MadeThis Cons: What I Don't Love About the Platform (And Why I'm Still Using It)

Every review that only talks about the positives is useless to you. You can't make a good decision without knowing the downsides.

I've been using MadeThis for over six months to run my digital product business. I'm staying on the platform. But there are real things I don't love about it, and you deserve to know what they are before you sign up.

Con #1: The Community Is Smaller Than Competitors

Gumroad has been around since 2011. Teachable since 2014. There are thousands of creators, tutorials, YouTube channels, and blog posts built around those platforms.

MadeThis is newer. The creator community around it is smaller. When I search for "MadeThis strategies" or "how to grow on MadeThis," there's less content than for competing platforms.

Why this matters: When you're stuck or trying to learn from other successful sellers, you have fewer models to look at. You can't browse hundreds of MadeThis creator case studies the way you can with Gumroad.

Why it doesn't matter as much as it seems: The fundamentals of selling digital products are platform-agnostic. Great copy sells everywhere. A good product priced correctly will convert everywhere. The MadeThis-specific knowledge you need is shallow — the deep work is in product creation and marketing.

Con #2: Brand Recognition

When a buyer sees "checkout via Gumroad," they probably recognize the name. When they see MadeThis, they might not.

I haven't had buyers refuse to purchase because of this. But I've wondered whether some hesitation at checkout is partly due to unfamiliarity with the platform.

The counterargument: MadeThis's checkout looks clean and professional. Trust signals come from design as much as brand name. And as MadeThis grows, this gap will close.

My honest take: For most of your buyers, platform name recognition at checkout is not a major purchase barrier. If it worries you, build your brand in front of the checkout — so buyers are buying from you, not from the platform.

Con #3: The AI Features Are Still Early-Stage

The AI co-founder is genuinely useful. I've said that multiple times. But it's not perfect, and it's clearly a product that's still being built.

Occasionally the suggestions are generic. Occasionally it misreads what you're asking. The recommendations have improved noticeably over the six months I've been on the platform — but if you expect an AI that gives expert-level strategic advice every time, you'll be disappointed.

The fair framing: MadeThis is transparent that AI features are evolving. You're getting a useful tool that will get better, not a finished product. If you want mature, battle-tested AI business advice, that doesn't fully exist anywhere yet.

Con #4: Advanced Course Features Are Limited

If you want quizzes, completion certificates, cohort management, or sophisticated drip scheduling for courses, MadeThis isn't the most feature-rich option.

Platforms like Kajabi and Teachable have more robust course infrastructure. If complex course mechanics are essential to your product, those platforms handle it better.

Who this affects: Creators building heavily structured, academic-style courses where learner tracking matters. If you're building a video course that buyers watch at their own pace, MadeThis handles that fine.

Con #5: No Physical Product Support

MadeThis is built for digital products. If you want to sell physical goods, merch, or print-on-demand alongside your digital products, you'd need a separate platform.

Honest take: For most solopreneurs starting out, this isn't a limitation. Physical goods add complexity — inventory, shipping, returns. Starting with digital products is simpler and more profitable. But if you planned to do both, know that you'd need another tool.

Why I'm Still Using It Anyway

I've been transparent about the downsides. Now let me be equally transparent about why I'm staying.

The math works. MadeThis's fee structure means I keep more of every sale than I would on Gumroad. That compounds over time.

The setup is genuinely fast. I've launched multiple products in hours, not days. That speed lets me test ideas and iterate quickly.

It handles everything I need. My product mix is ebooks, templates, and a course. MadeThis handles all of it in one place. Consolidating my stack saves time and mental energy.

The platform is improving. Every time I log in, something is better than it was. The team is clearly building actively. That trajectory matters.

The cons I've listed are real. But none of them are dealbreakers for my business. If your needs align with what MadeThis does well, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages by a meaningful margin.

For a full picture, here's what I love about MadeThis and a look at all the alternatives if you want to compare before deciding.

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