EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products vs. Create & Sell Digital Products: An In-Depth Comparison

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products vs. Create & Sell Digital Products: At a Glance
3. Deep Dive Comparison
4. The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively
5. Conclusion
6. FAQ

Introduction

For merchants operating a Shopify store, the decision to expand into digital products can unlock significant new revenue streams and enhance customer engagement. However, navigating the ecosystem of available apps to sell digital content or services effectively presents a unique challenge. Merchants often grapple with choices between tools that offer basic file delivery, advanced license key management, or even novel digital asset types like NFTs. The goal is always to find a solution that integrates seamlessly, provides a robust customer experience, and supports business growth without introducing unnecessary complexity or fragmenting the brand experience.

Short answer: For merchants seeking straightforward digital file delivery with robust features like license keys and PDF stamping, EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products offers a mature and highly-rated solution. Conversely, Create & Sell Digital Products focuses exclusively on the niche market of NFT sales, presenting a completely different value proposition and workflow. While both apps address aspects of digital product sales on Shopify, their core functionalities diverge significantly, making them suitable for entirely distinct merchant needs. Understanding these differences is crucial for selecting an app that aligns with a store’s specific digital product strategy and helps reduce operational friction.

This comprehensive guide offers a feature-by-feature comparison of EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products and Create & Sell Digital Products. The aim is to provide Shopify merchants with the clarity needed to make an informed decision, considering each app's core capabilities, pricing models, integration points, and overall suitability for various digital product strategies.

EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products vs. Create & Sell Digital Products: At a Glance

Deep Dive Comparison

To truly understand which app aligns best with specific business objectives, a closer examination of their individual capabilities, limitations, and strategic implications is necessary. The two apps, EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products and Create & Sell Digital Products, cater to fundamentally different segments within the broader digital product market.

Core Functionality and Use Cases

The foundation of any app comparison lies in its primary function and the specific problems it aims to solve for merchants. These two Shopify apps exemplify how diverse "digital products" can be, each carving out a distinct niche.

EDP's Focus on Digital Downloads

EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products, developed by Axel Hardy, is engineered for the straightforward, reliable sale and delivery of digital files. Its description explicitly states its purpose: "Sell digital downloads, files, digital products and license keys in a few clicks." This app excels at transforming standard Shopify products into digital offerings by allowing merchants to attach up to 10 files per product or variant. The core workflow involves customers purchasing a digital product, after which download buttons appear on their order confirmation page, and a customizable email containing access to their digital products is automatically dispatched.

Merchants utilizing EDP are typically those selling:

• Ebooks and guides: PDF files, instructional manuals.
• Software and plugins: ZIP files, executable installers.
• Digital art and templates: High-resolution images, design assets, website templates.
• Music and audio files: MP3s, WAVs.
• Online courses (file-based): Course materials delivered as downloadable documents or video files, without interactive lesson tracking or community features.

The strength of EDP lies in its simplicity and effectiveness for file distribution. It manages the entire delivery process post-purchase, ensuring customers receive their digital goods promptly. For businesses whose digital offerings are primarily static files, EDP provides a robust, set-it-and-forget-it solution that integrates cleanly into the existing Shopify checkout flow.

Create & Sell Digital Products: Specializing in NFTs

In stark contrast, Create & Sell Digital Products, developed by Spocket, ventures into the nascent and specialized domain of Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). The app's core proposition is to "enable merchants to start selling digital goods like NFTs without any crypto wallet setups." This is a significant distinction, positioning the app as a bridge between traditional e-commerce and blockchain technology for merchants who might otherwise find the technical complexities of NFTs daunting.

The primary use case for Create & Sell Digital Products is strictly focused on:

• Selling NFTs: Digital images or other assets that are minted as unique tokens on the Ethereum blockchain.
• Simplifying NFT creation: Abstracting away the need for merchants or customers to manage cryptocurrency or blockchain wallets.

