Selling on Gumroad in 2025 – Worth It or Time to Switch?
So you’re thinking about selling stuff online, maybe an ebook, a course, or even a VRChat avatar if that’s your thing. If you’ve done a little digging, you’ve probably run into Gumroad. It has been around for a while and has built a reputation as a simple and no-fuss platform where creators can sell digital and some physical products directly to their fans.
But is it actually safe? Is it free or at least cheap enough? And are there better options? Plus, what’s this about VRChat avatars and Gumroad? These are legit questions. I asked them myself not too long ago.
Stick with me, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about Gumroad in 2025 without sounding like a textbook.
What Is Gumroad Used For?
At its core, Gumroad is built for creators like artists, writers, musicians, or developers — basically anyone with something digital or physical to sell. The big selling point, pun intended, is how straightforward it is to get started.
You don’t need a fancy website or complicated payment setups. Just upload your product, set your price, create a custom product page and you’re good to go. Easy.
People use it for all sorts of things such as ebooks about anything from self-help to niche SEO tips, online courses teaching everything from coding to marketing, digital art, templates, Lightroom presets, even subscriptions and memberships for newsletters or exclusive content.
And then there is the VRChat crowd selling custom avatars, both free and paid, which is actually a pretty cool niche.
Honestly, if you’re just starting out or want to test the waters, Gumroad makes selling accessible without a steep learning curve.
Is Gumroad Safe?
When it comes to buying or selling online, safety is usually top of mind, and rightfully so.
Gumroad ticks a lot of boxes here. They use strong TLS encryption, the kind with 256-bit keys, which keeps your payment info secure as it travels over the internet. Plus, they don’t store your credit card details directly. Instead, payments are processed through trusted companies like Stripe or PayPal, both of which comply with strict security standards.
Sellers can also add two-factor authentication to their accounts, which is a nice extra layer of security. So is it safe to buy on Gumroad? In general, yes. But since anyone can sell there, it’s always smart to check out creator reviews and maybe do a quick social media scan before buying.
Is Gumroad Free?
This question comes up a lot. And well, the answer is a bit of a yes and no.
Signing up and listing your products on Gumroad is completely free. You don’t pay anything unless you make a sale, which is great if you want to keep your startup costs low.
But here’s the catch: when you sell something, Gumroad takes a 10 percent fee, plus standard payment processing fees of about 2.9 percent and 30 cents per transaction. So you’re not keeping everything, which can feel steep if your sales start rolling in.
Some creators grumble about these fees, especially if they’re making solid income, but if you’re just testing the waters, it’s probably not a dealbreaker.
As for discount codes or coupons, Gumroad itself rarely offers platform-wide deals. Instead, creators might share their own promo codes on social media or product pages to offer discounts.
Gumroad Pricing
To break it down:
Signing up and listing products is free
You pay a 10 percent transaction fee on every sale
Payment processing fees are roughly 2.9 percent plus 30 cents
There are no monthly fees or subscriptions
Payouts happen via PayPal (instant), Stripe, or bank deposit in some countries
If you want to dive deeper, you can check out Gumroad’s pricing details here.
What Sells Best on Gumroad?
Wondering what people actually buy on Gumroad? From what I’ve seen, ebooks and online courses dominate.
Creators make serious cash selling guides on marketing, entrepreneurship, and niche topics like SEO.
Then there’s:
- Digital art
- Templates
- Lightroom presets, and;
- Cheat sheets that designers and creators love.
And let’s not forget VRChat avatars, a niche but booming market. Creators sell customizable avatars ranging from free ones as promos to premium models with animations and special features.
Subscriptions, memberships, and paid newsletters are also popular options for recurring income.
The VRChat Avatar Scene on Gumroad
If you haven’t come across it before, VRChat is a virtual reality social platform where users can create and customize avatars. And yes, there’s a marketplace on Gumroad for these avatars.
Some creators offer free avatars to attract attention, while others sell premium avatars priced anywhere between $5 and $50 or more depending on complexity.
