11 Best Stan Store Alternatives for Creators

What’s the best Stan Store alternative in the market right now?

The need for robust and versatile e-commerce platforms has never been greater in today’s digital age.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a content creator, or an entrepreneur, finding the right tool to sell your products and services online is crucial.

Stan Store has been a popular choice for many due to its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features. However, exploring other options that suit your specific needs is always wise.

In this article, I discuss some of the best Stan Store alternatives available, examining their unique features, benefits, and how they compare to help you make an informed decision for your online business.

Top 11 Stan Store Alternatives

Here’s a table of the best Stan Store alternatives in the industry right now:

Platform	Free Trial	Pricing
Sellfy	14 days	Starts at $29/month
Systeme.io	Free account	Starts at $27/month
Podia	Free account	Starts at $9/month
Shopify	3 days	Starts at $5/month
Gumroad	None	10% per sale
Thrivecart	None	$495 one-time fee
Linktree	Free account	Starts at $5/month
Beacons	Free account	Starts at $10/month
Pensight	Free account	Starts at $29/month
Patreon	N/A	5% service fee
Ko-fi	Free account	Starts at $6/month

1. Sellfy (Overall Best Alternative)

If you’re looking for a comprehensive e-commerce platform that caters to creators, Sellfy is your best bet. It offers everything that Stan Store does but with more features and better functionality.

Sellfy boasts an intuitive interface that makes it easy for creators to sell digital products, subscriptions, and even physical goods all from one place.

Sellfy Key Features

Here are some of the key features that make Sellfy stand out as the overall best alternative to Stan Store:

• Easy to Use: Sellfy is incredibly user-friendly. You can set up your store in minutes, and it offers a drag-and-drop editor that lets you customize your storefront without any coding skills.
• Powerful Marketing Tools: Sellfy offers an extensive marketing suite that includes email marketing, social media integration, and affiliate marketing.
• Secure Payment Processing: Sellfy uses Stripe to process payments, a trusted and secure payment gateway.
• Customizable Checkout: You can customize your checkout page to match your brand and add upsells and cross-sells to increase your revenue.
• Automatic Digital Product Delivery: Sellfy automatically delivers your digital products to your customers, which saves you time and hassle.
• Responsive Customer Support: Sellfy offers 24/7 customer support via email, chat, and phone.

Sellfy Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Sellfy:

Pros:

• Easy to use and set up
• Powerful marketing tools
• Secure payment processing
• Customizable checkout
• Automatic digital product delivery
• Responsive customer support

Cons:

• There is no free plan
• Limited customization options for storefront design

Sellfy Pricing

Sellfy offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets:

• Starter: This plan costs $29/month and can be used for up to $10,000 in annual sales. It lets you sell unlimited products, connect your domain, and sell digital and subscription products.
• Business: This plan costs $79/month and can be used for up to $50,000 in annual sales. It allows you to access advanced features like product upselling, affiliate marketing, cart abandonment, and the option to remove Sellfy branding.
• Premium: This plan costs $159/month and can be used for up to $200,000 in annual sales. You get access to product migration and priority support.

2. Systeme.io

Systeme.io is an excellent alternative to Stan Store, especially if you’re looking for an all-in-one marketing platform that is affordable and easy to use.

It’s best for creators looking to sell digital products, create online courses, and manage their online business from a single dashboard.

Systeme.io Key Features

• Sales funnels: Systeme.io allows you to create and customize sales funnels that lead your customers to purchase.
• Email marketing: You can use Systeme.io to send your audience newsletters, automated emails, and other types of email campaigns.
• Online course management: Systeme.io lets you create and sell online courses and manage your student’s progress and payments.
• Affiliate program: You can create an affiliate program and let others promote your products for a commission.
• Membership sites: Systeme.io allows you to create membership sites to offer exclusive content to your subscribers.
• Webinars: You can use Systeme.io to host and interact with your audience in real-time.