This app is designed for forward-thinking merchants interested in exploring the sale of unique digital collectibles, art, or perhaps even exclusive access tokens as NFTs. It handles the minting process, sending sold NFTs directly to customers, aiming to make it a "1-click process." This positions it not as a general digital download tool, but as a highly specialized platform for a particular type of digital asset. Its "Works With" section specifically lists "Ethereum Blockchain" and "Solana," confirming its dedicated focus on crypto assets rather than conventional files.

Feature Set and Workflow

Delving deeper into the features reveals the functional disparities between the apps, highlighting their design philosophies and practical applications.

EDP's Comprehensive Download Management

EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products offers a feature set geared towards secure and efficient digital file delivery. Its capabilities extend beyond simple file hosting to include functionalities critical for protecting digital assets and managing customer access.

Key features include:

• File Attachment: Allows attaching up to 10 files per product or variant, providing flexibility for different versions or bundled content.
• Customizable Download Button: Merchants can design the appearance of the download button displayed on the order confirmation page, maintaining brand consistency.
• Customizable Email Delivery: An elegant, brand-aligned email containing download links is automatically sent to customers, improving the post-purchase experience.
• License Keys: A crucial feature for software or premium digital content, allowing merchants to generate and manage unique license keys for each purchase. This adds a layer of intellectual property protection and access control.
• PDF Stamping: This "pro" feature automatically stamps customer information (like name or email) onto PDF files upon download, deterring unauthorized sharing.
• Download Limits: Merchants can set limits on how many times a customer can download a file, controlling access and preventing misuse.
• Files by URL: The ability to link to files hosted externally, offering flexibility for merchants with existing storage solutions.
• API Access: For advanced users, an API allows for custom integrations and automation.

The workflow for EDP is straightforward:

1. Merchant creates a product in Shopify.
2. Merchant uses the EDP app interface to attach digital files or specify license key generation for that product/variant.
3. Customer purchases the product via Shopify checkout.
4. EDP automatically provides download links on the order confirmation page and sends a custom email.

This robust set of features makes EDP a versatile tool for any merchant whose primary need is secure and managed digital file distribution, especially for high-value or protected content.

Create & Sell Digital Products' NFT Minting Process

Create & Sell Digital Products presents a much narrower, but technically intricate, feature set focused entirely on the NFT lifecycle within a Shopify environment. Its functionality is not about file delivery in the traditional sense, but about creating and transferring unique blockchain-based assets.

Key features highlighted:

• Easy NFT Creation: Merchants can upload images (or other digital assets that can be represented as NFTs) directly through the app.
• Zero Upfront Costs for Creation: This suggests a model where minting fees (gas fees on the blockchain) might be covered or deferred by the app until a sale occurs.
• No Crypto or Wallets Required: This is the most significant selling point, removing a major barrier for both merchants and customers by abstracting away the complexities of blockchain interaction.
• Seamless Selling from Shopify: The NFTs are listed and sold through the existing Shopify storefront.
• 1-Click Minting and Delivery: After a customer purchases an NFT, the merchant approves the order within the app, triggering the minting process on the Ethereum blockchain, and the NFT is then sent directly to the customer without them needing a crypto wallet.

The workflow for Create & Sell Digital Products is unique:

1. Merchant installs the app and uploads digital images intended to be NFTs.
2. Merchant publishes these as products on their Shopify storefront.
3. Customer purchases the "digital product" (NFT) through Shopify.
4. Merchant approves the order within the app.
5. The app handles the backend minting of the NFT on the Ethereum blockchain.
6. The minted NFT is sent to the customer, presumably to an address managed by the app on their behalf, or a non-custodial wallet created implicitly.

This app targets a very specific pain point: enabling NFT sales for a mainstream e-commerce audience without the steep learning curve of blockchain technology. Its value lies in simplifying the technical overhead for a niche, but potentially lucrative, market.

Customization and Branding Control

Maintaining a consistent brand identity is paramount for Shopify merchants. How an app allows for customization and integrates visually can significantly impact the customer experience.

