Gumroad vs Paddle: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for Gumroad vs Paddle.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Paddle edges ahead with a 4.3/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Gumroad | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ No monthly fee. 10% flat rate on every sale. | ❌ No |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Gumroad | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Free | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Premium | $10/mo | Custom |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Gumroad | Paddle |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Pricing | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
| Analytics | ★★★☆☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Pros & Cons
Gumroad
✅ Pros
- Zero upfront cost — pay only when you sell
- Built-in email marketing (Workflows)
- Instant payouts via Stripe Connect
- Simple product setup in minutes
❌ Cons
- 10% fee is high for volume sellers
- Limited storefront customization
- No built-in affiliate program management
Paddle
✅ Pros
- Merchant of Record — handles all global tax/VAT compliance
- Built-in subscription management, dunning, and invoicing
- 150+ countries and currencies supported
- No need for separate tax tools like Avalara
❌ Cons
- 5% + $0.50 fee is higher than Stripe's 2.9%
- Less customizable checkout vs Stripe
- Slower payout cycle (1-2 weeks)
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose Gumroad if...
- You are a creators selling digital products
- You are a solo developers selling templates
🚫 Skip if...
- Physical product businesses
- High-volume SaaS businesses
✅ Choose Paddle if...
- You are a saas businesses selling globally
- You are a devs who hate tax paperwork
🚫 Skip if...
- Marketplace platforms needing split payments
- Physical product sellers
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Gumroad (4.1/5) and Paddle (4.3/5) are excellent tools in their category. Paddle takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gumroad better than Paddle?
It depends on your needs. Gumroad excels in some areas while Paddle has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Gumroad pricing compare to Paddle?
Gumroad starts at Free / $0/mo, while Paddle starts at $0/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Gumroad to Paddle?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Paddle typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Gumroad.
Which is easier to use, Gumroad or Paddle?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
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