Table of Contents
- Introduction
- CODEGEN & DELIVERY vs. Linkifile: At a Glance
- Deep Dive Comparison
- The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Introduction
Distributing digital products through a Shopify store requires a strategic approach to fulfillment that balances security, ease of use, and customer satisfaction. Merchants often find themselves caught between two distinct paths: delivering unique access keys or providing direct file downloads. Choosing the wrong tool can lead to increased support tickets, frustrated customers, and lost revenue.
Short answer: CODEGEN & DELIVERY is a specialized solution for merchants who need to distribute unique activation codes or serial numbers via CSV files, while Linkifile is a robust file-delivery system focused on automated downloads for videos, PDFs, and music. While both apps automate fulfillment, CODEGEN & DELIVERY targets software and license-based sales, whereas Linkifile is built for creative assets and traditional digital goods.
This comparison looks at the core features, pricing, and workflows of both CODEGEN & DELIVERY and Linkifile. By evaluating their performance signals and operational logic, merchants can identify which tool aligns with their specific digital delivery model and long-term business goals.
CODEGEN & DELIVERY vs. Linkifile: At a Glance
| Feature | CODEGEN & DELIVERY | Linkifile |
|---|---|---|
| Core Use Case | Distributing unique activation codes/serial keys | Delivering digital files (PDF, Video, MP3) |
| Best For | Software licenses, game keys, event vouchers | E-books, digital art, video courses |
| Reviews & Rating | 0 Reviews (Rating: 0) | 0 Reviews (Rating: 0) |
| Primary Workflow | CSV-based code mapping | File upload and download link generation |
| Store Integration | Displays codes on "My Page" and order status | Embedded in Shopify web and mobile app |
| Storage/Bandwidth | Not specified in provided data | Tiered limits (1GB to 100GB storage) |
| Potential Limits | High entry price for Enterprise ($99/mo) | Bandwidth caps on lower-tier plans |
| Setup Complexity | Moderate (requires CSV preparation) | Low (direct file uploads) |
Deep Dive Comparison
Understanding the technical nuances between these two platforms is essential for maintaining a high-quality customer experience. While both apps exist within the Shopify ecosystem, their internal logic serves very different business models.
Fulfillment Workflows and Operational Logic
The primary difference lies in what the customer actually receives after the checkout is completed. CODEGEN & DELIVERY operates as a "gatekeeper" of information. When a merchant sells a digital product that requires an activation key—such as a software license or a one-time use voucher—they must upload a CSV file containing these variable codes. The app then assigns these codes to specific products or orders.
Once a purchase is finalized, the customer can view their unique code directly on the order confirmation page or within their account history page. This is particularly useful for merchants who sell products that are hosted on a third-party platform but sold through Shopify. It ensures that the "secret" information is delivered securely without the need for manual email distribution.
Linkifile, by contrast, focuses on the physical delivery of a digital asset. The merchant uploads the actual file—whether it is a 2GB video file or a 500KB PDF—directly to the Linkifile servers. When the customer completes their purchase, the app automatically generates a secure download link. The customer does not receive a "code" to use elsewhere; they receive the product itself. This distinction is critical because it changes the merchant's responsibilities regarding storage and bandwidth management.
Data Management and Code Distribution
For merchants considering CODEGEN & DELIVERY, the reliance on CSV files is a central part of the daily workflow. The app allows for flexible distribution formats, meaning codes can be assigned per product or per order. This flexibility is vital for brands running promotions where a single purchase might grant access to multiple different services or bonuses.
The developer, TwoGate inc., has designed the app to be functional for merchants who already have a database of keys ready to go. The process involves three main steps: registering the distribution conditions, uploading the CSV data, and then previewing the customer-facing "bonus distribution" screen to ensure the branding is correct. This ensures that the customer sees exactly what they are entitled to without any confusion.
File Protection and Digital Asset Security
Security is a major concern for anyone selling digital files, and this is where Linkifile offers specific tools that CODEGEN & DELIVERY does not. One of the standout features of Linkifile is PDF stamping. This technology automatically places a "stamp" on every page of a PDF file, usually containing the customer's name, email, or order number. This discourages piracy and unauthorized sharing, as the file is permanently linked to the original purchaser.
