Where to Sell Digital Products for Free: 12 Top Platforms for Influencers

As a social media influencer, you've built an engaged audience that trusts your recommendations. They value your advice, look forward to your content, and are eager for your templates, guides, and unique insights. While brand deals are inconsistent and one-on-one services don't scale, selling digital products offers the most direct path to monetizing your expertise. The best part? You can start without any upfront investment.

The biggest challenge isn't creating the product itself; it's navigating the technical setup. Creators often get stuck on critical questions: Where do I list my product? How will I accept payments securely? How do I automate file delivery after a purchase? This guide cuts through the confusion and provides a direct answer to the essential question: where to sell digital products for free?

We have compiled a list of 12 powerful platforms that allow you to launch your digital product with zero initial cost. Instead of a generic feature list, we offer a practical breakdown of each option, complete with screenshots and direct links. For each platform, you'll find:

• Honest pros and cons: We’ll highlight the real-world limitations and advantages.
• Ideal use cases: Discover which platform is best suited for your specific niche, whether you're selling eBooks, presets, courses, or templates.
• A breakdown of fees: We’ll clarify the transaction fees and payout structures so you know exactly what to expect.
• Quick-start steps: Get actionable instructions to launch your first product quickly.

This resource is designed to help you select the perfect free platform for your needs, so you can stop researching and start earning.

1. Gumroad

Gumroad stands out as one of the most accessible platforms where you can sell digital products for free, making it a favorite among influencers and creators. It operates as a "merchant of record," which is a significant advantage. This means Gumroad handles complex global sales tax and VAT compliance on your behalf—a major time-saver, especially if you have an international audience. You simply upload your product, set a price, and get a shareable link to your product page or a customizable storefront.

The platform is incredibly straightforward, allowing you to start selling in minutes without any upfront costs. This makes it perfect for creators validating a new product idea.

• Practical Example: A fitness influencer on Instagram can sell their first "30-Day Workout Plan" PDF.
• Practical Example: A travel vlogger on YouTube can offer a pack of their custom video LUTs.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Gumroad's fee structure is a simple flat percentage per sale, with no monthly fees. As of 2024, the fee is 10% per transaction, which covers payment processing and file delivery. Be aware that if a sale originates from their "Discover" marketplace, an additional 10% fee is applied.

Key Takeaway: Gumroad is the ideal choice for influencers who want the fastest, simplest setup to sell digital products without worrying about sales tax. It’s a "set it and forget it" solution.

• Best For: First-time sellers, creators with an established audience, and those selling one-off products like ebooks, templates, or presets.
• Actionable Tip: Add your Gumroad link directly to your Instagram Stories using a "Link" sticker or put it in your TikTok bio. This creates a seamless checkout experience for your followers. For a deeper dive into how it compares, see this breakdown of top platforms to sell digital products.

2. Payhip

Payhip is another excellent platform where you can sell digital products for free, positioning itself as an all-in-one e-commerce solution. Like Gumroad, it acts as a merchant of record, handling the complexities of EU and UK VAT for you. The platform allows you to build a full, customizable storefront to house your digital downloads, online courses, memberships, and even physical products.

What makes Payhip stand out is its robust feature set available on the "Free Forever" plan. You get access to unlimited product listings and essential marketing tools like coupons and affiliate programs without any monthly subscription fees. This makes it a great choice for an influencer who wants to build a more comprehensive digital store.

• Practical Example: A business coach can sell a bundle of Canva templates, a mini-course, and a membership, all in one place.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Payhip’s free plan carries a 5% transaction fee per sale, plus standard Stripe or PayPal processing fees. This fee is a bit lower than Gumroad’s standard rate, but it only decreases if you upgrade to one of their paid monthly plans. The free plan provides all the core functionalities you need to get started and scale.

Key Takeaway: Payhip is perfect for creators who want a full-featured storefront with marketing tools built-in, without committing to a monthly fee. It offers more customization than Gumroad.

• Best For: Creators selling a variety of digital products (downloads, courses, memberships), those who want built-in affiliate marketing tools, and sellers looking for a free, customizable storefront.
• Actionable Tip: Use the built-in affiliate system to let your most loyal followers earn a commission for promoting your products. Announce it on your social channels and watch your community become your sales team. For a more detailed look at how Payhip stacks up against other platforms, including non-free options like Shopify, you can read a comprehensive Payhip vs Shopify comparison. If you're exploring more options, see this guide on the best platform for selling digital products.

