Gumroad: 10% + $0.50, plus processing
Direct sales combine Gumroad’s platform fee with typical card processing. Discover sales use a different rate.
Head-to-head fee guide
Gumroad vs Shopify fees
Compare merchant-of-record simplicity with a subscription-based independent storefront.
Gu
VSGumroad
10% + $0.50, plus processingSh
Shopify
from 2.9% + $0.30Same sale, different result
Take-home examples at five sale amounts.
Each row models one transaction at the displayed gross amount and applies the published baseline shown above. Any modeled monthly charge is included once.
| Gross revenue | Gumroad keeps | Shopify keeps | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $7.91 | $0.00 | $7.91 |
| $50.00 | $42.75 | $9.25 | $33.50 |
| $100.00 | $86.30 | $57.80 | $28.50 |
| $500.00 | $434.70 | $446.20 | $11.50 |
| $1000.00 | $870.20 | $931.70 | $61.50 |
Verify the assumptions
What each baseline represents.
Use the detailed guides and official pricing pages before making a final decision.
Shopify: from 2.9% + $0.30
Reference card rate for the entry US plan; the monthly subscription is shown separately.
Model your own costs
Order count, product cost, shipping, advertising, and overhead can reverse a headline-fee winner.
ClearFeeMath verdict
Gumroad is easier to start and absorbs more tax and delivery complexity. Shopify’s lower transaction rate can win at scale, but the monthly plan and additional apps belong in the calculation.
Choose Gumroad when…
Creators who value fast setup, built-in digital delivery, and merchant-of-record tax handling.
Choose Shopify when…
Growing sellers who want brand control, broader commerce tools, and lower processing economics at volume.
Common questions
When does Shopify become cheaper than Gumroad?
It depends on plan price, apps, payment rate, and sales mix. In a simplified model, Shopify often becomes cheaper once monthly fee savings outweigh its subscription cost.
Does Gumroad include payment processing?
Gumroad’s direct-sale platform fee is separate from underlying card processing; Discover marketplace sales use a different all-in rate.