I spent the first two months of 2026 selling the same digital product across eight different platforms. I tracked every fee, every payout delay, and every hidden cost. Here is exactly what I found - and why I moved everything to one platform by the end.
The Problem Every Digital Creator Knows
If you sell digital products online - ebooks, templates, courses, audio, graphics, software, or anything else - you have probably felt this sting: you price a product at $25, a customer buys it, and you get $21. Or $22. Or sometimes less.
Every platform takes a cut. Some call it a "transaction fee." Others call it a "platform fee." Some charge you monthly just for the privilege of having a store. And the worst part? Most platforms also delay your payouts for days or even weeks.
I wanted to find a platform where I could keep 100% of my revenue and get paid instantly. So I tested them all.
What I Tested: 8 Platforms, One Product, Real Numbers
I took a simple digital product - a design template bundle priced at $25 - and sold it across eight platforms. I tracked exactly what each platform charged me per sale and how long it took to actually receive my money.
The platforms: Gumroad, Payhip, Sellfy, Lemon Squeezy, Ko-fi, Podia, Stan Store, and 3DIMLI.
The Fees Comparison: Sell a $25 Product 100 Times
This is where it gets real. $2,500 in gross revenue. Here is what you actually keep:
| Platform | Fee Structure | You Keep (of $2,500) | You Lose | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gumroad | 10% flat | $2,250 | $250 | Weekly |
| Payhip (Free) | 5% per txn | $2,375 | $125 | Instant (PayPal) |
| Sellfy | $29/mo starter | $2,152 | $348/yr | Via PayPal/Stripe |
| Lemon Squeezy | 5% + 50c/txn | $2,275 | $225 | Bi-weekly |
| Ko-fi (Free) | 0% (PayPal fees only) | ~$2,390 | ~$110 | Instant (PayPal) |
| Podia | $39/mo + 5% free plan | $2,032 | $468/yr | 2 business days |
| Stan Store | $29/mo Creator | $2,152 | $348/yr | 3-5 business days |
| 3DIMLI | 0% commission | $2,500 | $0 | Instant |
Note: Payment processor fees (Stripe/PayPal) apply on all platforms including 3DIMLI. The difference is 3DIMLI adds nothing on top.
On Gumroad, you lose $250 out of $2,500. On 3DIMLI, you lose $0 in platform fees. Scale that to $10,000 in sales and you have saved $1,000.
Why 3DIMLI Stood Out
After testing all eight platforms, I moved everything to 3DIMLI. Here is why.
0% Commission - You Keep Everything
3DIMLI takes zero commission on your sales. No 5%, no 10%, no hidden processing surcharge. When a customer pays you $25, you get $25 minus only the standard Stripe or PayPal processing fee that every platform has.
During beta, platform access is completely free. After beta, they plan to offer either a flat monthly subscription or a flexible revenue-sharing model - but payouts always go directly to your connected account.
Instant Payouts
On most platforms, you sell something Monday and get paid Friday. Or next week.
On 3DIMLI, payments go directly to your connected payment account (PayPal, Stripe, or Razorpay) the moment a buyer completes the purchase. No "withdrawal request" step. No waiting period.
8 Product Types - Not Just for 3D Artists
The name might suggest it is only for 3D modelers. It is not. The platform supports:
- 3D Models - For game devs, architects, and artists
- E-Books - PDF, ePub, Mobi formats
- Audio - Music, SFX, sample packs
- Graphics - Icons, textures, illustrations, digital art
- Software - Apps, plugins, tools with license key support
- Video - Tutorials, stock footage, motion graphics
- AI Models - LoRAs, checkpoints, neural networks
- Link Products - The game-changer (keep reading)
Link Products - Sell Literally Anything with a URL
Link Products are what make 3DIMLI work for any digital creator. Instead of uploading a file, you provide a URL that buyers receive after purchase.
You can sell:
- Online courses - Link to Teachable, Udemy, or your private course
- Community access - Discord, Slack, Telegram group invites
- Notion/Canva templates - Link to your template page
- Google Drive files - Share download links
- Booking links - Sell consultations via Calendly or Cal.com
- Software licenses - Link to your license portal
- Premium newsletters - Exclusive content access
- Anything with a URL - If it lives online, you can sell it
No file size limits. No upload restrictions. You host the content wherever you want.
Product Variants and Flexible Pricing
Each product can have multiple license types (Standard, Commercial Redistribution, Editorial Use Only, CC BY 4.0), each with its own pricing. You can offer fixed pricing, pay-what-you-want with min/max/suggested amounts, or make some variants free.
Three Payment Gateways
PayPal, Stripe, and Razorpay. The Razorpay option is a big deal for Indian creators who have been stuck with limited payout options on Western-centric platforms.
Bulk Upload via Desktop App
Large catalog? Use the 3DIMLI desktop app with a watch folder. Drop files in, they get uploaded automatically.
What 3DIMLI Does NOT Do (The Honest Part)
- No marketplace discovery. Buyers do not browse 3DIMLI to find products the way they browse Etsy. You bring your own audience. If you have a social following or email list, this does not matter. Starting from zero? A marketplace might help more initially.
- No course builder. No lesson player, no student tracking. But you can sell courses via Link Products - host on Teachable, sell through 3DIMLI at 0%.
- No tax compliance. 3DIMLI does not handle VAT or sales tax. Lemon Squeezy does this as Merchant of Record. On 3DIMLI, tax is your responsibility.
- USD only. No multi-currency support yet.
Who Should Use 3DIMLI?
| Creator Type | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Ebook authors | Upload PDF/ePub directly, keep 100% |
| Template creators | Sell Notion/Canva/Figma templates as Link Products |
| Course creators | Sell course access via Link Products |
| Audio producers | MP3, OGG, WAV - sell beats, SFX, sample packs |
| Graphic designers | Icons, textures, illustrations - all supported |
| Software devs | Apps, plugins, tools with license management |
| 3D artists | Full 3D model support with format detection |
| AI/ML creators | Sell LoRAs, checkpoints, trained models |
| Video creators | Stock footage, tutorials, motion graphics |
| Community builders | Sell Discord/Slack access via Link Products |
The bottom line: if you sell digital products and you are tired of giving away 5-10% of your revenue, 3DIMLI is worth trying. It is free to sign up and free to use during beta.
Get Started
Setting up takes about 15 minutes. Create an account, connect your payment gateway, upload your first product, and you are live.
Create your free 3DIMLI store here
Check out the features page to see everything the platform offers. The Link Products guide shows how to sell URL-based products. And the comparison page lets you see how 3DIMLI stacks up against other platforms.
I am done paying platforms for the privilege of selling my own work. If you feel the same way, give it a shot.
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