How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Ratings come from G2, Capterra or Trustpilot, with the date we checked them.
Key takeaways
- IngramSpark is the route into bookstores and libraries, with global print and ebook distribution to 40,000 plus retailers.
- Draft2Digital and PublishDrive are the top wide distribution aggregators, with Draft2Digital taking about 10% of retail per sale.
- Smashwords suits direct ebook sales with coupons and wide international reach, while Lulu suits print variety and direct sales.
- Barnes & Noble Press, Kobo Writing Life, and Apple Books each reach a distinct store audience that KDP does not cover.
- KDP itself is not listed here, since this article covers alternatives. Royalties vary by price, store, and format, and this is not financial advice: check each platform's current terms and tax reporting rules before publishing.
Quick comparison
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The best alternatives to KDP
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
IngramSpark is the route into bookstores and libraries, with global print and ebook distribution to 40,000 plus retailers and wholesalers. It suits authors who want physical bookstore placement and library adoption, plus academic and institutional sales that Amazon cannot deliver.
Setup fees vary: some comparisons list $49 per title, while others list free title setup during promotional periods, so confirm the current fee. Per unit earnings run lower after retailer discounts, and file requirements are strict. For bookstore and library reach, IngramSpark is the essential alternative.
What we like- Distribution to 40,000 plus retailers and libraries worldwide
- Global print and ebook distribution
- Positions the author as publisher
Watch out for- Setup fees vary, with $49 per title in some comparisons
- Lower per unit earnings after retailer discounts
- Strict file requirements
Starting price$20 one-time
Free planYes
Draft2Digital is the easiest wide ebook distribution aggregator, sending books to Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, OverDrive, and more from one dashboard, with no exclusivity required. It takes about 10% of retail per sale, leaving roughly 60% net to the author after retailer cuts, and its auto Word formatting suits authors without design skills.
Recent comparisons list a $20 one-time activation fee, and Amazon reach is smaller than direct KDP. For wide distribution without managing each store separately, Draft2Digital is the top pick.
What we like- Wide distribution to Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Scribd, and OverDrive
- About 10% of retail per sale
- Auto Word formatting
Watch out for- $20 one-time activation in recent comparisons
- Smaller Amazon reach than direct KDP
- No built in paid advertising
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Smashwords offers free ebook publishing with distribution to 400 plus global retailers and library systems, 170 plus currency support for non US authors, and a strong institutional buyer network of universities and libraries. Coupon tools suit direct sales and promotions.
It is ebook only with no print on demand, its interface feels older than rivals, and its retailer network overlaps Draft2Digital, which now owns Smashwords, creating redundancy for authors using both. For wide international ebook reach and direct sales, Smashwords remains a strong free pick.
What we like- Free to publish
- 400 plus global retailers and library systems
- 170 plus currency support
- Coupon tools for direct sales
Watch out for- No print on demand, ebook only
- Older interface
- Overlapping retailer network with Draft2Digital, which now owns it
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Lulu suits specialty print formats, hardcovers, photo books, and direct sales, with premium print quality and no minimum order quantities. Direct sale royalties run up to 80%, and authors can sell from their own storefront plus the Ingram network, with low cost author copies for special editions.
Retail distribution is limited compared with IngramSpark, per unit print costs run higher than KDP, and the reader marketplace is smaller. For print variety and direct sales at high margins, Lulu is the quality pick.
What we like- Free to upload
- Premium print quality
- Specialty formats and hardcovers
- Up to 80% direct sale royalty
- Own storefront plus Ingram network
Watch out for- Limited retail distribution
- Higher per unit print cost than KDP
- Smaller reader marketplace
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Barnes & Noble Press reaches NOOK and Barnes & Noble readers, an audience KDP does not cover directly. Ebook royalties run 70% above $0.99, with 55% for print, and publishing is free with no setup fees.
The audience is limited to B&N and NOOK, and marketing tools are fewer than at Amazon or Apple. For an author who wants the Barnes & Noble shelf beside wide distribution, B&N Press is the direct route.
What we like- Free to publish
- 70% ebook royalty above $0.99
- 55% print royalty
- Reaches NOOK and Barnes & Noble readers
Watch out for- Audience limited to B&N and NOOK
- Smaller than Amazon or Apple
- Fewer marketing tools
Starting price$13.99 per month
Free planYes
PublishDrive suits authors who prefer a subscription to a commission: Starter runs $13.99 per month billed annually with 0% commission, and a free tier covers 1 book and 3 channels. Wide distribution across major retailers suits multi book authors who would pay more in commissions elsewhere.
The monthly cost applies even with no sales, so single book authors may pay more than Draft2Digital's commission model. For a multi book author who wants predictable costs and zero commission, PublishDrive is the subscription pick.
