BIG Digital Downloads Products vs Courses Plusfor Shopify (2026)
BIG Digital Downloads Products and Courses Plus both cater to Shopify merchants looking to sell digital products, but they approach this market from different angles. BIG Digital Downloads Products is positioned as a general-purpose solution for selling various digital file types and license keys, emphasizing ease of use and broad file format support. It markets itself as an alternative to popular file sharing services. Its high rating and large number of reviews suggest widespread satisfaction with its core functionality. Courses Plus, on the other hand, focuses specifically on online course creation and management, offering features like quizzes, progress tracking, and certificates. It aims to help merchants monetize their expertise and build recurring revenue through subscriptions and bundled offerings.
At a Glance
BIG Digital Downloads Products
600 reviews
Courses Plus
160 reviews
Detailed Overview
BIG Digital Downloads Products
Sell digital products, ebook, digital downloads, license keys.. Download/upload in 1-click any file
Key Features
- Sell any kind of digital product & digital file ( pdf,jpeg,mp4,zip,rar, etc.)
- Sell any kind of digital download. Unlimited storage,unlimited digital downloads
- Make the files downloadable all at once or individually. Sell license keys.
- Limit how many hours/days a file can be downloaded and how many times it can be
- Stamp any PDF you're selling. Easy to sell downloadable digital assets. Etsy alt
Courses Plus
Create online courses & digital products with your store. Sell more via bundles and subscriptions
Key Features
- Create and sell your own online courses
- Provide tests and exams with quizzes (AI course and quiz creation available)
- Monitor customers progress and quiz scores, verify students' assignments
- Generate PDF certificates for students who successfully completed your courses
- Offer bundles, membership subscriptions, add managers for team enrollments
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 4.9/5 |
Rating BIG Digital Downloads Products5/5 Courses Plus4.9/5 | ||
| Reviews | 600 | 160 |
Reviews BIG Digital Downloads Products600 Courses Plus160 | ||
| Core Focus | General digital downloads and license keys | Online course creation and management |
Core Focus BIG Digital Downloads ProductsGeneral digital downloads and license keys Courses PlusOnline course creation and management | ||
| Key Features | Unlimited storage, license key sales, download limits, PDF stamping | Course creation, quizzes (AI assisted), progress tracking, certificates, bundles, subscriptions |
Key Features BIG Digital Downloads ProductsUnlimited storage, license key sales, download limits, PDF stamping Courses PlusCourse creation, quizzes (AI assisted), progress tracking, certificates, bundles, subscriptions | ||
| Target Merchant | Merchants selling diverse digital assets (e.g., ebooks, software, music) | Merchants selling online courses, coaching programs, and educational content |
Target Merchant BIG Digital Downloads ProductsMerchants selling diverse digital assets (e.g., ebooks, software, music) Courses PlusMerchants selling online courses, coaching programs, and educational content | ||
| Ease of Use Claim | 1-click upload/download, Etsy alt | Easy course creation |
Ease of Use Claim BIG Digital Downloads Products1-click upload/download, Etsy alt Courses PlusEasy course creation | ||
| Value Proposition | Simple selling of all digital products | Build and sell online courses with monetization options |
Value Proposition BIG Digital Downloads ProductsSimple selling of all digital products Courses PlusBuild and sell online courses with monetization options | ||
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Our Verdict
BIG Digital Downloads Products is the clear choice for merchants who need a straightforward solution for selling various digital file types, including ebooks, software licenses, and other downloadable assets. Its focus on ease of use and broad compatibility makes it suitable for merchants seeking a simple and direct way to offer digital downloads. Conversely, Courses Plus is specifically tailored for merchants who want to create and sell online courses, offering comprehensive features for course creation, student management, and monetization through subscriptions and bundles. If your primary goal is to build and sell structured online courses, Courses Plus is the better option, despite having slightly fewer reviews and a negligibly lower average rating.
Common Questions
Which app is easier to use for simply selling a PDF?
BIG Digital Downloads Products is likely easier for simply selling a PDF, due to its emphasis on 1-click upload and download functionality.
Which app offers more features for managing students?
Courses Plus offers more features for managing students, including progress tracking, quiz scores, and assignment verification. BIG Digital Downloads Products focuses solely on delivery of downloadable products.
Can both apps handle different file formats?
BIG Digital Downloads Products explicitly mentions supporting a wide variety of file formats (pdf, jpeg, mp4, zip, rar, etc.). Courses Plus focuses on video, images, and text for course content.
Which app is better for building a subscription-based digital product business?
Courses Plus is better for building a subscription-based business because it includes specific features for creating and managing subscriptions. BIG Digital Downloads Products doesn't explicitly mention subscription support.
Does either app integrate with other services like Zoom?
Courses Plus mentions the ability to plan Zoom meetings with students, indicating a level of integration or scheduling capability related to Zoom. BIG Digital Downloads does not mention any specific integrations.
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