F+2: Digital Downloads Pro vs. GM Event Ticketing: An In-Depth Comparison

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. F+2: Digital Downloads Pro vs. GM Event Ticketing: At a Glance
3. How this comparison works
4. Feature Comparison
5. Pricing & Value Comparison
6. Integrations & Workflow Capabilities
7. Support, Documentation, and Merchant Feedback
8. Security, Fraud Prevention, and Compliance
9. Scalability and Long-Term Costs
10. Ease of Setup and Day-to-Day Management
11. Use Cases and Merchant Recommendations
12. Migration, Data Ownership, and Exit Considerations
13. The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively
14. Practical Decision Flow: Which App to Use When
15. Reporting, Analytics, and Measuring LTV
16. Final App-by-App Strengths & Limitations
17. Conclusion
18. FAQ

Introduction

Selling digital products, tickets, and memberships from a Shopify store requires decisions beyond basic checkout setup. Merchants must choose whether to use focused single-purpose apps, ticketing platforms, or a single native solution that keeps customers inside the store. The right choice affects conversion, customer experience, ongoing maintenance, and the ability to bundle physical and digital offers.

Short answer: F+2: Digital Downloads Pro is a strong, focused tool for delivering downloadable files, license keys, and controlled digital access with a simple pricing ladder. GM Event Ticketing is purpose-built for live events and ticket scanning, with a per-ticket model for low-volume sellers and subscription tiers for professional needs. For merchants who want a single, Shopify-native solution that merges courses, communities, and commerce with predictable pricing and built-in membership features, a native app like Tevello can reduce friction and amplify revenue.

This article provides a feature-by-feature comparison of F+2: Digital Downloads Pro and GM Event Ticketing. It highlights strengths, limitations, and recommended use cases, then explains why a natively integrated alternative that unifies content, community, and commerce can solve many of the operational gaps merchants experience with single-point solutions.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro vs. GM Event Ticketing: At a Glance

How this comparison works

The analysis below compares the two apps across features, pricing and value, integrations, support, security, and common merchant use cases. Each section is objective and focused on outcomes merchants care about: increase in LTV, predictable pricing, native checkout experience, bundling physical and digital products, and member management.

Short note on data sources

App metadata, ratings, pricing tiers, and feature highlights were taken from the app listings and developer descriptions. Ratings and review counts are included where available to help weigh relative market adoption and merchant sentiment.

Feature Comparison

Core delivery and content types

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

F+2 specializes in delivering downloadable content attached to Shopify products and variants. It supports single and multiple file attachments, drag-and-drop management, version control, and customizable delivery emails. The app explicitly supports license keys with both automatic and manual key delivery and offers an API for key validation. Fraud controls let merchants choose when to release files based on payment checks.

GM Event Ticketing

GM Event Ticketing is purpose-built for event tickets. It generates PDF tickets and Apple Wallet passes, supports barcode and QR code scanning, and integrates with Shopify POS for in-person check-in. It includes attendee exports and fields for collecting custom attendee information. The product focuses on the event lifecycle: ticket design, sale, communication, and scanning.

Practical takeaway

• Choose F+2 when the primary product is a downloadable file (ebook, music file, software installer) or when license key workflows are needed.
• Choose GM Event Ticketing when the product is access to a live experience that requires ticketing, scanning, and attendee management.

Memberships, courses, and community capabilities

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

F+2 can deliver files that represent memberships (for example, a “membership PDF” or a folder of content). However, it lacks dedicated membership management features such as gated course pages, drip content, certificates, discussion forums, and native recurring subscription ties. These gaps mean merchants that need a full LMS or community will need additional apps or custom work.

GM Event Ticketing

GM Event Ticketing does not aim to be a course platform. It supports event-specific attendee fields and single-event access, but it does not include course modules, drip-release, or community discussion features. It is not designed to host ongoing course content.

Practical takeaway

• Neither app is a full LMS or built-for-community platform. If a merchant needs ongoing course delivery or community features, those requirements will demand additional tools or a native solution designed for courses and members.

