Purpose now email book
Purpose now email book

Can we send you a free gift?

This thought-provoking and actionable book offers a step-by-step guide to finding your purpose and translating it into action.

We’ll send you a link to redeem for a free copy once you share your email.

Success

Keep your eye on your inbox for how to redeem your free book.

Something went wrong!

Please, try again later.

Memberships & Subscriptions

9 Awesome Gumroad Alternatives to Sell Your Creations (2024)

If you’re building amazing products or memberships and looking for a place to sell them, these 9 alternatives to Gumroad have something for everyone!

By The Mighty Team

May 24, 2023

17 min read

IN THIS ARTICLE

    SHARE

    Gumroad has gained a reputation in the creator economy as a place to sell stuff.


    That’s the great thing about Gumroad, that you can sell pretty much anything. And people are using it to sell a ton of unconventional products.


    What’s the downside of Gumroad? Well, it's that you can sell pretty much anything.


    Gumroad works great for what it does. It markets itself as a place where you can sell physical products, digital products, coaching, memberships, and more. Its case study section has examples of people selling stuff like blog posts, Notion templates, and art. Pretty much anything you want to sell, you can, with Gumroad taking a cut of your sales for their troubles.


    But because it's made to be a jack of all trades, it's missing a lot of features of specialized platforms that have built expertise in selling specific things.


    In this article, we're going to give you some alternatives to Gumroad. We'll focus on showing you exactly what each alternative is for, and give you the best option for things like selling a virtual product, memberships, or physical products.


    Ready? Let’s go!


    If you want more support in building your online course and community, come join OUR Mighty Community for free and meet other new and established community owners! We’d love to meet you. Join for free!






    ((toc))


    What is Gumroad?


    gumroad - snip


    Gumroad is a monetization platform that can be used to sell both digital and physical products. It specializes in allowing makers of all types to earn from selling their creations.


    On the consumer side, it also functions as an online marketplace where you can find courses and products that interest you and purchase them from independent creators.


    Advantages to Gumroad



    • It's easy to get going & use.

    • You can monetize pretty much anything. Tons of flexibility in what you can sell.

    • Easy to create and embed products

    • Option for "pay what you want" pricing

    • Smooth design & app access


    Gumroad


    Disadvantages to Gumroad



    • Enormous platform costs (10 % of your revenue) that eat your profit. They get worse the more successful you are.

    • Really simple sales engine. No real option for upsells, downsells, etc.

    • By focusing on selling everything, it can compromise selling certain things well.



    Gumroad takes a 10% fee of everything you sell. If you sell $10,000 worth of courses, you'd have paid $1,000 in fees. That's ridiculous!



    What to look for in a Gumroad alternative



    • Up-front service charges & flat-fee pricing

    • Easy selling features

    • Quality product options (e.g. courses, community, printables)

    • Intuitive to build

    • Branding options

    • Multi-currency support

    • All-in-one capabilities

    • Bundles + tiered pricing

    • App support


    Mighty Networks - Challenge Fam - Feed Paired Dark





    9 Gumroad Alternatives


    1. Mighty Networks


    Best all-in-one community membership and course builder





    If your goal is to sell a membership, Mighty Networks is the best alternative to Gumroad. Ranked as the number one community management software by G2, Mighty Networks is a powerful community engine that gives you an amazing space to bring members together.


    The average Mighty Network charges its members $48 every month and 90% of the networks that charge for access make sales of courses, events, coaching, etc. on top of the membership fee. For example, a coach might choose to sell memberships to a community but then upsell to a subgroup for a premium mastermind.


    Mighty Networks - Graphics - Live streaming


    That makes Mighty the best place to build a profitible digital business -- you literally need to other platform. Many of our hosts have grown to six and seven figure businesses without ever needing another software option.


    Starting from $41/mo, your Mighty Network comes with customizable Spaces that can blend a built-in community forum, member profiles, chat and messaging, custom discovery sections, native live streaming and video, plus event and Zoom integration.


