Shopify vs Easy Digital Downloads: My Verdict for 2025

Shopify and Easy Digital Downloads are two major players in the eCommerce space—but which one’s better for selling digital products?

We’ve spent over 200 hours researching and testing the top platforms to help you make the best choice for your online store.

After running the numbers and testing both platforms hands-on, Shopify takes the lead as the most beginner-friendly option.

But EDD has its strengths, especially for WordPress users focused on digital-only sales.

Shopify vs Easy Digital Downloads Quick Verdict

Shopify – Best for ease of use and growing a digital product business fast

Easy Digital Downloads – Best for total control and lower long-term costs if you're selling only digital goods

In this guide, I’ll compare both platforms in-depth, including pricing, sales tools, customization options, and more, to help you choose the right fit for your business.

Shopify is best for:

Creators and entrepreneurs who want a quick, low-maintenance way to sell digital products Sellers who might expand into physical products later

EDD is best for:

WordPress users focused entirely on digital goods Store owners who want full control and to avoid monthly platform fees

This article was updated on 01/31/25 with the latest pricing and features. Keep reading for the full breakdown.

Quick Comparison: Shopify vs Easy Digital Downloads

If you’re in a hurry, here’s a quick summary of how Shopify and EDD compare when it comes to selling digital products:

ShopifyEasy Digital Downloads (EDD)Overall rating4.84.2Starting Price$39/month (after trial)Free (core plugin), paid plans from $99/yearPros– All-in-one hosted platform
– Beginner-friendly setup
– 100+ payment gateways
– Large app ecosystem
– Built-in marketing tools– Built specifically for digital products
– Zero transaction fees
– Fully customizable via WordPress
– Great for licensing and subscriptions
– Cheaper long-term if you're tech-savvyCons– Monthly fees add up
– Transaction fees unless using Shopify Payments
– Limited flexibility without custom code
– Native digital product support requires apps– Requires WordPress + hosting
– Steep learning curve for beginners
– Relies on plugins for core features
– No visual editor or built-in theme systemFree plan or trial3-day free trial, then 3 months for $1/monthFree core plugin, paid extensions availableNumber of Templates200+ themesDepends on WordPress theme, not EDD-specificBest ForSellers who want fast setup and bundled toolsWordPress users focused on digital-only productsVisitVisit ShopifyVisit EDD

Both platforms can sell digital products effectively, but the experience differs significantly. Let’s break it down further.

Best for Pricing: Shopify

While EDD offers a free version, Shopify's pricing is more predictable and beginner-friendly. You know exactly what you're paying, and everything—from hosting to support—is included.

There’s no guesswork, no hidden plugin costs, and no piecing together a stack of tools just to get your store running.

With Shopify, your store is ready to go right out of the box. That convenience is baked into the price, which makes it ideal for beginners or anyone who just wants to start selling without thinking too much about the tech stack.

Sure, it’s not the cheapest on the market, but the value is in the ease and speed of execution.

Shopify Pricing Plans PlanPrice (per month, billed annually)IncludesBasic$39Digital sales support, apps, 24/7 supportShopify$105Advanced reports, lower feesAdvanced$399Best for scaling and larger teams

You can get started with Shopify for just $1/month for your first 3 months. That’s ideal if you’re testing the waters. Most people can build, launch, and start making sales during that intro period—making it one of the most accessible entry points in eCommerce.

And remember, Shopify includes:

Hosting and SSL Unlimited products A mobile-optimized storefront App access and theme library 24/7 support

This means there are no separate costs for hosting, backups, or basic maintenance, unlike WordPress-based platforms.

EDD Pricing Options OptionCostNotesCore PluginFreeBasic functionalityPersonal Pass$99/yearIncludes Stripe, MailchimpExtended Pass$199+/yearSubscriptions, software licensing, and more

EDD appears cheaper upfront, but you’ll need to install—and in many cases, pay for—extra plugins for basic features like:

Stripe or PayPal payments Recurring billing Email automation Analytics and reporting

And you’ll also need to factor in:

Monthly hosting ($5–$20/month for decent speed) Security (free with some hosts, paid with others) Plugin updates and compatibility issues over time

So while the initial costs look appealing, the overall pricing structure with EDD is more fragmented and unpredictable—especially as your store grows and you need more features.

