Easy Digital Downloads vs Shopify
A side-by-side look at Easy Digital Downloads and Shopify. On our scoring, Shopify comes out ahead — but the right pick depends on your priorities.
| Platform | ||
|---|---|---|
| Scores | ||
| SellingScene score | 4.0/5 | 4.7/5 |
| User rating | 4.1 | 4.7 |
| Reviews | 670 | 5,421 |
| Pricing | ||
| Starting price | Free | $39/mo |
| Pricing model | free core + annual pass for extensions | per month, billed monthly |
| Transaction fees | 0% (processor fees apply) | 2.9% + 30¢ (0% with Shopify Payments) |
| Hosting & setup | ||
| Hosting type | Self-hosted (WordPress) | Fully hosted (SaaS) |
| Free trial | Free core plugin | 3 days + $1/mo for 3 months |
| Staff accounts | WordPress roles | 2–15 by plan |
| Product limit | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Payments & security | ||
| Payment gateways | Stripe, PayPal + gateways | 100+ gateways + Shopify Payments |
| SSL included | Yes | Yes |
| PCI compliant | Yes | Yes |
| Gift cards | Yes | Yes |
| Catalog & content | ||
| Themes / templates | WordPress theme ecosystem | 12 free, 100+ paid |
| App marketplace | Official extensions library | 8,000+ apps |
| 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 | Yes |
| Support channels | Ticket support (pass), documentation | 24/7 live chat, phone callback, email |
| 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 Shopify?
Shopify remains the platform to beat. Its polished admin, best-in-class checkout, and enormous app ecosystem make it the safest choice for most merchants — provided you are comfortable using Shopify Payments to avoid extra transaction fees.
Best for: Growing brands that want everything in one place
Read the full Shopify review