EDP's Customizable Elements

EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products offers a reasonable degree of customization, primarily focused on the customer-facing elements of digital product delivery.

• Customizable Email: The ability to design an elegant email containing download links means merchants can ensure their branding (logos, colors, tone) is consistent even in the post-purchase communication. This reinforces brand professionalism and trust.
• Customizable Download Button: While perhaps a minor detail, controlling the appearance of the download button helps to maintain a seamless visual experience within the order confirmation page, preventing it from looking like a third-party add-on.

These customization options ensure that the delivery of digital files feels like an integrated part of the brand's experience, rather than a disjointed step handled by an external tool. The core digital product (the file itself) is delivered in a branded wrapper, enhancing the overall customer journey.

Branding Implications for Create & Sell Digital Products

For Create & Sell Digital Products, the concept of "branding control" takes on a slightly different dimension. While the sales process occurs on the merchant's Shopify store, the ultimate digital asset (the NFT) lives on a public blockchain.

• Shopify Storefront Integration: The initial listing and sale of the NFT occurs natively within the Shopify store, ensuring brand consistency during the purchase.
• NFT Metadata and Visuals: The actual NFT created on the blockchain would carry the digital art or image provided by the merchant, thereby extending the brand's visual identity onto the blockchain itself.
• Blockchain Branding (Limited): While the app abstracts blockchain complexity, the fact that the NFT exists on the Ethereum blockchain is an inherent part of its identity. Merchants choosing this path are implicitly aligning with the perceived value and branding of the blockchain ecosystem.

The app's focus is more on the technical enablement of NFT creation and transfer than on extensive branding customization of the delivery mechanism itself, given the nature of blockchain transactions. The primary branding control comes from the Shopify store selling the NFT and the digital asset represented by the NFT.

Pricing Structure and Value Proposition

Pricing is often a decisive factor for merchants, directly impacting profitability and scalability. Both apps present different pricing philosophies.

EDP's Tiered Storage Model

EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products employs a tiered subscription model, primarily scaling with storage needs and offering unlimited digital products across its paid plans.

• FREE PLAN: "Free to install" and includes 3 digital products, 100MB storage, license keys, and API access. This plan is ideal for very small merchants testing the waters with a few digital items or for development stores.
• PRO PLAN 100GB: $14.99 / month. Offers unlimited digital products, 100GB storage, license keys, API, customizable email, PDF stamping, set download limits, and files by URL. This is suitable for most small to medium businesses with a growing library of digital assets.
• PRO PLAN 200GB: $24.99 / month. Same features as 100GB plan but with 200GB storage. For larger content creators or businesses.
• PRO PLAN 500GB: $44.99 / month. Same features as 100GB plan but with 500GB storage. Catering to very high-volume digital content businesses.

The value proposition for EDP is clear: predictable monthly costs based on storage requirements, with all advanced features available from the lowest paid tier. Merchants can scale their digital product offerings without worrying about per-transaction fees or limitations on the number of products. This structure provides clarity and allows for easy budgeting, linking cost directly to the volume of files hosted.

Create & Sell Digital Products' Unspecified Pricing Model

The provided data for Create & Sell Digital Products does not specify any pricing plans. The description mentions "zero upfront costs" for NFT creation, which could imply a commission-based model (taking a percentage of sales), a free tier with limitations, or a subscription model that isn't publicly listed in the app store data. Without explicit pricing details, it is challenging to assess its value proposition accurately. Merchants considering this app would need to inquire directly with the developer or review the app's installation page for up-to-date pricing information. The unknown pricing structure presents a barrier for merchants accustomed to transparent costs, making it harder to evaluate the long-term cost of scaling membership or planning content ROI without surprise overages.

Integrations and Ecosystem Fit

The ability of an app to integrate seamlessly with other tools and the broader Shopify ecosystem is vital for an efficient and scalable operation.