Checkout experience and Shopify native behavior

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

F+2 integrates with Shopify checkout and customer accounts, and it offers options to customize the delivery flow, including thank-you page content and delivery timings based on payment checks. As a Shopify app it runs inside the store environment and supports Shopify subscriptions and fraud apps.

GM Event Ticketing

GM Event Ticketing is tightly integrated with Shopify checkout and has added native POS scanning and Apple Wallet support. Its recent updates include plugins to support Checkout Extensibility and a native POS scanning app to enhance performance—this helps create a cohesive in-store and online experience for ticket sales and check-in.

Practical takeaway

• Both apps integrate with Shopify checkout in ways that fit their primary use cases. For single purchase digital delivery or event tickets that should remain inside Shopify, both provide native-like checkout behavior. For deeper membership workflows and course-bundled physical products, a platform built for courses will provide a more complete native experience.

File management, version control, and distribution

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

F+2 highlights drag-and-drop file upload, file source management, and version control that allows merchants to update a file and propagate that change across related digital products. File storage caps are part of pricing tiers: the Free plan includes 1GB, Starter 10GB, Advanced 20GB, and Plus 50GB. Monthly order limits also scale across plans.

GM Event Ticketing

GM Event Ticketing focuses on ticket generation rather than bulk file delivery. The app’s file aspects center on ticket templates (PDFs and passes) rather than downloadable course materials. For downloadable content, GM Event Ticketing is not a fit.

Practical takeaway

• Merchants selling large downloadable content libraries should evaluate storage caps and pricing thresholds carefully for F+2. If storage needs grow beyond the highest tier, workarounds or migration may be required.

License keys, refunds, and fraud controls

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

License key management is a core feature. The app supports automatic key assignment and manual key delivery, plus an API for external validation. F+2 also includes fraud prevention features, allowing merchants to hold delivery pending payment verification, and controls for download limits.

GM Event Ticketing

Event ticketing apps typically include limited fraud protection built into Shopify’s payment and order systems, but GM Event Ticketing emphasizes ticket validity through scanning and Apple Wallet passes. The app’s refund and exchange workflows vary by plan (more advanced features in higher tiers) and it supports customer self-exchanges in the Professional tier.

Practical takeaway

• For merchants selling software or licensed content, F+2 provides built-in key management that avoids third-party plugins. For event-driven fraud prevention and invalid ticket detection, GM Event Ticketing’s scanning tools are a better fit.

Ticketing and check-in tools

GM Event Ticketing

This app’s core strength is ticket workflows. It offers:

• Custom PDF and Apple Wallet tickets emailed to customers
• Fast scanning via mobile camera and a native POS scanning app
• Support for renting or using laser scanners for high-volume events
• Event calendar and theme plugins to present event listings
• Attendee data capture and export

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

F+2 does not have ticket scanning or check-in capabilities. It is not built for time-based, seat-based, or venue-managed access.

Practical takeaway

• For in-person or hybrid events requiring check-in and rapid scanning, GM Event Ticketing is the clear choice.

Pricing & Value Comparison

Pricing is a top-level decision factor. The two apps take different approaches: predictable monthly tiers with limits (F+2), versus a freemium install with per-ticket fees and subscription tiers (GM Event Ticketing). Value should be assessed by expected order/ticket volume, storage needs, and the types of features required.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro — pricing overview

• Free: 1GB storage, 50 monthly orders, basic branding, advanced security (free to start)
• Starter ($10/mo): 10GB storage, 1,000 monthly orders, license keys, custom links, full branding
• Advanced ($20/mo): 20GB storage, 10,000 monthly orders
• Plus ($30/mo): 50GB storage, 50,000 monthly orders

Value considerations

• Predictable monthly fee with clear order and storage caps.
• Low-cost entry point useful for small-scale digital sellers.
• Scaling beyond 50GB or 50,000 orders may require migration or custom arrangements.
• No per-download fees; costs scale predictably with a monthly subscription.

