Published for 2027 by the PromoteLabs team. Disclosure: some links are affiliate links, and we may earn a commission. Fees are US rates as of late 2026.
The best way to take payments for digital products depends on how much tax and admin you want to handle. Stripe has the lowest fees (2.9% + 30¢) but you handle sales tax yourself. Merchant-of-record platforms such as Lemon Squeezy (5% + 50¢) and Gumroad (10% + 50¢) cost more but handle global tax for you. All-in-one stores like SendOwl and Sellfy charge a monthly fee with 0% transaction fees, and ClickBank adds a ready-made affiliate network.
Payment options for digital products compared
| Option | Cost | Handles sales tax/VAT? | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stripe | 2.9% + 30¢ per US card sale | No (Stripe Tax is an add-on) | Lowest fees, using your own cart or funnel |
| PayPal | 2.99% + 49¢ cards; 3.49% + 49¢ PayPal checkout | No | A trusted second payment option |
| Lemon Squeezy (owned by Stripe) | 5% + 50¢ per sale | Yes, merchant of record | Software and digital sellers with global buyers |
| Gumroad | 10% + 50¢ per direct sale | Yes, merchant of record since 2025 | Fastest start with no setup |
| SendOwl | From about $39/month, 0% SendOwl fee | No | Secure delivery, upsells and affiliates |
| Sellfy | From $22/month billed yearly, 0% fee, sales caps | No | A simple hosted creator store |
| Easy Digital Downloads | Free plugin; paid plans from $99.50/year | No | WordPress sites |
| ClickBank | 7.5% + $1 per sale, $49.95 activation | Yes, acts as retailer | Getting instant access to affiliates |
How to choose
- Selling mostly in the US? Stripe (plus PayPal) is usually the cheapest setup.
- Selling worldwide and want no tax paperwork? Use a merchant of record such as Lemon Squeezy or Gumroad.
- Want a full store without building one? SendOwl or Sellfy deliver files securely and include upsells.
- Want affiliates to sell for you? ClickBank, or a platform with a built-in affiliate program.
- Run on WordPress? Easy Digital Downloads keeps everything on your own site.
What is a merchant of record?
A merchant of record is the company legally selling the product to your customer. It collects and pays sales tax, VAT and GST, and handles chargebacks. You pay a higher fee, but you avoid registering for tax in many countries.
Compare individual platforms in our Stripe vs PayPal comparison, SendOwl review, Sellfy review and ClickBank review.
Keep reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest way to accept payments for digital products?
For US sales, Stripe at 2.9% + 30 cents per card sale is usually the cheapest. Add PayPal as a second option for buyers who prefer it.
Do I need to charge sales tax on digital products?
Often, depending on where your buyers live. A merchant of record such as Lemon Squeezy or Gumroad collects and pays these taxes for you. This is not tax advice.
Is Gumroad or Lemon Squeezy cheaper?
Lemon Squeezy at 5% + 50 cents is cheaper than Gumroad at 10% + 50 cents per direct sale.
Which platform has a built-in affiliate program?
ClickBank is built around affiliates, and SendOwl and some Sellfy plans include affiliate tools.
