Gumroad review

How much does Gumroad take?

Gumroad takes 10% + $0.50 on every sale made through your profile or a direct link, and card processing of 2.9% + $0.30 comes on top. Gumroad's help center says the 10% + $0.50 does not include card processing or PayPal fees. On a $20 ebook bought with a US card, that is $3.38 in fees and $16.62 to you.

Sales through Discover, Gumroad's marketplace, cost a flat 30% with processing included. The same $20 ebook sold through Discover leaves you $14. Discover buyers found you on Gumroad.com, so the higher fee pays for reach you did not have to earn.

There is a volume discount. Once your paid sales in a calendar month reach $20,000, new direct sales that month cost 5% + $0.50. The rate resets on the 1st of each month, and Discover stays at 30%.

Compare that with Payhip, whose free plan takes 5% before processing, and Lemon Squeezy, which charges 5% + $0.50 with processing included. The fee table shows take-home pay for each platform at every revenue level.

Does Gumroad handle sales tax and VAT?

Yes. Gumroad has been the merchant of record for all sales since January 1, 2025, so it collects and remits sales tax, VAT, and GST worldwide. You do not register for EU VAT or track US state thresholds. Buyers pay the tax on top of your price.

This is the best argument for Gumroad's higher fee. On Stan, tax collection runs through your own Stripe account and only in regions where you are registered. If you sell to buyers in many countries, Gumroad's tax handling is worth real money.

The one exception is physical products shipped into the EU. Gumroad does not charge VAT at checkout on those, because customs assesses import VAT at the border.

What can you sell on Gumroad?

Gumroad sells digital downloads, memberships, and courses from one profile page, and it can generate license keys for software. Its help center also covers email to your followers, two affiliate programs, and custom domains for your profile or a single product.

There are limits worth knowing before you start. You cannot send emails until you have earned $100 after fees and received a payout. Gumroad also does not support importing customers or subscribers, so a list you built elsewhere stays there.

If you want course quizzes, certificates, or coaching bookings, Payhip lists all three. Gumroad is built for getting a file in front of buyers quickly.

How do Gumroad payouts work?

Gumroad pays out to a bank account in your local currency in most countries, or to PayPal where bank deposits are not available. On the weekly, monthly, and quarterly schedules, you need a $100 balance and sales sit for at least 7 days. PayPal payouts carry a 2% fee.

Daily payouts are open to US creators with an eligible bank account, at least 4 prior payouts, and 60 days of processing with Gumroad. Instant payouts are open to US creators who have completed at least one payout and processed with Gumroad for 60 days. They cost 3%, cover up to $10,000, and start at $1 in settled funds with no 7-day hold.

New accounts go through a review before the first payout. Gumroad's help center says this takes 1 to 3 weeks and usually needs 3 to 4 sales with a balance over $100. Plan for that gap if you are paying for ads at launch.

Who should skip Gumroad?

Skip Gumroad once you sell more than a few hundred dollars a month. At $1,000 a month in $25 sales on US cards, Gumroad's fees come to $161. Payhip's free plan costs $91 for the same sales, and Lemon Squeezy costs $70.

Also skip it if you sell mostly from Instagram or TikTok and want booking, courses, and downloads on one link-in-bio page. Stan is built for that, though it costs $29 a month.