The 2-Minute Answer
If you don't have time to read the whole guide, this is the answer most authors should ignore everything else for:
That's the entire decision for 90% of authors. The detailed reviews below are for the readers who want to know why, the ones with edge cases (anthologies, illustrated work, image-heavy non-fiction), or the ones who like to compare matrices before committing.
What Each Tool Outputs (and What It Doesn't)
Half the formatting decision is which output formats you actually need. Most indie authors need three: print PDF (for paperback/hardcover), reflowable EPUB (for everywhere except Amazon), and either MOBI/KPF for Kindle or a clean EPUB that Amazon will accept. Here's what each tool gives you:
Two takeaways: Kindle Create's KPF format works only on Amazon, so if it's your only tool you'll need a separate one for the rest of the world. And Calibre is for ebook conversion only — don't try to format a paperback with it.
Feature Comparison
If you want the spreadsheet view, here it is. Detailed reviews follow.
| Tool | Price | Platform | EPUB | KDP | Import | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atticus | $147 once | Any (browser) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | DOCX, EPUB |
| Vellum | $200–$250 once | Mac only | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | DOCX |
| Reedsy | Free | Browser | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | DOCX |
| Books.by | Incl. w/ sub | Browser | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | PDF, EPUB |
| Kindle Create | Free | Mac, Windows | ✓ | KPF only | ✓ | DOCX, PDF |
| Calibre | Free | Any (desktop) | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ | Many formats |
#1. Atticus
Atticus does everything Vellum does, but it runs everywhere — not just Mac. It launched as a Vellum alternative in 2021 and has matured into a genuinely excellent formatting tool. The interface is clean, the output is professional, and you get both print PDF and reflowable EPUB from the same project.
The writing environment is basic but functional. You could write your entire book in Atticus, but most authors import a finished DOCX from Word or Scrivener. The import process is smooth — it handles chapters, scene breaks, and basic formatting without issue.
Strengths
- Works on any device with a browser
- Both print and ebook from one source
- Good theme/template selection
- One-time payment, not subscription
- Active development with regular updates
Limitations
- Output quality slightly behind Vellum
- Fewer chapter heading styles
- No free trial (30-day refund policy instead)
#2. Vellum
Vellum is the gold standard. The output is gorgeous — chapter headings, drop caps, ornamental breaks, and typography that looks like a Big Five publisher handled it. If you have a Mac, Vellum is the tool to beat. No other formatter matches the visual quality.
The workflow is simple: import your DOCX, pick a style, preview on different devices, generate all your files. You get separate EPUB files optimized for Kindle, Apple Books, Kobo, and generic EPUB readers. The print PDF includes proper trim marks and bleed.
Strengths
- The best-looking output in the industry
- Platform-specific ebook optimization
- Extremely intuitive interface
- Beautiful chapter heading styles
Limitations
- Mac only — no Windows, no Chromebook, no iPad
- $250 for the full version is steep upfront
- No built-in writing environment
#3. Reedsy Book Editor
Reedsy Book Editor is genuinely free — no hidden upsell, no watermarks, no feature gating. You write or import your manuscript, choose from a handful of clean formatting styles, and export a print-ready PDF or EPUB. The output is professional, if somewhat plain. It won't match Vellum's decorative chapter headings, but the typography is solid.
Strengths
- Completely free with no strings
- Clean, distraction-free writing editor
- Collaboration features for working with editors
- Produces clean EPUB and PDF
Limitations
- Limited formatting customization
- Fewer themes/styles than paid tools
- DOCX import can be inconsistent
#4. Books.by Formatter
Books.by includes a formatting tool that handles print-ready PDF generation with correct trim size, margins, and page layout. It also generates EPUB files for ebook distribution. The advantage is integration — your formatted files go straight to your storefront and print-on-demand pipeline without any uploading or file management.
It's not as feature-rich as Atticus or Vellum for decorative formatting. But for straightforward prose — fiction and non-fiction — the output is clean and professional. If you're already publishing on Books.by, it eliminates a step in your workflow.
#5. Kindle Create
Amazon's own formatting tool. It imports your DOCX, applies Kindle-optimized formatting, and exports a KPF file that uploads directly to KDP. It also generates print-ready PDFs. The ebook output is proprietary KPF format — not standard EPUB — which locks you into Amazon's ecosystem.
Kindle Create is fine if you're KDP-exclusive. If you sell anywhere else, the KPF format is useless. The print PDF output is decent, and the themes are improving. But the tool is clearly designed to keep you inside Amazon's walled garden.
#6. Calibre
Calibre is an ebook management and conversion tool, not a formatter in the traditional sense. It converts between formats (EPUB, MOBI, PDF, AZW3, etc.) and lets you edit EPUB files at the code level. It's powerful but technical. If you're comfortable editing HTML and CSS, Calibre gives you total control over your ebook output.
It doesn't handle print formatting at all. And the interface is, charitably, not beautiful. But for ebook conversion and management, nothing else comes close for free.
Print vs Ebook: What's Different?
Print formatting produces a fixed-layout PDF. Every page is exactly as you designed it — specific margins, headers, footers, page numbers, and trim marks. What you see is what gets printed.
Ebook formatting produces a reflowable EPUB. The text adapts to whatever screen the reader uses — phone, tablet, e-reader. Readers can change font size and style. You control structure (chapters, headings, emphasis) but not the exact page layout.
The best formatting tools handle both from the same source file. Atticus and Vellum do this well. You import your manuscript once and export both a print PDF and an EPUB. If you're publishing both formats — and you should be — pick a tool that handles both rather than using separate tools for each.
Formatting Tool Cost vs Books.by Subscription
If you're paying for Vellum or Atticus and then publishing on KDP, you're spending more on formatting than the entire Books.by platform costs. Here's the rough comparison:
Vellum produces nicer chapter headings. Books.by produces income.
Stop paying for formatters that don't sell your book.
Books.by includes a formatter, a storefront, ISBN, print-on-demand, and email capture for $99/yr. The same money buys you Vellum once — and Vellum doesn't sell anything for you.
Start Your Books.by Store — $99/yr →Frequently Asked Questions
Atticus is the best all-rounder — cross-platform, both print and ebook, $147 one-time. Vellum wins on output quality but is Mac-only. Reedsy is the best free option.
If you're on Mac and publishing multiple books, absolutely. The $250 one-time cost pays for itself quickly. The output quality is unmatched — chapter headings and typography look like a traditional publisher handled them.
Yes. Reedsy Book Editor produces professional ebook and print files for free. Calibre handles ebook conversion for free. Kindle Create is free for KDP formatting. Books.by includes formatting with every subscription.
Print produces a fixed PDF — exact pages, margins, and layout. Ebook produces a reflowable EPUB where text adapts to the reader's screen. The best tools generate both from one manuscript.
For most prose books, no. Atticus, Vellum, and Reedsy produce professional results. Hire a formatter for complex layouts — cookbooks, children's books, heavily illustrated non-fiction, or poetry with unusual formatting.