For store owners already comfortable with WordPress, that may not be an issue. But if you're looking for a cleaner, more transparent cost model, Shopify delivers better.

Real Talk: Which One Saves You More Money?

If you’re building a simple, one-product store and already have a WordPress site, EDD might save you some cash in the short term.

But once you factor in paid add-ons, hosting, and your time managing updates and tech issues, it quickly levels out—or tilts in Shopify’s favour.

On the other hand, Shopify’s pricing looks more expensive at first glance, but you’re paying for a managed experience, built-in scalability, and the time savings of not needing to piece together multiple tools.

Over a year, that simplicity saves you hours, and those hours can be spent on growth and sales.

The Winner

✅ Shopify wins for pricing, due to its simplicity, bundled features, and beginner-friendly $1 launch deal. Even if the monthly price is higher, what you get for it—especially if you're new to selling online—is worth every penny.

Best for Selling Digital Products: It’s a Tie

Easy Digital Downloads was built for digital sales. The entire platform is focused on helping you sell downloadable goods in the most streamlined way possible.

From licensing to file delivery and customer tracking, EDD gives you the kind of control and specificity digital sellers need—without the clutter of features meant for physical products.

The moment you install EDD, you're ready to sell things like eBooks, courses, templates, music, or software. There's no need to bolt on third-party tools just to enable downloads or manage customers.

You can keep everything inside one plugin ecosystem and tailor it to exactly how your store runs.

EDD Features for Digital Products Secure file delivery with access expiration Built-in customer management dashboard License key generation (paid add-on) Subscription-based billing with renewal reminders Detailed reports for digital product performance Restrict downloads by user, product, or number of attempts Integrates with major WordPress plugins like LearnDash, AffiliateWP, and more

In short: EDD is digital-first, and it shows. It feels like the platform was designed with digital creators in mind, not just as an afterthought.

That said, Shopify has stepped up its game when it comes to digital sales. While digital products aren’t its main focus, the experience has improved significantly—especially if you're already planning to use Shopify for a hybrid store that includes physical items.

To sell digital products on Shopify, you’ll need to install the Digital Downloads app (free), or use a more advanced tool like Sky Pilot or SendOwl.

These apps handle file storage, delivery, and gating, but each comes with its own limitations, especially on the free versions.

Shopify Digital Features Basic file delivery via Shopify’s free Digital Downloads app Ability to bundle digital + physical products in a single order Optional integration with Sky Pilot, SendOwl, or FetchApp for advanced delivery Auto-email download links after purchase Built-in tax handling for digital goods App-based gating and drip content (with paid tools)

The biggest strength Shopify brings to digital sales is its infrastructure. You get a super reliable checkout system, secure hosting, and an app store packed with upgrade options. Even if it requires more setup, Shopify gives you a lot of flexibility if you’re willing to explore its third-party tools.

Key Differences: EDD vs Shopify for Digital Sales FeatureEDDShopifyBuilt-in digital delivery✅ Native support❌ Requires appLicense key generation✅ Add-on available❌ Requires integrationBundling digital + physical❌ Not native✅ SupportedFile expiration + access limits✅ Built-in✅ With appSubscription support✅ With paid extension✅ Via appsLearning curve❌ Requires WordPress knowledge✅ Beginner-friendlySetup timeLongerFaster My Take

If you're focused entirely on digital products, especially things like software, templates, or online courses, EDD is more streamlined and flexible. It was made for that purpose, and you can feel it in every step of the setup and selling process.

But if you're looking to build a hybrid store, or want to simplify operations with a fully hosted platform, Shopify does a solid job once you've set up the right app stack. It’s a better fit if you need speed, scalability, and an all-in-one environment.

The Winner