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Easy Digital Downloads

vs.

WooCommerce

Easy Digital Downloads vs. SureCart for Digital Product Selling

Don't let your store's data live on someone else's server. Compare EDD and SureCart to see why serious digital creators choose the platform that offers 100% data ownership and zero platform transaction fees.

Finally, a Trusted SureCart Alternative Without Extra Transaction Fees

While SureCart stores your data on their external servers, EDD keeps everything where it belongs—on your WordPress site.

Unlimited selling

Unlimited Selling

Sell unlimited products to unlimited customers without restrictions or added transaction fees that limit your growth.

Fewer selling fees

Fewer Fees, More Profit

SureCart charges transaction fees on specific features like subscriptions and order bumps in their lower tiers. EDD never takes a cut of your success.

Built for digital sales

Digital Product Focus

Deliver files, handle licensing, and manage subscriptions with tools & automation built specifically for digital products.

WordPress and EDD ecosystem

Native Marketplace Support

Let creators sell on your platform and earn from every sale—a feature set SureCart hasn't fully mastered for digital goods.

Data ownership

Full Data Ownership

Your customer data always stays on your own servers for more privacy, control, and long-term flexibility.

WP Leaders

Trusted by WP Leaders

WPForms, MonsterInsights, SeedProd, and 25+ more use EDD to power digital product sales. You’re in good company.

“If you’re selling digital goods, we highly recommend EDD for its simplicity and efficiency”

We recently switched from WooCommerce to Easy Digital Downloads (EDD), and the difference has been incredible. WooCommerce, while powerful, became cumbersome for managing digital products. With EDD, we now have a streamlined checkout process, better license and subscription management, and improved site performance. The built-in reporting tools also provide clearer insights into our sales.

Erica Malcolm Head of growth

Why 50,000+ Choose EDD Over SureCart for Self-Hosted Selling

EDD gives you everything you need to sell digital products, licenses, and subscriptions without extra transaction fees, platform limits, or third-party hosting risks.

  • Sell Without Fees Or Limits

Start Selling Digital Products in Minutes

Scale your digital store without limits or unexpected fees. Unlike SureCart, EDD doesn’t charge extra fees on subscriptions, licensing, or upsells.

Add unlimited products, reach unlimited customers, and keep full control over your pricing as you grow - without sacrificing your bottom line.

  • Unlimited Selling
  • No Surprise Fees
  • Zero Complexity
  • Complete Data Control

Full Ownership of Your Store's Data

With EDD, your customer data, orders, and products belong to you, not a third party. SureCart uses a "headless" approach where your data lives on their servers. With EDD, your business data is stored in your own WordPress database. Your customer data, orders, and products belong to you, not a third party. 

  • No Third-Party Server Dependency
  • Full Privacy & Security Control
  • Native WP Database Integration
  • Digital eCommerce Optimized

Purpose-Built for Selling Digital Products

SureCart is a generalist tool. EDD was born to sell digital products, with advanced software licensing, version control, and digital-first fulfillment workflows that have been refined for over a decade. 

Every feature is built from the ground up for digital commerce, not adapted from physical product tools that weren’t made for your business model. Easily handle file delivery, licensing, and subscriptions with workflows tailored to digital products and your store’s customers.

  • Secure Expiring Download Links
  • Advanced Software Licensing & Subscriptions
  • Digital-First Features & Workflows
  • Host Other Sellers

Easily Create Your Own Digital Marketplace

EDD allows you to transform your store into a multi-vendor marketplace with Frontend Submissions. Approve vendors, manage listings, and earn from every sale, all while keeping full control over your brand and platform.

SureCart is focused on single-vendor setups, making EDD the clear choice for platform entrepreneurs. 

  • Multi-Vendor Marketplace Ready
  • Automated Commission Calculations
  • Frontend Vendor Management
Best WordPress Digital eCommerce Support
  • Best-In-Class Support

Get Industry-Leading Digital eCommerce Support

Our expert support team is here to make selling easy and stress-free, so you can focus on developing amazing digital products. Backed by the same team behind 25+ industry-leading WordPress brands, there's no better team to help you run a successful digital eCommerce business.

  • Fast Response
  • Help With Any Issue
  • WP Selling Experts

EDD vs. SureCart: Which Is Right for Your Store?

Feature
Data Storage 100% Your Server 3rd-Party SaaS Server
Platform Transaction Fees None Yes (On specific features/tiers)
Software Licensing Native Basic
Marketplace Support Advanced (Multi-Vendor) Limited
Data Ownership Full Ownership Hybrid/Rented
Ecosystem Age 13+ Years 3+ Years
Free Tier
Fraud Prevention
Sell Subscriptions
File Delivery & Security
Analytics and Reporting

EDD vs SureCart:
Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about using Easy Digital Downloads as a SureCart alternative for digital selling on WordPress? See our most frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed below, please contact us.

What is the main difference between EDD and SureCart?The biggest difference is where your data lives. EDD is a fully self-hosted WordPress plugin, meaning all your customer and order data stays in your database. SureCart is a "hybrid" solution where your data is stored on their external servers.

Does SureCart charge transaction fees?Yes, depending on your plan, SureCart may charge a fee on specific features like subscriptions, order bumps, and upsells. Easy Digital Downloads never charges platform transaction fees on any of our features.

Why is EDD better for software developers?EDD is the industry standard for software licensing (plugins, themes, apps). Our Licensing API is more robust and has been used by the top developers in the WordPress ecosystem for over a decade.

Can I migrate from SureCart to EDD?Yes! Our support team can help you migrate your digital store from SureCart to EDD, ensuring your data is brought back to your own server securely.

Is EDD free?Yes, the free version of Easy Digital Downloads is available to download in the WordPress plugin directory. With over 50,000 active installations, it’s a trusted and highly-rated choice. It’s also the perfect entry-level option if you're just getting started with selling digital products, giving you all the essential tools to launch your digital eCommerce store without upfront costs.

What makes EDD different from SureCart for digital product sales?EDD is fully self-hosted on your WordPress site, giving you complete control over your store, data, and branding. This is unlike SureCart, which hosts your store on their servers and limits control. SureCart also charges per-transaction fees on key features like subscriptions and upsells, EDD offers transparent pricing with no extra fees beyond your payment gateway.

Start selling today!

Join over 50,000 smart store owners, and start using the easiest way to sell digital products with WordPress.

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