Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA vs Downly: In-Depth Comparison

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA vs. Downly ‑ Sell Digital Products: At a Glance
3. Deep Dive Comparison
4. The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively
5. Practical Migration Notes & Decision Checklist
6. Conclusion
7. FAQ

Introduction

Adding digital products, courses, or membership content to a Shopify store is straightforward in theory but complicated in practice. Merchants must balance secure file delivery, licensing, storage limits, branding, and the ability to bundle digital access with physical products — all while keeping customers on the merchant’s site. Single-purpose apps can solve parts of that workflow, but they often leave gaps that increase support work, reduce conversion, and fragment the customer experience.

Short answer: Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA is a polished, feature-rich digital delivery app with a small but perfect score of merchant ratings and practical tiered storage that scales for growing catalogs. Downly ‑ Sell Digital Products is a lightweight, low-cost option that exposes core digital-file features and license key generation but currently lacks public reviews and broad trust signals. For merchants who want unified commerce, courses, and community features without sending customers to external platforms, a native alternative like Tevello offers deeper integration and proven results.

This post provides an in-depth, feature-by-feature comparison of Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA and Downly ‑ Sell Digital Products to help merchants decide which app fits a particular store—then explains why a natively integrated platform can be a higher-value choice for brands that want to bundle products, increase LTV, and reduce customer churn.

Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA vs. Downly ‑ Sell Digital Products: At a Glance

Deep Dive Comparison

Feature Set

File Types and Delivery

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA supports a wide range of file types (PDFs, videos, audio, software) and allows attaching any number of files to products or variants. It highlights secure file delivery and download limits.
• Downly supports uploading and selling any file type and emphasizes quick download speed and automatic emailing of files after purchase.

Both apps handle the common file types merchants need. The practical differences are in delivery control:

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA offers explicit download limits, the ability to sell unique files per order (useful for commissioned work), and secure download links.
• Downly focuses on simplicity and speed, with file update notifications and no upload size limits at higher tiers.

Practical implication: If a merchant needs per-order unique files, strict download limits, or stronger link controls, Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA is better suited. For single-shape digital products where ease and speed matter most, Downly is efficient.

License Keys & Licensing Automation

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA lists unlimited license keys on all plans and supports license management.
• Downly promotes automated generation of unlimited license keys and built-in automatic email delivery of keys.

Both apps provide license key features, but the difference is in user trust and configuration experience. Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA’s higher-rated reviews indicate merchants have successfully used license features; Downly promises automation but lacks public reviews to confirm real-world reliability.

Branding & Customer-Facing Pages

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA allows brand customization (fonts, logos, colors) on the download page and supports a custom sender email at higher tiers.
• Downly removes its branding on the paid Standard plan and allows automatic file/email sending. It does not emphasize deep customization of the download page in its primary description.

Merchants aiming for a consistent brand experience across purchase and access will prefer the explicit branding controls in Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA. Downly’s “no branding” upgrade is useful, but it may still leave merchants reliant on basic email templates.

File Updates & Notifications

• Downly highlights instant update notifications when a digital product is updated, which is useful if the store sells time-sensitive content or iterative digital products.
• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA does not emphasize automatic update notifications in its primary description, but it supports secure delivery and download controls.

For courses or products that require versioning and notifying customers of updates, Downly’s built-in update notification is an attractive feature.

Storage, Performance & Scalability

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA tiers: Free (500MB), Pro (10GB), Max (50GB), Enterprise (1000GB). Higher tiers include priority support and custom domains.
• Downly tiers: Free (300MB), Standard (12GB), Plus (120GB). Higher plans remove branding and lift file size limits.

Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA clearly scales to very large catalogs with its Enterprise tier (1000GB) while Downly’s Plus plan caps at 120GB. For merchants with large video libraries or many courses, MEGA’s scaling provides predictability.

Security & Download Limits

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA advertises download limits and secure delivery. Those are critical to reduce link sharing.
• Downly also supports security measures by using automatic email delivery and potentially link expiration, though details are less explicit.

If preventing unauthorized sharing is a high priority, choose the app whose documentation provides the exact controls required (expiry, device/IP locking, per-order unique links). Based on the descriptions, Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA emphasizes these controls more explicitly.

Pricing & Value

Pricing decisions should balance starting cost against long-term value and feature fit.

