Choosing the right platform to sell digital products affects everything from your profit margins to how professionally your business presents itself. Two platforms frequently appear in creator conversations: SendOwl and Payhip.

Both help you sell digital downloads, but they approach the problem from different angles and optimize for different outcomes.

Payhip built its reputation on accessibility. Start for free, pay only when you sell, and get a hosted storefront without technical setup. The platform appeals to creators who want the simplest possible path to their first sale.

SendOwl provides comprehensive ecommerce infrastructure designed for creators building sustainable digital businesses. Advanced security features, flexible delivery options, and professional marketing tools come standard. The platform works with any web presence you have, or none at all.

This comparison examines both platforms in detail, evaluating feature sets, security capabilities, pricing models, customization options, and scalability. Whether you're launching your first digital product or optimizing an established business, understanding how SendOwl and Payhip differ will help you make the right choice.

SendOwl vs Payhip at a glance





The fundamental difference: flexibility versus lock-in

Before diving into features and pricing, it's worth understanding what each platform is actually trying to do.

Payhip positions itself as an all-in-one solution. The platform provides a hosted storefront, handles payment processing, delivers products, and manages EU/UK VAT compliance automatically. You can be selling within minutes of signing up.

This bundled approach has clear appeal. Everything lives in one place, managed by one platform. But it also means your business operates within Payhip's ecosystem. Your storefront, customer relationships, and selling capabilities are tied to their infrastructure.

SendOwl takes a flexibility-first approach. The platform provides powerful selling capabilities that adapt to however you want to run your business.

Want to sell through your existing website? Embed SendOwl's checkout. Building on Shopify? SendOwl integrates seamlessly. Just starting out with no website? Use SendOwl's hosted checkout pages or share direct payment links through email and social media. The platform meets you where you are.

This flexibility means you're never locked into a single way of selling. As your business evolves, SendOwl evolves with you. Start with payment links shared on social media, add website integration later, expand to Shopify when you're ready. Your platform grows alongside your business rather than constraining it.

Neither approach is inherently superior. Your ideal platform depends on how much flexibility you need and how you envision your business developing.

Platform architecture: how each platform works

The way these platforms integrate into your business differs significantly.

Payhip's hosted storefront approach

Payhip provides everything you need to sell online in one package. When you sign up, you get a complete storefront at a URL like payhip.com/yourname, or you can connect your own custom domain for free.

The platform includes a drag-and-drop store builder that lets you customize colors, layouts, and branding without touching code. You create product pages, set prices, and start selling immediately. Payhip handles hosting, security, payment processing, and file delivery automatically.

If you have an existing website, you can add Payhip buy buttons or checkout widgets to your pages. This provides some integration flexibility while still using Payhip's infrastructure for transactions and delivery.

For creators who want everything bundled together in one interface, this complete solution removes barriers to getting started.

SendOwl's flexible architecture

SendOwl adapts to your situation rather than requiring you to adapt to it.

Starting from scratch? SendOwl provides hosted checkout pages that work immediately. Create a product, get a payment link, share it anywhere. No website required. Many successful creators sell exclusively through email newsletters, social media, and direct links.

Have a website? Embed buy buttons or checkout forms on your WordPress site, Squarespace page, or custom website. Customers purchase directly from your brand while SendOwl handles payment processing, security, and digital delivery invisibly.

Running a Shopify store? SendOwl's Shopify integration adds digital product delivery to your existing store seamlessly, keeping orders synchronized with your Shopify dashboard.

Selling through multiple channels? Use all of the above simultaneously. The same products can sell through your website, Shopify store, email links, and social media, all managed from one SendOwl dashboard.

This architectural flexibility proves valuable as businesses grow. You're not rebuilding your selling infrastructure every time your business model evolves. SendOwl handles the complexity while you focus on creating products and reaching customers.

