Quick Overview
- 1#1: Shopify - Comprehensive ecommerce platform for building scalable digital storefronts with digital product delivery and app integrations.
- 2#2: BigCommerce - Enterprise-grade ecommerce solution optimized for digital goods sales with multi-channel support and robust APIs.
- 3#3: WooCommerce - Flexible open-source plugin for WordPress that enables customizable digital storefronts with thousands of extensions.
- 4#4: Gumroad - Simple platform for creators to sell digital products like ebooks, music, and software directly to audiences.
- 5#5: Lemon Squeezy - Merchant-of-record service handling payments, taxes, and fraud for digital products and SaaS storefronts.
- 6#6: Sellfy - All-in-one store builder for selling digital downloads, print-on-demand, and memberships with marketing tools.
- 7#7: Payhip - Easy-to-use platform for selling ebooks, software, music, and courses with EU VAT handling and affiliates.
- 8#8: SendOwl - Automated digital delivery service for storefronts selling files, software licenses, and subscriptions.
- 9#9: FastSpring - Global payment and subscription platform tailored for software companies' digital storefronts.
- 10#10: Paddle - Merchant-of-record billing solution for SaaS and digital products with tax compliance and revenue recovery.
We evaluated tools based on key factors: advanced features for digital product delivery, scalability, ease of use, integration capabilities, and overall value, ensuring we highlight options that balance performance and cost-effectiveness for businesses of all sizes.
Comparison Table
Comparing digital storefront software? Our table highlights tools like Shopify, BigCommerce, WooCommerce, Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy, and more, exploring key features, pricing structures, and ideal use cases to help you identify the best fit for your business.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shopify Comprehensive ecommerce platform for building scalable digital storefronts with digital product delivery and app integrations. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | BigCommerce Enterprise-grade ecommerce solution optimized for digital goods sales with multi-channel support and robust APIs. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 3 | WooCommerce Flexible open-source plugin for WordPress that enables customizable digital storefronts with thousands of extensions. | other | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 4 | Gumroad Simple platform for creators to sell digital products like ebooks, music, and software directly to audiences. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Lemon Squeezy Merchant-of-record service handling payments, taxes, and fraud for digital products and SaaS storefronts. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 6 | Sellfy All-in-one store builder for selling digital downloads, print-on-demand, and memberships with marketing tools. | specialized | 8.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 7 | Payhip Easy-to-use platform for selling ebooks, software, music, and courses with EU VAT handling and affiliates. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.0/10 |
| 8 | SendOwl Automated digital delivery service for storefronts selling files, software licenses, and subscriptions. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 9 | FastSpring Global payment and subscription platform tailored for software companies' digital storefronts. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Paddle Merchant-of-record billing solution for SaaS and digital products with tax compliance and revenue recovery. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 |
Comprehensive ecommerce platform for building scalable digital storefronts with digital product delivery and app integrations.
Enterprise-grade ecommerce solution optimized for digital goods sales with multi-channel support and robust APIs.
Flexible open-source plugin for WordPress that enables customizable digital storefronts with thousands of extensions.
Simple platform for creators to sell digital products like ebooks, music, and software directly to audiences.
Merchant-of-record service handling payments, taxes, and fraud for digital products and SaaS storefronts.
All-in-one store builder for selling digital downloads, print-on-demand, and memberships with marketing tools.
Easy-to-use platform for selling ebooks, software, music, and courses with EU VAT handling and affiliates.
Automated digital delivery service for storefronts selling files, software licenses, and subscriptions.
Global payment and subscription platform tailored for software companies' digital storefronts.
Merchant-of-record billing solution for SaaS and digital products with tax compliance and revenue recovery.
Shopify
enterpriseComprehensive ecommerce platform for building scalable digital storefronts with digital product delivery and app integrations.
The Shopify App Store with 8,000+ vetted apps for seamless extensions in marketing, SEO, inventory, and more.
