajabi, there’s something for everyone.
Next Steps:
- Identify Your Needs: Consider the type of digital products you’re selling.
- Trial Periods: Take advantage of free plans or trials to test the platforms.
- Budget Considerations: Factor in both subscription costs and transaction fees.
- Growth Potential: Choose a platform that can grow with your business.
Remember, the best platform is the one that aligns with your business goals and makes selling digital products a breeze. So go ahead, take the plunge, and watch your digital empire flourish!
Ready to start selling your digital products? The online world is your oyster! If you have any more questions or need further guidance, feel free to drop a comment below. Here’s to your success in 2024 and beyond!