3. Ko‑fi Shop

Ko‑fi is well-known as a "buy me a coffee" tipping platform, but its Shop feature provides a simple and effective place where you can sell digital products for free. It integrates seamlessly into your existing Ko‑fi page, allowing your audience to support you through one-off tips, memberships, and product purchases all in one place. This unified approach makes it an excellent choice for creators who want to monetize an existing community without directing them to multiple links.

The platform is designed for simplicity, making it incredibly easy to upload digital files like art commissions, PDF guides, or exclusive video content.

• Practical Example: An artist who already receives tips on Ko‑fi can add a shop to sell digital brush packs or phone wallpapers.
• Practical Example: A podcaster can sell exclusive bonus audio content or behind-the-scenes PDFs.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Listing digital products on Ko‑fi is completely free. The standard platform fee on sales is 5%, which is waived if you subscribe to Ko‑fi Gold (their premium plan). This fee is in addition to standard PayPal or Stripe processing fees. The free plan offers a solid starting point with hosted file delivery and no listing limits.

Key Takeaway: Ko‑fi Shop is perfect for creators who already use the platform for tips or memberships and want an integrated, no-fuss storefront for their audience.

• Best For: Artists, streamers, and content creators with an engaged community who want to centralize their monetization streams.
• Actionable Tip: Promote your Ko‑fi Shop directly to your followers after they send a tip. You can set up an automated thank-you message that says, "Thanks for the support! Did you know I also have a shop with exclusive templates? Check it out here: [link]." This leverages existing engagement to drive sales.

4. Lemon Squeezy

Lemon Squeezy positions itself as a robust platform where you can sell digital products for free, with a strong focus on software and subscription-based services. Like Gumroad, it acts as a merchant-of-record, which means it takes care of global sales tax and VAT compliance for you. This crucial feature simplifies international sales, allowing creators to focus on their products rather than complex tax laws.

This makes it an excellent choice for creators selling recurring products. The platform handles the entire billing cycle, from payment collection to issuing compliant receipts, without any upfront cost to you.

• Practical Example: A business influencer can offer a monthly subscription to a private community or a premium newsletter.
• Practical Example: A Notion expert can sell advanced templates with recurring access to updates.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Lemon Squeezy's free plan has no monthly fees, operating on a per-transaction basis. The standard fee is 5% + $0.50 per transaction, which covers payment processing. Additional fees apply for specific services, like a 2.5% fee for PayPal transactions and potential wire transfer costs.

Key Takeaway: Lemon Squeezy is the go-to choice for influencers selling subscriptions or licensed products who need a platform that automates global tax compliance.

• Best For: SaaS founders, software developers, and creators offering subscription-based products like paid newsletters or community access.
• Actionable Tip: Use their "Pay What You Want" feature to let your audience set the price for a new product. This is a great way to gauge interest and build goodwill with your community. Learn more about their features at lemonsqueezy.com.

5. itch.io

While primarily known as a haven for indie video games, itch.io is a surprisingly versatile and powerful place to sell digital products for free. It stands apart with its unique “open revenue sharing” model. This means you, the creator, get to decide what percentage of your sales goes to the platform, and you can even set it to 0%. This creator-first approach makes it an incredibly attractive option, especially for those in niche creative fields.

The platform is more than just a marketplace; it’s a community hub built with discovery in mind.

• Practical Example: A pixel artist with a following on Twitter can sell asset packs directly to indie developers browsing for their next project.
• Practical Example: A musician on TikTok can offer game-ready sound effects and soundtracks to their followers.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

With itch.io’s open revenue sharing, you can set the platform’s cut to 0%. However, standard payment processing fees from Stripe or PayPal (typically around 2.9% + $0.30) will still apply. The default suggested share is 10%, but you have full control. This flexibility is unmatched.

Key Takeaway: itch.io is the ultimate choice for creators in the gaming and indie development space who want maximum control over their earnings and access to a highly targeted, built-in audience.

• Best For: Indie game developers, digital artists selling asset packs (sprites, 3D models), musicians creating sound effects or soundtracks, and authors of TTRPG rulebooks.
• Actionable Tip: Participate in itch.io's "jams" (themed creative challenges) to gain visibility. You can submit a free demo or a small asset pack related to the jam's theme to attract potential buyers to your main profile and paid products.