Shopify is a leading e-commerce platform that allows users to build, customize, and manage fully functional online stores with ease. It provides tools for product listings, inventory management, secure payments, shipping, and marketing automation, all integrated into a scalable infrastructure. With thousands of themes and apps, it supports businesses from startups to enterprises in selling physical, digital, and service-based products globally.
Pros
- Vast App Store with over 8,000 integrations for endless customization
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and mobile-responsive themes
- Scalable for high-volume sales with built-in POS and multichannel selling
Cons
- Transaction fees (up to 2%) if not using Shopify Payments
- Premium apps and themes add to ongoing costs
- Advanced customizations require coding or developer hire
Best For
Businesses and entrepreneurs of all sizes looking for a reliable, scalable platform to launch and grow an online store without deep technical expertise.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Basic), $105/month (Shopify), $399/month (Advanced); enterprise plans custom; 2.4-2.9% + 30¢ transaction fees (lower with Shopify Payments).
BigCommerce
enterpriseEnterprise-grade ecommerce solution optimized for digital goods sales with multi-channel support and robust APIs.
Native B2B functionality with customer-specific catalogs, pricing, and order management
BigCommerce is a fully hosted, SaaS-based e-commerce platform that enables businesses to build scalable online stores with robust digital storefront capabilities. It supports multichannel selling across websites, marketplaces, social media, and POS systems, with advanced features like headless commerce via its Stencil framework. Ideal for B2B and B2C operations, it offers extensive customization, SEO tools, and over 10,000 apps for integrations without transaction fees.
Pros
- Unlimited bandwidth and no transaction fees, supporting high-volume sales
- Comprehensive B2B tools including customer quotes, pricing rules, and bulk pricing
- Seamless integrations with 10,000+ apps and ERPs like Salesforce and NetSuite
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users compared to simpler builders
- Higher pricing tiers can be costly for very small businesses
- Some advanced customizations require developer expertise or paid apps
Best For
Mid-market to enterprise businesses needing scalable, feature-rich digital storefronts for complex B2B/B2C operations.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Standard, up to 500 products), $105/month (Plus), $399/month (Pro), with custom Enterprise plans.
WooCommerce
otherFlexible open-source plugin for WordPress that enables customizable digital storefronts with thousands of extensions.
Open-source extensibility with 60,000+ WordPress plugins for unmatched customization
WooCommerce is a free, open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress that converts any WordPress site into a powerful digital storefront capable of selling physical, digital, and subscription-based products. It offers robust features like inventory management, payment gateways, shipping options, and customer accounts, all extensible via thousands of plugins and themes. Ideal for users seeking flexibility without vendor lock-in, it powers over 25% of online stores globally.
Pros
- Free core plugin with unlimited scalability
- Vast ecosystem of 60,000+ extensions and themes
- Seamless integration with WordPress CMS
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- Requires self-hosting and ongoing maintenance
- Performance can suffer without optimization at scale
Best For
WordPress users and developers building highly customized digital storefronts without high upfront costs.
Pricing
Core plugin free; hosting from $5/month, premium extensions/themes $0-200/year.
Gumroad
specializedSimple platform for creators to sell digital products like ebooks, music, and software directly to audiences.
One-click product setup with instant, secure digital delivery and pay-what-you-want pricing flexibility
Gumroad is a straightforward platform that enables creators to build a digital storefront for selling products like ebooks, online courses, software, music, and memberships directly to their audience. It handles secure payments, automated file delivery, and basic customer management with minimal setup required. The service emphasizes simplicity, allowing users to focus on creation rather than technical e-commerce complexities, while offering tools like discount codes, affiliates, and email integrations.
Pros
- Extremely simple setup with no coding needed
- No monthly fees—just pay per sale
- Automatic digital product delivery and secure payments
Cons
- High 10% transaction fee plus payment processing costs
- Limited storefront customization and design options
- Lacks advanced e-commerce features like inventory management or physical product support
Best For
Solo creators and digital artists seeking a quick, low-maintenance way to sell downloads, courses, and memberships without ongoing costs.
