Choosing the right platform to sell digital products affects everything from your profit margins to how professionally your business presents itself. Two platforms frequently appear in creator conversations: SendOwl and Payhip.

Both help you sell digital downloads, but they approach the problem from different angles and serve different types of sellers.

Payhip built its reputation on accessibility. Start for free, pay only when you sell, and get a complete hosted storefront without technical setup. The platform appeals to creators who want the simplest possible path to their first sale.

SendOwl offers comprehensive ecommerce infrastructure designed for creators building sustainable digital businesses. Advanced security features, flexible delivery options, and professional marketing tools come standard. The platform integrates with existing websites rather than replacing them.

This comparison examines both platforms in detail, evaluating feature sets, security capabilities, pricing models, customization options, and scalability. Whether you're launching your first digital product or optimizing an established business, understanding how SendOwl and Payhip differ will help you make the right choice.

SendOwl vs Payhip at a glance





The fundamental difference in approach

Before diving into features and pricing, it's worth understanding what each platform is actually trying to do.

Payhip positions itself as an all-in-one solution for creators who need a complete online presence. The platform provides a hosted storefront, handles payment processing, delivers products, and even manages EU/UK VAT compliance automatically. You can be selling within minutes of signing up, with no existing website required.

This approach appeals to solopreneurs, course creators, and independent sellers who want simplicity above all else. Payhip handles the technical infrastructure so creators can focus entirely on their products and customers.

SendOwl delivers professional-grade ecommerce infrastructure that integrates with your existing web presence.

Rather than replacing your website, SendOwl adds powerful selling capabilities behind the scenes. You embed buy buttons or checkout forms on your WordPress site, Shopify store, or custom website. Customers purchase directly from your brand while SendOwl handles payment processing, security, and digital delivery invisibly.

This shopping cart approach offers maximum control over customer experience and brand presentation. SendOwl works with creators who already have established platforms and want to add sophisticated selling capabilities without forcing customers into a third-party ecosystem.

Neither approach is inherently superior. Your ideal platform depends on where you are in your business journey, how much control you need, and what technical infrastructure you already have.

Platform architecture: hosted storefront versus integrated shopping cart

The most fundamental difference between Payhip and SendOwl is how they fit into your business.

Payhip's hosted storefront approach

Payhip provides everything you need to sell online in one package. When you sign up, you get a complete storefront at a URL like payhip.com/yourname, or you can connect your own custom domain for free.

The platform includes a drag-and-drop store builder that lets you customize colors, layouts, and branding without touching code. You create product pages, set prices, and start selling immediately. Payhip handles hosting, security, payment processing, and file delivery automatically.

This all-in-one approach offers immediate simplicity. You don't need an existing website, domain knowledge, or technical skills. Everything happens within Payhip's ecosystem, which manages the entire customer journey from discovery to download.

The platform also offers an embed option. If you do have an existing website, you can add Payhip buy buttons or checkout widgets to your pages. This provides some integration flexibility while still using Payhip's infrastructure for transactions and delivery.

For creators without technical resources or established web presences, this complete solution removes every barrier to selling online.

SendOwl's integrated shopping cart model

SendOwl takes a different approach entirely.

SendOwl provides shopping cart functionality that plugs into your existing web presence. You embed buy buttons or checkout forms on your WordPress site, Squarespace page, Shopify store, or custom website. Customers feel like they're purchasing directly from you because they are. SendOwl works invisibly in the background.

This integration model offers maximum branding control. Your product pages, sales copy, design, and customer experience remain entirely in your hands. SendOwl handles the technical complexities of payment processing, security, and digital delivery without requiring customers to leave your site or recognize a third-party platform.

The platform integrates seamlessly with major website builders and ecommerce platforms including Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, Wix, and Weebly. The Shopify integration is particularly powerful, letting you add digital product delivery to an existing Shopify store without disrupting your current setup.

You can also sell through social media by sharing direct payment links, or embed checkout forms virtually anywhere you can paste code. For creators who need a simple starting point, SendOwl offers a basic hosted option as well.

