Stan Store vs Gumroad vs Payhip: Which Is Best for Selling Digital Products?

Introduction: Let’s Settle This Once and for All

Alright, so you’ve got a killer digital product — maybe it’s a juicy eBook, a can’t-miss course, or a Notion template that’ll change lives (or at least help people plan their week without crying 😅). Now comes the big question:

Where the heck do you sell it?

You’ve probably heard of Stan Store, Gumroad, and Payhip — the holy trinity of beginner-friendly digital product platforms. But let’s be real… picking one feels like choosing a Netflix show. They all look good at first glance, but halfway in, you’re wondering, “Is this really the vibe?”

Well, buckle up, because I’ve personally tested all three. And I’m gonna spill the tea ☕ on what works, what sucks, and which one’s actually worth your time in 2025.

Let’s go.

Stan Store: The Instagram Hustler’s Bestie

What Is Stan Store?

Stan Store is the new kid on the block, but oh boy, has it made waves — especially on Instagram and TikTok. Think of it like your link-in-bio on steroids. It’s a sales page, checkout, course host, and email capture tool all rolled into one.

Key Features

• One-Link Storefront: Perfect for creators who live on social media.
• Sell eBooks, courses, coaching calls, memberships — all from one place.
• Email List Builder: Comes with built-in opt-ins and email follow-ups.
• Instant Checkout: Frictionless buying experience — literally two taps.
• Mobile-First Design: Looks stunning on phones (where your audience lives).

What I Loved

• Crazy-simple setup — I had a store live in under 30 minutes.
• It’s designed for creators — no bloated menus, just the essentials.
• The booking feature is 🔥 if you do coaching or consulting.

What Kinda Sucks

• You can’t get super fancy with design (but IMO that’s also a plus).
• Limited analytics — don’t expect Google-level data.
• Not the best for SEO or blogging. This ain’t WordPress, folks.

Pricing

• $29/month (as of now) — no free plan.
• No extra fees on sales. Your earnings = your earnings.

Who Stan Store Is Best For

• Content creators
• Instagram/TikTok influencers
• Digital product beginners who want speed and simplicity

TL;DR

If you’re selling from social media and want the easiest plug-and-play solution, Stan Store slaps. Seriously. It was made for the “link in bio” generation.

Gumroad: The OG of Digital Product Selling

What Is Gumroad?

Gumroad has been around forever (well, since 2011). It’s like that reliable friend who may not be flashy but always shows up. You upload your product, set the price, and boom — it’s ready to sell.

Key Features

• Sell anything — eBooks, videos, software, subscriptions, you name it.
• Gorgeous landing pages with minimal effort.
• License key generator for software sellers.
• Built-in affiliate system (rare and awesome).

What I Loved

• No monthly fees unless you choose the Creator Plan.
• Solid for anyone starting from scratch.
• Global reach — accepts PayPal and cards.
• Built-in customer management — refunds, updates, etc., all in one place.

What Bugged Me

• The 10% flat fee on free accounts? Ouch. That adds up quick.
• Customization is meh — it’s functional but not very flexible.
• Not designed for lead capture or funnel building.

Pricing

• Free to start, but Gumroad takes 10% per sale.
• Or upgrade to $10/month and still pay a 3.5% + 30¢ transaction fee.

Who Gumroad Is Best For

• Creators on a tight budget
• Indie authors, artists, and developers
• Sellers with global buyers

TL;DR

If you’re cool with giving up a slice of your earnings and just want a “set it and forget it” store, Gumroad is still solid. Especially if you’re broke but ambitious 😅.

Payhip: The Feature-Packed Underdog

What Is Payhip?

Payhip flies under the radar, but don’t sleep on it. It’s like the middle child — quiet, capable, and probably doing more than you think.

Key Features

• Sell digital, physical, and subscription products.
• EU VAT handling — a nightmare turned dream.
• Built-in coupon codes, upsells, and affiliates.
• Membership + Course builder tools included.

What I Loved

• Insanely generous free plan — seriously.
• Full control over pricing, discount codes, bundles, etc.
• The EU VAT compliance saved me from a migraine.
• A pretty solid course creator for small educators.

What Frustrated Me

• The UI feels… dated.
• Not as trendy or “cool” as Stan.
• Email marketing tools are basic — no fancy automation.

Pricing

• Free forever plan: 5% per transaction.
• Or go flat-rate with $29/month or $99/month — zero transaction fees.

Who Payhip Is Best For

• Course creators on a budget
• Sellers dealing with international taxes (hello, EU VAT!)
• Anyone who wants Shopify vibes without Shopify headaches

TL;DR

If you want control, low fees, and features galore, Payhip is a low-key powerhouse. Not flashy, but it gets the job done. Think “smart, not sexy.”

Feature Comparison Table: The Nitty-Gritty

Feature	Stan Store	Gumroad	Payhip
Free Plan	No	Yes	Yes
Transaction Fees	0%	10% (Free), 3.5% (Pro)	5% (Free), 0% (Paid)
Custom Domain	Yes	Yes	Yes
Courses/Memberships	Built-in	But basic	Advanced
Affiliate System	No	Yes	Yes
Email List Building	Built-in	Requires 3rd party	Basic
Best For	Influencers & Creators	Indie Creators	Course & Bundle Sellers

Which One Should You Choose? (Here’s My Honest Take)

If You’re a Social Media Creator…

Go with Stan Store. It’s designed for you. Fast, frictionless, and beautiful on mobile — it’ll help you cash in on impulse purchases while you sleep.

If You’re Starting From Scratch…

Gumroad is a great sandbox. No upfront costs, a decent learning curve, and no real pressure. Just know the fees will nibble your profits if you grow big.

If You Want Serious Seller Tools…

Payhip is for you. From VAT to upsells to course hosting, it gives you big-business tools without the Shopify headache or Kajabi-level costs.

My Experience: What I Actually Use (And Why)

So… wanna know a secret?

I actually use all three. Yep. Here’s how:

• I use Stan Store on my Instagram bio for fast-moving products and coaching call bookings.
• I use Gumroad for evergreen digital assets (like templates or scripts).
• I use Payhip for my course bundles and higher-priced offers (the upsell tools are a win ✌️).

Each tool plays a role. It’s not about “one is better than the other.” It’s about which one fits your current stage.

That said — if I had to pick just one?

I’d go with Stan Store for social-first selling and Payhip for everything else.

Final Verdict: The Winner Is… You. (Yep, You Read That Right 😎)

Here’s the truth most “vs” articles won’t tell you:

There’s no one-size-fits-all winner.

It comes down to:

• How you sell
• Where your audience hangs out
• What kind of products you offer
• And how hands-on you want to be

But if you’re still stuck, here’s your cheat code:

• Go with Stan Store if you live on IG/TikTok and just wanna sell fast.
• Try Gumroad if you’re experimenting or launching your first product.
• Choose Payhip if you’re building a serious digital product business with global customers and upsells.

Whatever you choose, just start. Trust me — your future self (and bank account) will thank you.

Ready to Launch? Here’s What to Do Next

• Pick one platform (don’t overthink it).
• Upload your product.
• Set your price and add a juicy product description.
• Share it like you mean it — email, IG stories, TikTok rants, all of it.

Don’t wait for perfect. Perfect doesn’t pay. Published does.

And hey — if you ever need help writing your product page copy or planning your funnel, you know where to find me 😉