Gumroad vs Lemon Squeezy (2026): Fees, Payouts, and Which One Keeps More
Both act as merchant of record and handle sales tax for you. The difference is the fee on every sale, how you get paid, and what is changing at Lemon Squeezy.
On a $20 sale to a US card, Lemon Squeezy keeps you about $18.50 and Gumroad about $16.62. Lemon Squeezy wins on fees at every price. Gumroad still makes sense if its Discover marketplace brings you buyers, or if you prefer weekly payouts.
• Lemon Squeezy if you sell to your own audience and want the lowest fee with tax handled worldwide.
• Gumroad if Discover marketplace sales matter to you, or you sell over $20,000 a month.
• Most buyers abroad or paying by PayPal? Lemon Squeezy still wins, but by less. See the extra-fee table below.
Fees side by side
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Item | Gumroad | Lemon Squeezy |
|---|---|---|
| Fee on direct sales | 10% + $0.50 | 5% + $0.50 |
| Card processing | 2.9% + $0.30 on top | Included for US cards; small extra fees on some non-US payments |
| Marketplace sales | Flat 30% on Discover sales | No marketplace |
| Monthly fee | $0 | $0 |
| Sales tax and VAT | Handled (merchant of record) | Handled (merchant of record) |
| Payouts | Weekly, monthly, or quarterly; $100 minimum balance | Twice a month by bank or PayPal |
What you keep, by price
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Price | Gumroad (direct) | Lemon Squeezy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | $3.55 | $4.25 | $0.70 |
| $20 | $16.62 | $18.50 | $1.88 |
| $50 | $42.75 | $47.00 | $4.25 |
At 100 sales of $20 a month, that gap is about $188 a month, or roughly $2,250 a year.
The catch with Lemon Squeezy in 2026
Lemon Squeezy has announced a move toward Stripe Managed Payments. Its pricing page still lists 5% + 50¢, but no fee or date has been published for the new setup. If you start on Lemon Squeezy now, keep a copy of your customer list and products so you can move if the terms change. More on this: Lemon Squeezy alternatives.
When Lemon Squeezy’s extra fees kick in
The headline 5% + $0.50 is for a US buyer paying by card. Lemon Squeezy’s fee page lists add-ons that stack on top. Here is what you keep from one $20 sale in each case:
| Sale type | Lemon Squeezy fee | You keep | vs Gumroad direct card ($16.62) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US buyer, card | 5% + $0.50 = $1.50 | $18.50 | +$1.88 |
| Buyer outside the US, card | 6.5% + $0.50 = $1.80 | $18.20 | +$1.58 |
| US buyer, PayPal | 6.5% + $0.50 = $1.80 | $18.20 | +$1.58 |
| Buyer outside the US, PayPal | 8% + $0.50 = $2.10 | $17.90 | +$1.28 |
| Subscription renewal, US card | 5.5% + $0.50 = $1.60 | $18.40 | +$1.78 |
| Sale recovered by an abandoned-cart email | 10% + $0.50 = $2.50 | $17.50 | +$0.88 |
Even in the worst common case, an international PayPal buyer, Lemon Squeezy leaves you more than a Gumroad direct card sale. The gap shrinks from $1.88 to $1.28 per $20 sale.
Getting paid: payout fees
| Payout method | Lemon Squeezy | Gumroad |
|---|---|---|
| US bank account | Free | Free direct deposit |
| Bank account outside the US | 1% per payout ($10 on a $1,000 payout) | Depends on country |
| PayPal | $0.50 per payout (US); 3% capped at $30 (outside the US) | PayPal’s receiving fees |
If you live outside the US, payout fees can matter as much as the sale fee. A $1,000 monthly payout to a non-US bank costs $120 a year on Lemon Squeezy.
When Gumroad is the better pick
- You get real sales from Gumroad Discover. A 30% cut on a buyer you would not otherwise find can still pay off.
- You sell more than $20,000 a month and qualify for Gumroad’s lower 5% + $0.50 rate on new sales above that.
- You want weekly payouts and have no problem with the $100 minimum.
A third option
If you want low fees without depending on Lemon Squeezy’s next step, Payhip Free charges 5% plus normal card processing, keeps about $18.12 on a $20 sale, and says it collects and pays EU/UK VAT and US sales tax for you. See Payhip plans (affiliate link).
For a line-by-line look at what Lemon Squeezy takes, see Lemon Squeezy fees: every fee, and what you keep from each sale.
Run your own numbers: try the free digital product fee calculator.
Sources: Gumroad pricing, Gumroad’s fees, Getting paid by Gumroad, Lemon Squeezy pricing, Lemon Squeezy 2026 update.
Related: Gumroad fees explained · Lemon Squeezy vs Payhip · Gumroad alternatives
Not sure which platform fits your numbers? Put in your price and monthly sales and see what you keep on every platform at once. If you are just starting, a Payhip store costs $0 until you sell, so you can set it up first and decide later.
Compare my numbers →Start a free Payhip storeFAQ
Is Lemon Squeezy cheaper than Gumroad?
Yes, at every price for direct sales. On a $20 US card sale you keep about $18.50 on Lemon Squeezy and $16.62 on Gumroad.
What extra fees does Lemon Squeezy charge?
+1.5% for buyers outside the US, +1.5% for PayPal, +0.5% on subscription payments, and +5% on sales recovered by abandoned-cart emails.
Do both handle sales tax and VAT?
Yes. Lemon Squeezy and Gumroad both act as merchant of record and handle sales tax and VAT for you.
Is Lemon Squeezy changing in 2026?
Lemon Squeezy has announced a move toward Stripe Managed Payments. Its pricing page still lists 5% + 50¢, with no new fee published yet.
Which is better for selling to an international audience?
Lemon Squeezy still keeps more per sale, but its +1.5% international fee and payout fees outside the US narrow the gap.