If you’re interested in buying, make sure to check file formats like FBX and compatibility details. Also, reading creator reviews helps avoid any nasty surprises.
What About Alternatives to Gumroad?
If you’re not sold on the fees or just want to explore, there are solid alternatives out there.
Payhip is similar to Gumroad but charges lower fees, about 5.5 percent, with plans that can bring fees down even further. It has a nice affiliate program and handles VAT well but doesn’t offer a marketplace like Gumroad’s Discover page, so you might need to work harder to get traffic.
Squarespace and Wix are website builders with e-commerce features. Both require monthly fees, starting around $16 and $27 respectively, but offer powerful customization and no transaction fees on higher plans. They’re better if you want a full website, not just a simple sales page.
Systeme.io is an all-in-one marketing and sales funnel platform with free and paid plans and no transaction fees on the free tier. It’s great for complex funnels but can feel overwhelming if all you want is to sell a product quickly.
Lemon Squeezy is a newer platform focused on digital product sales with low fees of about 5.5 percent plus 50 cents and great tax compliance features. It has a smaller community but could be perfect if you’re cost-conscious.
Payhip vs Gumroad — Which Should You Choose?
This comparison comes up a lot.
Payhip definitely wins on fees, especially for higher sales volumes. But Gumroad offers that Discover marketplace, where people can organically find your products, which Payhip lacks.
If you’re just starting, having some organic traffic might be worth the extra cut. If you’re scaling fast, fees become more important.
Refunds and Payment Options
Refunds on Gumroad are set by each creator. Before buying, it’s wise to check their refund policy on the product page.
If something goes wrong, you contact the creator first. If that doesn’t work out, Gumroad’s support can step in.
Payment methods accepted include PayPal, Stripe (credit and debit cards), Apple Pay, Google Pay, and direct bank deposits for some sellers.
What Are People Saying? Reviews and Reddit Talk
Creators often praise Gumroad for its ease of use and low entry barrier. Buyers generally report smooth and secure transactions, though some caution about verifying the seller beforehand.
On Reddit, you’ll find mixed opinions. In r/Entrepreneur, people share success stories alongside complaints about fees. The r/VRChat community talks a lot about avatar sales and sometimes struggles with product clarity.
There was some buzz when Gumroad banned NSFW content in 2024, which stirred a bit of controversy around platform policies and stability.
Gumroad in Australia and the Library Feature
If you’re in Australia, Gumroad works fine. Prices show in USD but you can convert to AUD easily. Sellers often set prices in USD to avoid currency conversion fees.
The Gumroad Library is handy for buyers to access all their purchases anytime by logging in, especially useful for memberships or subscriptions.
What’s the Deal With PayPal and Gumroad?
You might have heard rumors about PayPal banning Gumroad. The truth is more nuanced.
In 2021, PayPal introduced stricter rules around certain content types like NSFW, which led Gumroad to switch to PayPal Connect, a system routing payments directly between buyers and creators to comply with these policies.
So no outright ban, just some behind-the-scenes changes.
Is Gumroad the Right Platform for You?
If you want an easy way to start selling digital products with no upfront fees and built-in security, Gumroad is a solid choice. It even supports unique niches like VRChat avatars.
But if you’re bothered by the 10 percent cut or want a full website, consider alternatives like Payhip, Squarespace, or Wix.
Ready to try it yourself? Start selling on Gumroad or check out this 20% coupon from Dan and Nath.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Gumroad is a simple platform that helps creators sell digital products like ebooks, music, art, online courses, and professional templates. It’s great for freelancers and small businesses wanting an easy way to get their work in front of customers.
Yes, buying on Gumroad is secure. Payments are protected by strong encryption (TLS with 256-bit security) and processed through trusted, PCI-compliant providers like Stripe and PayPal.
Signing up and listing products is free. Gumroad charges a fee only when you make a sale — typically 10 percent plus payment processing fees. So you only pay when you earn.
Etsy is a marketplace mainly for handmade, vintage, and craft items, though it supports digital downloads too. Gumroad, on the other hand, is focused on digital products and offers a simpler selling experience without the complexities of a full marketplace.