GM Event Ticketing — pricing overview

• On Demand (free install): Sell unlimited paid tickets at $1 per ticket. Includes PDF/Apple Wallet tickets and scanning.
• Advanced ($19/mo): Everything in On Demand plus free tickets, external admin, emailed tickets, event calendar.
• Professional ($99/mo): Adds Shopify Flow triggers, booking/service fees, and self-exchanges.
• Plus+ ($999/mo): Custom support, dedicated support for large volume.

Value considerations

• Per-ticket fee in the free plan can be cost-effective for low-volume paid events but can grow expensive at scale.
• Subscription tiers add features that matter to event producers (calendar, free tickets, admin tools).
• High-volume organizers may need custom pricing, reflected in the $999/mo enterprise tier.

Pricing choice by merchant profile

• Low-volume event sellers: GM Event Ticketing’s On Demand plan with $1/ticket may be attractive.
• Sellers of downloadable digital content with predictable order volumes: F+2’s monthly plans offer predictable costs and no per-download fees.
• Merchants that expect to bundle courses, communities, and physical products should model long-term value instead of just monthly fees; a native course + community platform can increase LTV and repeat purchases in ways that single-purpose apps cannot.

Integrations & Workflow Capabilities

Integrations matter for automation, reporting, and scaling. The depth of integration with Shopify native features, third-party subscriptions, and marketing tools determines how seamless the merchant experience will be.

Shopify native integration

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

Integrates with Shopify checkout, customer accounts, thank-you pages, subscriptions, and fraud apps. It is aimed at delivering files directly tied to product variants and supports sending customized delivery emails.

GM Event Ticketing

Integrates with Shopify checkout, Shopify POS, Apple Wallet, Shopify Flow, and scanning hardware. Recent updates emphasize POS scanning and Checkout Extensibility, which improves reliability and performance for in-person scanning.

Practical takeaway

• GM Event Ticketing’s POS and scanning integrations make it better for omnichannel event management. F+2’s deep integration with product variants and subscription apps is suited for file delivery tied to Shopify SKUs.

Subscription & membership connections

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

Works with subscription-related flows by delivering files to customers who purchase subscription-based products, but lacks native membership site features such as gated pages or recurring access management.

GM Event Ticketing

Not built for subscription-based course access or memberships. Some subscription concepts (e.g., season passes) can be emulated through Shopify subscriptions, but the app lacks native member portals.

Practical takeaway

• If subscriptions and membership access are core to business (drip courses, member-only content), neither app provides the end-to-end solution. A platform designed for courses and communities is preferable.

Marketing, automation, and checkout triggers

GM Event Ticketing

Supports Shopify Flow in higher tiers and includes email ticket delivery and event calendar plugins. These capabilities enable automations like follow-up workflows for attendees.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

Includes customizable delivery emails and thank-you page adjustments, which can be used in combination with marketing automations in Shopify to encourage upsells.

Practical takeaway

• Both apps can participate in automation workflows, but GM Event Ticketing offers event-specific triggers that simplify ticket lifecycle automations.

Support, Documentation, and Merchant Feedback

Merchants rely on support quality and active development when choosing an app. Ratings and review counts give a sense of market traction.

• F+2: Digital Downloads Pro: Rating 5.0 from 2 reviews. High rating suggests positive experiences for early adopters, but the low review count means limited public feedback.
• GM Event Ticketing: Rating 4.7 from 32 reviews. A larger sample size indicates broader adoption and stable performance for event workflows.

Support considerations

• Higher review count often correlates with more community feedback, feature requests, and visible support history.
• Both apps offer documentation and support channels on their Shopify listings, but merchants with complex setups should confirm SLAs and onboarding options prior to launch.

Practical takeaway

• For mainstream event use, GM Event Ticketing’s larger install base and review volume provide useful social proof.
• For specialized file delivery and license key workflows, F+2’s rating is positive but merchants should validate the app’s fit through trial and testing.

Security, Fraud Prevention, and Compliance

Digital goods and ticket sales have distinct risk profiles: chargebacks, unauthorized downloads, and scalping for events.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

• Emphasizes fraud controls and payment checks before file delivery.
• Limits on download attempts and version control help manage unauthorized access.
• For software licensing, API validation ensures license legitimacy.

