E-commerce Strategy

Supaflo vs. Shopify

Why pay for apps when you can have everything built-in?

By The Supaflo Team 5 min read Updated Dec 2025

Shopify is the undisputed king of physical e-commerce. If you are shipping t-shirts or coffee mugs, use Shopify.

But if you are selling digital products (beats, kits, courses, ebooks), Shopify quickly becomes expensive and complicated.

Here is the reality: Shopify gives you a "core" for $29/mo, but to accept digital downloads, upsells, or subscriptions, you need to install (and pay for) 3rd party apps. Supaflo gives you the whole package for one low price.

Digital Commerce Matrix

What do you get out of the box?

FeatureSupafloShopify
Monthly Cost (Base)
$14.99
$29.00
Digital Downloads
Built-in (Free)
Requires App ($$$)
One-Click Upsells
Built-in (Free)
Requires App ($$$)
Native Music Player
Yes
No (Embeds only)
Transaction Fees
0%
2.9% + 30¢ (Basic)

1. The "App Tax"

Shopify's business model relies on the App Store.

  • Need to deliver a ZIP file? Install an app ($10/mo).
  • Need a post-purchase upsell? Install an app ($20/mo).
  • Need a bundle builder? Install an app ($15/mo).

Your "$29" subscription quickly becomes $75-100/month just to have basic functionality for selling beats.

Supaflo includes all of this. No plugins. No updates. No extra fees.

Shopify
Upsells $29
Downloads $19
Core $29

~$77/mo

Supaflo
All Included (No Apps)

$14.99/mo

2. Built for Instant Gratification

Shopify was built for shipping boxes. Its checkout asks for shipping addresses even when someone buys an MP3. You have to hack the settings to make it "digital."

Supaflo is digital-first.

Our checkout is streamlined for downloads. Buyers get their secure download links instantly on the Thank You page and via email. We handle the hosting, the bandwidth, and the security.

Keep It Simple (and Cheap)

Don't get trapped in the Shopify ecosystem unless you are shipping pallets of merchandise. For digital creators, Supaflo is the lean, mean, selling machine.

Start Selling Digital Products

Join thousands of creators switching today.