Quick answer
For selling individual films and rentals without a subscription, start with Vidreno On Demand. Its flat 10% fee includes payment processing. Vimeo OTT is worth considering if you need a subscription channel, while Gumroad suits creators who also sell other digital products. The right replacement depends on how you want people to buy and watch your work, not just which service has the longest feature list.
If you've already built a small audience for your films, you probably want a straightforward way to keep selling to them. You need a page that explains the film, a clear price and a viewing experience people can use without confusion. This guide compares those decisions and the fees behind them.
We checked the linked pricing and product information on 25 September 2026. This is a comparison of published features and fees, not a claim that we've tested every service.
What is replacing Vimeo On Demand?
Vimeo points sellers towards Vimeo OTT, but you can choose another provider. Vimeo says new On Demand purchases and subscriptions stopped on 21 September 2026, with storefronts and viewer access closing on 20 November 2026. Its ordinary hosting service is separate. See the official shutdown notice for the current position.
The practical choice is between selling individual titles, running a membership library and selling a mixture of digital products. If your audience wants to rent your documentary for an evening, you don't automatically need a subscription business or a television app.
Which Vimeo On Demand alternatives should you compare?
| Service | Published selling fees | Best fit to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Vidreno On Demand | No subscription. Flat 10% per sale, including payment processing. | Films sold individually as purchases, rentals or pay what you want. |
| Vimeo OTT Starter | Buy and rent: 10% plus $0.50 per transaction, including merchant fees. Subscriptions use a different fee model. | A video business that needs subscription options as well as individual titles. |
| Gumroad direct sales | Standard rate: 10% plus $0.50, with payment processing charged separately. Discover sales use a 30% fee including processing. | Creators selling video alongside other digital products. |
Sources: Vidreno On Demand, Vimeo OTT's fee breakdown and Gumroad's fee guide. Gumroad lists a lower direct sales percentage after a monthly sales threshold. Contract rates, currency, taxes and refunds can affect the final amount, so compare the terms that apply to you.
Why choose Vidreno for individual film sales?
Vidreno On Demand is built around a simple idea: choose how a film is offered, set its price and share its public page. You can offer a purchase, a rental or free access with pay what you want. A documentary premiere can be a rental while another title is available to buy.
You don't need a paid hosting plan to sell. Paywalled videos sit outside Vidreno Hosting's plan storage and bandwidth allowances, and payment processing is included in the 10% selling fee. That makes the cost easier to follow when you're starting with one film and don't know how many sales to expect.
On a $10 sale, the platform fee is $1 and the amount left after that fee is $9. On a $4 rental, the fee is $0.40 and the amount left is $3.60. These are simple fee calculations, not forecasts of your earnings or tax position.
If this is the kind of selling page you need, explore Vidreno On Demand and start with one title. You can create your account without buying a subscription.
When is Vimeo OTT a better fit?
Vimeo OTT deserves a look if you're building recurring access to a catalogue. Its Starter plan supports both subscriptions and individual transactions; branded apps are an Enterprise option. That's a different brief from simply putting a film up for rent.
Check catalogue costs too. Vimeo's upload guidance lists one free upload hour and paid packs beyond it. Linking videos from a connected Vimeo account can avoid consuming OTT upload hours, but those videos remain dependent on the Vimeo account. Our Vidreno and Vimeo OTT comparison explains the different models.
When should you consider Gumroad?
Gumroad can make sense if a film is one part of a wider shop. You might also sell a workbook, a soundtrack or a production guide. It supports video streaming options as well as its wider digital product offering.
Look beyond the headline percentage. Direct sales and Discover sales have different fees, and its fee guide lists separate card processing on direct sales. Its pricing page also describes its merchant of record arrangement. Compare the whole checkout and administration setup, rather than assuming every percentage covers the same things.
How much more could you keep from a film sale?
For a $10 purchase, Vidreno's 10% fee is $1. Vimeo OTT's published buy and rent fee is $1.50. That leaves $9 and $8.50 respectively before any other applicable adjustments. Across 100 identical sales, the difference is $50. Across 1,000, it is $500.
The fixed part matters more on a small rental. A $4 rental leaves $3.60 after Vidreno's fee versus $3.10 after Vimeo OTT's published transaction fee. That isn't a claim that every filmmaker should choose the lowest fee. A service that supplies features you genuinely need may justify a higher cost. But if you're selling individual titles, you should know what you keep.
Should you offer a purchase, a rental or pay what you want?
Start with the experience you're promising. A purchase suits someone who wants continuing access. A rental suits a viewing window. Pay what you want lets an audience support work without one fixed purchase price. Explain the actual access terms beside the price so viewers know what they're getting.
Before announcing a release, review the page as a visitor. Is the film's language clear? Can you find the runtime and viewing terms? Does the trailer make the subject clear? A lower fee won't fix an offer that leaves people unsure about what they're buying.
What else matters when you sell directly to viewers?
A selling platform gives people somewhere to buy. You still need to help the right audience find the film. Prepare your trailer, artwork, description and a simple plan for sharing the page with people who care about the subject.
Film Courage’s conversation with filmmaker Josh Folan is useful background on the work involved in distributing your own film, including preparing assets and marketing. It predates the current platform changes, so use the dated sources above for today’s fees.
What should you do before moving your catalogue?
Keep your own copies of the films and artwork, list every old sales link you control, and decide how you'll explain the move to existing viewers. Don't assume an old purchase automatically creates access on a different platform.
Our Vimeo On Demand migration overview covers the transition. The next step is to test one title before changing links across the whole catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
Is Vimeo OTT the only replacement for Vimeo On Demand?
No. It is Vimeo's suggested destination, but your choice can include Vidreno or another selling platform. Start with whether you need individual film sales, memberships or a broader digital shop.
Can I sell a film on Vidreno without a monthly subscription?
Yes. Vidreno On Demand uses a flat 10% selling fee including payment processing. You don't need to buy a Vidreno Hosting plan for paywalled films.
Does Vidreno work like a subscription channel?
The On Demand offering described here prices videos individually. If recurring access to a whole library is central to your business, compare a service with explicit subscription support.
Will changing platforms automatically bring me new viewers?
No. Plan how people will find your new page. Your own website, a relevant audience and clear release information still matter, whichever provider handles the sale.
Which fee should I compare for a low priced rental?
Calculate both the percentage and any fixed charge on your actual rental price. A $0.50 fixed fee makes a bigger difference to a $4 rental than to a $40 purchase.
Can I try Vidreno with one film first?
Yes. Start with one title, review its page and viewing options, then use what you learn when preparing the rest of your catalogue.
Put your next film on sale with Vidreno
If you want to sell individual films without taking on a subscription, Vidreno gives you a clear place to start. Create an account, prepare one title and share its page when you're happy with it.