Pricing
Free to start; 10% Gumroad fee + payment processor fees (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 via Stripe) per transaction—no monthly plans.
Lemon Squeezy
specializedMerchant-of-record service handling payments, taxes, and fraud for digital products and SaaS storefronts.
Merchant of Record status that fully handles worldwide taxes, VAT filing, chargebacks, and compliance
Lemon Squeezy is a comprehensive digital storefront platform tailored for selling digital products, SaaS subscriptions, and downloads. It acts as the Merchant of Record, managing payments, global taxes, VAT compliance, and subscriptions with seamless integrations. Creators can embed customizable checkouts on their sites or use the hosted dashboard for quick setup and sales.
Pros
- Automatic global tax calculation and compliance as Merchant of Record
- No monthly fees with pay-per-sale model and easy integrations
- Robust support for subscriptions, trials, affiliates, and webhooks
Cons
- Transaction fees (5% + processor fees) can accumulate for high-volume sellers
- Limited advanced storefront customization without custom code
- Dependency on underlying payment processors like Stripe for some features
Best For
Solo creators, indie developers, and small teams selling digital products or SaaS who need hassle-free global payments and tax handling.
Pricing
Free signup with 5% platform fee + Stripe fees per transaction (4% + $0.30 at scale); no setup or monthly costs.
Sellfy
specializedAll-in-one store builder for selling digital downloads, print-on-demand, and memberships with marketing tools.
PDF stamping and secure download protection to combat digital piracy
Sellfy is an all-in-one e-commerce platform tailored for creators to build and manage online stores selling digital products like ebooks, music, videos, software, and print-on-demand items. It provides secure file delivery, PDF stamping to prevent piracy, customizable storefronts, and built-in marketing tools such as upsells, discounts, and email campaigns. With no transaction fees beyond payment processor costs, it enables quick setup without coding, unlimited bandwidth, and products on paid plans.
Pros
- No transaction fees (only payment processor fees), maximizing seller profits
- Extremely user-friendly setup with drag-and-drop customization
- Built-in marketing tools like upsells, coupons, and email automation
Cons
- Limited advanced customization and themes compared to full e-commerce platforms
- Fewer third-party integrations and apps
- No native support for complex inventory management on physical products
Best For
Solo creators and small teams focused on selling digital downloads who prioritize simplicity and low fees over extensive customization.
Pricing
Starter ($19/mo annual), Business ($49/mo), Premium ($99/mo); 14-day free trial, no transaction fees.
Payhip
specializedEasy-to-use platform for selling ebooks, software, music, and courses with EU VAT handling and affiliates.
Seamless EU VAT MOSS compliance and automatic tax calculations for digital sales across 37 countries
Payhip is a user-friendly e-commerce platform designed specifically for selling digital products like ebooks, software, music, courses, and memberships through customizable storefronts. It provides instant file delivery, secure payment processing via Stripe and PayPal, and automated EU VAT handling for global sales compliance. Additional tools include affiliate marketing, coupons, blogging, and embeddable buy buttons for websites.
Pros
- Extremely simple setup with no coding required, ideal for beginners
- Automatic digital delivery and EU VAT compliance simplifies international sales
- Built-in affiliate program and marketing tools boost reach without extra costs
Cons
- Transaction fees on the free plan (5%) can add up for high-volume sellers
- Limited storefront customization and design themes compared to full e-commerce platforms
- No native support for physical products or advanced inventory management
Best For
Solo creators, authors, and course instructors selling digital downloads who want a quick, low-cost storefront without technical hassle.
Pricing
Free plan (5% + payment fees); Plus $29/mo (2% + fees); Pro $99/mo (0% + fees); all with unlimited products and bandwidth.
SendOwl
specializedAutomated digital delivery service for storefronts selling files, software licenses, and subscriptions.