Linkifile also manages the technical overhead of hosting. Unlike CODEGEN & DELIVERY, which primarily handles text data (codes), Linkifile handles large binary files. The app provides competitive storage and bandwidth inclusions, which are monitored monthly. For a creator selling high-resolution video content, the ability to track how much bandwidth is being used is essential for maintaining profitability.
Customization and Branding Control
A disjointed customer experience can lead to an increase in support queries and a decrease in brand trust. Both apps provide tools to minimize this friction, but they do so in different areas of the Shopify store.
CODEGEN & DELIVERY focuses on the post-purchase pages. By displaying activation codes on the "purchase history" and "purchase completed" pages, the app keeps the customer within the Shopify environment. This is a significant advantage because customers do not have to go searching through their email inboxes for a message that might have ended up in a spam folder. The preview function allows merchants to see exactly how these codes will appear to the user before the system goes live.
Linkifile emphasizes the aesthetics of the download journey. The app allows for the customization of download pages and email templates. This ensures that when a customer receives their link to a purchased book or video, the page feels like an extension of the merchant's store rather than a third-party file-sharing site. Because Linkifile is embedded within the Shopify web and mobile app, it provides a more modern interface for the merchant to manage their assets.
Pricing Structure and Value Analysis
The pricing models for these two apps reflect their different technical requirements and target audiences.
CODEGEN & DELIVERY offers a polarized pricing structure:
- Entry Plan (Free to install): This plan allows for the registration and distribution of digital content and display on the "My Page" section.
- Enterprise Plan ($99/month): This plan includes all basic features but opens the door for custom requests and fee negotiations. It is clearly aimed at high-volume merchants or businesses with complex, custom requirements.
Linkifile follows a more traditional SaaS tiered structure based on usage:
- Free Plan: This is ideal for testing, offering 1GB of storage and 10GB of bandwidth for up to 50 digital orders.
- Starter Plan ($10/month): This increases limits to 10GB of storage and 200GB of bandwidth with unlimited orders.
- Pro Plan ($20/month): This jumps to 25GB of storage and 500GB of bandwidth.
- Enterprise Plan ($35/month): This provides 100GB of storage and 2000GB of bandwidth.
For a merchant selling a small number of very large files, Linkifile’s $35 plan offers substantial value. Conversely, a merchant selling thousands of small text-based license codes might find the $99 plan of CODEGEN & DELIVERY expensive, though the value lies in the unique "My Page" integration and the automation of variable code mapping.
Technical Compatibility and "Works With" Signals
When verifying compatibility details in the official app listing, merchants should look at how these apps interact with the rest of their tech stack. Linkifile is built to work seamlessly with the Shopify mobile app, which is a major benefit for merchants who manage their businesses on the go. It allows for file management and order tracking directly from a smartphone.
CODEGEN & DELIVERY does not specify many external integrations in the provided data, but its core function of mapping CSV data to Shopify orders suggests it is designed to be a self-contained system. Merchants should be aware that while it simplifies the distribution of codes, it may require more manual work in the CSV preparation phase compared to the direct upload method used by Linkifile.
The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively
While CODEGEN & DELIVERY and Linkifile solve specific problems related to code and file delivery, they often leave merchants dealing with "platform fragmentation." This occurs when a customer has to jump between different parts of a site—or even leave the site entirely—to access what they bought. This fragmentation leads to higher support volume, lower conversion rates, and a brand experience that feels "bolted on" rather than cohesive.
Tevello addresses this by offering an All-in-One Native Platform philosophy. Instead of just delivering a file or a code, Tevello allows merchants to host their entire digital experience—including courses, communities, and digital products—directly inside their Shopify store. This approach keeps the customer "at home," ensuring that the brand identity remains consistent from the moment of purchase through the entire consumption of the content.
