BIG Digital Downloads Products vs Firmwater LMS Connectfor Shopify (2026)
BIG Digital Downloads Products and Firmwater LMS Connect both cater to merchants selling digital products on Shopify, but they address fundamentally different needs. BIG Digital Downloads Products focuses on straightforward digital asset delivery, handling various file types, license keys, and download restrictions. It's designed for merchants selling individual downloadable items like ebooks, software, or music. Its high number of reviews (600) suggests established popularity and a wide user base. It's positioned as an alternative to general file sharing services like WeTransfer or cloud storage. Firmwater LMS Connect, on the other hand, connects Shopify to the Firmwater Learning Management System (LMS), enabling the sale and delivery of structured online courses. It targets training providers who create and manage comprehensive learning experiences, often incorporating multimedia content and subscriptions. The key difference lies in the complexity of the digital product. BIG Digital Downloads Products suits simple downloadable files, whereas Firmwater LMS Connect handles the more intricate structure and delivery of online courses managed through an external LMS. This integration approach allows for features such as student progress tracking, quizzes, and certifications, which are beyond the scope of BIG Digital Downloads Products. While both apps boast a 5/5 rating, the vastly different number of reviews (600 vs. 5) suggests that BIG Digital Downloads Products is the more established and widely adopted solution within its niche.
At a Glance
BIG Digital Downloads Products
600 reviews
Firmwater LMS Connect
5 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
Firmwater LMS Connect
Enable immediate delivery of online courses to your customers
Key Features
- Add Shopify as another sales channel for courses on Firmwater LMS
- Map products to one or more courses and define access parameters
- Supports single and multiple seat purchases to enable B2C and B2B sales
- Supports recurring subscription purchases for access to course libraries
- Provide customers with immediate access to courses purchased
Feature Comparison
| Rating | 5/5 | 5/5 |
Rating BIG Digital Downloads Products5/5 Firmwater LMS Connect5/5 | ||
| Reviews | 600 | 5 |
Reviews BIG Digital Downloads Products600 Firmwater LMS Connect5 | ||
| Digital Product Focus | Individual digital files (eBooks, software, etc.) | Structured online courses |
Digital Product Focus BIG Digital Downloads ProductsIndividual digital files (eBooks, software, etc.) Firmwater LMS ConnectStructured online courses | ||
| Delivery Method | Direct download link | Access through Firmwater LMS |
Delivery Method BIG Digital Downloads ProductsDirect download link Firmwater LMS ConnectAccess through Firmwater LMS | ||
| Target Merchant | Sellers of individual digital assets | Training providers and educators |
Target Merchant BIG Digital Downloads ProductsSellers of individual digital assets Firmwater LMS ConnectTraining providers and educators | ||
| Content Complexity | Simple files | Multimedia courses with progress tracking |
Content Complexity BIG Digital Downloads ProductsSimple files Firmwater LMS ConnectMultimedia courses with progress tracking | ||
| Key Feature: License Key Support | Yes | No |
Key Feature: License Key Support BIG Digital Downloads ProductsYes Firmwater LMS ConnectNo | ||
| Key Feature: LMS Integration | No | Yes (Firmwater LMS) |
Key Feature: LMS Integration BIG Digital Downloads ProductsNo Firmwater LMS ConnectYes (Firmwater LMS) | ||
| Value Proposition | Easy digital file sales and delivery | Sell and manage online courses effectively |
Value Proposition BIG Digital Downloads ProductsEasy digital file sales and delivery Firmwater LMS ConnectSell and manage online courses effectively | ||
Our Verdict
For merchants selling individual digital downloads like ebooks, software licenses, or digital artwork, BIG Digital Downloads Products is the clear choice. Its focus on simple file delivery, combined with features like license key management and download restrictions, makes it well-suited for this purpose. Its substantial user base and positive reviews further solidify its reliability.
Conversely, if you are a training provider or educator looking to sell structured online courses with features like student progress tracking, certifications, and multimedia content, Firmwater LMS Connect is the more appropriate solution. The connection to the Firmwater LMS provides the necessary infrastructure for course management, which is not available in BIG Digital Downloads Products. Even though it has fewer reviews, it bridges Shopify and the LMS and allows for integration that isn't possible with Big Digital Downloads products.
Common Questions
Can I use BIG Digital Downloads Products to sell online courses?
While you *could* technically deliver course materials as individual files, BIG Digital Downloads Products lacks the LMS features needed for a proper online course experience (progress tracking, quizzes, etc.). Firmwater LMS Connect is designed for that purpose.
Does Firmwater LMS Connect handle digital files besides course content?
Firmwater LMS Connect focuses on delivering online courses through the Firmwater LMS. It doesn't manage general digital file sales like ebooks or software licenses. For that, BIG Digital Downloads Products is more suitable.
Which app is easier to set up?
BIG Digital Downloads Products is likely easier to set up for basic digital file sales, given its straightforward functionality. Firmwater LMS Connect requires configuring both the app and the Firmwater LMS to properly map courses and products.
Can I sell subscription-based access to digital products with either app?
BIG Digital Downloads Products focuses on one-time purchases of digital files, though you could manually manage subscriptions separately. Firmwater LMS Connect explicitly supports recurring subscription purchases for access to course libraries on the LMS.
Which app provides more robust reporting?
Firmwater LMS Connect, by virtue of its integration with the Firmwater LMS, likely offers more detailed reporting on student progress and course completion compared to BIG Digital Downloads Products, which primarily focuses on download activity.
Get More From Your Shopify Store
Run audits for SEO, CRO, PageSpeed, and AI visibility. Get a clear report and actionable fixes.
Try Fix My Store