Systeme.io Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using Systeme.io as a Stan Store alternative:

Pros:

• All-in-one platform
• Affordable pricing:
• Easy to use
• Excellent customer support
• Highly Customizable
• It has a free plan

Cons:

• Limited integrations
• Limited design options

Systeme.io Pricing

• Free: This plan allows you to create up to 3 sales funnels, sell one course, and have up to 2000 contacts.
• Startup: This plan costs $27 per month and allows you to create ten sales funnels, sell up to five courses, and have up to 5,000 contacts.
• Webinar: This plan costs $47 per month and includes all the features of the Startup plan plus the ability to host webinars.
• Unlimited: This plan costs $97 per month and includes all the features of the Webinar plan plus additional features like priority support and custom domains.

3. Podia

Podia is a great Stan Store substitute for creators who are looking for an all-in-one platform to sell and market their digital products.

Podia’s user-friendly interface, customizable storefronts, and built-in marketing tools make it an excellent choice for creators who want to focus on creating content rather than managing multiple platforms.

Podia Key Features

• Easy to use: Podia is designed to be user-friendly, making it easy for creators to set up their storefronts and start selling their digital products quickly.
• All-in-one platform: Podia offers various features, including selling digital products, online courses, and memberships in one place.
• Customizable storefronts: Creators can customize their storefronts to match their brand and style.
• Email marketing: Podia offers built-in email marketing tools that allow creators to communicate with their customers and subscribers.
• Affiliate marketing: Podia offers built-in affiliate marketing tools that allow creators to incentivize others to promote their products.
• 24/7 customer support: Podia offers 24/7 customer support to help creators with any questions or issues they may encounter.

Podia Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using Podia:

Pros:

• It has a free plan
• Easy to use
• All-in-one platform
• Affordable pricing options
• Customizable storefronts
• Built-in email marketing and affiliate marketing tools
• 24/7 customer support

Cons:

• Limited design options for storefronts
• Limited integrations with other platforms

Podia Pricing

• Free Plan: This plan lets you build your website, blog, and products for free. However, there is a 10% fee on all transactions.
• Starter Plan: This plan costs $9/month and lets you personalize your website with a custom domain. An 8% fee applies to all transactions.
• Mover Plan: This plan costs $39/month and lets you sell online courses and other digital products. There is a 5% fee on all transactions.
• Shaker Plan: This plan costs $89/month and lets you scale your business with advanced marketing features. It does not charge transaction fees.

4. Shopify

If you’re looking for a premium Stan Store substitute, Shopify is a great option. Shopify is a complete e-commerce platform offering many features and tools to help you build, launch, and grow your online store.

Shopify is best for small to medium-sized businesses that need a comprehensive e-commerce solution.

Shopify Key Features

• Shopify Pay: A fast and secure checkout process that allows customers to save their payment and shipping information for future purchases.
• Shopify Email: An email marketing tool that allows you to create and send email campaigns to your customers.
• Abandoned Cart Recovery: A feature that sends automated emails to customers who abandon their carts, encouraging them to complete their purchases.
• Mobile App: A mobile app allows you to manage your store on-the-go.
• Customer Support: 24/7 customer support via phone, email, or live chat.
• App Store: A vast app store with thousands of apps and integrations to help you customize your store and add new features.

Shopify Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using Shopify:

Pros:

• Easy to use and set up
• Offers a wide range of payment gateways and shipping options
• It provides a large selection of themes and templates to choose from
• Offers a comprehensive set of features and tools
• Provides excellent customer support

Cons:

• It can be expensive, especially if you need to use premium features
• Transaction fees for using third-party payment gateways
• Limited blogging capabilities compared to other platforms

Shopify Pricing

• Starter Plan: For $5/month, you can sell instantly through social media, messaging apps, or a simple online store.
• Basic Plan: This plan costs $32/month and is best for solo entrepreneurs. It includes ten inventory locations, 24/7 chat support, localized global selling (3 markets), and a 2% card charge for third-party payment providers.
• Retail Plan: This plan costs $89/month and gives you access to In-person selling tools with advanced staff, inventory, and loyalty features.
• Shopify Plan: This plan costs $92/month and is best for small teams. It includes five additional staff accounts and a 1% card charge for third-party payment providers.
• Advanced Plan: This plan costs $399/month and includes 15 additional staff accounts, enhanced 24/7 support, 10x checkout capacity, and custom reports and analytics.
• Plus Plan: This plan costs $2300/month and includes 50 localized global markets, 200 inventory locations, unlimited staff accounts, fully customizable checkout with 40x capacity, selling wholesale/b2b, and priority 24/7 phone support.
• Enterprise Commerce: This plan is available for a custom price. It lets you build agility, speed to deployment, and performance for enterprise organizations.

