Sell PDF e-books online, protected and commission-free
Selling a PDF usually means sending the file itself. With DocusPocus you sell access instead: buyers read your e-book in a protected reader, you decide how long access lasts, and DocusPocus takes no commission on your sales. You keep using your own checkout or store.
How to sell a PDF e-book with DocusPocus
- Publish your e-book Upload the PDF, add a cover and description, and choose which pages appear on the free public preview page.
- Connect your checkout Add your purchase link, then grant access to buyers automatically through the Developer API and webhooks, or manually by email.
- Buyers read, you keep improving it Buyers sign in and read in the protected web reader or the desktop Viewer. When you publish a new edition, every buyer with access sees it without a new download.
Why sell with DocusPocus
Public preview page
Show sample pages with the cover and description so readers can decide before they buy.
DRM-protected reading
The e-book is delivered as an encrypted file and read in the protected reader; buyers never receive the original PDF.
Lifetime or timed access
Sell lifetime access or access for a set period, such as 6 or 12 months, and revoke it when needed.
Living e-books
Replace the PDF with a new edition while every buyer keeps their access.
No commission
You pay for your plan; DocusPocus never takes a share of your sales.
Stay in touch with buyers
Send updates and announcements to your readers with built-in email campaigns.
Questions about selling PDFs online
How do I sell a PDF online without it being passed around?
Sell access rather than the file: publish the PDF as a protected e-book on DocusPocus, add your purchase link and grant access to buyers. Buyers read it in the protected reader instead of downloading the PDF.
Does DocusPocus take a commission?
No. You pay for your plan and DocusPocus never takes a share of your sales. Your payment provider's own fees still apply.
Can I sell time-limited access?
Yes. Access can be lifetime or limited to a period, for example 6 or 12 months.
Can I update the e-book after selling it?
Yes. Replace the PDF and every buyer with access sees the new version. Nobody needs a new file or link.
Can I start for free?
The free plan includes 1 e-book, 1 zone, 100 managed members and 1 GB of storage. Paid plans start at $3.99 per month, and DocusPocus never takes a commission on your sales.