EDP's Shopify-Centric Design

EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products is built to integrate tightly with the core Shopify functionalities:

• Checkout: Seamlessly uses the native Shopify checkout process.
• Customer Accounts: Integrates with existing Shopify customer accounts, meaning customers don't need a separate login to access their downloads. This prevents fragmented user experiences.
• Digital Download/Product: Directly leverages Shopify's understanding of digital products.
• Checkout Extensions: Indicates compatibility with Shopify's evolving checkout customization capabilities.

This deep integration means EDP feels like a natural extension of Shopify. Merchants benefit from a unified customer database, simplified order management, and a consistent user experience. This design philosophy is about keeping customers "at home" within the Shopify store, reducing friction and customer support inquiries related to external platforms.

Create & Sell Digital Products' Blockchain Focus

Create & Sell Digital Products has a very specific set of integrations, driven by its NFT focus:

• Spocket: The developer, implying integration with other Spocket services or an existing platform.
• Ethereum Blockchain & Solana: These are key integrations, indicating the app's capability to mint NFTs on these prominent blockchain networks. This is not an integration with Shopify itself, but rather the underlying technology for the digital assets it creates.
• Jubilee: While "Jubilee" is listed, its specific role or connection is not immediately clear from the provided data.

While the selling interface lives within Shopify, the core function—minting NFTs—relies heavily on external blockchain infrastructure. The app's integration with the Shopify checkout is mentioned, ensuring that the initial purchase happens within the familiar environment. However, the post-purchase process involves external blockchain mechanisms for the NFT transfer, which is fundamentally different from a file download. Merchants evaluating this app should consider the implications of selling assets tied to external blockchain technologies.

Customer Support and Reliability Cues

App reliability and the responsiveness of developer support are critical for any merchant relying on third-party tools. Reviews and developer information offer insights.

EDP's Established Developer Support

Axel Hardy, the developer of EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products, has built a highly-rated app with significant user validation:

• Rating: 5 stars (177 reviews): This is an exceptional rating for an app with a substantial number of reviews. It indicates high merchant satisfaction with the app's functionality, reliability, and likely, the developer's support. A consistent 5-star rating suggests strong performance and effective problem resolution.
• Developer: Axel Hardy. A single, dedicated developer often implies a direct line of communication for support and a deep understanding of the app's codebase.

The strong review count and perfect rating are powerful trust signals. They suggest that merchants find EDP to be a stable, feature-rich, and well-supported solution for their digital download needs. Merchants checking merchant feedback and app-store performance signals would find EDP to be a highly credible option.

Create & Sell Digital Products' Review Landscape

Create & Sell Digital Products, developed by Spocket, presents a very different picture in terms of user feedback:

• Rating: 1 star (1 review): A single review, and that review being 1 star, makes it extremely difficult to gauge the app's overall reliability, functionality, or developer support. It could be an early stage app, an isolated negative experience, or an indication of broader issues.
• Developer: Spocket. Spocket is a known platform for dropshipping, which suggests a potentially larger organization behind the app, but this doesn't automatically translate to app quality or support specific to this digital product offering.

The very limited and negative feedback raises questions about the app's maturity, user experience, and the responsiveness of its support. Merchants scanning reviews to understand real-world adoption would find this app presents considerable risk due to the lack of positive validation. More data would be needed to assess app-store ratings as a trust signal for Create & Sell Digital Products.

Performance and User Experience

The customer journey, from product discovery to actual access, is a key determinant of satisfaction and repeat business.

EDP's Streamlined Digital Delivery

The user experience with EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products is designed to be as frictionless as possible within the Shopify environment.

• Customer Login Flow: Because it integrates with Shopify customer accounts, customers do not need to create new logins or navigate to external platforms. Their digital products are accessible directly from their Shopify order history or via the customized email. This unified login reduces customer support friction significantly.
• Download Process: The appearance of a download button on the order confirmation page and an immediate email link makes the process intuitive and quick. There is no waiting for manual processing or navigating complex dashboards.
• Backend Management: For merchants, the user-friendly interface for attaching files and managing settings means minimal technical overhead. This allows them to focus on content creation rather than technical delivery challenges.

