The Best Unknown Platforms to Sell Digital Products (No Etsy, No Shopify Needed!)

If you’ve been trying to break into the digital product market, chances are you’ve heard all about Etsy and Shopify. But here’s the thing—they’re crowded, competitive, and not always beginner-friendly. If you're looking for fresh, lesser-known platforms to sell your digital goods (without paying steep fees or drowning in competition), this list is for you.
Let’s explore the underrated gems—no Etsy, no Shopify—just real opportunities.


1. Payhip – Effortless Selling, No Monthly Fees

Payhip is a hidden treasure for creators. You can sell ebooks, courses, printables, music, or software, and the platform takes care of VAT, file delivery, and even discount codes. There’s no upfront cost—you just pay a small fee per sale.

✅ Why It’s Great: Clean design, built-in checkout, and marketing tools
💸 Fee: Free plan available, 5% per transaction

2. Gumroad – Simple, Powerful, Creator-Friendly

While slightly more known, Gumroad is still underused compared to Etsy. It’s perfect for digital creators—from art to software to online guides. With a customizable storefront and built-in email marketing, you can grow a real audience.

✅ Why It’s Great: No setup fee, quick launch, free analytics
💸 Fee: Starts at 10% per sale (drops as you earn more)

3. Lemon Squeezy – For Tech-Savvy Creators

Lemon Squeezy is a newer platform designed specifically for developers and SaaS creators, but it’s also great for selling templates, plugins, and other digital goods. It even handles EU VAT and license keys.

✅ Why It’s Great: Tech-focused, supports subscriptions, handles taxes
💸 Fee: 5% + transaction fees

4. Ko-fi Shop – Built for Creators with Communities

Ko-fi isn’t just for tips. You can now sell digital downloads directly from your profile. No storefront needed. It’s perfect for artists, writers, and anyone with a small following.

✅ Why It’s Great: No platform fees, instant setup
💸 Fee: 0% on free plan (except Stripe/PayPal fees)

5. BigCartel – Light, Lean, and Simple

BigCartel flies under the radar for digital sellers but offers a clean, ad-free experience with full control. Best for creators who want a minimal storefront without all the bloat.

✅ Why It’s Great: No hidden fees, customizable pages
💸 Fee: Free for up to 5 products

Why Use These Unknown Platforms?

💡 Less Competition = More Visibility
💡 Low or No Monthly Fees = Better Margins
💡 Flexible Storefronts = Easier to Brand Yourself
💡 Digital-First Design = Built for Downloadables

Final Thoughts

Selling digital products shouldn’t be complicated. You don’t need to fight for attention on Etsy or pay monthly subscriptions on Shopify just to get started. There are better, lesser-known platforms out there—built for creators like you.

Take time to explore, test, and grow on platforms that match your needs. Start simple, stay consistent, and build something that earns while you sleep.

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