GM Event Ticketing

• Prevents ticket fraud through barcode/QR scanning and Apple Wallet passes.
• Support for POS scanning and offline scanning modes helps manage check-in reliability.
• Refund/exchange automation in higher tiers reduces manual processing.

Practical takeaway

• Both apps provide relevant controls for their domains. Merchants selling high-value digital licenses should prefer F+2 for license validation and controlled delivery. Event organizers should prefer GM Event Ticketing for scanning-based validity and attendee check-in.

Scalability and Long-Term Costs

Scalability is both technical and financial. Consider whether the app’s pricing model and feature roadmap support growth.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

• Monthly tiers scale to 50,000 monthly orders and 50GB storage at the Plus tier for $30/mo, which is competitive for many digital-first merchants.
• There is a clear break in storage/order limits; merchants with very large catalogs or heavy-media courses must plan ahead.

GM Event Ticketing

• Per-ticket fees in the free tier can become costly for repeated, high-volume events.
• Subscription tiers address professional needs and allow fee collection automation, but enterprise costs can be high for large organizers.

Practical takeaway

• Predictable monthly pricing with capped limits (F+2) is attractive for merchants who want to forecast cost per month. Per-ticket fees are fine for events with low frequency or small scale but less predictable for recurring high-volume events.

Ease of Setup and Day-to-Day Management

Onboarding speed and daily operations impact merchants’ capacity to sell.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

• Drag-and-drop file upload, variant attachment, and version control reduce setup time.
• Built-in email customization helps manage customer communications without extra tools.

GM Event Ticketing

• Ready-made ticket templates and quick PDF/Apple Wallet generation make event setup fast.
• Native scanning apps and POS plugins simplify event-day workflows.

Practical takeaway

• Both apps enable merchants to get started quickly within their specific domain. Choose based on which setup tasks are critical on day one.

Use Cases and Merchant Recommendations

Below are profile-based recommendations showing the kinds of merchants each app suits best.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro — Best for

• Sellers of ebooks, music files, or downloadable assets who need license key support.
• Stores that want predictable monthly pricing and are comfortable handling memberships via other tools.
• Merchants who need simple, controlled file delivery and version control.

GM Event Ticketing — Best for

• Businesses that run live events, workshops, or local experiences where on-site scanning and Apple Wallet passes matter.
• Organizers who want a quick ticketing solution inside Shopify with POS integration.
• Sellers with irregular event volume or those who prefer per-ticket billing for occasional events.

When neither single-purpose app is enough

• Merchants who want to sell courses, build communities, bundle physical products with digital content, run subscription memberships, and keep everything in Shopify should expect to combine multiple apps unless choosing a platform designed to unify these features natively.

Migration, Data Ownership, and Exit Considerations

Merchants should consider how easy it is to migrate content and members and what happens if the app is discontinued.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro

• File attachments exist as product-linked assets; migrating files and license keys requires exporting assets and potentially re-mapping product associations.
• License keys may require API-based extraction.

GM Event Ticketing

• Ticket templates and attendee lists can be exported, but migrating attendee access and historical event data to another app requires careful mapping.

Practical takeaway

• Both apps allow exports, but moving complex member access or courses will be time-consuming. If one platform will host most digital business rules, consider starting with a platform that minimizes future migration needs.

The Alternative: Unifying Commerce, Content, and Community Natively

Many merchants reach the same conclusion after experimenting with single-purpose apps: running multiple point solutions fragments the customer experience and creates operational overhead. Platform fragmentation often means customers leave the store to access content, log into separate portals, experience inconsistent branding, or face multiple support paths.

What platform fragmentation looks like

Fragmentation creates friction across several dimensions:

• Disjointed login and access flows that confuse customers and generate support tickets.
• Multiple billing and subscription connectors that complicate revenue recognition and refunds.
• Fragmented analytics and reporting, making it hard to measure LTV from course purchasers or attendees.
• Additional technical maintenance, plugin conflicts, and security surface area.

Those problems slow growth. Keeping customers "at home" inside Shopify reduces friction and increases repeat purchases.