Pricing models: transaction fees versus flat subscriptions

The pricing philosophies of these platforms differ dramatically, and understanding the long-term math matters for your profitability.

Payhip's transaction-fee model

Payhip uses a tiered pricing structure based on transaction fees rather than sales volume limits.

• Free Forever plan: $0 per month with a 5% transaction fee on every sale

• Plus plan: $29 per month with a 2% transaction fee

• Pro plan: $99 per month with no transaction fees

All plans include every feature Payhip offers. There's no feature gating. You get unlimited products, unlimited revenue potential, affiliate programs, course builders, and marketing tools on every tier, including the free plan.

Note that Payhip's fees are in addition to payment processor fees from PayPal or Stripe, which typically run 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.

The free tier eliminates upfront commitment. But transaction fees grow proportionally with your success. A creator generating $50,000 annually pays $2,500 in Payhip fees on the free plan. At $100,000, that's $5,000. The fee scales indefinitely with revenue.

SendOwl's flat subscription model

SendOwl uses flat monthly pricing based on usage tiers rather than transaction fees.

• Starter plan: $39 per month for up to 5,000 orders and $10,000 in sales annually

• Standard plan: $87 per month for up to 25,000 orders and $36,000 in sales annually

• Pro plan: $159 per month for up to 50,000 orders and $100,000 in sales annually

All plans include every feature. PDF stamping, upsells, cart abandonment, affiliate programs, and advanced security work identically across tiers. The only differences are usage limits and storage allocations.

SendOwl charges no transaction fees whatsoever. Your only variable costs are payment processor fees from Stripe or PayPal.

This flat-rate model provides predictable expenses and rewards growth. A creator doing $100,000 annually pays $159 per month regardless of transaction volume, keeping $1,908 in annual platform costs. On Payhip's free plan, that same revenue costs $5,000 in transaction fees.

Which pricing model works for you?

The break-even math is straightforward. At around $780 in monthly revenue, SendOwl's Starter plan ($39) costs less than Payhip's 5% fee. Below that threshold, Payhip's free plan costs less. Above it, SendOwl becomes increasingly economical.

But the calculation isn't purely about today's revenue. Consider where you're heading.

If you're testing a product idea with genuine uncertainty about whether it will sell, Payhip's free plan eliminates financial risk during validation.

If you're launching a product you believe in and plan to grow, SendOwl's flat pricing means your platform costs stay constant as revenue increases. You keep more of every dollar earned as you scale.

The difference compounds significantly over time. A business growing from $10,000 to $100,000 annually saves thousands by avoiding percentage-based fees. Starting with the right pricing model from day one prevents the pain of platform migration later.

Security and file protection

For creators selling digital products, preventing unauthorized distribution directly impacts revenue. Both platforms offer security features, though with different levels of sophistication.

SendOwl's comprehensive security suite

SendOwl built its platform with security as a core feature, offering multiple layers of protection that work together.

PDF stamping embeds buyer information directly into PDF files. Each download includes visible or invisible stamps showing the purchaser's name, email, order number, or custom text. This discourages sharing because recipients know the file traces back to the original buyer. Stamping happens automatically at download time.

Expiring download links give you control over how long purchase links remain active. Set links to expire after hours, days, or weeks, or after a specific number of download attempts. Once expired, customers must request new links, preventing indefinite access or widespread link sharing.

Download attempt limits restrict how many times a single purchase link can be used. Allow three attempts per purchase to accommodate legitimate needs while preventing someone from distributing a working link to dozens of people.

Unique buyer restrictions ensure each purchase link works only for the original buyer. The system can verify email addresses or IP addresses, making it difficult for customers to share functional download links.

Streaming without downloads works for video and audio content. Customers stream in their browsers without ever receiving downloadable files. This provides ultimate protection for video courses, music, or audio content where you want complete control.

License key generation helps software developers protect their products. SendOwl automatically generates unique keys for each purchase, manages activation, and tracks usage. You define the terms, and SendOwl handles implementation.

