Easy Digital Downloads vs Patreon
A side-by-side look at Easy Digital Downloads and Patreon. On our scoring, Easy Digital Downloads comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| User rating | 4.1 | 4 |
| Reviews | 670 | 1,480 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | free core + annual pass for extensions | no monthly fee, percentage of income |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processor fees apply) | 8–12% of monthly income (plus processing) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Self-hosted (WordPress) | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | Free core plugin | Free to start |
| Staff accounts | WordPress roles | Team access |
| Product limit | Unlimited | N/A (membership tiers) |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Stripe, PayPal + gateways | Patreon-managed (cards, PayPal) |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | WordPress theme ecosystem | Creator page styling |
| App marketplace | Official extensions library | Apps & integrations |
| Multi-currency | No | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | No |
| POS included | No | No |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | No |
| Built-in blog | Yes | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | No |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | No | Yes |
| Support channels | Ticket support (pass), documentation | Help center, email, creator support |
| Actions | Read review | Read review |
Why pick Easy Digital Downloads?
Easy Digital Downloads is the specialist choice for selling digital goods on WordPress, with clean license and subscription handling that WooCommerce bolts on awkwardly. You will buy extension passes to unlock its full power.
Best for: WordPress users selling files and licenses
Read the full Easy Digital Downloads reviewWhy pick Patreon?
Patreon is the default home for recurring fan memberships, with tiers, gated posts, and a community layer that keeps supporters engaged. Its fees plus payment processing take a real bite, and discovery on-platform is weak.
Best for: Creators building recurring membership income
Read the full Patreon review