Pricing Overview (high level)

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA:
  • Free: 500MB, 15 orders, 3 products
  • Pro: $12.99/month, 10GB, unlimited orders/products
  • Max: $19.99/month, 50GB, priority support, custom sender email
  • Enterprise: $25.99/month, 1000GB, custom email domain, priority support
• Downly:
  • Free: 300MB, up to 30 orders
  • Standard: $2.95/month, 12GB, unlimited orders, no Downly branding
  • Plus: $4.95/month, 120GB, priority support

Comparative Value Assessment

• Entry-level value: Downly’s Standard plan at $2.95/month offers a compelling low-cost upgrade compared with MEGA’s $12.99 Pro tier. For stores selling a few products, Downly gives more storage per dollar initially.
• Mid-range scaling: MEGA’s Pro-to-Max step provides more polish (custom sender, priority support) and a clearer upgrade path to very large storage at reasonable incremental costs. Downly’s Plus at $4.95 remains inexpensive, but it caps at 120GB.
• Predictability: MEGA’s higher tiers give merchants predictable storage and explicit support levels. This can be "better value for money" for merchants who want predictable monthly costs and strong deliverability guarantees.
• Hidden costs: Neither description mentions transaction fees tied to the apps, but merchants should verify any per-download charges, bandwidth overages, or API usage costs when considering scale.

Recommendation on pricing: For sole creators or very small catalogs, Downly’s paid plans are attractive for their price-performance ratio. For merchants expecting growth, large video hosting needs, or who require branded sender email and priority support, Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA offers more predictable licensing and storage scaling that will reduce support friction over time.

Integrations & Native Behavior

Shopify Native Integration

• Both apps are available in the Shopify App Store and attach digital files to Shopify products. That means files are delivered through Shopify workflows (thank-you page, email customizations).
• Neither app advertises native course or community features (e.g., member areas, drip content, Shopify Flow built into product/content workflow). Both are focused on digital product delivery rather than integrated learning platforms.

This is an important distinction: Digital delivery apps solve the "product to customer" touchpoint but do not replace platforms designed to host courses, communities, or member-only gated content.

Checkout & Customer Experience

• Because both apps work with digital products and Shopify's checkout, customers can buy digital files with normal storefront checkout. However, the apps differ in how they keep customers "at home":
  • Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA focuses on branded download pages and custom email senders, which keeps the post-purchase experience consistent.
  • Downly prioritizes simple file delivery and automated emails, with branding removal available on paid plans.

If the merchant’s priority is a seamless, integrated experience (purchase → access → community), a platform built for that full flow is necessary; single-purpose digital delivery apps cannot create gated member areas or community features without additional apps.

User Support, Documentation & Reputation

Reviews and Trust Signals

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA: 31 reviews with a 5.0 rating. That is a small review base but a very strong score indicating consistent merchant satisfaction.
• Downly: 0 reviews and a 0 rating in the Shopify listing data provided. The lack of reviews means merchants have less public evidence of reliability.

Reputation matters for digital delivery: failed links or missing files lead to support tickets and refunds. While small review counts should be considered in context, a consistent high score for MEGA is a positive signal compared to no data for Downly.

Support Levels

• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA includes priority support on higher tiers (Max and Enterprise).
• Downly offers priority support on the Plus plan.

Merchants should assess typical support response time and whether the vendor provides migration assistance or setup help for large catalogs.

Implementation & Onboarding

Setup Complexity

• Both apps are designed to convert existing Shopify products into digital products with a few clicks. Downly emphasizes turning existing products into digital versions quickly.
• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA is more explicit about attaching multiple files per product and selling unique files per order, which can require slightly more configuration but offers more flexibility.

Time-to-First-Sale

• Downly’s low-friction setup is likely to get a first digital sale fastest because of its straightforward flows.
• Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA may take slightly longer to configure if the merchant customizes branding and license behavior, but it offers more control afterwards.

Migration Considerations

• Migrating large libraries will require bandwidth and time. MEGA’s higher-tier storage and priority support can simplify migrations for larger merchants.
• Downly’s Plus plan at 120GB may be sufficient for many small-to-medium catalogs; for larger migrations, MEGA scales better.

Use Cases: Which App Fits Which Merchant

Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA is best for:

• Merchants with medium-to-large catalogs of digital products or multiple courses who need predictable storage and priority support.
• Brands that want branded download pages, custom sender emails, and strict download/security controls.
• Stores that need to deliver unique files per order (commissions, custom art, per-order licenses).

Downly ‑ Sell Digital Products is best for:

• New or small stores with a few digital SKUs seeking an inexpensive entry point.
• Sellers who want quick setup, automatic license key generation, and update notifications for customers.
• Merchants who prioritize low monthly cost and limited initial storage needs.

