Vellum doesn't run on Windows.BookFormat does.
Vellum is a Mac-only app. If you're on a Windows PC, you can't use it without renting a cloud Mac for $25–35/month on top of Vellum's $249.99 price tag. BookFormat gives you the same professional output in any browser, on any OS.
No Mac. No install. No workarounds.
Free to start · No credit card · Works on any OS
Does Vellum work on Windows?
No. Here's why.
Vellum is built on Apple's Core Text engine - the same low-level text rendering system that powers macOS. That architecture makes Vellum look great on Mac, but it cannot run on Windows or Linux. This isn't a temporary limitation. It's a fundamental design decision.
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.
BookFormat vs. Vellum
How to use Vellum on Windows (and why you shouldn't bother)
The MacInCloud workaround works - technically. Here's what it actually involves.
Sign up for MacInCloud ($25–35/month)
Wait for your remote Mac to provision
Connect via browser or remote desktop client
Purchase and download Vellum ($249.99) on the remote Mac
Upload your manuscript to the remote machine
Format your book inside a laggy remote session
Download the finished files back to your Windows PC
Repeat this every time you need to make a change
Or: open BookFormat in your browser.
Upload your manuscript. Format your book. Download the files. That's it.
Frequently asked questions
Does Vellum work on Windows?
No. Vellum is a Mac-only application built on Apple's Core Text rendering engine. There is no Windows version and no Windows release has ever been announced. If you're on a PC, Vellum is not an option without a costly workaround.
Can I run Vellum on a Windows PC using MacInCloud?
Technically yes, but it's expensive and slow. MacInCloud rents you access to a remote Mac for $25–35/month. Combined with Vellum's $249.99 purchase price, year one costs $549–$669. You also deal with latency, uploading files to a remote machine, and depending on a third-party service staying online.
What is the best Vellum alternative for Windows?
BookFormat is the closest alternative to Vellum for Windows authors. It produces professional PDF and EPUB output, runs in any browser with no installation, and adds features Vellum lacks: AI cover generation, cloud sync, and DOCX export. It works natively on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebook.
How much does it cost to use Vellum on a Windows PC?
Vellum costs $249.99 plus MacInCloud at $25–35/month. Year-one total: $549–$669. From year two onwards you pay $300–$420/year just for the cloud Mac access. BookFormat costs $19/month and works on Windows without any extras.
Is there a browser-based version of Vellum?
No. Vellum is a native Mac desktop app - you must download and install it on a Mac. There is no web or browser version. BookFormat is fully browser-based: open a tab, log in, and start formatting. Nothing to install.
Can I format a book on Windows without Vellum?
Yes. BookFormat is a browser-based book formatting tool that runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and any device with a modern browser. It produces the same professional PDF and EPUB output as Vellum without requiring a Mac, a MacInCloud subscription, or any software installation.
Format your book on Windows, Mac, Linux - anything
Professional PDF and EPUB output. No Mac, no MacInCloud, no extra cost. Start free.
Works on Windows · Mac · Linux · any browser
Your formatted files are yours to keep. No commitment.