Why Creators Need More Than Gumroad
Here is the typical workaround that breaks down at scale.
A creator sells a $97 notion template on Gumroad. They decide to offer a $150 implementation call where they walk buyers through setting up the template. To do this on Gumroad, they have to:
- Create a second product listing for the implementation call
- Manually send a Calendly link after each purchase
- Collect payment separately (or awkwardly through a product listing)
- Set up a Zoom call
- Remember to record it
- Send the recording manually after
That is five separate steps for one transaction that should be two: buy, then show up to the call.
The lost revenue is real too. A buyer who impulse-purchased the template is most likely to add a live session when prompted immediately at checkout. A delayed email three steps later loses that conversion window. See our full breakdown of how to sell 1:1 video calls to your audience for the psychology behind this.
What to Look for in a Gumroad Alternative
If you want to sell digital products AND live sessions from one place, evaluate alternatives on these six dimensions:
- Digital product sales. The alternative needs to match Gumroad's core strength: selling and delivering downloadable files.
- Built-in live video. The call should happen inside the platform, not require a separate Zoom subscription.
- Scheduling with calendar sync. Clients should self-book from your real availability, not go back and forth on email.
- Payment at booking. Clients pay when they book, not after you invoice them.
- Recording and delivery. Sessions should record automatically and be deliverable to clients without manual steps.
- Fee structure. A flat percentage with no monthly cost is lower risk at low volume. A monthly subscription with 0% fee saves money at high volume.
Talkspresso as the Live-Video Alternative
Talkspresso covers both sides of the creator business model:
Live session side:
- Built-in HD video for 1:1 calls and group workshops (up to 500 participants)
- Automatic recording on every session
- AI-generated session summaries and action items
- Intake forms clients complete before booking
- Google Calendar sync and automatic availability management
- Payment at booking
Digital product side:
- Sell downloadable files from the same profile
- Turn past session recordings into purchasable products
- Bundle digital products with session packages
The fee is 10% on the free plan with no monthly cost, or 0% on Pro at $29.95 per month. There is no separate video subscription.
Take-home example: A creator doing 8 live sessions per month at $100 and selling $500 per month in digital products keeps $1,288.20 total on the Talkspresso free plan (after 10% and processing). On Gumroad for the product side plus a Zoom Pro subscription ($13.33/mo) for the live calls, they keep roughly the same on products but pay for Zoom regardless of volume and still need Calendly or another scheduling tool.
For context on the full range of options, see our roundup of Gumroad alternatives for creators in 2026.
Other Alternatives Worth Knowing
Stan Store is a creator storefront with booking integration and digital product sales. The monthly fee starts at $29 and scales up. Video calls still require a Zoom subscription because Stan Store does not include built-in video. It is worth considering if you are primarily a product seller who adds calls as a minor upsell.
Kajabi is a heavier platform with courses, communities, and product sales built in. Monthly fees start around $149 and the platform is designed for established course creators with large audiences. Live sessions are available but the platform is much more complex than most creators need.
Podia combines digital products, courses, and community features. Like Gumroad, it does not have built-in live video for 1:1 sessions. Webinar tools are available as add-ons. For an all-in-one comparison, see how creator platforms stack up for products, bookings, and newsletters.
Cost Comparison
| Tool | Platform Fee | Monthly Cost | Built-in Video | Digital Products | Recording | Best For |
|---|
| Gumroad | ~10% | $0 | No | Yes | No | Digital product sales only |
| Talkspresso | 10% (free) / 0% (Pro) | $0 / $29.95 | Yes | Yes | Yes (auto) |
Fee structures as of 2026. Verify current pricing on each platform's pricing page before committing.
The hidden cost of the DIY stack: Gumroad + Zoom Pro + Calendly costs roughly $23 to $43 per month before your first booking. At 4 sessions per month at $100, Talkspresso's 10% fee ($40 in fees, no monthly cost) is cheaper than the subscription stack ($23 to $43 minimum) before you count the transaction fees Gumroad also charges.
How to Switch in an Afternoon
Step 1: Claim your profile. Create an account on Talkspresso and fill out your name, bio, and photo. This becomes your public booking and storefront page.
Step 2: Upload your digital products. Add the files you currently sell on Gumroad. Set prices, write descriptions, and choose whether each product is instant delivery or gated behind a purchase.
Step 3: Create your live session services. Add each type of call or workshop you want to offer. Set the price, duration, intake questions, and availability.
Step 4: Connect your calendar. Sync Google Calendar so availability is managed automatically.
Step 5: Share your link. Update your bio, email list, and any content that drives traffic to your Gumroad page. Point it to your Talkspresso profile instead.
Your Gumroad products can stay live during the transition. Wind them down gradually as your Talkspresso store builds up reviews and repeat buyers.
For more on building a monetized creator presence that goes beyond sponsorships, see how creators monetize beyond sponsorships in 2026. And for the specific question of what to sell first when you are starting out, our post on selling digital products as a coach or consultant has the framework.
The Bottom Line
Gumroad is not the wrong tool. It is just the incomplete tool for a creator who wants to offer live access alongside downloadable products.
The missing live video capability is not a minor gap. It is the difference between a passive income product business and a complete creator business that also offers real-time access to you. Those two offers compound on each other: buyers of your products become buyers of your time, and buyers of your time often buy your products.
Talkspresso brings both sides of that business into one link. Set it up once, and you have a booking page, a product storefront, a live video room, automatic recording, and AI summaries ready for every session.
