Show IH: I built a self-hosted Gumroad + license server in PHP — 300+ customers, now adding a module ecosystem
Few years ago I launched ChargePanda on CodeCanyon as
a simple script to sell digital downloads. Today it's
a full self-hosted commerce platform with its own
module ecosystem.
What it does:
— Sell digital products, software, subscriptions
— Built-in license server (REST API, activation limits,
domain binding)
— Webhook automation for Stripe, Zapier, Make
— Support tickets linked to orders and licenses
— Zero transaction fees, runs on your server
What I just shipped:
A module system — like WooCommerce plugins but for your
own store. First modules live: AI Agents Core + SEO Agents.
Payment Recovery and Affiliate Program coming next.
Honest numbers:
— 345+ customers on CodeCanyon
— $25 one-time price
— 5.0 rating, Featured item
— 100+ live servers
The hard part:
Building was easy. Distribution is the real challenge.
CodeCanyon gives a trickle but I want to grow outside
it. Built comparison pages, use case pages, a blog —
organic is slow.
Now deciding: stay on CodeCanyon or do an AppSumo LTD?
Brutal feedback welcome 🙏
Demo: chargepanda.com/demo
Site: chargepanda.com
This is a solid build — 345 customers + real usage is a strong signal 👍
On AppSumo, just one thing to be careful about:
you’ll get a lot of deal hunters, not necessarily serious long-term users.
For a product like yours, that can create more support load than value.
Instead, I’d lean into a clearer niche:
→ devs / founders selling software + licenses
That seems like your strongest angle.
Also, your existing customers are a big asset —
showing real use cases / examples could help more than broad SEO.
Curious — are most users using the license server or just digital downloads?
Also, I’m running a small project (Tokyo Lore) where we test tools like this with a focused group of builders and see how they actually respond.
Since you already have real traction, this could be a strong fit to validate what drives more growth outside marketplaces.
Happy to share more if you’re interested 👍
Impressive traction.
The module ecosystem direction makes sense, especially if your users already have slightly different licensing needs.
One thing I’d be curious about is where you expect most of the variation to come from.
Is it more around integrations with different platforms, or more about custom licensing logic per product?
Feels like that might shape what kind of modules make the most sense early on.