This approach requires slightly more initial setup than Payhip's instant storefront, but offers substantially more control over your customer's journey and brand experience.

Pricing models: transaction fees versus flat subscriptions

The pricing philosophies of these platforms differ dramatically, and understanding the math matters for your profitability.

Payhip's transaction-fee model

Payhip uses a tiered pricing structure based on transaction fees rather than sales volume limits.

Free Forever plan: $0 per month with a 5% transaction fee on every sale

Plus plan: $29 per month with a 2% transaction fee

Pro plan: $99 per month with no transaction fees

All plans include every feature Payhip offers. There's no feature gating. You get unlimited products, unlimited revenue potential, affiliate programs, course builders, and marketing tools on every tier, including the free plan.

This structure works well for sellers at different stages. New creators can start for free and only pay when they make sales. As revenue grows, upgrading to reduce transaction fees makes mathematical sense.

Note that Payhip's fees are in addition to payment processor fees from PayPal or Stripe, which typically run 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.

Per-transaction costs help align costs with when you are actually making revenue, but the continue to grow as you scale.

SendOwl's flat subscription model

SendOwl uses flat monthly pricing based on usage tiers rather than transaction fees.

Starter plan: $39 per month for up to 5,000 orders and $10,000 in sales annually

Standard plan: $87 per month for up to 25,000 orders and $36,000 in sales annually

Pro plan: $159 per month for up to 50,000 orders and $100,000 in sales annually

All plans include every feature. PDF stamping, upsells, cart abandonment, affiliate programs, and advanced security work identically across tiers. The only differences are usage limits and storage allocations.

SendOwl charges no transaction fees whatsoever. Your only variable costs are payment processor fees from Stripe or PayPal.

This flat-rate model provides predictable expenses and keeps more revenue in your pocket as sales grow. A creator doing $100,000 annually pays $159 per month regardless of transaction volume. On Payhip's free plan, that same revenue would cost $5,000 in transaction fees.

Which pricing model wins?

The answer depends entirely on your sales volume and revenue.

For very low volume sellers testing product ideas, Payhip's free plan eliminates upfront risk. You pay nothing until you sell something.

For established sellers with consistent revenue, SendOwl's flat pricing becomes dramatically more economical. The absence of transaction fees means your platform costs stay constant even as sales grow.

At higher revenue levels, SendOwl's flat pricing provides substantial savings. The math favors Payhip only for very early-stage sellers still validating their products.

Security and file protection

For creators selling digital products, preventing unauthorized distribution directly impacts revenue. Both platforms offer security features, though with different levels of sophistication.

SendOwl's comprehensive security suite

SendOwl built its platform with security as a core feature, offering multiple layers of protection that work together.

• PDF stamping embeds buyer information directly into PDF files. Each download includes visible or invisible stamps showing the purchaser's name, email, order number, or custom text. This discourages sharing because recipients know the file traces back to the original buyer. Stamping happens automatically at download time.
• Expiring download links give you control over how long purchase links remain active. Set links to expire after hours, days, or weeks, or after a specific number of download attempts. Once expired, customers must request new links, preventing indefinite access or widespread link sharing.
• Download attempt limits restrict how many times a single purchase link can be used. Allow three attempts per purchase to accommodate legitimate needs while preventing someone from distributing a working link to dozens of people.
• Unique buyer restrictions ensure each purchase link works only for the original buyer. The system can verify email addresses or IP addresses, making it difficult for customers to share functional download links.
• Streaming without downloads works for video and audio content. Customers stream in their browsers without ever receiving downloadable files. This provides ultimate protection for video courses, music, or audio content where you want complete control.
• License key generation helps software developers protect their products. SendOwl automatically generates unique keys for each purchase, manages activation, and tracks usage. You define the terms, and SendOwl handles implementation.

These features work automatically once configured, providing enterprise-level protection without ongoing management.

Payhip's security features

Payhip includes security basics that protect most digital products adequately.