EDP prioritizes a seamless experience that feels like part of the store, ensuring that customers can access their digital purchases quickly and easily, fostering satisfaction and trust.

Create & Sell Digital Products' Unique Customer Journey

The user experience for Create & Sell Digital Products is unique due to its NFT focus.

• Customer Login: The app leverages the Shopify checkout, so the initial purchase experience is familiar. However, the subsequent "delivery" of an NFT is fundamentally different from receiving a file. The app's promise of "no crypto or any wallets are required" for customers suggests the app handles the technical complexities behind the scenes, potentially by setting up a non-custodial wallet for the customer or transferring to a compatible address.
• NFT Delivery Process: The merchant needs to "approve" the order for minting. This introduces a manual step, which might delay the customer's receipt of their NFT compared to automated file downloads. The exact timeline for minting and transfer, and how the customer is notified and accesses their NFT, would be critical details affecting their experience.
• Backend Management: Merchants must upload image files and then approve orders for minting. This workflow is specialized and requires merchants to understand the implications of NFT ownership and blockchain transactions, even if the technicalities are abstracted.

The user experience here caters to a specific audience interested in blockchain assets. While aiming for simplicity, the nature of NFTs means the customer journey post-purchase will inherently differ from a traditional digital download. The success of this app's UX depends heavily on how transparent and smooth the NFT transfer process is for a non-crypto savvy customer.

The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively

While both EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products and Create & Sell Digital Products offer specific solutions for selling digital goods, they represent a fragmented approach to digital product strategy. Many merchants find themselves using one app for simple downloads, another platform entirely for online courses, and perhaps a third for community engagement. This often leads to significant challenges, including login issues for customers, disjointed branding across multiple platforms, and scattered customer data that makes it difficult to understand lifetime value or personalize experiences. Customers are frequently forced to leave the brand's website to consume content, creating a broken, third-party experience that dilutes brand loyalty and increases customer support friction.

This is where the philosophy of an "All-in-One Native Platform" like Tevello provides a compelling alternative. Instead of piecing together disparate solutions, a native platform integrates courses, communities, and digital product sales directly within the Shopify store. This approach is designed to keep customers "at home," ensuring a seamless experience from browsing and purchasing to learning and engaging, all under one unified brand umbrella. Merchants can offer all the key features for courses and communities without sending customers to a separate website.

By leveraging native integration with Shopify checkout and accounts, Tevello addresses the core problems of platform fragmentation. Customers enjoy a unified login that reduces customer support friction, as their course access and community participation are tied directly to their existing Shopify customer account. This means less confusion and a smoother journey for the end-user. Brands benefit from having digital products that live directly alongside physical stock, allowing for powerful bundling opportunities and a single, coherent customer view. For instance, businesses selling physical craft kits can easily bundle physical kits with on-demand digital courses, significantly increasing average order value and lifetime customer value. Examples of scaling course sales to thousands of users demonstrate the power of this unified approach.

Beyond simplifying the customer experience, a native platform like Tevello also streamlines merchant operations. Instead of managing multiple subscriptions, integrations, and separate customer databases, everything is consolidated within Shopify. This integrated approach allows merchants to see how brands are earning six figures by unifying their content. Merchants can leverage Shopify Flow for automation and gain deeper insights into customer behavior, which directly contributes to retention strategies that drive repeat digital purchases. This strategic consolidation not only makes the business more efficient but also empowers merchants to elevate customer engagement and increase LTV. If unifying your stack is a priority, start by a simple, all-in-one price for unlimited courses. This approach ensures predictable pricing without hidden transaction fees, allowing merchants to focus on growth.

