Sellfy vs Payhip (2026): Flat Monthly Plan or a Cut of Each Sale?
Sellfy charges a monthly plan and 0% per sale. Payhip can cost $0 a month but takes a percentage. Here is where each one wins, and the tax work Sellfy leaves to you.
Under about $580 a month in sales, Payhip Free costs less than Sellfy. Between roughly $600 and $830 a month, Sellfy Starter is cheaper. Above that, Sellfy’s sales caps push you to pricier plans and the two land close together. The bigger difference: Payhip collects and pays sales tax and VAT for you; on Sellfy, tax is your job.
Plans side by side
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Plan | Monthly price | Fee per sale | Sales limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Payhip Free | $0 | 5% | None |
| Payhip Plus | $29 | 2% | None |
| Payhip Pro | $99 | 0% | None |
| Sellfy Starter | $29 ($22 billed yearly) | 0% | $10,000 a year |
| Sellfy Business | $79 ($59 billed yearly) | 0% | $50,000 a year |
| Sellfy Premium | $159 ($119 billed yearly) | 0% | $200,000 a year |
Card processing (about 2.9% + $0.30 through Stripe or PayPal) is added on both, so it is left out below. Sellfy says it may charge a 2% fee on sales above your plan’s limit if you do not upgrade.
What you pay each month, by sales
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Monthly sales | Cheapest Payhip plan | Sellfy plan you need (monthly / yearly billing) |
|---|---|---|
| $300 | $15 (Free) | $29 / $22 (Starter) |
| $800 | $40 (Free) | $29 / $22 (Starter) |
| $2,000 | $69 (Plus) | $79 / $59 (Business) |
| $5,000 | $99 (Pro) | $159 / $119 (Premium) |
The cost the table does not show: tax
- Payhip says it collects and pays EU/UK VAT as your reseller and US sales tax as a marketplace facilitator.
- Sellfy says it is not the merchant of record. It can calculate VAT, but you report and pay tax to the tax authorities yourself.
If you sell to buyers in many countries and have no accountant, that admin can cost more than the plan difference. See who pays the sales tax on each platform.
What you actually get on each plan
The price gap is only half the decision. Payhip and Sellfy gate features in opposite ways: Payhip gives every plan the same features and changes only the fee, while Sellfy holds back growth tools until Business.
| Feature | Payhip (any plan, incl. Free) | Sellfy Starter | Sellfy Business+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital downloads, subscriptions, physical products | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Online courses, coaching, memberships | Yes | Subscriptions only | Subscriptions only |
| Print-on-demand merch | Not listed | Yes | Yes |
| Email marketing | Yes | 2,000 credits/mo | 10,000 (Business) / 50,000 (Premium) |
| Upsells and cart abandonment emails | Yes | No | Yes |
| Your own affiliate program | Yes | No | Yes |
| Remove platform branding | — | No | Yes |
| Custom domain | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| EU/UK VAT collected and paid for you | Yes | No (your job) | No (your job) |
| Payout | Both pay straight into your PayPal or Stripe account right after each sale. PayPal/Stripe processing fees (typically 2.9% + 30¢) apply on top on both. | ||
What this means in practice: if you want to recover abandoned carts or let other creators promote your products for a cut, Sellfy’s real entry price is Business at $79/mo ($59 billed yearly), not Starter. On Payhip you get those tools at $0/mo.
Three costs people miss with Sellfy
- The sales cap is a rolling 12 months. Sellfy counts store sales in the most recent 12 months, not the calendar year. One strong launch can push you past Starter’s $10,000 limit mid-year.
- Not upgrading costs 2% per order. Past the cap, Sellfy asks you to upgrade. If you don’t, it may charge a 2% overage fee on every order until you do, and already-accrued fees are collected with your next payment.
- Tax paperwork is yours. Selling to EU or UK buyers means registering for and filing VAT yourself, or using a separate service. Payhip collects and remits EU and UK VAT for you on every plan.
Worked examples: real store sizes
| Store | Cheapest Payhip | Cheapest Sellfy | Better pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200/mo in ebooks, starting out | Free: $10/mo in fees | Starter: $29 ($22 yearly) | Payhip, by $12–19/mo |
| $800/mo in presets, US buyers | Free: $40/mo | Starter: $29 ($22 yearly) | Sellfy, by $11–18/mo, if you don’t need upsells |
| $800/mo with EU buyers | Free: $40/mo, VAT handled | Starter: $29 + your own VAT filing | Usually Payhip once you price in VAT work |
| $2,000/mo, wants upsells | Plus: $29 + 2% = $69/mo | Business: $79 ($59 yearly) | Close; Payhip if EU buyers, Sellfy yearly if US-only |
| $5,000/mo ($60k/yr) | Pro: $99/mo | Premium: $159 ($119 yearly) | Payhip Pro, by $20–60/mo |
Platform fees only; PayPal/Stripe processing is about the same on both and is left out.
How to try both without risk
- Open a Payhip Free account. It costs nothing until you sell, so you can build the full store first.
- Start Sellfy’s 14-day free trial (no card required) and upload the same product.
- Run one test purchase on each with a low-priced item, then refund it, and compare the checkout and payout emails.
- Keep the one whose checkout your buyers will see as more trustworthy. If you are under about $580/mo in sales, start on Payhip Free and revisit at the break-even point.
FAQ
Is Sellfy cheaper than Payhip?
Only in a middle band. Under about $580/mo in sales, Payhip Free costs less. From roughly $600 to $830/mo, Sellfy Starter is cheaper. Above Starter’s $10,000-a-year cap, the two land close together.
Does Sellfy handle VAT for me?
No. Sellfy is not the merchant of record, so tax is your responsibility. Payhip collects and remits EU and UK VAT on your behalf.
What happens if I go over Sellfy’s sales limit?
Sellfy asks you to upgrade. If you don’t, it may charge a 2% overage fee on each order above the limit.
Does Payhip lock features behind paid plans?
No. Payhip’s Free, Plus and Pro plans have the same features; only the transaction fee changes (5%, 2%, 0%).
When do I get paid?
On both, money goes straight to your PayPal or Stripe account right after each sale.
Which one to pick
- Starting out, under $580 a month: Payhip Free. No monthly bill while you test. See Payhip plans (affiliate link).
- Steady $600 to $830 a month, US buyers, you already handle tax: Sellfy Starter, ideally billed yearly.
- Selling worldwide without tax help: Payhip at any volume.
Run your own numbers: try the free Payhip plan calculator or the digital product fee calculator.
Sources: Sellfy pricing, Sellfy: Merchant of Record, Payhip tax page, Payhip pricing (affiliate link).
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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.
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