What is a Digital File?
A digital file is any downloadable product you can sell online—e-books, printable planners, design templates, music, or even game assets.
Unlike physical products, digital files don’t require storage, packing, or shipping.
You create them once and sell them over and over again with no extra production costs.
What Kinds of Digital Files Can You Sell?
If it can be downloaded, it can be sold!
Here are some of the most popular types of digital files:
- E-books & Guides – Self-published books, how-to manuals, and workbooks (PDF, EPUB)
- Printables & Planners – Budget trackers, coloring pages, and organizational templates (JPG, PNG, PDF)
- Stock Media – High-quality photos, illustrations, and vector graphics (JPG, PNG, SVG)
- Audio Files – Music, sound effects, and audiobooks for creators (MP3, WAV)
- Design Templates – Editable templates for social media, business cards, presentations, and more (PSD, AI, Canva)
- Custom Fonts & Icons – Unique typefaces and icon sets for branding and design (OTF, TTF, SVG)
- Website & Blog Assets – WordPress themes, Shopify templates, and UI kits (ZIP, JSON)
- Gaming & Software Assets – 3D models, game sprites, plugins, and add-ons (ZIP, EXE, FBX)
How to Choose the Best Platform for Selling Digital Files
Not all platforms are the same – some bring built-in traffic, while others give you full control.
The right choice depends on your audience, product type, and how much effort you can put into marketing.
1. Know Your Audience & Product Fit
Before choosing a platform, ask yourself:
- Who is my ideal customer? (Artists, small business owners, gamers?)
- Where do they buy digital files? (Marketplaces, direct websites, social media?)
- Are similar products selling well on this platform? If not, it might not be the best fit.
2. Match Your Product to the Right Platform
Certain platforms specialize in different types of digital files:
- Fungies – Best for software, game assets, and digital tools, with full payment processing & tax compliance and no marketplace fees.
- Etsy – Great for printable artwork, digital planners, and creative templates.
- Creative Market – Ideal for selling design assets like fonts, graphics, and branding kits.
2. Ease of Use
- Quick setup – No coding required (Fungies lets you start selling in minutes).
- Simple dashboard – Easy to upload, track sales, and manage payouts.
- Time-saving automation – Platforms that handle taxes & refunds let you focus on sales.
3. Payment Processing & Fees
Even “free” platforms take a cut. Understand how fees impact your earnings:
- Commission-based fees – Fungies (5% + $0.50), Gumroad (10% + $0.50), Etsy (6.5% transaction fee + 4% + $0.30 payment processing + $0.20 per listing).
- Upfront listing fees – Etsy charges $0.20 per listing even if your product doesn’t sell.
💡 New seller tip: Choose a no-upfront-cost platform (like Fungies) to test before committing.
10 Best Platforms to Sell Digital Files Online For FREE in 2025
These platforms let you start for free and only charge when you make a sale.
1. Fungies – Best for Software, Game Assets, and Digital Tools
Fungies is a payment platform built for selling digital files like game assets, software, and downloadable files and tools.
Unlike traditional marketplaces that take a hefty commission, Fungies lets you keep more of your revenue while handling payments, taxes, refunds, and chargebacks for you.
Why Sell Digital Files on Fungies?
✅ Low transaction fees – Just 5% + $0.50 per sale (compared to 30% on platforms like Steam).
✅ No coding required – Set up and start selling in minutes with a simple, no-code checkout.
✅ Global payments support – Accept payments worldwide in multiple currencies.
✅ Stripe-backed transactions – Secure and reliable payment processing.
✅ You own your audience – Unlike marketplaces, you control your customer relationships and data.
Potential Drawbacks of Fungies
❌ No built-in marketplace traffic – You need to drive your own sales through marketing.
Fungies Pricing & Fees
💰 5% + $0.50 per sale
💰 No monthly fees – Pay only when you sell
💰 No listing fees – Unlike Etsy, list as many digital files as you want for free
Best for: Developers, designers, and creators selling software, game assets, or downloadable files and tools who want low fees and full control over their business.