6. Bandcamp

For musicians, producers, and audio creators, Bandcamp is the definitive platform where you can sell digital products for free. It’s more than just a storefront; it’s a community and discovery engine built specifically for music. Artists can sell digital albums, individual tracks, and even physical merchandise, all from a customizable artist page. The platform champions a direct-to-fan model, giving you control over your pricing and relationship with your listeners.

Bandcamp’s artist-friendly approach is evident in its features. You can set up pre-orders to build hype for a new release, use a "name your price" model to let fans pay what they can, or message your followers directly.

• Practical Example: An independent musician building an audience on Instagram can sell their latest single and connect with fans in a way larger streaming platforms don't.
• Practical Example: A mindfulness influencer can sell guided meditation audio tracks.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

There are no monthly fees to use Bandcamp. The platform takes a 15% revenue share on digital sales, which drops to 10% after you reach $5,000 in lifetime sales. Payment processing fees (typically 4-6%) are separate from this.

Key Takeaway: Bandcamp is the undisputed champion for audio creators. Its blend of a marketplace, community, and robust sales tools is perfectly tailored to their needs.

• Best For: Musicians, bands, podcasters, sound designers, and any creator whose primary digital product is audio-based.
• Actionable Tip: Use Bandcamp’s pre-order feature to fund your next project. Announce it to your social media followers and email list, driving traffic to your page to secure sales before the official release date. For more on the platform, visit the official Bandcamp site.

7. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

For authors, writers, and niche experts, Amazon KDP is an unparalleled gateway to a massive, book-hungry audience. Its primary function is self-publishing ebooks for Kindle devices and apps. The platform's main advantage is tapping into Amazon's trusted ecosystem and enormous customer base, providing instant credibility and a built-in payment system that users already know and trust.

You don't pay anything to publish; Amazon simply takes a percentage of your sales, making it a zero-risk entry point into the world of digital publishing.

• Practical Example: A business influencer can publish a guide on lead generation.
• Practical Example: A wellness influencer with a popular blog can sell a recipe ebook.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Amazon KDP offers two royalty structures. The 35% option is straightforward, while the 70% option comes with specific pricing requirements (between $2.99 and $9.99) and small delivery fees based on file size. A significant drawback is the intense competition on the platform.

Key Takeaway: Amazon KDP is the best free platform for influencers whose digital products are ebooks, guides, or manuals, allowing them to leverage Amazon's vast marketplace.

• Best For: Authors, bloggers, coaches, and experts who have created long-form written content and want to reach the largest possible audience of readers.
• Actionable Tip: Use a tool like Canva to design a professional-looking ebook cover. Promote your KDP book link to your social media followers and email list during its launch week to boost its initial sales rank and visibility. For more on publishing, check out the official KDP help page.

8. Apple Books for Authors

For authors and writers, Apple Books for Authors is an excellent place to sell ebooks for free. It allows you to publish directly to the Apple Books storefront, reaching millions of users within the Apple ecosystem. Unlike some platforms that have tiered royalty structures, Apple offers a clear and consistent rate, which is a major benefit for authors who want predictable earnings without being locked into an exclusive agreement.

Publishing is free, and you gain access to a premium reading experience that Apple users expect.

• Practical Example: An influencer whose audience analytics show high usage of Apple devices can find this a lucrative and direct route to market.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Apple Books does not charge any upfront fees for listing your ebook. Instead, they operate on a simple royalty model. You receive a flat 70% royalty on every sale, regardless of the book's price. A significant advantage is that Apple does not deduct separate "delivery fees" from your royalties.

Key Takeaway: Apple Books is the best choice for authors who want a simple, non-exclusive platform with a high, flat royalty rate and direct access to a dedicated audience of Apple users.

• Best For: Authors, writers, and experts turning their knowledge into ebooks, especially those whose audience heavily uses iPhones, iPads, and Macs. It's a strong alternative or addition to Amazon KDP.
• Actionable Tip: Use a tool like Vellum or the free Apple Pages app to format your manuscript into a professional-grade EPUB file. Promote your Apple Books link directly to your audience on Instagram Stories or in your newsletter.