These features work automatically once configured, providing enterprise-level protection without ongoing management.

Payhip's security features

Payhip includes security basics that protect most digital products adequately.

PDF stamping adds buyer information to PDF files, similar to SendOwl's implementation. License key generation creates unique keys for software products automatically. Download limits restrict the number of times customers can access their purchases. Secure file hosting ensures products are delivered through protected links rather than exposed URLs.

For standard digital products like ebooks, templates, and simple courses, Payhip's security suffices. However, the platform lacks some of SendOwl's advanced capabilities like streaming-only delivery, sophisticated expiration controls, and per-buyer IP restrictions.

Creators selling high-value courses, proprietary software, or premium content where piracy could significantly impact revenue will find SendOwl's security substantially more robust.

Marketing and conversion tools

Selling digital products requires more than accepting payments. Effective platforms provide tools that actively help increase revenue.

SendOwl's revenue optimization features

SendOwl includes comprehensive marketing tools designed to maximize revenue from every visitor.

One-click upsells present additional offers immediately after purchase. Someone buying a beginner ebook might see an instant offer for an advanced course at a discount. Since payment information is already captured, customers accept with a single click. This dramatically increases average order values without additional marketing effort.

Abandoned cart recovery automatically emails customers who add products but don't complete purchases. These reminder emails can recover 20-30% of abandoned sales. You customize timing, messaging, and follow-up sequences.

Affiliate program management lets you recruit promoters who earn commissions for driving sales. SendOwl handles affiliate links, commission tracking, payment calculations, and reporting. Set commission percentages, create custom materials, and manage payouts within the platform.

Promotional codes and discounts support sophisticated campaigns. Create percentage discounts, fixed-amount reductions, buy-one-get-one offers, or bundle deals. Set redemption limits, expiration dates, minimum requirements, or product restrictions.

Drip content scheduling releases products over time rather than delivering everything immediately. Essential for course creators. Students receive lessons according to your schedule, reducing overwhelm and improving completion rates.

Product bundles package multiple items into curated collections at special rates, increasing average order values while providing more customer value.

Email marketing integrations connect SendOwl with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Drip, ActiveCampaign, and others. Purchases automatically trigger list additions, enabling immediate follow-up sequences.

Payhip's marketing features

Payhip provides solid marketing fundamentals on every plan, including the free tier.

Affiliate programs let you recruit promoters and track commissions, though with less sophisticated management than SendOwl offers. Discount codes support percentage and fixed-amount promotions with basic limitations. Pay-what-you-want pricing lets customers name their own price with optional minimums, useful for building goodwill or charitable causes.

Email marketing is built directly into the platform, letting you message customers without third-party tools. However, functionality is basic compared to dedicated email platforms. Social discounts encourage sharing by offering discounts when customers post about purchases on social media. Upsells are available, allowing you to suggest related products during checkout.

Payhip covers the marketing basics well. For creators who need simple promotional tools, the platform delivers. Those building sophisticated funnels or maximizing revenue per customer will find SendOwl's advanced features more powerful.

Product types and delivery options

Both platforms handle basic digital downloads, but they differ in versatility.

SendOwl's product flexibility

SendOwl accommodates virtually any digital product type.

Digital downloads of any file type upload and deliver automatically. PDFs, videos, audio, software, ebooks, images, templates, and compressed archives all work seamlessly. Higher-tier plans offer generous storage with no file size restrictions.

Subscriptions and recurring payments support membership sites, monthly content deliveries, or SaaS products. Customers pay automatically while receiving ongoing access.

Drip content releases materials over time, perfect for courses. Students receive content according to your schedule rather than everything at once.

License keys generate automatically for software products with full activation management.

Video and audio streaming delivers content directly to browsers without downloadable files, protecting high-value content from unauthorized distribution.

Pay-what-you-want pricing lets customers set their own price with optional minimums.

