In this guide, you will learn how to sell digital products without Etsy, a website, or monthly fees. Here’s how to do it for free using beginner-friendly tools and Pinterest.
Selling digital products online used to mean opening an Etsy shop, hoping for visibility, and crossing your fingers that your account wouldn’t get shut down. But times have changed—and so have the tools.
If you’re a beginner with a tight budget (or just tired of Etsy’s fees and policies), there are better ways to launch. Today, you can start selling digital products for free—without Etsy, without a website, and without tech stress—thanks to powerful free platforms and Pinterest traffic.
In this post, you’ll learn how to get started using three free platforms that help you create and sell digital products without needing Etsy. These tools are easy to use, work great with Pinterest, and give you full control over your shop.
Key Takeaways
- You don’t need Etsy, Shopify, or a personal website to sell digital products
- These platforms are free to use (standard payment processor fees apply)
- You’re in control—no risk of account bans or marketplace shutdowns
- Pinterest is the best platform for long-term organic traffic
- Ideal for creators, side hustlers, and beginners with no budget
3 Free Tools to Sell Digital Products Without Etsy
1. Payhip – Sell Unlimited Digital Products Without a Website
What it is
Payhip is an easy-to-use platform that lets you sell digital downloads, courses, memberships, and more. It’s built for creators who want a fast, reliable way to sell products online—without a monthly fee or website.
Why it works without Etsy
- You can sell unlimited products on the free plan
- Payhip handles file delivery, tax calculations, discount codes, and more
- You can share direct product links anywhere—Pinterest, Instagram, email
- No listing or subscription fees. Just a 5% transaction fee per sale
How to use it
- Sign up at Payhip.com
- Upload your digital product (PDF, planner, template, ebook, etc.)
- Set your price, description, and cover image
- Share the product link in Pinterest pins, Beacons, or your social bios
Picture This
A clean Payhip product checkout page displaying a digital workbook with a headline, product thumbnail, and buy button, styled in neutral tones. (disclaimer: AI image below).
2. Systeme.io – Build a Free Store or Funnel Without a Website
What it is
Systeme.io is a free all-in-one platform where you can build your own digital product store or funnel, process payments, and even collect emails—all without needing a domain or paid hosting.
Why it’s a smart alternative to Etsy
- You can upload and sell up to 3 digital products for free
- No need to worry about policies, hidden fees, or marketplace competition
- Includes sales funnel builder, email marketing, and opt-in forms
- Connects directly with Stripe or PayPal for easy payments
How to use it
- Sign up for a free account at Systeme.io
- On the dashboard, go to the top navigation and click “Sites”
- Choose “Digital Stores”
- Upload your product files, write your product details, and set pricing
- Share your store link in Pinterest pins, Beacons, or social media
Optional: You can also create a funnel instead of a store if you prefer to walk people through a lead magnet → offer → thank you flow.
Picture This
A Systeme.io digital storefront featuring three featured digital products in a clean layout, with each product block displaying a title, image, price, and purchase button.
3. Beacons – Turn Your Link in Bio into a Digital Product Shop
What it is
Beacons is a mobile-friendly link-in-bio tool that now lets you host and sell digital products directly from your page. It’s perfect for anyone promoting products through Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok.
Why it works without Etsy
- You can upload and sell your products right on Beacons
- No need to connect to another platform like Payhip or Systeme.io
- Great for organizing your shop, freebies, blog posts, or affiliate links
- Ideal for creators who want everything in one clean link
How to use it
- Sign up for a free account at Beacons.ai
- Customize your layout and branding
- Add your digital products, set pricing, and connect Stripe or PayPal
- Use your Beacons link in your Pinterest bio, pin descriptions, or TikTok profile
Picture This
A mobile-optimized Beacons storefront with a scrollable list of digital products, each with a thumbnail, price, and bold “Buy Now” button.
Why These Tools Beat Etsy (Especially for Beginners)
- No listing fees or subscription charges
- No risk of account bans or hidden algorithm changes
- You’re not competing with thousands of other sellers in a marketplace
- You get to keep your traffic, control your pricing, and grow your own brand
- You can use Pinterest to drive traffic for free—no ads required
Pinterest is a visual search engine, not a social media platform. When used with keyword research tools like PinClicks, your pins can show up in search results for months, even years—bringing consistent traffic to your digital products without spending a dime on advertising.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need Etsy—or a website—to sell your digital products. What you need is a simple system, a product people want, and a place to promote it consistently. Tools like Payhip, Systeme.io, and Beacons make it easy to get started for free. And Pinterest helps you reach the right audience without paying for traffic.
Choose one platform to begin with. Upload a simple product. Create a pin. And launch—without second-guessing yourself or waiting for “perfect.”
Free Download: Digital Product Starter Kit
Want help launching your first product the simple way?
Sign up below and get my free starter kit, including:
- A checklist for setting up Payhip, Systeme.io, and Beacons
- A Pinterest SEO quick-start guide
- My favorite tools for mockups, keywords, and visual branding
- A bonus list of digital product ideas that are trending right now
This kit is made for total beginners who are ready to stop researching and start selling—without Etsy and without the overwhelm.