    You have a ton of flexibility for selling memberships, tiers and bundles, in 135 different currencies or even monetized with token gating. And your Mighty Network comes with an app for every device, and we offer totally branded apps under your brand for established businesses.


    The best thing is, Mighty has flat fees! Where Gumroad takes 10% of your revenue, you become a victim of your own success as you grow. For example, if you sold $9,000 in courses on Gumroad, your fee would be 10%, or $900 – on a Mighty Network, your $9,000 in course sales would only cost you a $99 network fee. Gumroad calls itself a "free" platform, but you end up paying way more.


    Mighty Networks - Graphics - Courses and live streaming - Galaxy DAO


    Mighty Networks isn’t just a better membership option than Gumroad though. The Business Plan also comes with an intuitive course builder that lets you add and sell awesome live or pre-made online courses.


    Mighty Network Features
    Here are the
    features you get with a Mighty Network:



    • AI community engine (Mighty Co-Host™)

    • Community forums

    • Customized discovery feed

    • Member profiles

    • Individual and group messaging

    • Live streaming

    • New member custom journeys

    • Live events & Zoom integration

    • SSO

    • Bundles + tiered pricing

    • Charge for community access, subgroups, courses, and more.

    • Charge in your home currency

    • Add amazing courses

    • Apps for every device


    Mighty Networks is a far better option for memberships and/or courses because it’s built for them. Don’t take our word for it, come try it free for 14 days!


    Start Your Free Trial


    Mighty Networks - Graphics - Body Soul Livestream Paired Light





    How much does Mighty Networks cost?


    Mighty Networks starts from $41/mo for the community plan and click here for more on the business plan. For branded apps with Mighty Pro, schedule a call.


    Who is Mighty Networks for?


    Creators and brands who want to build a digital business around courses, community, and live events.


    Mighty Networks pros and cons


    Pros



    • Powerful all-in-one platform that mixes community, courses, content, and events

    • Easy monetization built-in. Sell in 135 currencies or token-gating.

    • Build in your own brand, light/dark mode, landing pages, etc.

    • AI community-building: Mighty Co-Host™ runs on Chat GPT and can create a Big Purpose, community name, brand, landing and sales pages, and more.

    • Apps for every device

    • Pay a flat fee instead of percentage-based pricing.


    Cons



    • It's a community builder, not an eCommerce site.

    • Best for people wanting to be active in their community.





    Try Our Community Name Generator

    Our AI engine is here to help you create a community name that feels like magic. Just share a few words about who your community is for and we’ll get to work.

    Examples: coaching clients, meditation novices, vegan chefs, dog lovers, aspiring entrepreneurs, etc.

    The names generated by Mighty Co-Host™ are examples only and may be used by other businesses or subject to third-party rights. For more information, check our Terms.





    2. Patreon


    Another great Gumroad alternative is Patreon. Patreon is a platform for creators to monetize a following with. It’s best known for its patronage model – in which patrons can commit to supporting a creator they love. This meant that you could monetize anything on Patreon, as long as you can find enough people willing to support you.


    Over time, Patreon has evolved to include more than just donations though. Creators can set up tiered levels for supporters with rewards for each level. Often these rewards are things like appearances in an art project, extra content, time with the creator, or merch. There are a lot of different ways to be successful on Patreon.


    Patreon-levels


    Patreon is great on so many levels. But it has the same big downside that Gumroad has: it charges a percentage-based fee. When the platform charges you a percentage of your sales, you pay little as long as you don’t make much.


    With up to 12% of the money you earn going to Patreon, the more you make the more it will cost you.


    That being said, Patreon is flexible, letting you choose-your-own-adventure for monetization, and people know it. It’s a good alternative to Gumroad.


    Patreon features



    • Hosted creator page

    • Communication tools

    • Membership tiers

    • Special offer tools

    • Merch options

    • App integrations


    Patreon cost


    How much does Patreon cost?


