Sellfy vs Payhip Fees (2026): Which Is Cheaper at $500, $2k, $5k & $10k?
Introduction
Sellfy and Payhip are two popular platforms for creators selling digital products, courses, and memberships but their fee structures work very differently.
Instead of generic feature comparisons, this guide answers the real question creators ask - Which platform is cheaper at your actual monthly revenue level?
Quick Look
$500/month: Payhip is cheaper
$2k–$5k/month: Payhip usually costs less
$10k+/month: Sellfy can become more predictable
How Sellfy and Payhip Charge Fees
Sellfy
Monthly subscription required
0% platform transaction fees
Stripe or PayPal processing fees apply
Payhip
Free plan available
5%, 2%, or 0% per sale depending on plan
Stripe or PayPal processing fees apply
Fee Model Comparison (Overview)
| Platform | Pricing Model | Platform Transaction Fee | Payout Speed | Best For | VAT Handling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Free / Paid tiers | 5% / 2% / 0% | 1–2 days (Stripe/PayPal) | Course creators, digital downloads | Yes |
| Sellfy | Subscription | 0% | 1–2 days (Stripe/PayPal) | eCommerce + creators | Yes |
| Gumroad | Flat-rate | 10% + payment fee | 1–2 days | Artists, indie creators | Yes |
| Stripe | Flat-rate | 2.9% + $0.30 | 2–3 days / Instant (fee) | Developers, global businesses | No |
| PayPal | Flat-rate | 2.99% + fixed fee | Instant / 1–3 days | Global creators | No |
To understand how payment processing fees are calculated behind the scenes, see our ultimate guide to card processing for small businesses.
Real Cost Comparison by Monthly Sales (2026)
$500 per month in sales
| Platform | Best Plan | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Free | ~$40–45 |
| Sellfy | Starter | ~$55–60 |
Winner: Payhip
$2000 per month in sales
| Platform | Best Plan | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Plus | ~$130–150 |
| Sellfy | Starter | ~$175–190 |
Winner: Payhip
The Payhip dashboard makes it easy to track sales, payouts, and fees in real time. Creators can see exactly how much they’re paying in platform and processing fees, which is especially useful when comparing costs at different revenue levels.
$5000 per month in sales
| Platform | Best Plan | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Pro | ~$240–260 |
| Sellfy | Business | ~$290–310 |
Winner: Payhip (only just!)
$10,000 per month in sales
| Platform | Best Plan | Estimated Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Payhip | Pro | ~$390–420 |
| Sellfy | Business | ~$360–400 |
Winner: Sellfy (narrow margin)
Who Should Choose Payhip
Choose Payhip if you:
earn under ~$5k per month
want a free plan to start
sell courses or memberships
need automatic VAT handling
We break down Payhip’s plans and percentage fees in detail in our Payhip pricing & fees guide.
Who Should Choose Sellfy
Choose Sellfy if you:
earn $10k+ per month
want predictable monthly costs
focus on branded storefronts
prefer zero platform fees
Sellfy focuses more on storefront design and branding, which is one reason its subscription plans cost more than percentage-based platforms. For creators who value a polished, branded store experience, this added cost can make sense as revenue grows.
ScaleUp Tip
If you’re earning under $5,000 per month, Payhip is usually the cheaper option.
As revenue grows, Sellfy’s flat subscription model can become more predictable and competitive.
The best choice depends less on features and more on how much you sell each month.
If you’re comparing multiple tools, our guide to the best card processing solutions for creators covers alternatives and use cases.
FAQs: Sellfy vs Payhip Fees
Is Sellfy or Payhip cheaper? Payhip is cheaper at lower revenue levels, while Sellfy can be cheaper at higher volumes where percentage fees add up.
Does Sellfy charge transaction fees? No. Sellfy charges 0% platform fees, but monthly subscription and payment processing fees apply.
Does Payhip take a cut of sales? Yes. Payhip charges 5%, 2%, or 0% per sale depending on your plan.
Which platform is better for beginners?Payhip is usually better for beginners because it offers a free plan with full features.
Which platform scales better? Sellfy scales well for high-volume creators who want predictable monthly costs instead of percentage-based fees.
