Gumroad vs Payhip
side by side.
How Gumroad and Payhip compare on model, pricing, tax coverage and who each one is really for.
Gumroad and Payhip are both simple creator checkouts, with a real trade-off between them. Gumroad is a true MoR with dead-simple setup and a flat 10%; Payhip is cheaper on paid plans and EU-friendly, but leans platform rather than full MoR. Small catalogs win either way.
Pick Gumroad if
- ✓You want the simplest setup and clear MoR coverage, including US sales tax
- ✓You sell a small catalog of downloads, and low volume makes 10% tolerable
- ✓You'd rather not manage plans or configuration
Pick Payhip if
- ✓You want lower fees than a flat 10%, especially on a paid plan
- ✓You're an EU creator selling ebooks, memberships or coaching to start
- ✓You're testing an idea and want a free tier to begin
How they actually differ
Grounded in each provider's documented model, pricing and tax coverage. Verify the details for your exact offer before signing.
Simplest MoR versus cheapest start
Gumroad acts as the Merchant of Record and keeps setup about as simple as it gets, but it charges a flat 10% on sales. Payhip starts free at 5% and drops the rate on paid plans, so it's cheaper as you grow — but it reads more like a creator platform than a full-service MoR.
The tax picture nudges the decision. Gumroad documents EU VAT, UK VAT and US sales tax. Payhip is clear on EU and UK VAT, with US sales tax not clearly documented. If your buyers include Americans, Gumroad is the safer call. If you're an EU creator watching fees, Payhip's pricing is friendlier. For anything high-ticket or complex, verify the reseller and tax setup on either before you scale.
Gumroad
Creator-first checkout for digital products. Acts as the MoR for indie creators with one of the simplest setups.
- Best for
- Indie creators, Ebooks, Templates, Small digital products
- Avoid if
- Complex B2B SaaS, Enterprise sales, High-volume SaaS
- Pricing
- 10% flat on sales
Payhip
Lightweight checkout for digital products, coaching and memberships. Friendly for beginners and small catalogs.
- Best for
- Coaches starting out, Ebooks, Templates, Small memberships
- Avoid if
- Enterprise SaaS, Complex international tax needs
- Pricing
- Free + 5% / paid plans with lower fees
Product eligibility
| Product | Gumroad | Payhip |
|---|---|---|
| SaaS | Unclear | Unclear |
| Downloadable software | Likely accepted | Unclear |
| Online courses | Accepted | Accepted |
| 1:1 coaching | Likely accepted | Accepted |
| Consulting | Likely accepted | Likely accepted |
| Communities | Unclear | Accepted |
| Digital downloads | Accepted | Accepted |
| Templates | Accepted | Accepted |
| AI tools | Likely accepted | Unclear |
Tax coverage
Gumroad
- EU VAT
- Yes
- UK VAT
- Yes
- US sales tax
- Yes
- Canada GST/HST
- Verify
- Australia GST
- Yes
Payhip
- EU VAT
- Yes
- UK VAT
- Yes
- US sales tax
- Verify
- Canada GST/HST
- Verify
- Australia GST
- Verify