Services and bookings extend beyond pure digital products. Sell coaching sessions, consulting hours, or virtual workshops.

Bundles and packages combine multiple products into single offers at special rates.

SendOwl doesn't include a native course builder. Instead, it integrates with dedicated learning management systems like Teachable, Thinkific, or WordPress LMS plugins. For creators who want robust course features, this integration approach often provides better functionality than built-in alternatives.

Payhip's product capabilities

Payhip offers broad product support with some unique strengths.

Digital downloads handle all common file types with automatic delivery.

Online courses benefit from Payhip's built-in course builder. Create courses with videos, files, quizzes, and assignments. Drip content and completion certificates come standard. For creators who want courses without a separate LMS, this integrated approach simplifies setup.

Coaching services integrate with Zoom, Calendly, and other scheduling tools, letting you sell one-on-one sessions directly.

Memberships and subscriptions support recurring payments for exclusive content or community access.

Physical products can be sold alongside digital offerings, with inventory management, fulfillment tracking, and promotion tools. SendOwl handles physical products as well, but Payhip's implementation is more robust.

For creators selling courses specifically, Payhip's built-in course builder provides convenience. For those wanting maximum course functionality, dedicated platforms integrated with SendOwl may offer more sophisticated features.

VAT and tax handling

Selling digital products internationally means dealing with complex tax requirements, particularly EU and UK VAT regulations.

Payhip's automatic VAT compliance

Payhip acts as a partial merchant of record for EU and UK VAT purposes. This means Payhip handles everything: detecting customer locations, calculating correct VAT rates, collecting the tax at checkout, and remitting payments to relevant tax authorities.

For creators selling to European customers, this automatic compliance eliminates significant administrative burden. You don't need to register for VAT in multiple countries, track rates, or file returns. Payhip manages it completely.

Please note that this does not make Payhip a global merchant of record in all jurisdictions.

The platform also supports other tax configurations. Set custom tax rates for different countries or states, and Payhip applies them automatically and includes taxes in your reports.

This comprehensive tax handling represents one of Payhip's strongest features, particularly for international sellers.

SendOwl's tax tracking

SendOwl takes a different approach to taxes. The platform tracks all relevant tax information and provides detailed reports, but doesn't act as a merchant of record.

You can configure tax rates for different regions, and SendOwl will apply them to transactions and report them accurately. However, the responsibility for registering with tax authorities and remitting collected taxes remains with you.

For sellers based in jurisdictions without complex VAT requirements, or those who have already established tax compliance processes, this approach works fine. For creators specifically wanting to avoid EU/UK VAT administration, Payhip's automatic handling provides clear advantages.

Customization and branding

How much control do you have over customer experience and brand presentation?

SendOwl's branding flexibility

SendOwl gives you complete control over how your brand appears to customers.

When using SendOwl's hosted checkout, you customize the experience with your branding elements, colors, and styling. When integrating with your own website, your design remains entirely in your hands. Customers experience a cohesive journey from browsing to purchase.

For creators selling through multiple channels, SendOwl adapts to each context while maintaining consistent functionality. Your website checkout, Shopify integration, and direct payment links can all reflect your brand appropriately.

This flexibility matters as businesses grow. Your platform shouldn't impose design constraints that conflict with your brand identity.

Payhip's template-based customization

Payhip's store builder offers meaningful customization within its templated structure. Adjust colors, fonts, layouts, and sections using drag-and-drop tools. Add your logo, customize product pages, and create a branded experience.

However, you're working within Payhip's framework. While the platform offers more flexibility than some competitors, it doesn't match the complete design freedom of building on your own website with SendOwl integration.

For creators without existing websites, Payhip provides sufficient customization to create professional-looking stores. For those with established brands requiring pixel-perfect consistency, SendOwl's flexibility offers more control.

Integrations

Your digital products platform shouldn't exist in isolation.

