The best Vellum alternativefor Windows, Mac & Linux
Vellum produces beautiful books, but it only runs on Mac. If you're on Windows or Linux, you're locked out. BookFormat gives you the same professional output on any OS, any browser, with no installation required.
Start formatting your book free today. No Mac required.
Free to start · No credit card · Works on Windows, Mac, Linux
Can you use Vellum on a PC?
Vellum is built on Apple's Core Text engine. There is no Windows or Linux version and no plans to build one. The only way to run it on a PC is through a cloud Mac service, which adds significant cost.
True cost of Vellum on Windows (via MacInCloud)
Vellum license
$249.99
one-time
MacInCloud plan
$25–35/mo
$300–420/year
Year-one total
$550–670+
then $300–420/yr
BookFormat: $19/month. Works on Windows natively. No cloud Mac needed.
Why Vellum doesn't work for Windows users
Mac-only. Period.
Vellum is built on Apple's Core Text engine. There is no Windows version and no plans to build one. If you don't own a Mac, Vellum is not an option.
MacInCloud workaround costs $360+/year
The only way to run Vellum on Windows is through MacInCloud (~$30/month). Combined with Vellum's $249.99 price, your first year costs over $600 before formatting a single book.
No cloud backup
Vellum stores everything locally on your Mac. If your computer fails, your formatting work is gone. BookFormat keeps everything in the cloud, accessible from any device.
No AI cover generation
Vellum formats books but can't generate covers. BookFormat includes an AI cover generator powered by DALL-E 3. Design a professional cover without leaving the tool.
BookFormat vs. Vellum
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No Mac, no install, no credit card
Frequently asked questions
Is there a version of Vellum for Windows or PC?
No. Vellum is built on Apple's Core Text rendering engine and is Mac-only. There is no Windows or Linux version, and no Windows release has ever been announced. The only workaround for Windows users is to rent a cloud Mac through a service like MacInCloud, which adds $25–35/month to the cost.
Can I run Vellum on Windows using MacInCloud?
Technically yes, but it's expensive and slow. MacInCloud costs $25–35/month for a shared plan, which adds $300–420/year on top of Vellum's $249.99 purchase price. In year one you'd spend over $550 just to access Vellum from a PC. BookFormat is browser-based and works natively on Windows from day one.
What is the best Vellum alternative for Windows?
BookFormat is the closest alternative to Vellum for Windows users. It produces professional PDF and EPUB output, supports the same types of books (fiction, non-fiction, memoir), and adds features Vellum lacks, including AI-powered cover generation, cloud sync, and DOCX export. It works in any browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook.
Is BookFormat as good as Vellum for book formatting?
BookFormat matches Vellum's core output quality for most book types and surpasses it in several areas: it runs on any OS, generates covers with AI, syncs to the cloud, and exports DOCX. Vellum's advantage is its mature template library and reputation among Mac-based indie authors. If you're on Windows, BookFormat is the better choice by a wide margin.
Does Vellum work in a browser?
No. Vellum is a native Mac desktop application that must be downloaded and installed on a Mac. It has no browser version. BookFormat is fully browser-based: there is nothing to install, and it works on any device with a modern browser.
How much does it cost to use Vellum on a PC in total?
Vellum itself costs $249.99 one-time (ebooks + print). To run it on a PC, you need MacInCloud at $25–35/month. Year-one total: $549–$669. Year two onwards: $300–$420/year just for the cloud Mac. BookFormat costs $19/month and works natively on Windows with no extra tools required.
Format your book on any OS
Professional output. No Mac required. Start free and upgrade when you're ready.
Works on Windows · Mac · Linux · any browser
Your formatted files are yours to keep. No commitment.