The short version
A simple storefront stack for a first product.
Payhip is an ecommerce platform for digital downloads, courses, memberships, coaching, bundles, and physical products. For a small creator, its main advantage is that the free plan includes the same core features and unlimited products while charging only after a sale.
Build a focused page around the buyer, outcome, proof, and one clear purchase action.
Host the product, collect payment through an available gateway, and deliver the download.
Update the offer and route visitors without rebuilding the checkout system.
Seven-step setup
Build the product before building the promotion.
A useful product, a clear license, and an honest sales page matter more than publishing on every channel at once.
Define one buyer and one result
Write down who the product is for, the problem it solves, what the buyer receives, and what it does not include.
Prepare the final delivery package
Organize the files, instructions, license, version number, contact route, and a short README. Open every file before uploading it.
Create the Payhip storefront
Choose a clear store name, complete the profile, and start on the Free plan unless your expected volume justifies a paid tier.
Connect an available payment gateway
Use the payment options shown for your country and account. Review each processor’s own fees before going live.
Create the product page
Add a specific title, original preview images, benefits, file details, support terms, refund information, and a price that matches the scope.
Connect the Carrd purchase button
Link the primary button on your Carrd sales page to the matching Payhip product or checkout route. Keep the action consistent across the page.
Test the complete buyer journey
Check the page on mobile, verify every link, preview checkout, review the receipt and delivery settings, and confirm the product package is final.
Carrd + Payhip
Give each tool one clear job.
A Carrd page can carry your brand and sales argument while Payhip handles the commercial handoff. The buyer should never wonder whether a button opens a demo, a checkout, or a download.
Audience, problem, preview, proof, price, and support boundaries.
Product details, payment, receipt, and secure delivery.
Answer real questions and update the files when the product changes.
Carrd provides its Maker Program as the official sales route for Carrd templates. Use Payhip for separate products you own—such as guides, copy packs, asset kits, courses, or other downloads—rather than trying to bypass Carrd’s template system.
Carrd disclosure: if you upgrade through the Carrd link above, I may earn account credit toward an eligible upgrade or renewal. Your price is unchanged.
Payhip vs Gumroad
Lower platform fees or broader tax handling?
Neither platform wins every situation. Payhip can cost less when you bring your own audience. Gumroad’s Merchant of Record model can reduce the operational burden of indirect tax collection worldwide. Compare the whole workflow, not only the headline percentage.
| Decision point | Payhip | Gumroad |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly starting cost | Free plan: US$0/month. | US$0/month. |
| Direct platform fees | Free: 5%. Plus: US$29 + 2%. Pro: US$99 + 0%. | 10% + US$0.50 for each direct transaction. |
| Payment processing | PayPal, Stripe, or another available gateway charges its own fees. | Its current help documentation lists processing separately for direct sales; method-specific charges can vary. |
| Product capacity | Unlimited products and revenue on every plan, according to Payhip pricing. | No monthly plan is required to list and sell products. |
| Indirect taxes | Automatically handles EU VAT and UK VAT; other taxes require seller configuration and review. | Acts as Merchant of Record and states that it manages applicable sales taxes worldwide. |
| Marketplace discovery | Best treated as a checkout and storefront for traffic you generate. | Discover can bring marketplace buyers, but those sales carry a 30% fee. |
| Often a better fit when | You have your own page or audience and want lower platform costs. | You prioritize Merchant of Record tax handling or want access to Discover. |
Pricing checked August 13, 2026. Verify current terms before choosing: official Payhip pricing and official Gumroad pricing. This is an operational comparison, not tax or legal advice.
Interactive estimator
Estimate the platform cost for your own sales.
Enter monthly gross sales and direct orders. The estimate compares Payhip’s selected plan with Gumroad direct-sale platform fees. It excludes card processing, PayPal charges, taxes, refunds, disputes, currency conversion, affiliate commissions, and Gumroad Discover sales.
Payhip plan thresholds
Upgrade only when the numbers justify it.
Using Payhip’s published platform fees, the approximate break-even points are straightforward. These thresholds exclude payment processing and assume the same gross revenue on each plan.
At 5%, the variable platform fee stays below the Plus plan’s combined subscription and 2% fee.
The lower 2% fee offsets its US$29 subscription within this approximate sales range.
The US$99 subscription becomes lower than Plus’s monthly charge plus 2% of sales.
Common questions
Know the boundaries before you launch.
Can I start selling on Payhip for free?
Yes. Payhip’s Free Forever plan has no monthly subscription and charges a 5% platform transaction fee. Payment processor fees still apply.
Can I connect Payhip to a Carrd website?
Yes. Use Carrd as the sales page and link its purchase buttons to the relevant Payhip product or checkout page. Label the button clearly so buyers know they are moving to checkout.
Should I sell a Carrd template itself through Payhip?
Carrd provides its Maker Program as the official route for selling Carrd templates. Payhip is better used for separate digital products such as guides, asset packs, courses, and downloads.
Does Frank Mercado’s Payhip partner link cost me more?
No. The price and plan terms are the same. I may receive a recurring commission from Payhip’s platform revenue if the referred account qualifies.
Does Payhip handle every seller tax automatically?
Payhip states that it automatically handles EU VAT and UK VAT and provides settings for other taxes. Sellers remain responsible for checking the obligations that apply to their business and country.
Start with one useful product
Build a checkout after the offer is clear.
Payhip is free to open, so you can prepare the store and evaluate the complete workflow before deciding whether it fits your business.
Partner disclosure: I may earn 50% of Payhip’s platform revenue from a qualifying referred account, recurring, at no extra cost to you. Do not use this link to refer yourself.