5. Gumroad

If you’re a creator looking for a Stan Store alternative, you might want to consider Gumroad. Gumroad is an all-in-one e-commerce platform that allows creators to sell digital products directly to their audience.

It’s best for creators who sell digital products such as ebooks, courses, and digital art.

Gumroad Key Features

• Easy to set up: Gumroad is easy to set up and use, even if you’re not tech-savvy. You can create a store in minutes and start selling your products immediately.
• Flexible pricing options: Gumroad allows you to set your product prices to charge what you think is fair.
• Integrated payment processing: Gumroad handles all payment processing for you, so you don’t have to worry about setting up a payment gateway.
• Marketing tools: Gumroad has built-in marketing tools, such as email campaigns and discount codes, to help you promote your products and boost sales.
• Analytics: Gumroad provides detailed analytics to track your sales and see what’s working and what’s not.
• Customizable: Gumroad allows you to customize your store to match your brand so you can create a unique shopping experience for your customers.

Gumroad Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using Gumroad:

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use
• Flexible pricing options
• Integrated payment processing
• Built-in marketing tools
• Detailed analytics
• Customizable store

Cons:

• Limited integrations with third-party apps and services
• No physical product support
• Limited customer support options

Gumroad Pricing

Gumroad offers a simple pricing model with no monthly fees. Here’s how it works:

• Gumroad takes a 10% fee per transaction
• You can absorb the fee or pass it on to your customers.
• There is a 2.9% + 30¢ fee for credit card processing and a 3.49% fee for PayPal transactions.

6. Thrivecart

Thrivecart is a powerful e-commerce platform offering various features to help creators sell their digital products online. It is an excellent alternative to Stan Store, especially for those who need a more comprehensive set of tools to manage their online business.

Thrivecart Key Features

• Upsells and downsells: Thrivecart allows you to offer upsells and downsells to your customers, increasing your revenue and improving your customer experience.
• Affiliate management: Thrivecart makes it easy to manage your affiliates and track their performance, which can help you grow your business.
• One-click upsells: Thrivecart allows you to offer one-click upsells, which can improve your conversion rates and increase your revenue.
• Subscription management: Thrivecart offers a range of subscription management features, including creating recurring payments and managing cancellations.
• Payment integrations: Thrivecart integrates with various payment gateways, including PayPal, Stripe, and Authorize.net, making it easier to manage your payments.
• Customizable checkout pages: Thrivecart allows you to create customized checkout pages that match your brand and improve your customer experience.

Thrivecart Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons to consider before choosing Thrivecart:

Pros:

• The comprehensive set of features
• Easy to use
• Thrivecart offers excellent customer support
• Thrivecart integrates with various tools
• Cost-effective

Cons:

• Limited customization options
• Limited payment gateways
• Limited reporting options

Thrivecart Pricing

ThriveCart’s pricing structure is straightforward. Instead of a subscription model, it offers a one-time lifetime deal of $495 for the Standard and $690 for the Pro plans.

This means that for a single payment, you gain lifetime access to all the current features and any future updates. This model can save you significant money over time compared to other platforms that charge monthly or yearly fees.

7. Linktree

If you’re looking for a simple and easy-to-use link-in-bio tool, Linktree is an excellent Stan Store competitor. Linktree allows you to create a mobile-optimized landing page that houses all your important links in one place.

Linktree Key Features

• Mobile-optimized landing page: Linktree provides a landing page where you can house all your important links in one place.
• Unlimited links: You can add unlimited links to your Linktree page.
• Analytics: Linktree provides basic analytics to help you track clicks and views on your links.
• Customization: You can customize your Linktree page with your branding and colors.
• Integrations: Linktree integrates with various third-party tools such as Google Analytics, Mailchimp, and more.
• Link scheduling: You can schedule links to appear and disappear on your Linktree page at specific times.

