Easy Digital Downloads vs Shift4Shop
A side-by-side look at Easy Digital Downloads and Shift4Shop. On our scoring, Easy Digital Downloads comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | Shift4ShopAll-in-one | |
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| User rating | 4.1 | 3.7 |
| Reviews | 670 | 540 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Pricing model | free core + annual pass for extensions | free in the US with Shift4 Payments |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processor fees apply) | 0% with Shift4 Payments |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Self-hosted (WordPress) | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | Free core plugin | Free with Shift4 Payments |
| Staff accounts | WordPress roles | By plan |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Stripe, PayPal + gateways | Shift4 + 100+ gateways |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | WordPress theme ecosystem | 100+ themes |
| App marketplace | Official extensions library | App store & integrations |
| Multi-currency | No | Yes |
| Multi-language | Yes | Yes |
| POS included | No | Yes |
| Abandoned cart recovery | Yes | Yes |
| Built-in blog | Yes | Yes |
| Tools & flexibility | ||
| Drag-and-drop editor | Yes | Yes |
| API access | Yes | Yes |
| Mobile app | No | No |
| Support channels | Ticket support (pass), documentation | 24/7 phone, chat, email (US) |
| 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 Shift4Shop?
Shift4Shop (formerly 3dcart) offers a deep, feature-rich platform that becomes free if you process payments through Shift4. That bargain comes with dated interfaces and a payment lock-in that does not suit everyone.
Best for: US sellers who will use Shift4 payment processing
Read the full Shift4Shop review