9. Creative Market

For designers, Creative Market is a premier destination where you can sell digital products for free to a highly targeted audience. It’s an established marketplace specifically for creative assets, meaning buyers arrive with the intent to purchase items like fonts, graphics, website themes, and presentation templates. Opening a shop is free, and the platform handles payment processing, file delivery, and even remits US sales tax for you.

Instead of building an audience from scratch, you tap into a pre-existing network of millions actively searching for the types of products you offer.

• Practical Example: A graphic designer on Instagram can sell a pack of custom social media templates.
• Practical Example: A photographer can sell their Lightroom presets to other creators.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Creative Market operates on a commission-based model. There are no monthly fees to run your shop, but the platform takes a significant cut of each sale. The default commission structure means sellers earn ~50% of the list price per transaction.

Key Takeaway: Creative Market is the best choice for designers who want to tap into a massive, ready-made audience and are willing to trade a higher commission for visibility and sales volume.

• Best For: Graphic designers, font creators, photographers, and illustrators selling high-quality assets like templates, mockups, presets, or UI kits. If you want a deep dive, you can learn more about what digital downloads are and how they work.
• Actionable Tip: Bundle your popular items together to create a high-value pack. For example, combine social media templates, highlight covers, and a font into a "Creator Starter Kit" to increase your average order value.

10. Envato Market (ThemeForest, CodeCanyon, etc.)

For creators of highly specific, technical, or creative assets, Envato Market offers a powerful ecosystem of specialized marketplaces like ThemeForest (for website themes) and CodeCanyon (for code snippets). It taps into a massive, built-in audience actively searching for these exact products. This is a key destination where you can sell digital products for free by leveraging its incredible organic reach.

Unlike direct-to-audience platforms, Envato is a true marketplace where buyers come to browse.

• Practical Example: A talented web developer who has created a killer WordPress plugin but doesn't have a large social media following can list on CodeCanyon to get their product in front of thousands of potential buyers.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Envato has no upfront listing or monthly fees, but its revenue share model is more complex. As a non-exclusive author (selling on Envato and elsewhere), you'll receive a 45% commission. As an exclusive author, your rate starts at 62.5% and can climb to 87.5% as your sales volume increases.

Key Takeaway: Envato Market is the best choice for specialized creators (developers, designers, musicians) who want to tap into a high-intent buyer pool and are willing to trade a higher commission for massive, targeted visibility.

• Best For: WordPress theme developers, plugin creators, graphic designers selling templates, stock photographers, and audio producers selling royalty-free music.
• Actionable Tip: Focus on creating a high-quality, well-documented product with excellent support. Success on Envato is driven by strong reviews and ratings, which boost your visibility in the marketplace search results. For more insights into leveraging marketplaces, check out this guide on places to sell digital products.

11. Teachable

For creators focused on structured learning experiences like online courses or memberships, Teachable offers a robust, all-in-one solution. While it's primarily known for its paid plans, its free plan provides an excellent entry point to sell digital products for free, specifically more complex offerings. It handles student enrollment, course delivery, and checkout processing, presenting a highly professional and polished experience for your customers from day one.

Unlike simple marketplaces, Teachable is designed to help you build a full-fledged online school.

• Practical Example: A fitness influencer can sell a multi-module video course on "Mastering Your Home Workouts."
• Practical Example: A business mentor can offer a premium coaching program with video lessons and downloadable worksheets.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Teachable's free plan allows you to publish one product of each type (course, coaching, download) but comes with a transaction fee of $1 + 10% per sale. This fee covers payment processing and platform access, making it a viable no-upfront-cost option to validate your course idea.

Key Takeaway: Teachable is the best free starting point for serious course creators who need a professional, scalable platform and anticipate upgrading as their revenue grows.

• Best For: Subject matter experts, coaches, and influencers building comprehensive online courses, coaching programs, or structured digital downloads.
• Actionable Tip: Use the free plan to test your first mini-course. Once you validate the demand, you can leverage Teachable's powerful features like upsells and affiliate marketing on a paid plan to scale your income. For more guidance on this process, see this guide to creating and selling online courses.

12. Podia

Podia positions itself as a powerful all-in-one platform for creators looking to build a full-fledged business. While it’s known for its robust paid plans, its free tier offers an excellent starting point for those wanting to explore where to sell digital products for free. You can build a full website, run a community, and sell one digital download and one coaching product without any monthly cost.