2. Gumroad – Best for Solo Creators and First-Time Sellers
Gumroad is a simple, beginner-friendly platform designed for selling digital files like e-books, music, videos, and templates. It’s perfect for creators who want a direct, no-fuss way to sell files without setting up a full e-commerce store.
Why Sell Digital Files on Gumroad?
✅ Easy setup – Start selling in minutes.
✅ Great for single products – Works well for e-books, photos, templates, and videos.
✅ Simple purchase links – Easily share via email, social media, or your website.
Potential Drawbacks of Gumroad
❌ Not ideal for large catalogs – Managing multiple digital files can be messy.
❌ Limited branding/customization – Basic storefront design with little flexibility.
❌ High transaction fees – 10% per sale + $0.50, which is higher than most competitors.
Gumroad Pricing & Fees
💰 10% per sale + $0.50 for the sale through your direct link and 30% for the sale if the customer finds you through their marketing.
💰 No monthly fees
Best for: Solo creators, artists, and first-time sellers who want a simple, easy way to sell digital files without managing a complex storefront.
3. Payhip – Best for Secure Digital File Sales
Payhip is a flexible platform for selling e-books, music, templates, and digital assets.
It offers built-in security features like PDF stamping and software licensing to protect your products from piracy.
Why Sell Digital Files on Payhip?
✅ Instant payouts – Get paid immediately after each sale.
✅ No feature restrictions – Same tools for free & paid plans.
✅ Seamless website integration – Add a checkout to your existing site.
✅ Piracy protection – Features like PDF stamping prevent unauthorized sharing.
Potential Drawbacks of Payhip
❌ Weak SEO tools – Doesn’t offer advanced search optimization features.
Payhip Pricing & Fees
💰 5% per sale on the free plan (lower fees on paid plans)
💰 No listing fees – Sell unlimited digital files for free
Best for: Creators who want a security-focused platform with instant payouts and no feature restrictions.
4. Etsy – Best for Selling Printables & Digital Artwork
Etsy is one of the largest online marketplaces for creative products, making it a great place to sell digital downloads like printables, planner pages, digital art, and design templates.
The built-in audience can bring traffic, but competition and fees are high.
Why Sell Digital Files on Etsy?
✅ Massive built-in audience – Millions of buyers actively search for digital files.
✅ Trusted checkout process – Customers already trust Etsy, making conversions easier.
✅ Best for niche products – Unique or fandom-based digital files tend to sell well.
Potential Drawbacks of Etsy
❌ Fees add up – Etsy charges listing fees + transaction fees + payment processing fees.
❌ SEO & marketing investment needed – Success depends on ranking well in Etsy search results or running ads.
❌ Not ideal for large catalogs – High recurring listing fees can make managing many products costly.
Etsy Pricing & Fees
💰 $0.20 per listing
💰 6.5% transaction fee per sale
💰 4% + $0.30 payment processing fee
💰 Optional Etsy Ads (extra cost to boost visibility)
Best for: Creators selling printables, planners, digital artwork, or niche digital files who want built-in traffic but are willing to invest in SEO & marketing.
5. Creative Market – Best for Selling Digital Design Assets
Creative Market is a curated marketplace designed for graphic designers, illustrators, and digital artists selling assets like fonts, templates, graphics, and branding kits. Unlike Etsy, which is open to all sellers, Creative Market has higher quality standards and a selective approval process.
Why Sell Digital Files on Creative Market?
✅ Built-in audience of designers & businesses – Ideal for selling professional-quality assets.
✅ Flexible licensing options – Buyers can choose between personal, commercial, or extended-use licenses.
✅ Affiliate system – Other users can promote your products for a commission, increasing visibility.
Potential Drawbacks of Creative Market
❌ High commission fees – 50% of every sale goes to Creative Market.
