The best book formatting
software for self-publishers
BookFormat turns your manuscript into a professionally formatted book in under 60 seconds. Works on any OS, exports all major formats, and is KDP & IngramSpark ready.
No credit card required · 3 free documents/month
How the top tools compare
| Tool | Price | Platform | Export formats | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BookFormatYOU | $19/mo | Any browser | PDF, EPUB, MOBI, DOCX, HTML | Best for all authors |
| Vellum | $249.99 one-time | Mac only | PDF, EPUB | Mac users only |
| Atticus | $147 one-time | Windows, Mac | PDF, EPUB | Limited complex layouts |
| Reedsy | Free | Browser | PDF, EPUB | 3 themes only |
| Scrivener | $59 one-time | Windows, Mac | PDF, EPUB, DOCX | Steep learning curve |
Everything you need to publish
Any OS, any device
Works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook, entirely in your browser. No software to install or update.
5 export formats
PDF for print, EPUB for e-readers, MOBI for Kindle, DOCX for editing, HTML for web. All included in one plan.
AI-powered import
Upload DOCX, PDF, TXT, Markdown, or RTF. BookFormat cleans up formatting artifacts automatically.
Professional templates
Fiction, non-fiction, memoir, poetry, academic. Each template is designed to KDP and IngramSpark specifications.
Cloud storage
All your manuscripts saved and accessible from any device. No local file management required.
Formats in under 60s
Short manuscripts format in 30–60 seconds. No waiting, no queues.
Ready for every publishing platform
BookFormat's PDF output meets the technical specifications for Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, Smashwords, and Barnes & Noble Press. Margins, bleed, and image resolution included.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best book formatting software for self-publishing?
BookFormat is the best book formatting software for most self-publishing authors in 2026. It works on any OS (Windows, Mac, Linux), exports all major formats (PDF, EPUB, MOBI, DOCX, HTML), supports complex layouts, and formats books in under 60 seconds. Alternatives include Vellum (Mac-only, $249.99), Atticus (Windows/Mac, $147, limited for complex books), and Reedsy (free but only 3 themes).
Is there free book formatting software?
Yes. BookFormat has a free tier that includes 3 documents per month, basic templates, and PDF export. Reedsy Book Editor is also free with 3 preset themes. For more advanced formatting (more documents, all export formats, and full template customization), BookFormat's paid plan is $19/month.
What software do self-published authors use to format their books?
The most popular tools are Vellum (Mac users, $249.99), Atticus (cross-platform, $147), Reedsy (free, browser-based), Scrivener ($59, writing-focused), and BookFormat ($19/mo, browser-based, all OSes). Many authors start with Reedsy's free tool and upgrade to BookFormat or Vellum when they need more design control or different book types.
How long does it take to format a book with BookFormat?
Short manuscripts (under 100 pages) format in 30–60 seconds. Longer books may take 2–3 minutes. Once formatted, you can download PDF, EPUB, MOBI, DOCX, and HTML files simultaneously. Manual formatting in Word or InDesign typically takes 8–40 hours for the same result.
Does BookFormat work on Windows and Linux?
Yes. BookFormat is fully browser-based: there is nothing to install. It works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook in any modern browser. This is a key advantage over Vellum (Mac-only) and some other desktop-based tools.
Ready to publish your book?
Join authors who use BookFormat to turn raw manuscripts into publication-ready files in minutes, not days.
3 documents free · No credit card required
Your formatted files are yours to keep. No commitment.