Why a native, all-in-one approach matters

A native platform that unifies courses, membership, and commerce within Shopify simplifies growth levers:

• A single checkout and customer account reduces friction for bundling physical and digital products.
• Native integration with Shopify Flow and other store apps makes automations and membership triggers straightforward.
• Centralized member records reduce support volume and improve marketing segmentation.

Tevello embodies this approach. It is a Shopify-native platform that combines courses, digital product delivery, and community features without sending customers off-site. The platform is designed to increase customer engagement and LTV by enabling merchants to bundle physical products with content and manage memberships, drip content, certificates, quizzes, and more.

Evidence from merchants who moved to a native platform

The practical benefits of keeping everything in Shopify are visible in real merchant outcomes:

• One merchant consolidated courses on Shopify and sold over 4,000 courses, generating over $112K in digital revenue by bundling courses with physical products. That seller also generated $116K+ in physical product revenue through bundles.
• A photography brand used Tevello’s native tools to upsell and saw over €243,000 generated from 12,000+ courses, with more than half of sales coming from repeat customers.
• A major migration example moved a large community from a fragile custom stack and migrated over 14,000 members and reduced support tickets dramatically.

These examples show measurable lifts in LTV and reduced operational headaches when merchants run their content and commerce natively on Shopify. For more examples and aggregated outcomes, merchants can see how merchants are earning six figures using a native approach.

Key features that differentiate a native course & community platform

A single platform built for courses and communities should include the following to be truly effective:

• Unlimited courses and members under a predictable plan that supports bundling
• Membership management and access control tied to Shopify customer accounts
• Drip content, certificates, quizzes, and community discussion tools
• Native support for video hosting and integrations with YouTube, Vimeo, and Wistia
• Bundles and cross-sell options that combine physical and digital products at checkout
• Built-in analytics and automation compatibility with Shopify Flow

Tevello’s product page outlines all the key features for courses and communities that merchants typically require.

How to evaluate whether to switch to a native platform

• Track the number of support tickets caused by customers logging into multiple portals.
• Calculate the revenue impact of being able to bundle a course with a physical product at checkout.
• Estimate per-event or per-download fees across current apps vs. a predictable monthly plan.
• Test a small migration and measure conversion lift and customer feedback.

To test the platform risk-free, merchants can review Tevello’s pricing and trial options and evaluate the fit in a development store.

Hard CTA (first): Start a 14-day free trial to test how moving courses and community experiences into Shopify impacts conversion and support costs. Start the free trial

(Note: this sentence is a direct call to action and links to Tevello pricing.)

Migration considerations when moving to a native platform

• Inventory mappings: If courses are currently separate products, map course SKUs to Shopify products to preserve purchase history.
• User accounts: Merge user records carefully to avoid duplicate accounts and loss of progress.
• Content hosting: Decide whether to move videos to a new host or use existing providers; Tevello supports major video services for flexibility.
• Communication: Notify existing students/members of the migration window and provide one-click access where possible; real migrations reduce support tickets when done right, as seen with the 14,000+ member migration case.

Practical Decision Flow: Which App to Use When

Below are practical scenarios and recommended pathways.

Scenario: Selling downloadable software with license keys

• Recommended: F+2 for built-in license management and validation APIs.

Scenario: Selling single-ticket entry to one-off live events with low frequency

• Recommended: GM Event Ticketing’s On Demand plan for per-ticket billing and quick setup.

Scenario: Selling recurring classes, digital courses, and community access while also selling kits or physical products

• Recommended: Tevello (native) to bundle products at checkout, manage members, and increase AOV and repeat purchases. See how one brand bundled kits and courses to increase returning rates and AOV.

Scenario: A shop that sells both physical prints and wants to monetize digital tutorials and build a membership community

• Recommended: A native course and community platform that keeps customers in a single account, as demonstrated by Crochetmilie’s combined revenue story.

Scenario: A large event organizer with high volume and enterprise needs

• Recommended: GM Event Ticketing’s Plus+ or enterprise solutions, or a custom native solution if the business wants to combine events with membership perks.

