Gumroad charges no monthly fee. As of October 2026 it takes 10% + $0.50 from each sale made through your profile or your own links, plus card processing of 2.9% + $0.30. Sales from new customers who find you through Gumroad's Discover feed carry a flat 30%, which already includes processing.
Gumroad is one of the easiest ways to start selling a digital product, and that simplicity comes from the fee model: you don't pay anything until you sell. The trade-off is that the percentage comes off every sale. I read Gumroad's pricing page and its help centre article on fees, and the help article has two rules that the pricing page doesn't mention.
Gumroad's fee on each type of sale
| How the buyer found you | Gumroad fee | Card processing |
|---|---|---|
| Your profile or a direct link you shared | 10% + $0.50 | Plus 2.9% + $0.30 |
| Gumroad Discover (new customers) | 30% | Included in the 30% |
| Direct sales after $20,000 in a calendar month | 5% + $0.50 | Plus 2.9% + $0.30 |
So a direct sale costs you the Gumroad fee and the card fee together, while a Discover sale is one bigger, all-in percentage. Discover can bring you buyers you'd never reach yourself, and that's what the higher rate is for.
The $20,000 a month rule
This is the detail most Gumroad fee guides miss. Gumroad's help centre says that once your paid sales in a calendar month reach $20,000, new direct sales that month drop to 5% + $0.50 instead of 10% + $0.50. You don't apply for it. It switches on by itself and resets on the 1st of each month. Two things to know: Discover sales stay at 30%, and a refund that takes you back under $20,000 puts new sales back on the normal rate until you cross the line again.
Tax is handled for you
Since January 1, 2025, Gumroad has acted as the merchant of record. In plain English, Gumroad collects and pays the sales tax, VAT or GST on your sales in the places where it has that duty, so you don't have to set up tax rules for each country. If you already file sales tax returns yourself, Gumroad offers a reseller certificate to explain those sales to your tax office.
Refunds and affiliate sales
- When you refund a sale, Gumroad returns its own fee on the refunded part, but the card processing part isn't returned.
- If an affiliate makes the sale, the fees are split between you and the affiliate in proportion to their commission. Gumroad's example: an affiliate on 30% commission pays 30% of the fees.
- Your sales CSV export shows the exact fee taken from every sale.
What Gumroad lets you sell
Gumroad's pricing page lists digital products, e-books, courses, tutorials and memberships, including podcasts and SaaS subscriptions. It also lists what isn't allowed: physical goods, illegal goods or services, securities and financial instruments, credit repair, gambling and lotteries, harassment and extremist content, piracy, and adult content. Check that list before you build a product around Gumroad.
How to check what Gumroad took
- Open your Gumroad dashboard and go to your sales analytics.
- Export your sales as a CSV file.
- Look at the fee column for each sale: direct sales show 10% + $0.50 (or 5% + $0.50 after the $20,000 mark), Discover sales show 30%.
- Compare what Gumroad paid out against your own records each month.
Gumroad says how it pays creators, by direct deposit or PayPal, depends on your country, so check the payout options for yours before your first sale.
If you're comparing creator platforms, see how much Patreon takes from creators and how a tipping platform compares before you decide where your product lives.
Gumroad or a store with a monthly plan?
The real choice is between a percentage and a fixed bill. Gumroad's model costs nothing in a quiet month and more in a busy one. A platform with a monthly plan costs the same every month, whether you sell one copy or a thousand. If your sales are small or unpredictable, the percentage model protects you. If they're large and steady, a flat plan usually leaves more in your pocket, and Gumroad's own $20,000 rule is its answer to that.
Plain advice for Gumroad sellers
Gumroad makes the most sense when you're starting out or selling in small volumes, because there's no monthly fee eating into slow months. Send your own audience to direct links so you pay 10% rather than 30%, and treat Discover sales as a bonus channel. If you're regularly passing $20,000 a month, run the numbers against a flat-fee platform, because at that point a monthly plan can work out better.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does Gumroad take per sale?
As of October 2026, Gumroad takes 10% + $0.50 on sales through your profile or direct links, plus card processing of 2.9% + $0.30. Sales through Gumroad Discover carry a flat 30%.
Does Gumroad have a monthly fee?
No. Gumroad's pricing page says there are no monthly charges. Its fees come out of each sale.
Why did Gumroad take 30% of my sale?
Gumroad charges 30% when a new customer finds and buys from you through its Discover feed. That 30% includes the processing fees.
Does Gumroad lower its fees for big sellers?
Yes. Once paid sales reach $20,000 in a calendar month, new direct sales that month drop to 5% + $0.50. It resets on the 1st of each month.
Does sending buyers to a direct link lower the Gumroad fee?
Yes. Sales through your profile or a direct link you share carry 10% + $0.50, while sales from new customers who find you on Gumroad Discover carry 30%.
Does Gumroad return its fee when a sale is refunded?
Gumroad returns its own fee on the refunded part of a sale. The card processing part isn't returned, because payment processors don't give it back on a refund.
Does Gumroad handle sales tax?
Yes. Gumroad has been the merchant of record since January 1, 2025, so it collects and pays sales tax, VAT and GST where it has that obligation.