Linktree Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using Linktree:

Pros:

• Easy to set up and use
• Free plan available
• Mobile-optimized landing page
• Customizable branding and colors
• Integrates with third-party tools

Cons:

• Limited analytics compared to other tools.
• Limited customization options compared to other tools
• No direct e-commerce capabilities

Linktree Pricing

• Free plan: Includes basic features such as unlimited links, fundamental analytics, and Linktree branding.
• Starter Plan: This plan costs $5/month. It includes better customization and more audience insights.
• Pro plan: This plan costs $9/month and is best for content creators and businesses. It includes advanced analytics, automatic link apps, and auto-embeds.
• Premium Plan: This plan costs $24/month. It includes lifetime analytics, premium support, and 1:1 onboarding.

8. Beacons

If you’re looking for a more versatile and feature-rich alternative to Stan Store, Beacons is an excellent option to consider. This platform offers a range of tools and features that can help you monetize your online presence more effectively and efficiently.

Beacons Key Features

• Link-in-bio storefront: Like Stan Store, Beacons offers a link-in-bio storefront that allows you to sell your digital products directly from your social media profiles.
• Marketing suite: Beacons also has an extensive marketing suite with features like email marketing, social media scheduling, and analytics.
• Customizable storefronts: With Beacons, you can create fully customizable storefronts that match your brand and aesthetic.
• Multiple payment options: Beacons support various payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay.
• Real-time analytics: You can track your sales and performance in real-time with Beacons’ analytics dashboard.
• Affordable pricing: Beacons offers a range of pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets, with no hidden fees or transaction fees.

Beacons Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Beacons:

Pros:

• Offers a range of features and tools for creators looking to monetize their online presence.
• Customizable storefronts that match your brand and aesthetic.
• Real-time analytics and reporting to track sales and performance.
• Affordable pricing plans to suit different needs and budgets.
• There is a free plan.

Cons:

• Some users may find the platform overwhelming due to the sheer number of features and options available.
• Limited integrations with third-party tools and platforms.

Beacons Pricing

Here’s a breakdown of Beacons’ pricing plans:

• Free plan: This includes essential features like a link-in-bio storefront, marketing suite, and analytics. There is a 9% transaction fee on all sales.
• Creator Pro: This plan costs $10/month and includes a free custom domain, email automation, real-time analytics, advanced SEO tools, and removal of the Beacons logo. There is a 9% transaction fee on sales.
• Store Pro: This plan costs $30/month. It includes order bumps, custom product URLs, and the ability to sell courses and memberships. There are no transaction fees on sales.
• Business Pro: This plan costs $90/month. It includes Google Workspace, a physical NFC card, white-glove onboarding, and dedicated support.

9. Pensight

If you’re a creator looking for an alternative to Stan Store, Pensight is an excellent option to consider. Pensight is a platform for creators and educators looking to launch knowledge-based businesses.

Pensight Key Features

• Online Course Builder: Pensight offers an online course builder that allows creators to create, manage, and sell their courses.
• Link-in-Bio Tool: Pensight’s link-in-bio tool allows creators to showcase their products and services on their social media profiles.
• Creator Store: Pensight has a creator store where creators can sell their digital products.
• Marketing Tools: Pensight offers various marketing tools, including email marketing, social media marketing, and affiliate marketing.
• Analytics: Pensight provides detailed analytics to help creators track their sales and engagement.
• Affordability: Pensight’s pricing is affordable, making it an excellent option for creators just starting.

Pensight Pros and Cons

Here are some pros and cons of using Pensight:

Pros:

• Affordable pricing
• Comprehensive toolset
• Easy to use
• Great customer support
• No transaction fees

Cons:

• It may not have as many advanced features as Stan Store
• Limited integrations

Pensight Pricing

• Basic Plan: This free plan includes basic features, unlimited courses, unlimited video callings, and recordings.
• Pro Plan: This plan costs $29/month and includes memberships, subscription payments, drip for course content, upselling funnels, and email and marketing automation.
• Premium Plan: This plan costs $99/month and includes free migration of your courses, bi-weekly calls with a dedicated growth manager, one-on-one marketing review, and onboarding with a dedicated sales and marketing expert.