• PDF stamping adds buyer information to PDF files, similar to SendOwl's implementation.
• License key generation creates unique keys for software products automatically.
• Download limits restrict the number of times customers can access their purchases.
• Secure file hosting ensures products are delivered through protected links rather than exposed URLs.

For standard digital products like ebooks, templates, and simple courses, Payhip's security suffices. However, the platform lacks some of SendOwl's advanced capabilities like streaming-only delivery, sophisticated expiration controls, and per-buyer IP restrictions.

Creators selling high-value courses, proprietary software, or premium content where piracy could significantly impact revenue will find SendOwl's security substantially more robust.

Marketing and conversion tools

Selling digital products requires more than accepting payments. Effective platforms provide tools that actively help increase revenue.

SendOwl's revenue optimization features

SendOwl includes comprehensive marketing tools designed to maximize revenue from every visitor.

One-click upsells present additional offers immediately after purchase. Someone buying a beginner ebook might see an instant offer for an advanced course at a discount. Since payment information is already captured, customers accept with a single click. This dramatically increases average order values without additional marketing effort.

Abandoned cart recovery automatically emails customers who add products but don't complete purchases. These reminder emails can recover 20-30% of abandoned sales. You customize timing, messaging, and follow-up sequences.

Affiliate program management lets you recruit promoters who earn commissions for driving sales. SendOwl handles affiliate links, commission tracking, payment calculations, and reporting. Set commission percentages, create custom materials, and manage payouts within the platform.

Promotional codes and discounts support sophisticated campaigns. Create percentage discounts, fixed-amount reductions, buy-one-get-one offers, or bundle deals. Set redemption limits, expiration dates, minimum requirements, or product restrictions.

Drip content scheduling releases products over time rather than delivering everything immediately. Essential for course creators. Students receive lessons according to your schedule, reducing overwhelm and improving completion rates.

Product bundles package multiple items into curated collections at special rates, increasing average order values while providing more customer value.

Email marketing integrations connect SendOwl with Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Drip, ActiveCampaign, and others. Purchases automatically trigger list additions, enabling immediate follow-up sequences.

Payhip's marketing features

Payhip provides solid marketing fundamentals on every plan, including the free tier.

Affiliate program lets you recruit promoters and track commissions, though with less sophisticated management than SendOwl offers.

Discount codes support percentage and fixed-amount promotions with basic limitations.

Pay-what-you-want pricing lets customers name their own price with optional minimums, useful for building goodwill or charitable causes.

Email marketing is built directly into the platform, letting you message customers without third-party tools. However, functionality is basic compared to dedicated email platforms.

Social discounts encourage sharing by offering discounts when customers post about purchases on social media.

Upsells are available, allowing you to suggest related products during checkout.

Payhip covers the marketing basics well. For creators who need simple promotional tools, the platform delivers. Those building sophisticated funnels or maximizing revenue per customer will find SendOwl's advanced features more powerful.

Product types and delivery options

Both platforms handle basic digital downloads, but they differ in versatility.

SendOwl's product flexibility

SendOwl accommodates virtually any digital product type.

Digital downloads of any file type upload and deliver automatically. PDFs, videos, audio, software, ebooks, images, templates, and compressed archives all work seamlessly. Higher-tier plans offer generous storage with no file size restrictions.

Subscriptions and recurring payments support membership sites, monthly content deliveries, or SaaS products. Customers pay automatically while receiving ongoing access.

Drip content releases materials over time, perfect for courses. Students receive content according to your schedule rather than everything at once.

License keys generate automatically for software products with full activation management.

Video and audio streaming delivers content directly to browsers without downloadable files, protecting high-value content from unauthorized distribution.

Pay-what-you-want pricing lets customers set their own price with optional minimums.

Services and bookings extend beyond pure digital products. Sell coaching sessions, consulting hours, or virtual workshops.

Bundles and packages combine multiple products into single offers at special rates.

SendOwl doesn't include a native course builder. Instead, it integrates with dedicated learning management systems like Teachable, Thinkific, or WordPress LMS plugins. For creators who want robust course features, this integration approach often provides better functionality than built-in alternatives.

