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Shopify is a powerhouse for physical goods, but it wasn't built for digital creators. Compare EDD vs Shopify to see how you can escape the "App Tax," eliminate transaction fees, and gain full control over your digital storefront.
When you sell on Shopify, every new digital feature requires a new monthly subscription app. EDD provides a professional, digital-first infrastructure in one flat-rate package.
Sell unlimited products to unlimited customers without platform restrictions that limit your digital store growth.
Keep more of your earnings with no listing fees, per-sale cuts, or monthly charges eating into your profits.
Deliver files, handle licensing, and manage subscriptions with tools & automation built specifically for digital products.
Avoid the "app tax" on Shopify. Access 100+ built-in integrations plus thousands of free WordPress plugins instead of paying for Shopify add-ons.
A self-hosted platform like WordPress means your customer data always stays on your own servers for more privacy, control, and long-term flexibility.
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.
Shopify is great for t-shirts, but EDD is built for code, art, and information. Get the tools you need without the recurring app fees.
Stop wrestling with complicated ecommerce platforms that weren't built for digital goods. Easy Digital Downloads lets you create your digital storefront and start selling in under 10 minutes with our guided setup wizard. Our streamlined process handles everything from payment processing to file delivery, so you can focus on creating products instead of managing technical details.
Sell without limits or extra fees. EDD has no platform transaction cuts, unlike Shopify, which charges a monthly subscription, transaction, and credit card fees if you're not using Shopify Payments. Enjoy significant cost savings as your sales volumes grow. Add unlimited products, reach unlimited customers, and keep full control over your pricing as you grow, without sacrificing your bottom line.
Shopify treats a digital file like a physical item without a weight. Most Shopify stores selling digital goods end up paying hundreds in monthly app fees for basic functions. EDD understands the nuances of digital assets and includes digital delivery, licensing, and subscriptions in one ecosystem. It's the industry standard for selling plugins, themes, and apps—something Shopify's ecosystem struggles to handle.
With Shopify, you’re essentially renting space. It's a "walled garden". If they change their terms or close your account, your business is at risk. With EDD on WordPress, you own your customer data, orders, and products. They stay safely on your WordPress server, not trapped by 3rd-party platforms or policies. Easily export, migrate, or access your business data anytime, ensuring smoother GDPR compliance and full control over your store’s information and site architecture.
Shopify offers helpful tools, but most require paid add-ons — especially for digital product functionalities like subscriptions and advanced digital delivery. EDD includes 100+ native features and integrations, plus thousands of free plugins. Customize everything from design to functionality using WordPress's vast ecosystem without recurring app fees or restrictions limiting your growth.
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.
| Feature |  EDD |  Shopify |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Flat Annual Fee | Monthly SaaS + App Fees |
| Transaction Fees | 0% | Up to 2% (unless using Shopify Payments) |
| Data Ownership | 100% Yours | Owned by Shopify |
| SEO Power | Full WordPress Power | Limited CMS |
| Software Licensing | Native / Advanced | 3rd Party App (Monthly Fee) |
| Subscriptions | Native / Advanced | 3rd Party App (Monthly Fee) |
| Optimized For Digital Products | ||
| Unlimited Products | ||
| Unlimited Transactions | ||
| Advanced Customization | ||
| Marketplace Ready | ||
| Multiple Payment Gateways | ||
| File Delivery & Security | ||
| 100+ Free Store Integrations | ||
| Free Tier Available |
Do you have questions about using Easy Digital Downloads as a Shopify alternative for digital product selling? See our most frequently asked questions. If your question is not listed below, please contact us.
Join over 50,000 smart store owners, and start using the easiest way to sell digital products with WordPress.
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