SendOwl's extensive ecosystem

SendOwl connects with major platforms across multiple categories:

Ecommerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly

Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal

Email marketing: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Drip, ActiveCampaign, AWeber

Webhooks and APIs enable custom integrations with virtually any platform

Zapier support connects SendOwl with thousands of applications

The Shopify integration deserves special mention. SendOwl adds digital product delivery to Shopify stores seamlessly, handling everything from file hosting to secure delivery while keeping orders synchronized with your Shopify dashboard.

Payhip's integration options

Payhip integrates with essential tools:

Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal

Email marketing: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and others via Zapier

Scheduling: Zoom, Calendly for coaching products

Zapier support provides connections to additional platforms

Notably absent is direct Shopify integration. Payhip operates as a standalone storefront rather than integrating with existing ecommerce platforms. Creators already using Shopify would need to maintain separate systems rather than adding Payhip capabilities to their existing store.

Support and resources

When issues arise, quality support matters.

SendOwl's priority support

SendOwl provides email support with response time guarantees based on plan level. Priority support on standard plans targets 5 business hour initial response. VIP support on Pro plans targets 2 business hours.

The platform maintains comprehensive documentation covering setup, features, integrations, and common scenarios. The support team understands digital product challenges specifically, providing relevant guidance for security concerns, delivery issues, and marketing optimization.

Payhip's email support

Payhip offers email support with generally positive response times reported by users. The help center includes guides and tutorials covering platform features.

Support is email-only without live chat or phone options. For straightforward questions, resources and email support suffice. Complex technical issues may require more back-and-forth than some creators prefer.

Choosing the right platform for your business

Both platforms serve creators well, but they optimize for different priorities.

SendOwl fits creators who value

Flexibility and control. Whether you're starting with social media links or running a Shopify empire, SendOwl adapts to your business model without forcing you into a specific structure.

Long-term economics. Flat pricing rewards growth. As your revenue increases, your platform costs stay predictable while you keep more of every sale.

Advanced security. PDF stamping, streaming-only delivery, expiring links, and download limits protect high-value content from unauthorized distribution.

Sophisticated marketing. One-click upsells, abandoned cart recovery, and comprehensive affiliate management help maximize revenue from every customer.

Integration flexibility. Shopify stores, WordPress sites, email newsletters, social media, and custom websites all work seamlessly with SendOwl.

Payhip fits creators who value

All-in-one simplicity. Everything bundled in one interface without external dependencies.

Automatic VAT compliance. EU/UK VAT administration handled completely by the platform.

Zero upfront commitment. Transaction fees instead of subscriptions mean no cost until you sell.

Built-in course creation. Native course builder without separate LMS integration.

Coaching session management. Scheduling integrations for one-on-one services.

The platform migration question

One factor often overlooked: switching platforms later is painful.

Migrating means re-uploading products, reconfiguring settings, updating all your buy links, potentially losing customer purchase history, and interrupting your business during transition. The "start free now, switch later" approach has hidden costs.

If you're genuinely uncertain whether your product will sell at all, Payhip's free tier makes sense for validation. But if you're committed to building a digital product business, starting with the platform that scales with you avoids expensive migration down the road.

Making your decision

SendOwl and Payhip both help creators sell digital products successfully. The right choice depends on your priorities and trajectory.

Choose SendOwl if you:

• Want flexibility to sell anywhere, from social links to Shopify

• Plan for growth and prefer predictable platform costs

• Need advanced security for premium content

• Value sophisticated marketing and conversion tools

• Want integration with existing websites or stores

Choose Payhip if you:

• Need everything bundled without external dependencies

• Want automatic EU/UK VAT compliance

• Prefer transaction fees over monthly subscriptions

• Sell courses and want built-in creation tools

• Need coaching session scheduling

The right platform supports your business goals without constraining them. Evaluate both against where you are today and where you're heading, then choose the foundation that empowers your digital product business to thrive.