10. Patreon

If you’re looking for a Stan Store alternative that is more focused on supporting creators, Patreon is a great option. Patreon is a membership platform that allows creators to earn a recurring income from their fans or supporters, known as patrons.

Patreon Key Features

• Recurring Payments: Patreon allows creators to earn recurring income from their patrons, monthly or per creation.
• Tiered Memberships: Creators can offer their patrons different membership levels, each with various perks and rewards.
• Community Building: Patreon has a built-in messaging system that allows creators to communicate with their patrons and build a community around their work.
• Analytics: Creators can track their earnings, membership growth, and other key metrics to help them understand their audience and grow their business.
• Integrations: Patreon integrates with various other platforms, including YouTube, Twitch, and WordPress, making it easy for creators to connect with their existing audience.
• Mobile App: Patreon has a mobile app that allows creators to manage their accounts, communicate with their patrons, and track their earnings.

Patreon Pros and Cons

Here are some of the pros and cons of using Patreon:

Pros:

• Patreon is focused on supporting creators.
• The platform is easy to use
• It offers a variety of features
• Patreon has a large and active community.

Cons:

• Patreon takes a percentage of each transaction, which can add up over time.
• The platform is primarily focused on membership-based income,

Patreon Pricing

There’s no out-of-pocket cost for creators joining Patreon. Instead, the service takes a percentage of your earnings as you earn them.

You can do this at three different levels:

• Lite: You can create your own Patreon page, use their communication tools, and get access to Patreon workshops designed to help you get the most out of your account. In exchange, Patreon takes 5% of your earnings.
• Pro: You get membership tiers, analytics, and promotional tools, and Patreon takes 8% of all your earnings.
• Premium: You get a dedicated partner manager, merch for membership features, and team accounts. Not everybody can become a Premium creator—there are specific requirements, like having a social presence with at least 100k followers, among other things. Patreon takes 12% of all your earnings.

11. Ko-fi

Ko-fi is an excellent option if you’re searching for a simple and easy-to-use platform to sell your digital products. With its user-friendly interface and versatile selling options, Ko-fi is a great choice for creators who want to monetize their content without the hassle of complicated e-commerce tools.

Ko-fi Key Features

• A single link to sell everything: Ko-fi lets you sell all your digital products with just a link, making it easy for your customers to purchase your products with minimal effort.
• Membership program: Ko-fi offers a membership program that allows your fans to support you monthly. You can provide exclusive content to your members and reward them for their support.
• Donation-based tipping: Ko-fi has a feature that allows your fans to donate directly. You can set up your Ko-fi page to accept tips, and your fans can show appreciation for your work with just a few clicks.
• Customizable branding: Ko-fi allows you to customize your page with your branding, including your logo, colors, and fonts. This helps you create a professional-looking storefront that reflects your brand.
• Analytics: Ko-fi provides detailed analytics that helps you track your sales, traffic, and engagement. You can use this data to optimize your marketing strategy and improve your sales.
• Integrations: Ko-fi integrates with third-party tools, including PayPal, Stripe, and Zapier. This makes it easy to connect your Ko-fi store with your existing workflow.

Ko-fi Pros and Cons

Here are the pros and cons of using Ko-fi:

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Versatile selling options
• Affordable pricing
• Customizable branding
• Detailed analytics

Cons:

• Limited e-commerce features
• Limited integrations compared to other platforms
• No built-in course creation tools

Ko-fi Pricing

Here are the pricing options for Ko-fi:

• Free plan: This plan is free to use and includes essential features like a customizable storefront, tipping, and analytics. Ko-fi takes a 5% commission on each sale.
• Gold plan: This plan costs $6 per month and includes additional features like a membership program, custom domain, and advanced analytics. Ko-fi takes no commission on each sale.

