Free tools
Platform comparator: KDP vs Etsy vs Gumroad vs Payhip
Same ebook, same price, very different income depending on where you sell it. Enter your price and volume and the comparator applies each platform’s published fee structure so you can see what lands in your account.
The fee structures side by side
| Platform | What they take | What you get in return |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP | 30% (plus $0.15/MB) in the $2.99 to $9.99 band, otherwise 65% | The biggest ebook audience, Kindle Unlimited, reviews that drive discovery |
| Etsy | $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction + 3% + $0.25 processing (+12 to 15% if an offsite ad brought the sale) | Shoppers looking for printables and digital products, search inside Etsy |
| Gumroad | 10% flat + card processing (about 2.9% + $0.30) | Your own storefront, pay-what-you-want, email list, no approval process |
| Payhip | 5% on the free plan + processing (0% on paid plans) | Storefront with coupons, affiliates and EU VAT handled |
Which platform for which book
- Amazon KDP when you want readers to find you. Nobody browses Gumroad for a book on backyard beekeeping; thousands search Amazon for it every month.
- Etsy for workbooks, planners, templates and anything the buyer prints. Etsy shoppers already have a card out and expect PDFs.
- Gumroad or Payhip when you already have an audience (newsletter, YouTube, social) and want the highest margin and the buyer’s email.
Most authors do two: KDP for discovery and one direct platform for margin and the mailing list.
Exclusivity and formats
Selling on several platforms is allowed unless you enrol the ebook in KDP Select, which requires the ebook to be exclusive to Amazon for 90-day terms. Amazon wants EPUB (or a DOCX it converts); Etsy, Gumroad and Payhip sell the PDF directly. create-ebook exports all three from the same manuscript, so listing on two platforms costs nothing extra.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell the same ebook on KDP and Etsy?
Yes, unless it is enrolled in KDP Select. Use the EPUB on Amazon and the PDF on Etsy.
Does Amazon charge a listing fee?
No. KDP has no upfront fees; it takes its share from each sale.
Why is Etsy expensive at low prices?
Fixed fees ($0.20 listing, $0.25 processing) weigh heavily on a $2.99 item. Etsy works better for digital products priced $7 and up.
What about VAT and sales tax?
Amazon and Etsy collect and remit consumer taxes for you. Gumroad and Payhip also handle EU VAT on digital goods. Income tax is yours everywhere.
Which pays fastest?
Gumroad and Payhip pay out weekly or on request. Amazon pays about 60 days after the end of the month of sale. Etsy deposits on a schedule you choose.