Best Platform To Sell Digital Products: 12 Proven Picks

Imagine this, you’ve poured hours into creating something amazing—an ebook, a set of design templates, or even an online course. You hit “publish,” but then comes the big question, where should I sell it?

Choosing the best platform to sell digital products isn’t just about convenience—it’s about unlocking your business potential. Get it right, and you’ll have a smooth, scalable, automated income stream. Get it wrong, and you might spend months wrestling with tech issues, hidden fees, or lack of visibility.

Finding the best platform to sell digital products that aligns with your needs is crucial.

This guide gives you 12 proven, reliable platforms to sell your digital products online. Each one comes with unique strengths, and I’ll share mini case studies, personal reflections, and human stories to help you see what’s possible.

Each platform mentioned in this guide represents the best platform to sell digital products in its category.

Let’s dive in.

Why Choosing The Right Platform Matters

Think of your platform as your stage. You could be the most talented performer in the world, but if the stage is wobbly, the lighting is bad, and the audience can’t hear you—your show fails.

Costs And Fees You Should Know

Every platform takes a cut. Shopify charges a monthly subscription. Etsy takes listing fees. Gumroad skims off each transaction. For a beginner, these differences might feel small, but over hundreds of sales, fees shape your profits.

Case In Point: one of my friends started selling $5 digital worksheets on Etsy. After fees, each sale left her with around $3.80. Over 1,000 sales, she lost nearly $1,200 to platform cuts. Had she switched to Payhip earlier, she could’ve saved hundreds.

Ease Of Use Vs. Customization

The best platform to sell digital products is one that matches your goals.

Do you want to “plug and play,” or do you want the freedom to design your digital shop from scratch? Beginners often prefer simplicity, while advanced sellers crave customization. Remember: ease of use gets you started, customization grows your brand.

Audience Reach (Marketplaces Vs. Own Website)

Understanding how to choose the best platform to sell digital products can save you time and money.

Marketplaces like Amazon and Etsy bring traffic to you. The trade-off? Competition and limited branding. Building your own Shopify store gives independence—but you must bring the traffic.

So when you ask, “what is the best platform to sell digital products?” the answer depends on whether you want visibility now or long-term ownership later.

Ask Yourself: what is the best platform to sell digital products for my unique situation?

What Is The Best Platform To Sell Digital Products?

The short answer? There isn’t a one-size-fits-all winner.
The better question is: which platform is best for your product, your audience, and your goals?

An author might swear by Amazon Kindle. A designer thrives on Etsy or Canva Marketplace. An educator? Teachable or Thinkific.

The good news, you don’t have to guess. Below, we’ll walk through 12 proven platforms with stories, strengths, and situations where each shines.

With real stories, this article helps identify the best platform to sell digital products.

Best Platforms To Sell Digital Products Online

Each platform is a contender for the best platform to sell digital products online.

Here are 12 battle-tested picks—chosen because real sellers are making real money on them.

1. Shopify – Best For Serious Entrepreneurs

Shopify is often cited as the best platform to sell digital products for serious entrepreneurs.

Shopify is the powerhouse. You get full control, branding, and scalability.

Mini Case Study: A husband-and-wife team I know started selling printable planners on Shopify. At first, they barely made a sale a week. But once they added apps for email marketing and upsells, their revenue tripled. Now they sell to over 10,000 customers worldwide—without relying on a marketplace.

Why It Works: With Shopify, you own the customer relationship. That means repeat sales, loyalty, and real growth.

In summary, Shopify is a strong candidate for the best platform to sell digital products.

2. Etsy – Best For Creative Sellers

Etsy is like a giant craft fair—but online. Millions of shoppers visit daily looking for creative, niche, often handcrafted or artistic products.

Real-Life Story: A digital artist began selling printable wall art on Etsy during her maternity leave. Within six months, she was earning more from Etsy than from her part-time job. She didn’t even need to market much—the Etsy search algorithm did the heavy lifting.

Downside? Competition is fierce, and Etsy fees can bite.

3. Gumroad – Best For Simplicity

Gumroad has a cult following among indie creators.

As an indie creator, Gumroad can be the best platform to sell digital products.

Rhetorical Question: What if you could upload your file today and make your first sale tonight? Gumroad makes that possible.

Case Example: A fitness coach sold her $15 meal-prep guide on Gumroad. Within the first week, she had 100 sales, mainly through her Instagram audience. She loved that Gumroad handled delivery instantly, no tech headaches required.

4. Payhip – Best For Beginners

Payhip is like Gumroad’s friendlier cousin. It has a free plan, simple setup, and even supports memberships or courses.

Reflection: When I tried Payhip for testing, I was shocked at how beginner-friendly it felt. Everything was laid out clearly—discounts, VAT, affiliate programs—all built-in.

For many, Payhip represents the best platform to sell digital products easily.

Best part? You can grow into it without switching platforms.

5. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing – Best For Ebooks & Publishing

If you’re writing ebooks, this is the global stage. Amazon owns the ebook market.

