Best Platforms to Sell Templates Online in 2026

Best Platforms to Sell Templates Online in 2026

Templates are one of the best digital products to sell. They're fast to create, easy to deliver, and buyers are actively searching for them right now.

The question is: where should you sell them?

I've sold templates on several platforms over the past two years. Here's my honest ranking for 2026 — what each platform is actually like to use, what you'll pay in fees, and which one I'd choose if I were starting today.

What Makes a Good Template Platform?

Before the rankings, it helps to know what you're comparing. A good template-selling platform should:

• Handle checkout and file delivery automatically
• Let you set your own prices (no forced pricing tiers)
• Have reasonable fees that don't eat your margin
• Give you a professional-looking product page
• Not require a website or technical setup to get live

Some platforms also offer discoverability — a built-in marketplace where buyers can browse. That's valuable, but it comes with trade-offs.

1. MadeThis (My Top Pick)

MadeThis.com is where I sell most of my templates now. It's purpose-built for digital product businesses, and it shows.

What works well:

• Extremely fast setup — I had my first template live in under an hour
• The AI Copilot helps you write product descriptions that actually convert
• Clean, professional product pages that build buyer trust
• Automatic checkout and file delivery
• Pricing tools and business analytics built in

The one limitation: It doesn't have a built-in marketplace the way Etsy does. You're driving your own traffic. That's actually fine for templates — SEO, Pinterest, and Reddit are more than enough — but it's worth knowing.

Fees: Very competitive at the paid tier. See MadeThis pricing for the current breakdown.

Best for: Sellers who want to build a real template business with a professional store and good tools, not just list on a marketplace and hope for discovery.

2. Etsy

Etsy is a massive marketplace with millions of active buyers. It has real discovery value — people browse Etsy specifically looking for templates.

What works well:

• Built-in audience of buyers actively searching for templates
• Easy setup for the first listing
• Strong reputation (buyers trust Etsy)

The downsides:

• Fees add up fast: listing fee + transaction fee + payment processing can take 10–15% of each sale
• Competition is brutal in popular categories (Canva templates, Notion templates, etc.)
• You don't own the customer relationship — Etsy does
• Ranking in search is increasingly hard for new sellers

Best for: Beginners who want immediate exposure and don't mind the fees. Good starting point, but not a long-term foundation.

3. Gumroad

Gumroad has been around forever and has a large creator community. It's a solid choice for sellers who want simplicity.

What works well:

• Extremely simple setup
• Good reputation with buyers
• Flexible product types

The downsides:

• Higher transaction fees than some alternatives (10% on free plan)
• Less AI assistance for writing copy or building your store
• The platform hasn't evolved as quickly as newer options

For a full comparison, see MadeThis vs Gumroad — I break down the specific differences there.

Best for: Creators who want to start fast and already have an audience to drive traffic.

4. Payhip

Payhip is a simple, low-cost option that works well for individual template sellers.

What works well:

• Free plan available (with transaction fees)
• Easy product setup
• Supports coupons and affiliates

The downsides:

• Basic product pages — less conversion-optimized than MadeThis
• No AI features
• Less brand credibility with buyers than some alternatives

Best for: Budget-conscious sellers who just want to get one or two products live with minimal cost.

5. Creative Market (for Design Templates Specifically)

If you're selling design templates (Canva, Adobe, Figma), Creative Market is worth knowing about. It's a curated marketplace with a design-focused audience.

What works well:

• Buyers come specifically for design assets
• Good fit for Canva templates, mockups, fonts, and UI kits

The downsides:

• Application process — you can't just sign up and sell
• Commission structure takes a meaningful cut
• Limited to design-adjacent products

Best for: Professional designers with a portfolio of high-quality design templates who want marketplace exposure.

The Platform I'd Choose Today

For most people reading this, the right answer is MadeThis.

Here's why: Etsy has discovery, but the fees are high and you're competing with thousands of nearly identical listings. Gumroad is simpler but hasn't kept up. Payhip is fine but basic.

MadeThis gives you professional product pages, AI assistance that actually helps you write better descriptions, and tools that help you grow — all without the fee drain of marketplace platforms.

The strategy that's worked for me: list primarily on MadeThis, drive traffic through SEO content and Pinterest, build a direct customer relationship. No marketplace dependency.

If you want to see how I approach writing listings that convert, there's a whole post on how to write a digital product description that sells.

For a broader look at digital product platforms, the MadeThis alternatives page covers more options in depth.

Templates are one of the fastest paths to real online income. The platform just needs to stay out of the way and let you build.