Automatic EU VAT compliance and MOSS handling for seamless international digital sales
SendOwl is a specialized platform for selling and delivering digital products like ebooks, software, online courses, music, and memberships directly from your website. It offers embeddable buy buttons, customizable checkout pages, and full storefront capabilities with secure file hosting and instant delivery. The tool excels in handling subscriptions, license keys, drip content, and international compliance like EU VAT MOSS, integrating seamlessly with payment processors such as Stripe and PayPal.
Pros
- No transaction fees beyond payment processors, maximizing profits
- Secure digital delivery with license key generation and anti-piracy measures
- Strong integrations with WordPress, Shopify, and email tools like Mailchimp
Cons
- Limited design customization for storefront compared to full e-commerce platforms
- No support for physical products or inventory management
- Advanced features like subscriptions have a moderate learning curve
Best For
Digital creators, course sellers, and software developers needing a simple, secure storefront for online sales without transaction fees.
Pricing
Starts at $15/month (Basic, billed annually) up to $99/month (Premium), with unlimited products/bandwidth and no SendOwl transaction fees.
FastSpring
enterpriseGlobal payment and subscription platform tailored for software companies' digital storefronts.
Merchant of Record (MoR) model that fully handles global tax collection, remittance, and compliance liabilities
FastSpring is a full-service digital commerce platform designed for software companies, SaaS providers, and digital product sellers, acting as a merchant of record to handle payments, subscriptions, and global compliance. It offers customizable storefronts, one-click upsells, and seamless integration with tools like Stripe, PayPal, and various CMS platforms. The solution excels in automating VAT/MOSS, sales tax calculations, and fraud prevention, allowing businesses to focus on growth rather than regulatory hurdles.
Pros
- Comprehensive merchant of record service with automatic global tax compliance
- Robust subscription management and one-click upsell capabilities
- Strong fraud detection and detailed sales analytics
Cons
- Transaction fees can add up for high-volume sellers (typically 5.9% + $0.95)
- Setup and customization require technical knowledge
- Primarily optimized for digital products, less flexible for physical goods
Best For
SaaS companies and software publishers seeking hassle-free international sales and compliance without building their own payment infrastructure.
Pricing
Custom transaction-based pricing starting at 5.9% + $0.95 per sale, with volume discounts and enterprise plans available.
Paddle
enterpriseMerchant-of-record billing solution for SaaS and digital products with tax compliance and revenue recovery.
Merchant of Record model that automatically manages VAT, sales tax, and compliance across 200+ countries
Paddle is a billing and payment platform tailored for SaaS, software, and digital product companies, serving as the merchant of record to handle global payments, subscriptions, and tax compliance. It provides customizable checkout pages, revenue recovery tools like smart dunning, and analytics to manage digital storefronts efficiently. Businesses can integrate it seamlessly into their websites to sell one-time products or recurring subscriptions without building their own payment infrastructure.
Pros
- Handles global tax compliance as merchant of record, reducing legal burdens
- Robust subscription management with dunning and churn reduction tools
- Quick integrations with popular web frameworks and no-code tools
Cons
- Transaction fees (5% + $0.50) can become costly at high volumes
- Limited customization options for checkout page design
- Less focus on marketing tools compared to full e-commerce platforms
Best For
SaaS and digital product companies expanding internationally who prioritize tax compliance and subscription billing over custom storefront aesthetics.
Pricing
Usage-based: 5% + $0.50 per transaction (scales down to 4% + $0.20 at high volumes); no setup fees.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools highlight diverse strengths, with Shopify leading as the top choice due to its comprehensive features and scalability. BigCommerce stands out as a robust enterprise solution, ideal for multi-channel needs, while WooCommerce offers unmatched flexibility for WordPress users. Together, these platforms cater to varied requirements, ensuring a fit for any digital selling goal. Shopify emerges as the most versatile option to start or expand a digital storefront.
Begin building your digital storefront with Shopify—its all-in-one tools and integrations provide a reliable foundation for growth, whether you’re a creator or an enterprise. Explore its adaptability and start realizing your selling potential today.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison