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Self Publishing Platform Comparison · from $219

A self publishing platform comparison that helps you choose where to publish

A self publishing platform comparison has to look at reach, royalties, print cost, file rules and control, since each platform trades one for another. This page compares KDP vs IngramSpark, KDP vs Draft2Digital, IngramSpark vs Lulu and the main print-on-demand options, then explains wide vs KDP Select in plain terms and shows how we prepare files for each. Choose a word count on this page to see a fixed price for preparing yours.

View Pricing

Most platform comparison project jobs are delivered in about a week for a typical book.

  • KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and Lulu
  • Royalties, reach and control
  • Files prepared for each platform

Key facts

  • $219Starting price for the platform comparison project, before extras
  • 2 roundsOf revisions included in every platform comparison project order
  • 2 to 3 daysFastest standard delivery for a short platform comparison project
Overview

Self publishing platform comparison: KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and more

The platform you publish through decides who can buy your book, how much you earn from each sale and how much control you keep. For many authors the decision starts and ends with Amazon KDP, which offers the largest audience, fast setup and print on demand without upfront cost. Others prefer IngramSpark, whose distribution network reaches bookshops and libraries, or Draft2Digital, Kobo Writing Life and Apple Books, which reach readers outside Amazon. This self publishing platforms comparison explains what each one does well, what it costs and how to combine them.

The core questions are simple. Do you want exclusivity with a single retailer, in exchange for promotion tools and Kindle Unlimited, or do you want to go wide? Do you need bookshops and libraries to be able to order your paperback? Do you want to control your own prices across stores? Will you use your own ISBN, which keeps you in control of your publisher identity, or the free ISBN that a platform offers? Each answer points toward a different mix of platforms.

This guide compares royalties, print costs, distribution, file requirements and control in plain terms, using KDP versus IngramSpark, KDP versus Draft2Digital and IngramSpark versus Lulu as examples. It does not name a single best platform, because there is not one. It does show how to match a platform to a goal, and how to prepare your files so that they pass on each of them. Our formatting and cover services produce files that suit every platform, and we can upload them for you.

If you are choosing the best platform to self publish a book, compare royalty rates, distribution reach, print quality and control. This page also works as an ebook distributor comparison and a KDP vs IngramSpark for paperback guide, so you can see where each platform is strong.

Why it matters

Why the platform you choose matters

01

The platform decides who can buy your book

Each service reaches a different set of stores, libraries and readers. A choice made in an afternoon can determine your audience for years, so it is worth understanding what you are choosing before you upload.

02

Royalties and print costs differ in ways that add up

A few percentage points of royalty, a different print cost per copy and a different discount to bookshops compound over thousands of sales, and can make one route much more profitable than another.

03

Switching later is possible but disruptive

Changing platform means new files, new ISBN decisions and possibly lost reviews or rankings. Choosing carefully at the start avoids the cost and confusion of moving the book afterwards.

What is included

The platforms compared

One price covers the whole platform comparison project job, and nothing essential to a platform comparison project is held back for an upsell later.

Amazon KDP

The largest ebook and print-on-demand audience, with simple setup, free ISBNs, KDP Select options and expanded distribution to other outlets, which makes it the usual starting point for new authors.

IngramSpark

Print and ebook distribution to bookshops, libraries and online stores, with hardcover options and more control over trade discounts, at the cost of a more demanding setup and stricter file checks.

Draft2Digital

An ebook and print aggregator that distributes to many retailers and libraries, with simple tools and a share of the royalty as its fee, which suits authors who want wide reach with less work.

Kobo Writing Life

A direct route to Kobo and its partners, strong in some countries, with promotion tools and pre-orders that can give an ebook extra visibility outside the Amazon ecosystem.

Apple Books

A direct route to Apple's readers, with good tools for pre-orders and a strong presence on Apple devices, which makes it worth considering for any author who goes wide.

Lulu and others

Print-on-demand services for special formats, photo books and direct sales, with different cost structures that suit projects that the larger platforms handle less well.

Best self publishing platforms compared

Reach, royalty and control side by side

The best self publishing platforms depend on the book and the author. KDP gives access to Amazon, the largest ebook and print store, and its Kindle Select programme offers page read income in exchange for ebook exclusivity. IngramSpark reaches bookstores and libraries through a distribution network, and it asks for stricter files.

Draft2Digital and similar distributors send an ebook to many stores from one upload, and Lulu offers print on demand with its own store. A print on demand platform comparison looks at print cost, shipping, quality and distribution, and a self publishing royalties comparison has to include the print cost and the retailer share, which the free calculators on this site handle.

Which self publishing platform is best often has the answer that more than one is, since many authors use KDP for Amazon print and ebook and IngramSpark for bookstores. Whatever you choose, check each platform's current terms, because rates, costs and rules change, and we prepare the files to the current specification of each one.

  • KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital and Lulu compared
  • Royalty, reach and control explained
  • Files prepared for each platform that you choose
Choose the right build

The first decision in any platform comparison project

Exclusive with Amazon

Enrolling an ebook in KDP Select gives access to Kindle Unlimited and promotions, in exchange for not selling that ebook elsewhere. It suits authors whose readers live on Kindle.

Wide distribution

Using several retailers spreads risk and reaches other readers, libraries and bookshops. It suits authors who want a broader presence and are ready for more setup.

What we fix first

Mistakes when choosing a platform

Choosing a platform because a friend did

A route that suits another author's genre and readers may not suit yours. Compare reach, royalty and control against your own plans before choosing.

Ignoring print cost until pricing

Print cost depends on page count, trim size and ink, and it sets your minimum price. Check it first, because a price that looks right may leave no royalty.

Taking an ISBN without understanding ownership

A free ISBN ties the edition to the platform that issued it. Decide whether you need your own number before you publish on any service.

Entering exclusivity without thinking

KDP Select requires the ebook to be sold only on Amazon for the enrolment period. That suits some authors and costs others readers, so choose with the numbers in front of you.

Uploading the same file everywhere

Each platform has its own specifications for the PDF, the EPUB and the cover. A file that passes on one may fail on another, so prepare each version deliberately.

Forgetting the long term

Libraries, bookshops and international readers may matter more in two years than today. Make choices that keep those doors open and not closed.

Specification

Platform comparison at a glance

These are the decisions we make on every platform comparison project job, and the reason for each one.

Element
How we build it
Why it matters
Royalty
Ebooks commonly pay 35 to 70 percent on KDP depending on price and territory, and other stores have their own bands and rules.
The royalty rate decides how much of each sale you keep, so it drives your income.
Print cost
Charged per copy and based on page count, trim size, paper and ink, then deducted from each sale before royalty is calculated.
It sets your minimum price and strongly affects the margin on every printed book.
Distribution
KDP reaches Amazon and limited outlets, while IngramSpark reaches the wider book trade, including shops and libraries.
Reach decides who can buy the book and where it can be found.
ISBN
Free from the platform or bought in your own name, with the owner recorded as the publisher in the databases.
Ownership affects your control over the edition and how easily you can move it.
Files
Each platform has its own specifications for the PDF, the EPUB and the cover, including margins, fonts and template rules.
Passing validation on each service is required before the book can be published.
Control
Prices, discounts, exclusivity and territories vary from service to service, and some settings cannot be changed after approval.
You decide how to sell, so understanding these options protects your income.
Quality

How to test a platform before committing

Upload a draft to each platform

Create a draft title on each service you are considering, and use its previewer to see how your files and metadata appear to the reader.

Order a proof from each printer

If you plan to use more than one print service, compare the proofs side by side for paper, colour and binding quality.

Compare the real royalty at your price

Enter your page count, trim size and price into each calculator, and compare what you would actually earn per copy.

Check the terms for exclusivity and exit

Read the conditions for enrolment and cancellation, so you know exactly what you are committing to and how to leave.

Look at a comparable book on each store

Find a book like yours and see where and how it is sold, which tells you more about reach than any sales page.

Test support before you need it

Send a question to each service and note how long and how helpfully they reply, because a problem later will test that support.

See what it costs

See the price of your platform comparison project in a minute

Choose a word count and see what self publishing platform comparison turns into as a fixed formatting price for your own book, with the delivery time and any extras shown before you commit.

Build my price
Deliverables

What each platform gives you

A side-by-side comparison

A clear table of royalty, print cost, reach, control and setup for each platform, so that you can see the trade-offs at a glance.

A recommendation for your book

A suggested route based on your genre, formats and goals, with the reasons, so you can follow it or adjust it knowingly.

File requirements for each service

A list of the PDF, EPUB and cover specifications that each platform asks for, so you can prepare the right file for each.

ISBN and metadata guidance

Advice on whether to buy your own ISBN and how to set categories, keywords and pricing for each route.

A launch order

The sequence in which to publish and promote on each platform, so that pre-orders, price changes and reviews work in your favour.

A plan for changes later

A note of how to add platforms, move a title or end an exclusive period without losing reviews or rankings.

Process

How to choose a platform, step by step

01

List your goals

Write down the formats you want, the readers you want to reach and how much work you are prepared to do after publishing.

Step 1
02

Check your page count and costs

Calculate print cost and your minimum price for each trim size and platform before you choose.

Step 2
03

Compare reach and royalties

Use the comparison table to see which services reach your readers and what you keep from each sale.

Step 3
04

Decide on ISBN and exclusivity

Choose whether to buy your own ISBNs and whether to enrol the ebook in an exclusive programme.

Step 4
05

Prepare files for each platform

Build the specific PDF, EPUB and cover for each service, validated against its own rules.

Step 5
06

Publish and review

Publish in the order you planned, check each listing and review the results after a few months.

Step 6
Before and after

One platform chosen by habit and several chosen by plan

The same book, first published on a single platform without comparison and then released on the platforms that suit it.

  1. 1One platform because it was the first found
  2. 2One set of files for every platform
  3. 3A royalty that nobody calculated
  1. 1Platforms chosen for reach and royalty
  2. 2Files prepared for each platform
  3. 3A royalty checked before pricing
  • 3problems found in the first review
  • 3fixes checked in the final review
  • 1named specialist owning every fix
  • Fixedprice confirmed in the calculator before you order
01

Better reach

The right stores carry the book.

02

Files that pass

Each platform gets its own.

03

A known royalty

The price is tested.

Pricing calculator

Build your platform comparison project price

The platform comparison shows how KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books and Kobo differ; this calculator prices a book built once and formatted to pass on all of them. Choose the editions, the complexity and the image count.


Is your platform comparison project mostly text or mostly images?Required

Books are priced by word count or image count regardless of platform. Choose the closer description.

Pick your word countRequired

Use the word count of your book; near a boundary, choose the larger band and we check it against each platform's limits.

Choose your book type in step 01 and the prices for your platform comparison project appear here.

Which editions of your platform comparison project do you want?Required

The comparison explains which platforms take which formats. Choose the editions you want to publish.

How complex is the interior of your platform comparison project?Required

The comparison shows how complexity affects acceptance on each platform. Choose the closest description.

Are there images inside your platform comparison project?Required

The comparison lists each platform's image rules. Count your images.

How soon do you need your platform comparison project?Required

Choose how soon you need files for all the platforms you have picked.

Optional extrasOptional

Extras begin unticked. Add what a multi-platform launch needs and remove anything at any time.

The price covers interior formatting for the platforms you choose. Cover design, editing and printing are not included with your platform comparison project.

Price guide

Self Publishing Platform Comparison cost at a glance

The table below lists the cost of formatting at each length for your platform comparison project, with base price, delivery time and the kind of book that fits. The calculator adds images, editions and extras for an exact total on this platform comparison project project.

Word count
Base price
Standard delivery
Typical book
Very short text
$219
2-3 working days
Very short text
Short text
$269
3-4 working days
Short text
Compact text
$349
3-5 working days
Compact text
Short book
$419
4-6 working days
Short book
Standard length
$489
5-7 working days
Standard length
Full-length text
$569
5-8 working days
Full-length text
Long text
$639
6-9 working days
Long text
Large text
$709
7-10 working days
Large text
Longest online length
$789
8-11 working days
Longest online length
More than 150,000 words
Custom quote
Agreed with your quote
Quoted individually
Comparison

Self Publishing Platform Comparison compared with the alternatives

What you compare
One platform by habit
A platform mix chosen on purpose
Reach
One store, however large, with limited access to the wider book trade
The stores and libraries your readers actually use, in many countries
Print distribution
Limited to what the platform itself arranges
Bookshops and libraries through IngramSpark and its wholesale network
Control
Governed by the platform's terms and its own ISBN
Your own ISBN, your own prices and your own choice of exclusivity
Risk
Dependent on a single account and a single set of rules
Spread across several platforms, so one problem does not stop sales
Setup
Quick, with one dashboard and a single set of files
More work upfront, with several accounts, and better reach in return
Maintenance
One place to update prices, files and descriptions
Several places to update, or an aggregator that does it for a fee
Use cases

Which platform for which author

Deciding where to publish your first book

The comparison shows what each platform offers, so you can start on a route that suits your genre and your tolerance for setup.

Moving from exclusive to wide

If sales on one store have plateaued, the guide helps you plan the move, including files, ISBNs and timing around the end of exclusivity.

Adding print to an ebook

Compare print services for cost, quality and reach, and decide whether to use one or two of them for paperback and hardcover.

Getting into libraries

Library sales depend on particular distribution channels, and the guide shows which platforms provide them and what each requires.

Comparing royalties before pricing

Use the cost and royalty details to set a price that is competitive for readers and still leaves a sensible profit for you.

Planning a series on several stores

Choose a route that you can maintain across many books, so each new release goes everywhere at the same time.

Our standard

What we look at in every comparison

01

Compared on the same terms

Each platform is judged on royalty, cost, reach, control and effort, so that the comparison is fair and not tilted by one feature.

02

Current as of the latest rules

We review each service's published terms regularly, because fees, programmes and royalty bands change and old comparisons mislead.

03

No platform is the answer for everyone

We say clearly which kinds of author each route suits, including the cases where the simplest choice is also the best one.

Checklist

The platform decision checklist

Every item below is verified on your platform comparison project before it leaves our desk.

  • GoalsFormats, readers and the amount of ongoing work you want to do have been written down.
  • CostsPrint cost and minimum price calculated for each trim size and platform you are considering.
  • RoyaltyActual royalty per copy worked out at your intended price on every route.
  • ReachThe stores, libraries and countries each service supplies compared with where your readers buy.
  • ISBNA decision made on whether to use your own number, recorded for every format.
  • ExclusivityTerms of any exclusive programme read, with the benefits and the cost to wider reach weighed.
  • FilesPlatform-specific interior, EPUB and cover files prepared and validated for each service.
  • MetadataCategories, keywords and price recorded in one place for entry on every platform.
  • ReviewA date set to look at sales and decide whether the platform mix is working.
Key terms

Platform terms explained

Wide

Publishing through multiple retailers and distributors instead of one, which reaches more readers and spreads risk but needs more setup and upkeep.

KDP Select

Amazon's exclusive programme for ebooks, which gives access to Kindle Unlimited and promotions in return for selling the ebook only on Amazon.

Aggregator

A service that distributes your book to many retailers and libraries from one upload, usually taking a share of the royalty as its fee.

Expanded distribution

A KDP option that makes print books available to other outlets and bookshops, usually with lower royalties and less control than a dedicated printer.

Trade discount

The percentage taken off the retail price when bookshops and libraries buy, which must be high enough for them to make a profit on stocking the book.

Print on demand

Printing a copy only after an order is placed, which removes the need to hold stock and lets one file serve customers worldwide.

Who it is for

Who this platform comparison is for

First-time authors choosing where to publish

You need to understand the main routes and their trade-offs before you create your first account.

Authors who want bookshop and library reach

You need to know which platforms supply the book trade, and what they need from you.

Authors enrolled in an exclusive programme

You want to weigh the benefits against the readers you may be missing, and plan an exit when it makes sense.

Authors with several books

You want a route that is manageable across a catalogue and easy to update when you release a new title.

Authors comparing royalties

You want actual figures, based on your page count and price, instead of general claims about which service pays more.

Authors helping others decide

You advise writers and need a fair, current summary to share, without bias towards any one service.

Guarantee

What this comparison rests on

Based on published terms

Every figure and rule comes from the platforms' own published information, checked at the time of writing, and not from rumour or old forum posts.

No affiliation bias

We do not rank platforms by what they might pay us, and we say plainly when a service is the better choice for a particular kind of author.

Reviewed regularly

Platforms change their rates, programmes and rules, and we revisit the comparison to keep it accurate for the decisions that you are making now.

How we think

How to think about distribution

Choose for the readers, not for the dashboard

The best platform is the one that puts your book where your readers shop, even if another has a more pleasant interface.

Think about the whole catalogue

A route that suits one book may be awkward across ten. Choose with the future series in mind and not only the first title.

Keep your options open

Your own ISBN, your own source files and records of your settings make it easy to add or change platforms when your goals change.

Client reviews

What authors say about our platform comparison project work

Verified reviews from authors who used our formatting service for a platform comparison project after reading about it.

Good formatting work on my early reader book. The large font and generous spacing were applied correctly. One illustration needed repositioning in revisions but it was fixed quickly. Happy with the result.

Emilia SantosEarly Reader Children's Author, BrazilVerified client

My business book had 14 chapters, 38 tables, and 22 figures. Everything was formatted cleanly and consistently. The specialist flagged two source document errors I had not noticed. Thorough and professional.

Wei ZhangBusiness Strategy Author, ChinaVerified client

The interior finally looked the way I had always imagined it. Every margin, chapter header, and page number was precisely placed. My proof copy from KDP was perfect on the first attempt.

Isabella HartwellContemporary Romance Author, CanadaVerified client

The devotional layout needed daily readings, scripture references, and reflection prompts to work together without feeling cluttered. The specialist understood the format immediately and the result serves the purpose perfectly.

Yetunde AdeyemiChristian Devotional Author, NigeriaVerified client

The Kindle file looks professional on every device I have tested it on. Consistent fonts, clean line spacing, and the table of contents navigates properly. My readers have noticed the improvement over my previous book.

Emeka OkaforMindset Self-Help Author, NigeriaVerified client

Good work overall. The formatting was clean and the file passed KDP first time. I would have liked slightly more communication during the process but the end result was exactly what I needed.

Sakura TanakaUrban Fantasy Author, JapanVerified client

Historical fiction requires a formal, unhurried typography that feels appropriate to the period. The specialist understood this without me having to explain it at length. The result is elegant and exactly right.

Claire FontaineHistorical Fiction Author, BelgiumVerified client

Very good understanding of academic formatting requirements. One heading level needed adjustment in revisions but the overall standard was exactly right for a scholarly publication. My publisher was satisfied.

Prof. Andrei VolkovLinguistics Academic Author, UkraineVerified client

I had tried formatting my manuscript myself twice before. The result was always messy. Book Formatting Experts delivered a clean, professional interior in under a week that passed KDP review immediately.

Marcus OduyaNonfiction Author, NigeriaVerified client
FAQ

Self Publishing Platform Comparison: questions answered

These are the questions authors ask most about self publishing platform comparison, including the steps, the files and the cost. If your question about the platform comparison project is missing, request a quote and a specialist will reply.

What is the best self publishing platform?

There is no single best. KDP offers the largest audience, IngramSpark the widest print distribution, and Draft2Digital, Kobo and Apple Books reach other readers.

KDP vs IngramSpark: which is better?

KDP is simpler and has the largest audience. IngramSpark gives better trade distribution and hardcover options. Many authors use both.

KDP vs Draft2Digital: what is the difference?

KDP is Amazon's own platform. Draft2Digital distributes to many other retailers and libraries and takes a share of the royalty.

IngramSpark vs Lulu: which should I choose?

IngramSpark focuses on trade distribution, and Lulu focuses on flexible formats and direct sales.

What does going wide mean?

It means publishing through several retailers, not only Amazon.

What is KDP Select?

It is Amazon's exclusive programme for ebooks, which offers Kindle Unlimited and promotions in return for exclusivity.

Which platform pays the highest royalty?

It depends on price, format and territory. Compare examples for your book.

Do I need my own ISBN in this platform comparison project order?

It is not required on KDP, but your own ISBN gives control and portability.

Can I use more than one platform?

Yes. Many authors combine KDP with IngramSpark or Draft2Digital.

Can bookshops order my KDP paperback?

They can through expanded distribution, but terms are less favourable than via IngramSpark.

Do you prepare files for each platform?

Yes. We format and validate for each one.

Can you upload for me?

Yes. We upload to your accounts.

How much does it cost to have a book formatted after reading about self publishing platform comparison?

Formatting for your platform comparison project starts at $219 for a short book and rises to $789 for the longest length priced online, including an ebook. Images and extra editions are added in the calculator so the price that you see is the exact total in this platform comparison project order.

How long does the platform comparison project work take?

Most platform comparison project jobs are delivered in about a week for a typical book. Priority and Express options shorten the schedule for your platform comparison project, and the calculator shows an estimate before you pay.

Ready when you are

Ready to start your platform comparison project?

The right platforms are the ones that fit your goals. Compare the options here, then choose a word count for a fixed price on the files that you need.

  • Fixed price shown before you pay
  • Revision rounds included
  • One named specialist, brief to upload