    While you might think the answer is "nothing", Patreon's flat rate adds up quickly. Patreon takes 5-12 % of what you earn. So if you sold $10,000 worth of memberships on Patreon, you'd pay them anywhere from $500-$1200 in fees.


    On a Mighty Network, by contrast, if you sold $10,000 in membership you'd still pay a flat fee of $33/mo.


    Who is Patreon for?


    Patreon is best for creators who want to stick to a patronage model (donations) OR who want to create small memberships. It's great for monetizing a small following -- but with the payment structure you get penalized for growing.


    Pros and Cons of Patreon


    Pros



    • Accessible and easy to get started

    • Well-recognized platform

    • Merch integrations

    • It works for a patronage-only model (you don't HAVE to sell things)

    • Easy to use


    Cons



    • High transaction fees (penalized for growth)

    • No opportunity for courses, real community, etc.

    • Missing events, live streams, etc.





    3. Teachable


    If you’re looking for a course-only Gumroad alternative, Teachable is a good option. While Mighty Networks comes with powerful community and membership features, letting you build courses with live streaming and hosting live events, Teachable is built for hosting a standalone, asynchronous course you can build and forget.


    Teachable course image


    Teachable has the options to create and edit your course, build landing pages, and add quizzes. When it comes to monetizing and selling your courses, you can choose different payment tiers and content bundles, and Teachable even has an affiliate program builder so you can enlist others to sell your course for you.


    You can appoint members into leadership roles and pay them for it, giving you a bit of flexibility in growing your business. Finally, Teachable gives you some analytics to help you make decisions about what’s working and what’s not.


    One downside to Teachable is that its app is only for iOS, which means that any Android users won’t be able to access it. Between the lack of app access and the limited community features, Teachable is for the creator who wants to create a standalone, web-only course.


    Teachable - Course Image 2


    How much does Teachable cost?


    Teachable starts from $39/mo + 5% transaction fee on an annual payment plan or $119/mo for their pro plan.


    Who is Teachable for?


    Teachable is best for course creators looking for a pre-recorded, synchronous course. It doesn't have native live video, so it's great for cohort-courses.


    Teachable pros and cons


    Pros



    • Good standalone course platform

    • Build landing pages & sales materials

    • Run a totally passive-income course (with no community)

    • Affiliate program


    Cons



    • Doesn't work for cohort courses

    • Missing native live streaming, events, etc.

    • Missing chat, messaging, and community features


    4. Shopify


    If you’re looking for an alternative to Gumroad for selling physical goods, Shopify is a great option. It gives you the tools to easily set up an online store, starting with proven templates from the landing page and moving through getting your site up, your products online, and money in your pocket.


    Shopify Dawn Template


    It’s easy to use, and Shopify literally specializes in e-Commerce, meaning you’re getting a better, more proven platform than Gumroad that’s specialized in selling products.


    You can build with tons of different themes, customizing your store to fit your style and brand.


    It’s the best Gumroad alternative for physical products.


    How much does Shopify cost?


    From $39/mo, Shopify gives you an online store, unlimited products, sales channels, discount codes, abandoned cart recovery, and even gift cards – not to mention their proven point of sale. Their next tiers are $105/mo and $399/mo, and give you more options.


    You can try our free Shopify store name generator here.


    Who is Shopify for?


    If you are monetizing with physical products and want to create websites with product descriptions, sales pages, shipping connections, and more, Shopify is an awesome choice.


    Shopify pros and cons


    Pros



    • Tons of customization features

    • Lots of ways to sell pretty much anything

    • Total control over your store and business

    • Shopify is really helpful with customer service


    Cons



    • You need to find ways to get in front of customers. There's no built-in customer base (as with Amazon for example).

    • Pricing can be a con. If you don't sell enough, it's hard to justify the hosting cost.

    • You need to add apps to get customized functions.





    5. Skillshare


    Skillshare is a different model for selling a course; it’s a course marketplace as opposed to a dedicated sales platform. This means that it’s got millions of users looking for courses, which is great! However, it also means they aren’t going to buy your course directly – they’ll get access to it as part of one membership fee.