Moving away from platforms that charge per community member or complex tiered pricing based on usage, Tevello offers a flat-rate plan that supports unlimited members and courses, ensuring that merchants benefit from a predictable cost structure as their content and community scale. This model helps merchants with avoiding per-user fees as the community scales, providing clarity for financial planning. Many success stories from brands using native courses highlight how this model helps businesses simplify their operations and expand their digital offerings. For instance, some brands have demonstrated how they achieved a 59% returning customer rate by creating a seamless sales and learning experience directly on their Shopify store. This unified environment helps lift lifetime value through hybrid product offers and creates a more robust foundation for sustainable growth, where digital products are truly a core part of the overall brand experience.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products and Create & Sell Digital Products, the decision comes down to the fundamental nature of the digital product being sold. EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products stands out as a robust, highly-rated, and feature-rich solution for traditional digital downloads, files, and license key management. Its predictable tiered pricing based on storage, coupled with extensive features like PDF stamping and download limits, makes it an excellent choice for businesses selling ebooks, software, digital art, or file-based courses. Its deep integration with Shopify and strong user reviews solidify its position as a reliable tool for secure and branded digital file delivery.

Conversely, Create & Sell Digital Products caters to a highly specialized and emerging market: Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs). Its appeal lies in abstracting the technical complexities of blockchain minting and crypto wallets, enabling traditional Shopify merchants to enter the NFT space. However, with only one review and a 1-star rating, and without clear pricing information, it presents a higher degree of uncertainty and risk compared to EDP. This app is best suited for merchants with a specific strategy to leverage NFTs, who are comfortable with a less proven solution in a rapidly evolving niche.

Ultimately, while both apps address specific aspects of digital product sales, they represent a fragmented approach. For merchants looking to move beyond simple file downloads or niche NFT sales towards a comprehensive strategy that includes interactive online courses, vibrant communities, and seamless bundling of physical and digital products, a natively integrated platform offers a superior path. This approach unifies the customer journey, keeps all interactions within the brand's ecosystem, and significantly reduces operational overhead. By embracing a solution that brings courses and communities directly into the Shopify store, merchants can enhance customer lifetime value, streamline their operations, and build a truly cohesive digital offering. To learn more about how a unified approach can benefit your store, explore success stories from brands using native courses. To build your community without leaving Shopify, start by reviewing the Shopify App Store listing merchants install from.

FAQ

What is the primary difference between a digital download app and an NFT app?

A digital download app, like EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products, primarily focuses on the secure delivery and management of standard digital files such as PDFs, software, or audio, typically through download links. An NFT app, such as Create & Sell Digital Products, specializes in creating and transferring unique digital assets (Non-Fungible Tokens) on a blockchain, usually representing ownership of digital art or collectibles. The former deals with files, while the latter deals with blockchain-verified ownership records.

Why is a unified customer experience important for digital product sales?

A unified customer experience, where digital products, courses, and communities are all accessible within the main brand website, minimizes friction for the customer. It eliminates the need for multiple logins, prevents disjointed branding, and simplifies customer support inquiries. This consistency builds trust, reinforces brand identity, and encourages repeat purchases, ultimately contributing to higher customer lifetime value. Keeping customers "at home" on the brand website ensures a seamless journey from discovery to consumption.

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

A native, all-in-one platform, like Tevello, integrates directly into the Shopify ecosystem, allowing merchants to sell courses and build communities alongside physical products without sending customers to external websites. This contrasts with specialized external apps that might handle only one type of digital product (e.g., just file downloads or just NFTs) and often require separate logins or redirect customers off-site. The all-in-one approach streamlines operations, centralizes customer data, and creates a consistent brand experience, often allowing for flexible pricing without hidden transaction fees and enabling a fixed cost structure for digital products.

Can I sell both physical and digital products with these types of apps?

With EDP ‑ Easy Digital Products, merchants can sell physical and digital products side-by-side on their Shopify store, as it focuses on digital file delivery tied to existing Shopify products. For Create & Sell Digital Products, the app enables selling NFTs alongside physical products in the Shopify storefront, but the delivery mechanism for the NFT is distinct from physical goods. A truly integrated platform like Tevello excels at bundling physical kits with on-demand digital courses, allowing for a hybrid product offering that can significantly increase average order value and customer engagement by keeping content native to the store.