Sellfy alternatives: 3 free & open-source picks
Compare recorded free and open-source options, their capabilities and operating requirements. Source dates are shown below; licenses, hosted limits and project activity can change.
A self-hosted storefront for downloads and memberships; commerce is simpler than Sellfy and operations are not.
licenseAGPL-3.0
runsyour machine or their cloud
installDocker Compose, with SUPER_ADMIN_EMAIL set before first start
dataApplication records in MongoDB; production media uploads use MediaLit plus S3-compatible object storage
the catch vs SellfyCourseLit is course-and-community oriented rather than a polished digital-file storefront, and the seller must operate Docker, mail and media storage.
setupDocker starts the app, but a production setup also needs SMTP for email login and MediaLit/S3-compatible storage for uploads
facts verified 2026-08-10
Digital delivery and subscriptions share one storefront; you also inherit PHP updates.
licenseAGPL-3.0+
runsyour server
installDownload and upload the PHP release, open the site URL, and complete the browser installer
dataContent, products, orders and settings in MySQL/MariaDB, SQLite or PostgreSQL; media and downloadable files on the server filesystem
the catch vs SellfyVvveb is a general self-hosted shop rather than a creator storefront, so file sales require server, mail, payment and update administration.
setupPHP hosting, a database, writable files, mail and payment configuration, plus ongoing server updates
facts verified 2026-08-10
Hosted downloads and recurring offers on a permanent free plan; one-course limits do not matter to a file shop.
licenseproprietary, free
runstheir cloud
installHosted signup
dataContacts, funnels, course/community content, orders, emails and uploaded files in systeme.io's vendor-managed cloud; the underlying storage format is not published
the catch vs Sellfysysteme.io's general funnel storefront is less polished for browsing and managing a catalog of digital files than Sellfy.
setupSelling requires connecting a payment gateway; the free plan is capped at 2,000 contacts, three funnels, one course, one community and one custom domain
facts verified 2026-08-10
latest recorded source check 2026-08-10 · check current terms at the source
Easy Digital DownloadsThe free core handles files, but recurring subscriptions live in paid extensions.
FOSSBillingSubscriptions and downloads fit, but the project still calls itself beta and warns of rough edges.
MedusaA headless commerce toolkit is not a user-owned digital storefront for non-builders.
| tool | license | running it | platforms | stars | active |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CourseLit | AGPL-3.0 | docker to self-host | web, self-hosted | 1,200 | 2026-07 |
| Vvveb | AGPL-3.0+ | self-host, real ops | web, self-hosted | 1,200 | 2026-08 |
| systeme.io | proprietary, free | they host it | web | — | — |
People still pay for Sellfy because creators pay to outsource the dangerous and tedious parts around money, delivery, tax, and customer access. The recurring cost buys checkout, webhooks, tax, refunds, fraud, entitlements, storage, email, accessibility, backups, and customer support, not just the visible interface. The recorded subscription totals $348 a year before any costs of an alternative.
Questions about these alternatives
Is there a free alternative to Sellfy?
Yes: CourseLit, Vvveb, systeme.io. These are recorded free or open-source options. Compare their feature limits, licenses, hosting costs and current availability before choosing.
Should I just build my own Sellfy?
Our verdict is KINDA. The core loop is buildable, but a dependable replacement becomes a real weekend or multi-day project. For Sellfy, sell digital files and simple subscriptions from a user-owned storefront. The hard boundary is payments, hosted delivery, email, print-on-demand, upsells, and support, plus payments, tax, distribution, and operations. Review the scope, implementation prompt and trade-offs in the Sellfy build guide.