Mini Case Study: A self-published author uploaded her motivational ebook to Amazon KDP. She priced it at $2.99 and promoted it on her blog. Within months, she hit the bestseller list in her niche. Today, her book brings in steady monthly royalties—even while she sleeps.

The catch? You’ll need marketing to stand out among millions of titles.

6. Canva Marketplace – Best For Designers

Designers already love Canva. But many don’t realize you can sell templates directly inside the Canva marketplace.

Imagine creating an Instagram post template once—and earning from it for years. That’s the beauty of digital design products.

7. Tiktok Shop – Best For Social Selling

TikTok is no longer just dances and memes. It’s where products go viral.

Case Example: A 19-year-old student sold a digital “Notion template for students” through TikTok Shop. One of her videos hit 500k views—and that single post brought in 2,000 sales.

Question: What if your product video became the next viral sensation?

8. Daraz – Regional Option

For South Asian creators, Daraz is worth exploring. While mainly known for physical goods, its digital ecosystem (like e-learning or vouchers) is expanding.

Example: A local tutor uploaded short digital learning guides to Daraz. It helped him reach students who never would have found his personal website.

9. Teachable – Best For Online Courses

If your expertise can be packaged into a course, Teachable is a gem.

A friend of mine launched her photography course here. At first, she doubted anyone would buy. But Teachable’s sleek interface and smooth checkout gave her the confidence to promote. She sold 50 copies in her first launch week.

10. Thinkific – Best For Educators

Thinkific is Teachable’s rival—but with better free features. Educators love it for its course structure, quizzes, and branding options.

Thinkific is often seen as the best platform to sell digital products for course creators.

Mini Case Study: A language teacher used Thinkific to create a Spanish beginners’ course. Instead of selling PDFs, she now charges $97 per student for structured video lessons.

11. Creative Market – Best For Designers

Creative Market is the go-to for digital assets—fonts, templates, illustrations, stock photos.

Case Example: A graphic designer uploaded a set of watercolor illustrations. To her surprise, Creative Market’s built-in audience made her first sale in 48 hours—without her promoting it.

Creative Market could be the best platform to sell digital products if you’re a designer.

12. Podia – Best All-In-One Platform

Podia lets you sell almost everything—courses, memberships, downloads, even webinars.

Reflection: For creators who don’t want to juggle 3–4 tools, Podia feels like home. It might not have the deepest features of Shopify or Teachable, but it’s a reliable all-in-one.

Best Platform To Sell Digital Products For Beginners

When starting out, the last thing you need is overwhelm.

Why Beginners Should Start Simple

It’s better to make your first $10 on a simple platform than to spend six months perfecting a fancy store. Gumroad, Payhip, or Etsy are the perfect training wheels.

Gumroad Vs. Etsy Vs. Payhip

• Gumroad: Quickest setup, no monthly cost, but higher fees.
• Etsy: Built-in audience, great for creatives, but crowded.
• Payhip: Free plan, flexible features, great for growth.

Verdict? For beginners, Payhip often feels like the best platform to sell digital products without the steep learning curve.

Best Free Platforms To Sell Digital Products

Selling for free sounds great, but remember: “free” often means trade-offs.

Platforms With Free Plans

• Gumroad: Free, charges per sale.
• Payhip: Free tier with 5% transaction fee.
• Thinkific: Free plan for one course.

Limitations Of Free Options

Free platforms often take higher fees or restrict branding. But they’re excellent if you just want to test your idea.

Best Platform For Different Types Of Digital Products

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What platform has the lowest fees?

Payhip often wins because of its affordable plans and lower transaction costs.

Q2. What is the best platform for international sellers?

Shopify and Payhip are top picks—they handle global payments smoothly.

Q3. Can I sell digital products on multiple platforms at once?

Yes! Many creators sell ebooks on Amazon, templates on Etsy, and courses on Teachable simultaneously.

Q4. Which platform is best for passive income?

Shopify with automation or Gumroad with instant delivery are excellent for passive sales.

Q5. Where to sell digital products if I have no audience?

Start with Etsy or Amazon—platforms with built-in traffic.

Q6. Which platform is the easiest for beginners to start selling digital products?

Payhip. It’s free, simple, and powerful enough to grow with you.

Q7. Is there a best platform to sell digital products for free?

Yes—Payhip and Gumroad offer free plans, but you’ll eventually outgrow them.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the best platform to sell digital products depends on you—your product, your audience, and your ambition.

If you’re just starting, Gumroad or Payhip will get you moving. If you’re creative, Etsy or Creative Market might be your playground. Educators thrive on Teachable and Thinkific. And if you’re building a long-term brand, Shopify or Podia might be your forever home.

Remember, the platform is just the tool. What matters most is your courage to start.

Ultimately, the best platform to sell digital products is the one that fits your vision.

At Baju Collections, we believe digital products are more than files—they’re freedom. Freedom to create once and earn for years. Freedom to share your knowledge, your art, your voice with the world.

So take the leap. Choose your stage. Begin your journey today. Because the best platform to sell digital products? It’s the one you actually use.