What we like- Subscription model with 0% commission
- Starter from $13.99 per month billed annually
- Free tier with 1 book and 3 channels
Watch out for- Monthly cost even with no sales
- Subscription suits multi book authors best
- Smaller brand than Draft2Digital
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Kobo Writing Life suits international readers, with free publishing, 70% ebook royalties at $2.99 and above, and strong reach in Canada and other international markets. It covers a Kobo audience that KDP and Apple do not reach directly.
Royalties drop to 45% below $2.99, the US audience is smaller than Amazon's, and print runs only through partners. For an author with international readers, Kobo Writing Life is the global pick.
What we like- Free to publish
- 70% ebook royalty at $2.99 and above
- Strong international reach, especially Canada
Watch out for- 45% royalty below $2.99
- Smaller US audience than Amazon
- Print only through partners
Starting priceFree
Free planYes
Apple Books reaches readers on iPhone, iPad, and Mac, with free publishing and 70% ebook royalties. It suits authors whose readers live in the Apple ecosystem, and it is a key wide distribution channel beside Draft2Digital.
It is ebook only with no print, and approval and formatting requirements add friction. For Apple readers, Apple Books is the direct route that no aggregator fully replaces.
What we like- Free to publish
- 70% ebook royalty
- Reaches Apple Books readers on iPhone, iPad, and Mac
Watch out for- Ebook only, no print
- Apple ecosystem only
- Approval and formatting requirements
How we chose
We ranked platforms by distribution reach, royalty rates, upfront costs, and format coverage. IngramSpark scored on bookstore and library reach, Draft2Digital and PublishDrive on wide aggregation, Smashwords on international ebook reach, Lulu on print quality, and B&N Press, Kobo, and Apple on distinct store audiences. Prices and royalties are publicly available terms as of 2026, with conflicts noted rather than hidden.
We noted the royalty conflicts plainly. IngramSpark setup fees vary between $49 per title and free title setup during promotions, and Draft2Digital's activation fee appears in some recent comparisons but not older ones. KDP itself is excluded, since this article covers alternatives, and royalties were stated as ranges where sources disagree.
Buying guide
Start with where your readers are. Amazon readers suit KDP, bookstore and library readers suit IngramSpark, Apple readers suit Apple Books, Kobo readers suit Kobo Writing Life, and Barnes & Noble readers suit B&N Press. Most successful indie authors do not pick just one: they publish wide, using Draft2Digital or PublishDrive for distribution across stores, plus direct channels for their own audience.
Next, compare the cost model. Commission models like Draft2Digital take about 10% per sale but cost nothing upfront, while subscription models like PublishDrive cost $13.99 per month with 0% commission, which suits multi book authors better. Free platforms like Smashwords, Lulu, and Kobo cost nothing to upload, with earnings depending on print costs and retailer cuts.
Finally, check the terms before publishing anything. Confirm royalty rates by price band, since 70% royalties often require pricing within a set range, and delivery fees can reduce ebook royalties for large files. Review tax reporting rules, exclusivity terms, and print costs, and model earnings per sale at your planned price before committing. Also plan your ISBN and formatting before you upload. Some platforms offer free ISBNs tied to their imprint, while others let you use your own ISBN, which matters for bookstore placement and for being listed as the publisher. Check file requirements early, since IngramSpark is strict about print files, and a rejected file can delay launch by days. Test a proof copy for print books before ordering in bulk, and confirm how each platform handles updates, since correcting a typo after publication varies by store. Keep records of every sale and royalty statement for tax season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to KDP overall?
IngramSpark for bookstore and library reach, and Draft2Digital for easy wide ebook distribution. Most authors use both beside KDP rather than replacing it entirely.
Can I publish on KDP and other platforms at once?
Yes, unless you enroll in KDP Select, which requires 90 day exclusivity for Kindle Unlimited. Wide distribution platforms require no exclusivity.
What is the cheapest way to publish wide?
Draft2Digital, Smashwords, Lulu, Kobo Writing Life, and Apple Books are all free to upload, with earnings taken as a commission or print cost per sale. PublishDrive offers a free tier with 1 book and 3 channels.
Which platform is best for print books?
IngramSpark for bookstore distribution, and Lulu for premium print quality, specialty formats, and direct sales at high margins.
Do royalties vary by platform?
Yes. Ebook royalties range from about 45% to 70% depending on platform and price, while print royalties run 55% to 60% minus printing costs, with direct sales up to 80%. Check each platform's current terms before publishing.
Sources we checked (0)
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has 5+ years in B2B and SaaS SEO. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.
IngramSpark
Draft2Digital
Smashwords
Lulu
Barnes & Noble Press
PublishDrive
Kobo Writing Life
Apple Books