Use case nuance: Both apps are limited as course or community platforms. Merchants who want to add member portals, content drip, or native course pages should consider a platform built for courses and communities rather than a file-delivery app.

Pros & Cons (Quick Reference)

Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA — Pros

• Strong rating and positive reviews (31 reviews, 5.0).
• Clear storage tiers up to 1000GB for scale.
• Branded download pages and custom sender email available.
• License key support and secure download limits.

Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA — Cons

• Higher starting price on paid plans compared with Downly.
• Focused on delivery — no built-in community or course features.

Downly — Pros

• Very low-cost paid plans (Standard $2.95, Plus $4.95).
• Automatic license key generation and email delivery.
• File update notifications for customers.
• Quick setup and minimal configuration.

Downly — Cons

• No public reviews to confirm reliability.
• Storage caps at 120GB on Plus plan — less suitable for large video libraries.
• Fewer branding/customization features emphasized.

Security, Legal & Compliance Considerations

• Both apps handle sending files and license keys; merchants must confirm whether email senders comply with domain authentication (SPF/DKIM) and whether apps can use custom sender emails or custom domains (MEGA offers custom domain on Enterprise).
• For GDPR, privacy, or tax compliance (VAT rules for digital goods), merchants remain responsible for applying correct tax settings and data handling. Neither app replaces tax filing responsibilities.
• Merchants should confirm how each app logs downloads and stores customer data for audit or refund purposes.

The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively

The Problem: Platform Fragmentation

Many merchants start with a separate course platform, a digital downloads app, and a forum or third-party membership tool. This “best-of-breed” approach can feel modern, but it often fragments the customer experience:

• Customers are redirected to multiple logins and external pages, increasing friction and churn.
• Bundling physical and digital products becomes awkward because access control is handled off-site.
• Support tickets increase when customers can’t find purchased content or access keys.
• Analytics and conversion tracking become disjointed, making it harder to iterate.

This fragmentation often costs more in the long run than the initial perceived benefits of specialized tools.

Why a Native, All-in-One Platform Matters

A platform that is natively integrated with Shopify keeps customers “at home” and ties content access directly to the Shopify order and customer record. That improves conversion, retention, and makes bundling simple. Key benefits:

• Unified customer experience: purchase on Shopify, access content within the same ecosystem.
• Bundling physical + digital: automatically grant course access when a physical product is bought, increasing AOV and LTV.
• Reduced support tickets: fewer logins and clearer access reduces common post-purchase issues.
• Predictable pricing and fewer integrations: one app covering content and communities removes extra monthly fees and integration brittleness.

Introducing Tevello: A Native Alternative

Tevello is a Shopify-native platform that combines courses, digital products, and communities within the merchant’s store. It is purpose-built to eliminate platform fragmentation by connecting content access to Shopify checkout and customer accounts.

Merchants can explore Tevello’s pricing and plan options on a simple, all-in-one price for unlimited courses and see the app listing on the Shopify App Store to confirm it’s natively integrated with Shopify checkout.

Tevello’s design philosophy focuses on keeping commerce and learning together to increase lifetime value and reduce friction. Merchants deciding between single-purpose digital delivery apps and a native content platform should review how Tevello handles the customer journey and conversion impact.

Concrete Proof: Merchants Using Native Integration to Scale

Several merchants have publicly shared measurable results after switching to a native, unified approach:

• Learn how one brand generated over $112K in digital revenue by bundling courses with physical products when they moved content into Shopify and used a native course platform: how one brand sold $112K+ by bundling courses with physical products.
• See how another store generated over €243,000 by upselling existing customers through native content and improved flows: generated over €243,000 by upselling existing customers.
• Observe the impact of migrating a large community: migrated over 14,000 members and reduced support tickets.
• Understand the retention uplift when bundling physical kits and on-demand courses, which resulted in achieved a 59%+ returning customer rate.
• Discover how moving from a fragmented stack to a native solution doubled its store's conversion rate by fixing a fragmented system.
• Read broader examples and see how merchants are earning six figures after consolidating content and commerce.

These case studies provide concrete proof that native integration can deliver meaningful revenue and operational improvements, not theoretical benefits.

How Tevello Solves the Gaps Left by Delivery-Only Apps

• Bundling physical and digital: With native Shopify checkout integration, Tevello attaches course access directly to orders, enabling automatic bundling and straightforward post-purchase access.
• Member areas and communities: Unlike delivery-only apps, Tevello includes community features and member management to boost retention.
• Drip content, certificates, and quizzes: Tevello adds learning-specific features that aren’t available in basic file delivery tools.
• Predictable, unified pricing: Instead of multiple subscriptions (course platform + hosting + downloads), Tevello’s plans offer an all-in-one approach. Compare plans directly on the Tevello pricing page to judge value against running multiple apps.
• Seamless migration: Tevello supports migrations and has examples of large migrations resulting in fewer support tickets and increased conversions — details are in the Charles Dowding migration story.