    Skillshare snip


    Skillshare can be a really good Gumroad alternative for course creators who are trying to make a name for themselves. If you have a course you want to teach but don’t have much of a following, Skillshare can help you get discovered – especially if you can find a great niche that has some demand but not a lot of courses yet.


    You can upload and share your courses, and Skillshare will let users rate them. Each course can also have a dedicated project section where your students can share what they’re working on – which is fun!


    Skillshare Snip 2- course


    The issue with Skillshare as a Gumroad alternative is that it’s hard to make money. Skillshare’s monetization works by dividing up part of its profits among creators based on watch time. It can be tricky for new creators to get started. But for a course in the right niche, it can be a good option to build visibility.


    How much does Skillshare cost?


    Nothing! It's free to put your courses on it. The downside is that creators on Skillshare make much less on average, because they are paid based on profit sharing & watch time.


    Who should use Skillshare?


    Skillshare is good for course creators who want a no-hassle course business and to benefit from an existing marketplace. A good course that's in demand can do well, even with the income sharing. Do remember that you may need to respond to user questions and projects on Skillshare.


    If you have an existing platform and know how to drive traffic, Skillshare is probably not the right place to build your course. You'll make more building on your own platform that you own.


    Skillshare pros and cons


    Pros



    • Free to use

    • Large marketplace platform (existing user base)

    • Strong for creative courses


    Cons



    • Bad revenue share model

    • Limited control of your brand & presence

    • Can't build relationships with your students

    • Missing features like live streaming, community, etc.





    6. Etsy


    Etsy is the classic for creators: a place to share your physical and digital works of art. With everything from clothes to jewelry to gifts, it seems like a lot of what’s on Etsy is physical products. But you can also sell downloads and printables, which can be a great way for artists to share their art without having to worry about shipping costs!


    Etsy- Capture


    Etsy does take a transaction fee of 6.5% which can add up, so you’ve got to take this into consideration. But as a marketplace with millions of buyers looking for neat, unique products, it’s a good place to sell your creations and an awesome alternative to Gumroad.


    How much does Etsy cost?


    Etsy is free to post on, but you will pay a 6.5% fee per purchase.


    Who is Etsy for?


    Etsy is for creators who want to sell their work! It's strongest for physical products (creations), but can be used for things like printables too.


    For people with no following or marketing skills, Etsy's 6.5% fee might be worth paying to get access to an existing marketplace of customers. If you have an audience or you want to learn how to market, you'd probably be better to build on Shopify and grow there.


    We also have a free Etsy Shop Name Generator here.


    Etsy pros and cons


    Pros



    • Marketplace platform with lots of users

    • It's a familiar brand

    • Very visual, creative content

    • It takes care of payments, different currencies, etc.

    • No build-time required (unlike Shopify)


    Cons



    • Pay a 6.5% fee (this can add up!)

    • Tons of competiton for eyeballs. It's difficult to get on page 1 of the search results and actually make sales.

    • Limited options to build your own brand and following.


    7. Amazon


    It’s a well-known giant, but Amazon is also a real alternative to Gumroad on a few different levels. First, for people creating e-Books of any kind, Amazon’s KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) makes self-publishing easy and accessible. Whether you’re a fiction writer or you create graphic novels, Amazon has a lot of readers looking for your work, and independent authors are building big businesses on it.


    Amazon is also a place to sell physical products. Amazon has even added "Stores" which lets you create a unique space for your brand -- in direct challenge to Shopify, so you get some branding options.


    Amazon Page Builder


    With your own page builder, customization features, and even brand protection to make sure nobody steals your brand or products, Amazon storefronts are a real Gumroad alternative for people looking to build a thriving e-Commerce business. While it’s not strictly “yours” – you’re still on Amazon’s platforms and playing by their rules – the kajillions of potential customers Amazon has might make up for it.


    Amazon Fees


    How much does Amazon cost?