Payhip's product capabilities

Payhip offers broad product support with some unique strengths.

Digital downloads handle all common file types with automatic delivery.

Online courses benefit from Payhip's built-in course builder. Create courses with videos, files, quizzes, and assignments. Drip content and completion certificates come standard. For creators who want courses without a separate LMS, this integrated approach simplifies setup.

Coaching services integrate with Zoom, Calendly, and other scheduling tools, letting you sell one-on-one sessions directly.

Memberships and subscriptions support recurring payments for exclusive content or community access.

Physical products can be sold alongside digital offerings, with inventory management, fulfillment tracking, and promotion tools. SendOwl handles physical products as well, but Payhip's implementation is more robust.

For creators selling courses specifically, Payhip's built-in course builder provides convenience. For those wanting maximum course functionality, dedicated platforms integrated with SendOwl may offer more sophisticated features.

VAT and tax handling

Selling digital products internationally means dealing with complex tax requirements, particularly EU and UK VAT regulations.

Payhip's automatic VAT compliance

Payhip acts as a partial merchant of record for EU and UK VAT purposes. This means Payhip handles everything: detecting customer locations, calculating correct VAT rates, collecting the tax at checkout, and remitting payments to relevant tax authorities.

For creators selling to European customers, this automatic compliance eliminates significant administrative burden. You don't need to register for VAT in multiple countries, track rates, or file returns. Payhip manages it completely.

Please note that this does not make Payhip a global merchant of record in all jurisdictions.

The platform also supports other tax configurations. Set custom tax rates for different countries or states, and Payhip applies them automatically and includes taxes in your reports.

This comprehensive tax handling represents one of Payhip's strongest features, particularly for international sellers.

SendOwl's tax tracking

SendOwl takes a different approach to taxes. The platform tracks all relevant tax information and provides detailed reports, but doesn't act as a merchant of record.

You can configure tax rates for different regions, and SendOwl will apply them to transactions and report them accurately. However, the responsibility for registering with tax authorities and remitting collected taxes remains with you.

For sellers based in jurisdictions without complex VAT requirements, or those who have already established tax compliance processes, this approach works fine. For creators specifically wanting to avoid EU/UK VAT administration, Payhip's automatic handling provides clear advantages.

Customization and branding

How much control do you have over customer experience and brand presentation?

SendOwl's white-label approach

Because SendOwl operates as an integrated shopping cart, you maintain complete control over customer-facing design. Your website design, product pages, sales copy, and aesthetic remain entirely in your hands.

SendOwl's checkout can be customized with your branding elements, colors, and styling to match your site seamlessly. Customers experience a cohesive journey from browsing to purchase without recognizing third-party involvement.

For creators selling through multiple channels (website, Shopify, social media), SendOwl adapts to each context while maintaining consistent functionality.

Payhip's template-based customization

Payhip's store builder offers meaningful customization within its templated structure. Adjust colors, fonts, layouts, and sections using drag-and-drop tools. Add your logo, customize product pages, and create a branded experience.

However, you're working within Payhip's framework. While the platform offers more flexibility than some competitors, it doesn't match the complete design freedom of building on your own website with SendOwl integration.

For creators without existing websites, Payhip provides sufficient customization to create professional-looking stores. For those with established brands requiring pixel-perfect consistency, SendOwl's integration approach offers more control.

Integrations

Your digital products platform shouldn't exist in isolation.

SendOwl's extensive ecosystem

SendOwl connects with major platforms across multiple categories:

Ecommerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, Squarespace, Wix, Weebly

Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal

Email marketing: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Drip, ActiveCampaign, AWeber

Webhooks and APIs enable custom integrations with virtually any platform

Zapier support connects SendOwl with thousands of applications

The Shopify integration deserves special mention. SendOwl adds digital product delivery to Shopify stores seamlessly, handling everything from file hosting to secure delivery while keeping orders synchronized with your Shopify dashboard.

