Digital Downloads App with some features wanted

Shopify Apps
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Topic summary

Seeking a digital downloads app that avoids re-uploading files to third‑party servers and provides persistent, account-based access to purchased files.

Context and requirements:

  • Current Shopify Digital Downloads app is too limited, shows “buy now” in order history instead of download links, and appears unsupported per repeated support replies.
  • Thousands of files already stored on Shopify; re-uploading is risky and time‑consuming. Desired: downloads listed in customers’ accounts indefinitely (not email-only), and low cost.

Suggestions offered:

  • Sky Pilot: gives a download access button after checkout, but involves hosting/uploading files on the app’s servers, conflicting with the no re‑upload requirement.
  • File Search Bar & Library MP: built on Shopify’s storage (no re‑upload), supports categories and keyword search with editable names. However, it lacks integration with customer accounts/workflows and has no free plan; intended for openly shared resources.

Outcome:

  • No presented app fully meets all criteria (Shopify storage + customer account download history + affordable). Discussion remains open; key need is an app leveraging Shopify file storage while exposing perpetual downloads in customer accounts.
Summarized with AI on December 21. AI used: gpt-5.
1

Good morning all. DIGITAL PRODUCTS APP question for the tech gurus here.
I currently use the built-in solution for digital downloads in my Shopify store. I want some extra features, as the free version has a very limited appearance and have a specific question:
Is there any app out there for digital downloads, that DO NOT require to upload my files to the app/developer server, but instead is accessing the files in my shop?
I have thousands of files for my digital products, which are all stored on the Shopify server already and linked to the free Shopify app. Uploading my files to another app yet again (and probably as well, when I create new products) sounds a bit dangerous, in case something goes wrong on the developers end or I want to switch to another app later on.
I am curious if there is anyone out here who has a great advise for a perfect app that doesn’t require the uploads to the developer server AND doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Thanks.
I am particularly looking for a version where the downloads are listed in the customer account even after the firstly downloaded it, rather then the current requirement for the customer to access the files via their email link. Emails get deleted, and the listing in the customer account would be a forever thing. The free Shopify app seems not to connect the links in the purchase history to the download file, but shows the ‘buy now’ page again, which is simply wrong. Or did I messed up the settings in that free app? I contacted the support several times over the last year, always with the same answer: we will look into that issue, but currently we don’t support that app anymore. Or similar answers. Very disappointing, since the download option was the main reason I switched from another shop system to Shopify last year.

Thanks for your help

2

Hello @SDEmbroidery

For digital product downloads, you can use the Shopify app Skypilot.
You can also upload digital content to their server. On the checkout page, customers will receive an access button to directly download the file after completing their order.

If the solution presented meets your needs and addresses your query effectively, I encourage you to accept it as the chosen answer. This will acknowledge the support you received and aid fellow community members in identifying reliable and effective solutions for their similar concerns.
Thank you.
(GD)

3

We have recently launched an app that probably solved some of your problems but not all, as the use case is slightly different. It’s called File Search Bar & Library MP.

Sharing here for your consideration.

  • The app is built on top of Shopify storage, so you don’t have to re-upload your files to our server or elsewhere.
  • It also lets you display the files in categories, and customers can do a keyword search for file based on file names. The file names are editable in our app.

However, it doesn’t come with a free plan, and there isn’t any workflow integration with the customers’ accounts; as it is designed for businesses who want to share their free resources openly.


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