If a merchant is selling courses, memberships, or wants to combine physical products with gated digital content, the native approach reduces complexity and increases conversion. For an immediate look at feature parity against single-purpose apps, examine all the key features for courses and communities.

Try It Risk-Free

For merchants who want to see the difference firsthand, Tevello offers a practical way to test how a native platform affects conversion and retention. Start a trial to experience content and commerce unified on Shopify: Start your 14-day free trial to see how a native course platform transforms your store.

(That sentence is an explicit call to action to try the native platform.)

Practical Migration Notes & Decision Checklist

If evaluating whether to use Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA, Downly, or adopt a native platform like Tevello, consider this merchant checklist:

• Product Complexity: Are products single-file downloads or multi-module courses with quizzes and community? If the latter, choose a course-first native platform.
• Catalog Size and Storage: Estimate monthly storage and bandwidth — MEGA’s Enterprise tier handles very large libraries, while Downly caps lower.
• Branding Needs: Do download pages and sender emails need to match brand assets? MEGA’s higher plans support custom sender and branding.
• Bundling Physical Products: Is the goal to attach course access to a physical SKU? If yes, a native platform simplifies access control.
• Support and Reliability: Are support SLAs important? MEGA offers priority support on higher tiers; Downly provides priority on Plus. Tevello has migration success stories and consolidated support.
• Pricing Predictability: Which model gives better long-term returns? Consider combining app costs vs. a single native platform price.
• Conversion Goals: Does the merchant want to increase AOV and LTV through bundled offerings or memberships? Native platforms have the strongest track record here.

If the merchant’s answer points to growth, community, or course delivery as strategic pillars, the evidence from native migrations and revenue uplifts favors a platform that keeps content and commerce together.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA and Downly ‑ Sell Digital Products, the decision comes down to scale and priorities. Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA is an excellent choice for merchants who need reliable, secure delivery with predictable storage scaling and stronger brand controls. Downly is a solid value option for merchants who prioritize a low-cost, quick-start solution for delivering files and license keys.

Both apps solve the core problem of delivering files, but neither is a full course or community platform. If the goal is to increase LTV, bundle physical and digital products, or run courses and communities from a single Shopify-native location, a unified platform removes friction and delivers measurable revenue benefits. Tevello is designed to provide that unified experience, with native checkout integration and tools for courses, communities, and bundles — see how merchants are earning six figures and read the case study showing how one brand sold $112K+ by bundling courses with physical products. For a full feature comparison and to review plans, merchants can check all the key features for courses and communities and compare pricing options.

Start your 14-day free trial to unify your content and commerce today. (This is an explicit call to action linked to pricing: Start your 14-day free trial to see how a native course platform transforms your store.)

Read merchant feedback and read the 5-star reviews from fellow merchants before deciding—customer success stories and live reviews often surface practical insights that matter during real-world operations.

FAQ

Which app should a small store with a few PDFs and eBooks choose?

For a store selling a handful of simple files, Downly provides strong entry-level value and quick setup. Its Standard tier is very low-cost and removes branding. If branding, larger scale, or per-order unique file delivery are needed, consider Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA.

Which app is better for courses or membership content?

Neither Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA nor Downly is designed as a full course or community platform. They both handle file delivery and license keys well. For course features like drip content, certificates, member areas, and native bundling with physical goods, a native platform (like Tevello) will be a better fit.

How important are app reviews and ratings for choosing a digital delivery tool?

Very important. Digital delivery failures directly affect refunds and support volume. Digital Downloads ‑ MEGA has 31 reviews with a 5.0 rating, which is a favorable trust signal. Downly’s lack of reviews means merchants should test thoroughly before committing or request a demo/proof of reliability.

How does a native, all-in-one platform like Tevello compare to specialized or external apps?

A native platform reduces customer friction by keeping checkout, content access, and communities inside Shopify. That leads to higher conversions and fewer support issues, as shown by merchants who consolidated onto Tevello — for example, migrated over 14,000 members and reduced support tickets and generated over €243,000 by upselling existing customers. For merchants whose goals include bundling physical and digital goods, driving repeat purchases, or building a community, the predictable, integrated experience often produces better long-term value than stitching together multiple single-purpose apps.