By keeping customers at home on the brand website, merchants can significantly reduce login friction. In fragmented systems, customers often struggle with multiple passwords for different platforms. With a native solution, the customer's Shopify account is their key to everything. This simplicity is one of the reasons why merchants have seen such dramatic results when moving to a unified system.
For example, look at how one brand sold $112K+ by bundling courses with their physical products. By offering digital education that complements physical inventory, they created a higher perceived value for every purchase. This wasn't achieved by just sending a download link; it was achieved by building a native learning environment where customers could interact with the content immediately after checkout.
Another powerful outcome of a native platform is the ability to drive repeat business through upselling. Instead of a one-off file delivery, merchants can use their content to keep customers coming back. We see this in generating over €243,000 by upselling existing customers who were already engaged with the brand's digital content. When your products and your platform are one and the same, the barriers to the next sale are virtually non-existent.
The technical benefits of a native platform also translate to better store performance. Fragmented systems often require complex "duct-tape" solutions to sync data between a Shopify store and an external course or community site. This often breaks, leading to lost data and angry customers. Merchants have doubled its store's conversion rate by fixing a fragmented system and replacing it with a native experience that just works.
When reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from, it becomes clear that the trend in e-commerce is moving toward this type of consolidation. Whether you are strategies for selling over 4,000 digital courses natively or creating new revenue streams from a loyal customer base, the goal is the same: to create a seamless, high-value ecosystem that maximizes the lifetime value of every customer.
If unifying your stack is a priority, start by a simple, all-in-one price for unlimited courses. This predictable approach to scaling allows you to grow your community and your course library without the fear of escalating storage or bandwidth fees that often plague traditional file-delivery apps.
Conclusion
For merchants choosing between CODEGEN & DELIVERY and Linkifile, the decision comes down to the nature of the digital asset being sold. CODEGEN & DELIVERY is the logical choice for those whose primary product is an activation key or a unique serial number that exists outside of Shopify. Its strength lies in the variable code distribution logic and the integration with the customer's purchase history page.
Linkifile, on the other hand, is the superior option for creators selling tangible digital files like e-books, music, and videos. Its focus on automated download fulfillment, PDF stamping, and tiered storage plans makes it a reliable partner for brands that need to deliver high volumes of data securely. The trade-off is the potential for bandwidth overages if a product becomes unexpectedly viral, requiring careful plan management.
However, merchants who want to go beyond simple delivery and truly build a brand should consider the strategic benefits of a natively integrated platform. By moving away from fragmented apps and toward a unified system, you can amplify your sales while simultaneously reducing the technical burden on your support team. When you achieving a 100% improvement in conversion rate through better system design, the ROI of a native platform becomes undeniable.
Before making a final choice, it is worth evaluating the long-term cost of scaling membership to ensure your chosen app won't penalize your success with hidden fees.
To build your community without leaving Shopify, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from.
FAQ
How do I know if I need CODEGEN & DELIVERY or Linkifile?
The choice depends on your product type. If you are selling a "key" that the customer enters into another piece of software or a third-party website, CODEGEN & DELIVERY is the correct tool. If you are selling a "file" that the customer downloads and opens on their own device, Linkifile is the correct choice.
Can I use Linkifile for video courses?
Yes, Linkifile supports video file types. However, keep in mind that video files are very large. You will need to monitor your bandwidth and storage limits closely to ensure you do not exceed your plan's capacity. For a more interactive course experience with lessons and quizzes, a dedicated LMS platform might be more effective than simple file delivery.
Does CODEGEN & DELIVERY send emails to my customers?
According to the provided data, the app focuses on displaying the codes on the "purchase completed" page and the customer's "purchase history" page (My Page). This reduces the reliance on emails, which can often be lost or delayed.
How does a native, all-in-one platform compare to specialized external apps?
A native platform lives entirely within your Shopify store, meaning customers use their existing Shopify login to access their digital content. Specialized external apps often require a separate delivery system or a download link sent via email. Native platforms typically offer better branding consistency, lower customer support needs because of the unified login, and easier bundling of physical and digital products.