    Amazon costs .99 cents per item sold for the first 40 items a month, or else a $39.99 flat fee if you sell more than that. There may be additional selling fees added depending on the item.


    Who should sell on Amazon?


    Amazon is good for someone who doesn't mind not owning their own space and wants access to a huge marketplace for physical products or eBooks.


    Amazon pros and cons


    Pros



    • Worldwide marketplace

    • Powerful platform, apps, etc.

    • Customized storefronts

    • Low-cost eCommerce


    Cons



    • Lots of competition

    • Even with stores, you're not really building your own brand

    • Amazon can change the rules at any time. You have no control.





    8. ClickFunnels


    ClickFunnels is better known as a marketing tool, but it literally has everything you could need to build an online business. That makes it a great alternative to Gumroad.


    While a traditional website is static, and you have to hope your users land in the right place, ClickFunnels is designed to bring your customers through a dedicated sales process – a “funnel.”


    Clickfunnels - Home


    You can build all the pages you need for your business, choose from pre-made funnels as templates, and add things like upsells and downsells to make it more likely that you’ll make a sale.


    How much does ClickFunnels cost?


    Clickfunnels starts from $127/mo for basic, with $157/mo for Pro, and $108/mo for "Funnel Hacker."


    Who is ClickFunnels for?


    ClickFunnels is best for people selling high-ticket products, for whom the higher monthly cost isn't a big deal in exchange for a powerful sales engine.


    ClickFunnels pros and cons


    Pros



    • Research-backed sales methods

    • Lots of different types of funnels

    • Build landing pages, upsells, etc.


    Cons



    • Expensive

    • It's missing product delivery features (need to pair it with something else)

    • More work to get up and running (although their templates are great)


    9. Sellfy


    Last but not least, Sellfy is an alternative to Gumroad that’s probably the most like it. Where the platforms above specialize in different markets and types of goods, Sellfy promises to do it all. From digital products to physical products to print-on-demand to video streaming, it’s a place to sell almost anything you create.


    Sellfy


    Sellfy lets you create a storefront easily with a drag-and-drop editor and customize it to fit your brand. It also lets you add marketing features to sell your creations, with things like discount codes, tracking pixels, and built-in email marketing. One final neat feature is that Sellfy lets you embed pieces of your store in an existing blog, website, or social post.


    Sellfy Pricing


    How much does Sellfy cost?


    One fact you should know about Sellfy as a Gumroad alternative is that it’s an undeniably better price. You can start selling from $19/month (up to $10k in sales), or the Business plan for $49/mo, or Premium for $99/mo.


    And, as we explained above, by paying a flat rate instead of a percentage fee, more money goes back into your pocket.


    Who should use Sellfy?


    People who want to sell merch or digital products (printables, eBooks, videos, or other physical products). Sellfy also adds a print-on-demand feature which is great!


    Sellfy pros and cons


    Pros



    • Cheap and easy to start

    • Sell digital products

    • Print merch on demand

    • Customize your storefront

    • Built in email marketing

    • Flat-rate pricing


    Cons



    • Revenue caps (You're forced to the next plan if you sell too much.)

    • Very limited for memberships





    Conclusion


    Mighty Networks - Graphics - Discover


    We hope these Gumroad alternatives have got you excited about selling your work online or monetizing your creative energy! And if you’re excited about building a membership community or selling courses or events, come try Mighty Networks! We’ve built a platform you’ll love, and it will give you everything you need to build a thriving business.


    Don’t take our word for it. You can try it free for 14 days, without a credit card, to see what it’s like.


    Ready to start building your community?

    Start Your Own Mighty Network Today!No credit card required.

    MORE LIKE THIS

    Join Mighty Community

    Learn the principles of Community Design™ (and see them in action) alongside thousands of creators and entrepreneurs. It's free to join!

    screenshot
    Community
    Community
    Finding Your Community's Home
    Courses
    Building an Online Course
    Finding the Right Course Platform
    Monetization