ComparisonMarch 1, 20265 min read
PayGate vs Gumroad: Why Creators Are Switching in 2026
Gumroad pioneered selling digital products online. But with a 10% transaction fee plus $0.50 per sale, many creators are looking for alternatives that let them keep more of what they earn. Here's how PayGate compares.
The fee problem
Gumroad charges a flat 10% fee on every sale plus $0.50 per transaction. When you're just starting out, that might feel invisible. But as your revenue grows, the math gets painful:
- Sell $1,000/month? Gumroad takes $100+
- Sell $5,000/month? Gumroad takes $500+
- Sell $10,000/month? Gumroad takes $1,000+
That's money that could go toward marketing, new products, or your own pocket. And here's the thing: Gumroad uses Stripe under the hood anyway. PayGate connects directly to your Stripe account, cutting out the middleman.
Fee comparison: how much you keep
Here's what you'd pay in platform fees at different revenue levels (excluding Stripe's standard 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee, which applies on all platforms):
Monthly RevenueGumroad (10%)PayGate Free (5%)PayGate Pro (2%)You Save
$1,000$100 + fees$50$32$68/mo
$5,000$500 + fees$250$112$388/mo
$10,000$1,000 + fees$500$212$788/mo
$50,000$5,000 + fees$2,500$1,012$3,988/mo
Feature-by-feature comparison
Lower fees are great, but PayGate also gives you tools Gumroad doesn't offer:
FeatureGumroadPayGate
Monthly costFreeFree / $12 Pro
Transaction fee10%5% free / 2% Pro
Per-sale fee$0.50$0
Checkout templates1 (fixed)8+ customizable
Custom CSSNoYes (Pro)
Exit intent popupsNoYes (Pro)
Order bumps / upsellsNoYes (Pro)
Countdown timersNoYes
Embeddable buy buttonLimitedYes (Pro)
QR code sharingNoYes (Pro)
Custom SEO meta tagsLimitedYes (Pro)
Revenue analyticsBasicYes (Pro)
Payments via StripeIndirect (Gumroad processes)Direct to your Stripe
Branding removalNoYes (Pro)
Who should switch?
PayGate is built for creators who want more control and lower costs:
- Notion template sellers tired of Gumroad's 10% cut
- Course creators who want exit intent popups and order bumps to boost revenue
- Ebook authors who want customizable checkout pages, not a generic Gumroad page
- Freelancers and coaches who need simple payment links with professional branding
- Anyone selling $500+/month where the fee savings quickly add up
If you're just starting out and selling a few dollars a month, Gumroad works fine. But the moment your revenue starts growing, every percentage point matters.
How to switch in 3 minutes
1
Create your free PayGate account
Sign up at pay-gate.dev and connect your Stripe account. Takes 60 seconds.
2
Build your checkout page
Pick from 8+ templates, add your product details, pricing, and images. Customize colors, add countdown timers, discount codes, and more.
3
Share your new link
Replace your Gumroad links with your new PayGate checkout URL. Share via link, QR code, embeddable button, or email.
Common questions
Do I need a Stripe account?
Yes. PayGate connects directly to your Stripe account so you receive payments instantly. If you don't have one, Stripe setup takes about 5 minutes.
Can I use PayGate for physical products?
PayGate is optimized for digital products, services, and subscriptions. If you're selling physical goods that need shipping, Gumroad or Shopify may be a better fit.
What about Gumroad's audience/discover feature?
Gumroad Discover sends some organic traffic, but most successful sellers drive their own traffic via Medium, social media, or SEO anyway. PayGate gives you better checkout tools to convert that traffic at a lower cost.
Is there a free plan?
Yes. PayGate's free plan gives you 3 checkout pages, 5 templates, and charges a 5% platform fee (half of Gumroad). Upgrade to Pro ($12/month) for unlimited pages, all templates, and just 2% fees.
Ready to keep more of your revenue?
Start for free. No credit card required. Build your first checkout page in under 60 seconds.