This makes it perfect for an influencer who plans to scale.

• Practical Example: A business coach can start by selling a downloadable "Startup Checklist" for free, then upgrade their account to launch a full-scale video course and a paid mentorship community as their audience grows, all within the same ecosystem.

Fees, Features & Ideal Use-Case

Podia’s free plan has no monthly subscription. Instead, it charges a flat 10% transaction fee on your sales. This fee is higher than some competitors, but it provides access to a comprehensive suite of tools that typically cost extra elsewhere.

Key Takeaway: Podia is ideal for creators with a long-term vision who want a platform that can grow with them, from a single free download to a full suite of courses, memberships, and webinars.

• Best For: Coaches, educators, and community builders who plan to offer multiple types of digital products and want an integrated platform to manage their entire business.
• Actionable Tip: Use the free plan to offer a free digital download to build your email list directly on Podia. Then, use the built-in email tools to validate demand before upgrading to launch a paid course or webinar to that warm audience.

12 Free Platforms to Sell Digital Products Compared

From 'Where' to 'How': Your Next Step in Monetization

We've explored an extensive list of powerful, free-to-start platforms, from comprehensive storefronts like Gumroad and Payhip to niche marketplaces like itch.io and Amazon KDP. The key takeaway is clear: the technical barrier to selling digital products has virtually disappeared. You no longer need a custom website or a hefty budget to start monetizing your expertise. The question of where to sell digital products for free has been answered with a wealth of excellent options.

But choosing a platform is only one piece of the puzzle. The real challenge, and the greater opportunity, lies in shifting your focus from the tool to the strategy. The most successful creators don't just pick a platform and hope for the best; they build a system that connects their audience's needs directly to their product offerings.

Key Takeaways for Influencers

Navigating the options we've covered can feel overwhelming, but your decision simplifies when you start with your specific goals in mind. Here’s a quick-glance list to guide your choice:

• For Instant Sales: If you want a straightforward, no-fuss solution to sell multiple product types (ebooks, templates, presets) directly to your audience, platforms like Gumroad, Payhip, and Ko-fi are your best friends. They handle file delivery, payments, and basic marketing so you can launch in a single afternoon.
• For Tapping Into Marketplaces: If you're looking to tap into an existing customer base, niche marketplaces are invaluable. Amazon KDP is a non-negotiable for ebooks, while creators in gaming (itch.io), design (Creative Market), and web development (Envato) can find a built-in audience actively searching for their products.
• For Building a Scalable Business: For influencers with a long-term vision, platforms like Podia and Teachable provide a foundation you can grow with, starting with a free plan and upgrading as your product suite expands from a single download to a full course and community.

The most critical insight is this: the platform doesn't make the product successful, the product does. A flawless Gumroad setup won't save a course nobody asked for. This is where so many talented influencers get stuck, investing weeks into building something only to hear crickets at launch.

Actionable Next Steps: Your Influencer Monetization Checklist

Instead of getting lost in feature comparisons, channel your energy into these three high-impact steps. This is how you move from simply knowing where to sell digital products for free to actually generating predictable income.

1. Validate Your Idea First: Before you create anything, listen to your audience. Use Instagram Story polls, ask open-ended questions in your Facebook group, or check your DMs. What problems are your followers constantly asking you to solve? That’s your next product.
2. Choose Your "Minimum Viable Platform": Don't over-engineer your launch. Select the simplest platform that meets your immediate needs. If you're selling a PDF, Gumroad is perfect. If you're launching a simple video course, Podia’s free plan is ideal. You can always migrate later. The goal is to get your product live and in the hands of customers as quickly as possible.
3. Master Your Product Presentation: Once you've validated your idea and chosen your platform, your sales page becomes the most important asset. Your product's success hinges on your ability to communicate its value. Mastering how to write compelling product descriptions is a non-negotiable skill that directly translates into more sales.

Ultimately, your journey into digital products is about creating a sustainable business that serves your audience and rewards your expertise. The tools are ready and waiting. Now, armed with a strategy focused on demand, you have a clear path from creation to conversion. Go build something your audience will love.

The biggest bottleneck for creators isn't finding a free platform; it's confidently knowing what to sell. Rupa removes the guesswork by analyzing your social media audience to pinpoint exactly what digital products they're already asking you for. Stop guessing and start creating with data-driven confidence by visiting Rupa.