❌ Limited payout frequency – Payments are processed monthly instead of instantly.
❌ Not for all digital files – Works best for visual assets—e-books and music files won’t perform well.
Creative Market Pricing & Fees
💰 50% commission per sale (one of the highest among marketplaces)
💰 No listing fees – Upload for free, but Creative Market takes a large cut of earnings if sold through their marketplace directly and not from your partner link
💰 Monthly payouts – Unlike instant withdrawal platforms, you get paid once a month
Best for: Graphic designers, illustrators, and digital artists selling fonts, templates, and branding kits who don’t mind the high commission in exchange for built-in traffic.
6. Kit (Formerly ConvertKit) – Best for Selling Digital Files via Email
Kit isn’t a traditional e-commerce platform—it’s a creator-focused email sales tool that lets you sell digital files directly to your email subscribers. Instead of managing a storefront, you can embed purchase links inside emails, newsletters, and landing pages.
Why Sell Digital Files on Kit?
✅ Simple setup – Start selling in under 30 minutes.
✅ Flexible pricing models – Sell one-time purchases, subscriptions, or pay-what-you-want products.
✅ Generous free plan – Manage up to 10,000 email subscribers without paying for a plan.
✅ Built-in email marketing – Create landing pages, run a paid newsletter, and sell digital products seamlessly.
Potential Drawbacks of Kit
❌ Requires an existing audience
❌ Limited design options – Landing pages and email templates are more basic than on full e-commerce platforms.
Kit Pricing & Fees
💰 3.5% + $0.30 per sale
💰 Free plan: Includes up to 10,000 email subscribers and basic selling features.
💰 Paid plans: Unlock more automation & audience insights ($25/month for Creator, $50/month for Creator Pro).
Best for: Creators who already have an email list and want a simple, no-storefront way to sell digital files via email.
7. Easy Digital Downloads – Best for Selling Digital Files on WordPress
Easy Digital Downloads (EDD) is a WordPress plugin that allows you to sell digital files directly from your own website. Unlike marketplaces like Gumroad or Payhip, EDD gives full control over branding, pricing, and customer data—but it’s not completely free if you want advanced features.
Why Sell Digital Files with Easy Digital Downloads?
✅ Great for WordPress users – Seamlessly integrates into WordPress sites.
✅ No transaction fees – Unlike most platforms, EDD doesn’t take a percentage of your sales.
✅ Scalable & customizable – You can modify the checkout process, pricing structures, and integrations.
✅ Unlimited product listings – Sell as many digital files as you want with no listing fees.
Potential Drawbacks of Easy Digital Downloads
❌ Requires WordPress knowledge – If you’re not comfortable with WordPress, setup and management can be challenging.
❌ Paid plans unlock key features – The free version is limited, and important tools (like subscriptions, licensing, and advanced payment options) require paid add-ons.
❌ Not a standalone platform – Unlike Gumroad or Payhip, EDD is just a plugin—you must set up hosting, a website, and payment processing separately.
Easy Digital Downloads Pricing & Fees
💰 No transaction fees – You keep 100% of your sales.
💰 Free core plugin – Basic version lets you sell digital files, but with limited features.
💰 Paid plans:
- $99.50/year (Personal) – Basic features, PayPal & Stripe integration.
- $199.50+/year (Extended & higher) – Adds subscriptions, advanced checkout, software licensing, & marketing tools.
- $499.50/year (All Access Pass) – Unlocks all premium features & site usage limits.
Best for: WordPress users who want full control over their digital store and don’t mind managing their own website, payments, and hosting.
8. Podia – Best for Selling Digital Files, Courses, and Memberships
Podia is an all-in-one platform that lets you sell digital downloads, online courses, memberships, and coaching sessions—all without needing tech skills. It’s a great choice for creators who want everything in one place, including email marketing, website hosting, and an online store.
Why Sell Digital Files on Podia?
✅ Beginner-friendly – No coding required, making it one of the easiest platforms to sell digital files.