Payhip's integration options

Payhip integrates with essential tools:

Payment processors: Stripe, PayPal

Email marketing: Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and others via Zapier

Scheduling: Zoom, Calendly for coaching products

Zapier support provides connections to additional platforms

Notably absent is direct Shopify integration. Payhip operates as a standalone storefront rather than integrating with existing ecommerce platforms. Creators already using Shopify would need to maintain separate systems rather than adding Payhip capabilities to their existing store.

Support and resources

When issues arise, quality support matters.

SendOwl's priority support

SendOwl provides email support with response time guarantees based on plan level. Priority support on standard plans targets 5 business hour initial response. VIP support on Pro plans targets 2 business hours.

The platform maintains comprehensive documentation covering setup, features, integrations, and common scenarios. The support team understands digital product challenges specifically, providing relevant guidance for security concerns, delivery issues, and marketing optimization.

Payhip's email support

Payhip offers email support with generally positive response times reported by users. The help center includes guides and tutorials covering platform features.

Support is email-only without live chat or phone options. For straightforward questions, resources and email support suffice. Complex technical issues may require more back-and-forth than some creators prefer.

Who should choose which platform?

SendOwl excels for:

Creators with existing websites who want to add powerful selling capabilities without replacing their current platform. SendOwl integrates rather than replaces.

Shopify store owners needing digital product delivery. The seamless integration keeps everything synchronized within your existing Shopify workflow.

High-volume sellers where flat monthly pricing becomes dramatically more economical than transaction fees. The math favors SendOwl increasingly as revenue grows.

Creators requiring advanced security selling premium courses, proprietary software, or high-value content. SendOwl's comprehensive protection features discourage piracy and unauthorized sharing.

Established businesses prioritizing maximum control over customer experience and brand presentation. SendOwl works invisibly behind your existing design.

Sellers with complex marketing needs requiring sophisticated upsells, affiliate programs, abandoned cart sequences, and conversion optimization tools.

Payhip excels for:

Creators starting from zero who need a complete solution without existing infrastructure. Payhip provides storefront, hosting, payments, and delivery in one package.

Course creators wanting simplicity who prefer built-in course tools over integrating separate LMS platforms. Payhip's course builder handles basics without additional complexity.

Sellers with limited budgets who can't commit to monthly subscriptions before validating products. Payhip's free plan with transaction fees eliminates upfront risk.

International sellers prioritizing VAT compliance who want to avoid EU/UK VAT administration entirely. Payhip's automatic handling removes significant complexity.

Creators selling coaching services who benefit from built-in scheduling integrations and one-on-one session management.

Sellers wanting physical and digital products together in a unified storefront with integrated inventory management.

Making your decision

SendOwl and Payhip serve different creator needs with distinct approaches.

Choose SendOwl if you:

• Have an existing website or Shopify store
• Want maximum control over branding and customer experience
• Need advanced security features like streaming-only delivery
• Require sophisticated marketing tools and affiliate management
• Expect revenue growth where flat pricing beats transaction fees
• Prefer integration flexibility over all-in-one simplicity

Choose Payhip if you:

• Need a complete storefront without existing infrastructure
• Want automatic EU/UK VAT compliance without administration
• Prefer paying transaction fees over monthly subscriptions
• Sell online courses and want built-in course creation tools
• Need coaching session management with scheduling integration
• Prioritize absolute simplicity over advanced features

Neither platform is objectively superior. SendOwl provides professional-grade infrastructure for serious digital businesses. Payhip offers accessibility and simplicity for creators who want the easiest path to selling online.

Consider your current situation and future trajectory. If you're testing ideas with minimal commitment, Payhip's free plan removes barriers. If you're building a sustainable business around digital products, SendOwl's comprehensive feature set and economical pricing at scale provide stronger foundations for growth.

The right platform supports your business goals rather than limiting them. Evaluate both against your specific requirements, and choose the one that empowers your digital product vision.

Written by The SendOwl Team

Helping people sell digital goods in a better way.