Reporting, Analytics, and Measuring LTV

Tracking the ROI of content and events requires consolidated reporting.

• F+2: Reporting relies on Shopify order data plus any app-level reports on downloads and license key deliveries.
• GM Event Ticketing: Offers attendee exports and event reporting; integration with Shopify reporting helps attribute purchases to marketing campaigns.
• Native course platforms: Combine course purchase, subscription billing, membership activity, and product purchases in one reporting view, making it easier to measure LTV increases from cross-sells and repeat buyers.

Merchants that have moved to a unified platform report clearer LTV lifts and repeat purchase behavior such as fotopro’s repeat-buy rate and revenue growth.

Final App-by-App Strengths & Limitations

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro — Strengths

• Clear, low-cost monthly plans with predictable caps.
• Built-in license key management and API validation.
• Version control and delivery customization.
• Fraud controls for payment checks and download protection.

F+2: Digital Downloads Pro — Limitations

• Minimal community or course features.
• Storage caps may limit large-video courses.
• Small review base; merchants should test fit on a trial.

GM Event Ticketing — Strengths

• Robust ticket design and Apple Wallet support.
• Native scanning and POS integration for event check-in.
• Flexible pricing model for occasional event sellers.
• Active adoption with solid reviews.

GM Event Ticketing — Limitations

• Not built for on-demand courses, drip content, or membership communities.
• Per-ticket fees can escalate for frequent events without a subscription tier.

Conclusion

For merchants choosing between F+2: Digital Downloads Pro and GM Event Ticketing, the decision comes down to use case:

• F+2: Digital Downloads Pro is best for focused digital file delivery and license key workflows where predictable monthly pricing and download controls matter.
• GM Event Ticketing is best for live-event organizers who need ticket design, Apple Wallet passes, and reliable scanning for check-in.

If the business requires more than single-purpose functionality — specifically a seamless way to sell courses, manage memberships, and bundle physical products with digital access — a Shopify-native, all-in-one platform provides better long-term value. A native approach reduces friction by keeping customers inside the store, simplifies automations with Shopify Flow, and often increases LTV by making bundling and repeat purchases straightforward.

Merchants interested in exploring a native course and community platform can review Tevello’s pricing and trial options and see all the key features for courses and communities. For social proof and measurable outcomes, merchants can see how merchants are earning six figures, including how one brand sold $112K+ by bundling courses with physical products and how another generated over €243,000 by upselling existing customers. To read third-party feedback and peer reviews, merchants can also read the 5-star reviews from fellow merchants.

Hard CTA (final): Start your 14-day free trial to unify your content and commerce today. Start the free trial

FAQ

Q: Which app is better for selling an ebook library with license keys?

• A: F+2: Digital Downloads Pro is designed for downloadable files and includes license key management and validation. It provides predictable monthly pricing and delivery controls. If the ebook library will be bundled with ongoing memberships or course access, consider a native course platform to manage membership access.

Q: Which app should be chosen for ticketing a large recurring event series?

• A: GM Event Ticketing is purpose-built for ticket sales, Apple Wallet passes, and scanning. For very large, recurring series that require complex membership access or bundled benefits, evaluate GM Event Ticketing’s Professional and Plus+ tiers, and consider whether a native platform with event perks would better support bundled offerings.

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

• A: A native platform eliminates multiple logins and separate portals, enabling bundling of physical products with courses, simplifying checkout, and improving reporting. Merchants that moved to a native setup report higher LTV, simpler support, and faster growth; examples include sellers who migrated over 14,000 members and reduced support tickets and those who doubled conversion by fixing fragmented systems.

Q: If a merchant uses both an event ticketing app and a digital downloads app, what integration pitfalls should be expected?

• A: Expect fragmented customer accounts, separate support paths, duplicate data exports, and potential friction at checkout if a bundle involves both event access and downloadable content. These issues can be minimized with careful mapping and automation, but a single native platform avoids much of the complexity.

For more details on pricing tiers and to start a trial, merchants can compare plans and begin a trial on Tevello.