✅ All-in-one platform – Sell e-books, templates, courses, memberships, and coaching from one dashboard.
✅ Unlimited products – No limits on how many digital files you can sell (even on the lower-tier plan).
✅ Built-in email marketing – Includes tools for newsletters, lead magnets, and automation.
Potential Drawbacks of Podia
❌ No free plan – Only a 30-day free trial, then you must upgrade.
❌ 5% transaction fee on Mover plan – While the Shaker plan has 0% fees, the cheaper plan takes a cut.
Podia Pricing & Fees
💰 5% per sale on the Mover plan ($39/month) + standard Stripe/PayPal fees.
💰 0% transaction fees on the Shaker plan ($89/month).
💰 No listing fees or revenue cuts, aside from payment processing.
Best for: Creators who want an all-in-one platform to sell digital files, courses, and memberships while also handling email marketing and customer management.
9. itch.io – Best for Game-Related Assets, Soundtracks, and Artwork
itch.io is a gaming-focused platform designed for indie game developers, artists, and musicians who want to sell digital files like game assets, soundtracks, comics, and visual effects. Unlike Steam, which has strict entry barriers, itch.io is open to all creators and supports non-game digital content like music, digital art, and game-related assets.
Why Sell Digital Files on itch.io?
✅ Designed for indie creators – Perfect for selling game assets, sprites, soundtracks, and digital comics.
✅ Flexible pricing – Set a minimum price, let buyers pay-what-they-want, or offer free downloads.
✅ No ads or distractions – The platform keeps the buying experience simple.
✅ Custom revenue share – itch.io suggests a 10% commission, but you decide how much to contribute.
Potential Drawbacks of itch.io
❌ Not for non-gaming content – If you’re selling e-books, generic templates, or non-gaming assets, this isn’t your platform.
❌ Basic storefront customization – Limited design options compared to standalone stores.
❌ Smaller audience than Steam – While popular in the indie dev scene, it doesn’t match Steam’s traffic levels.
itch.io Pricing & Fees
💰 Suggested platform cut: 10% (but you can set your own commission).
💰 No listing fees – You can upload digital files for free.
Best for: Game developers, digital artists, and musicians selling game-related assets, soundtracks, and indie games.
10. Creative Fabrica – Best for High-Volume Sellers of Digital Design Assets
Creative Fabrica is a selective marketplace for graphic designers, crafters, and creatives selling fonts, templates, illustrations, and design elements. Unlike Etsy or Gumroad, which allow anyone to sell, Creative Fabrica requires sellers to apply and be approved.
Why Sell Digital Files on Creative Fabrica?
✅ No listing fees – Upload unlimited digital files for free.
✅ Built-in marketing – Creative Fabrica promotes your products, reducing self-promotion efforts.
✅ Subscription-based revenue model – Buyers can subscribe for unlimited downloads, meaning passive income for sellers.
✅ Affiliate program for extra earnings – If you refer buyers directly, you keep 75% of the sale instead of 50%.
Potential Drawbacks of Creative Fabrica
❌ Lower earnings per sale
❌ Approval process required – You must apply and have an established portfolio to get accepted.
❌ Cannot remove listings immediately – Once uploaded, removing products takes time, so deleting files isn’t instant.
Creative Fabrica Pricing & Fees
💰 Direct sales (your referral): 75% commission (higher earnings if you bring in the customer).
💰 Marketplace sales (subscription-based): 50% commission on downloads from Creative Fabrica’s subscriber pool.
💰 No listing fees – Uploading products is free.
Best for: High-volume sellers with a large catalog of digital files who want to earn passive income from repeat downloads.
How Profitable is Selling Digital Files?
Selling digital files can be a low-maintenance, scalable way to make money online.
Since there’s no need to restock or handle logistics, you can focus on creating new products and marketing them to a wider audience.
Find the right niche, put your files in front of the right people, and you can turn digital downloads into a steady income stream.