Understanding Stan Store and Its Features & Why Consider an Alternative

If you are a content creator looking to monetize your work, you have probably heard of Stan Store. It is a popular platform allowing creators to build and sell digital products like e-books, courses, and merchandise.

Stan Store offers a range of features, including a link-in biosystem, social media integration, and analytics.

Stan Store, while famous for its simplicity and functionality, does have certain limitations that you might encounter:

• Limited Customization: Stan Store offers a range of templates, but customization options are relatively limited compared to some other platforms.
• Scalability Issues: While it works well for small to medium-sized businesses, Stan Store might not be the best choice for rapidly growing companies or those with extensive product catalogs. Scalability can be an issue as your business expands.
• Integrations: Stan Store offers basic integrations with popular third-party tools, but it lacks the extensive integration capabilities of some competitors.
• Advanced Features: For users needing advanced e-commerce features such as complex inventory management, advanced SEO tools, or detailed analytics, Stan Store might fall short. It provides basic features but lacks the depth found in more robust platforms.
• Transaction Fees: Depending on the pricing plan, Stan Store may charge transaction fees on sales. This can add up, particularly for high-volume sellers, and impact profitability.
• Limited Support for Digital Products: While Stan Store does support the sale of digital products, its features for managing and delivering these products are not as comprehensive as some specialized platforms.
• SEO and Marketing Tools: The SEO and marketing tools available on Stan Store are pretty basic.
• Payment Gateways: The number of supported payment gateways is limited compared to other platforms.

Understanding these limitations can help you determine if Stan Store is the right fit for your business or if exploring alternatives might be beneficial.

Choosing the Right Platform

Several factors must be considered when choosing the right platform for your digital products. In this section, I will discuss the most critical factors to help you make an informed decision.

1. User Experience

The user experience is a critical factor when choosing a platform. Your customers should be able to navigate your store quickly and find what they seek without hassle. The platform should have a clean and intuitive interface that makes managing your products and sales easy.

2. Extensibility

The platform should be extensible, allowing you to add new features and functionality as your business grows. Look for a platform that offers a robust API and integrations with third-party services to enhance your store’s functionality.

3. Scalability

Your platform should be able to handle a growing number of customers and sales without any issues. Ensure your chosen platform can scale with your business and handle high traffic volumes.

4. Compatibility

Compatibility is another essential factor to consider. Ensure the platform supports the file types and formats you need to sell your digital products. It should also be compatible with your website and other tools you use to manage your business.

5. Reporting and Analytics

Reporting and analytics are essential for tracking your sales and understanding your customers. Look for a platform that provides detailed reporting and analytics tools to help you make informed decisions about your business.

6. Integrations

Integrations with third-party services are critical for enhancing your store’s functionality. Look for a platform that integrates with your existing tools, such as email marketing software, social media platforms, and payment gateways.

7. Transaction Fees and Additional Costs

Finally, consider the transaction fees and additional costs associated with the platform. Look for a platform that offers transparent pricing and reasonable transaction fees. Consider any additional costs, such as hosting or payment gateway fees.

Final Thoughts on Stan Store Alternatives

Now that you have explored some of the best Stan Store alternatives available today, you can make an informed decision about which platform is right for you.

While each platform has its strengths and weaknesses, it ultimately comes down to your specific needs and preferences.

Sellfy is the best option if you need a platform that provides everything Stan Store does, but more and better. This platform started as a solution for selling digital downloads and quickly became a leader in that niche.

Eventually, it evolved into an eCommerce solution for digital creators, influencers, and artists.

Systeme.io is a comprehensive all-in-one platform that offers various tools for digital creators. It helps creators sell and market their digital products effectively and provides features like email marketing, webinars, and membership sites.

Podia is another all-in-one platform that provides creators with the tools to sell and market their digital products.

This platform offers features such as email marketing, affiliate marketing, and membership sites. It also allows creators to sell digital products, online courses, and webinars.

Thrivecart is a platform that focuses on helping creators sell physical and digital products. To increase sales, it offers upsells, downsells, and order bumps. It also allows creators to create customizable checkout pages and track their sales and revenue.

You can choose the right platform for you and your business by considering your specific needs and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions on Stan Store Alternatives