Editorial source check: 17 October 2026. Fees and platform rules below link to vendor documentation. This comparison does not guarantee sales, retailer acceptance or delivery times.
Verdict: Start with the readers you want to reach. KDP gives you direct control of your Amazon listing. D2D can simplify distribution to other retailers and libraries. Using both is a practical option, provided you avoid duplicate retailer feeds and respect any KDP Select enrolment.
Draft2Digital vs KDP at a glance
| KDP | Draft2Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | No publishing setup fee | US$20 activation for new publishing accounts; US$12 annual fee below US$100 in net royalties over the preceding 12 months while titles remain in distribution |
| Ebook royalty | 70% (£1.77–£12.99 as of July 2026) or 35% | ~60% net after retailer cuts |
| Print-on-demand | Amazon print distribution; eligible paperbacks can use Expanded Distribution | Print distribution through Amazon and Ingram channels |
| Amazon ebook distribution | Direct | Invitation-only programme |
| Wide ebook distribution | No | Apple, Kobo, B&N and other supported channels; not Google Play |
| Public-library ebooks | No direct library distribution | Supported library channels |
| ISBN | Free print ISBN or your own; Kindle ebooks do not require one | Free D2D ISBN or your own; portability differs |
| File conversion | Supported manuscript uploads and publishing tools | Conversion and distribution tools |
| Tax responsibility | Complete the platform tax interview and assess your own reporting obligations | Complete the platform tax interview and assess your own reporting obligations |
| Best for | Amazon sales (ebook + print) | Wide distribution beyond Amazon |
Why most comparisons get this wrong
An either/or comparison misses the channel decision. Publishing directly through KDP and using D2D for selected additional outlets can make sense, but extra distribution does not guarantee extra sales.
KDP gives you an Amazon publishing account. Draft2Digital offers supported channels including Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Everand and library services. Its Amazon ebook programme is invitation-only; it is not a KDP account managed on your behalf.
D2D does not distribute to Google Play Books. A Books2Read link can point to stores beyond D2D’s distribution network, so a store appearing in a universal link is not proof that D2D supplies it.
Royalties compared — worked GBP examples
Ebook: £7.99 list price
| KDP | D2D (via Apple Books) | D2D (via Kobo) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royalty rate | 70% after delivery cost | Approximately 60% of retail price | Approximately 60% of retail price |
| Delivery cost | ~£0.05 (file-size dependent) | Included | Included |
| Your royalty | ~£5.56 | ~£4.79 | ~£4.79 |
These estimates assume a UK sale with no ebook VAT, no discount and a £0.05 KDP delivery charge. KDP’s formula is 70% × (£7.99 − £0.05) = £5.56 rounded. D2D’s royalty breakdown lists 60% for Apple Books and Kobo; its commission is approximately 10% of retail price, not 10% of the retailer’s payment. Account fees, withholding and currency conversion are separate.
These examples compare different sales channels, not a guaranteed uplift from using an aggregator. Direct retailer accounts may offer different terms and more administration.
Ebook: £2.99 list price
| KDP (70% tier) | KDP (35% tier) | D2D (Apple) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your royalty | ~£2.06 | ~£1.05 | ~£1.79 |
Using the same £0.05 delivery assumption, an eligible £2.99 UK sale earns about £2.06 at KDP’s 70% rate. Below £1.77, the UK price no longer qualifies for 70%; the 35% option has its own file-size-dependent minimum price. Territory, book eligibility and price matching also affect the applicable rate.
Print: 250-page B&W paperback at £9.99
| KDP Print | D2D Print | |
|---|---|---|
| Print cost | £3.35 under the assumptions below | Quote for your chosen specification in D2D |
| Royalty before other costs | ~£2.64 | 45% of list price less the quoted print cost |
The KDP example assumes an Amazon.co.uk sale, regular trim size, black ink and white or cream paper: printing costs are £0.85 + 250 × £0.01 = £3.35. At £9.99 the 60% royalty rate gives £9.99 × 60% − £3.35 = £2.64 rounded. This is not net profit after editing, design, advertising or tax.
D2D Print uses Amazon and Ingram distribution. It is misleading to describe it simply as US-only printing. Compare an actual quote and delivery estimate for the same specification and destination before choosing.
Distribution reach
| Channel | KDP | D2D |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon UK ebooks | ✅ Direct | Invitation-only |
| Apple Books | ❌ | ✅ |
| Kobo | ❌ | ✅ |
| Google Play | ❌ | ❌ |
| Barnes & Noble | ❌ | ✅ |
| Everand | ❌ | ✅ |
| Public-library ebooks | ❌ Direct | ✅ Supported library channels |
| Tolino (Germany) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Print-on-demand | ✅ | ✅ Amazon and Ingram channels |
D2D’s current channel list includes OverDrive, cloudLibrary, Hoopla and BorrowBox. Availability to a library does not mean that library has bought or licensed your book.
KDP Select — the exclusivity trade-off
KDP Select’s current rules provide Kindle Unlimited participation and a choice of a Kindle Countdown Deal or a Free Book Promotion during each 90-day term.
The ebook must be exclusive to Amazon for retail distribution during enrolment, with an exception for public libraries. Print and audio editions are not subject to this ebook restriction. Public-library distribution is not permission to sell the ebook at Apple or Kobo, or to put it into another retail subscription service.
D2D explains the library-only route for Select titles. Select only eligible library channels and check the enrolment terms before making a change. Watch automatic renewal when planning a move to wider retail distribution.
Is Select worth it? Compare actual page-read royalties, sales, advertising costs and reader demand for your title. Genre alone cannot establish which route will earn more.
UK-specific considerations
ISBNs
KDP’s free ISBN is for paperback or hardcover editions, is restricted to KDP and uses the imprint “Independently published”. Kindle ebooks do not require an ISBN. With your own ISBN, the registered publisher details must match.
D2D’s free ISBN makes D2D the vendor of record, while the publisher name you supply is shown publicly; it is not portable outside D2D. Buying your own ISBN can provide portability and imprint control. Check current UK prices with Nielsen rather than treating a free ISBN as evidence of poor quality.
VAT
Qualifying UK books and ebooks can be zero-rated, but this is not a blanket rule for every digital product or publishing service. HMRC’s electronic-publication guidance sets out exclusions, including publications predominantly consisting of audio or video. Check the applicable product, territory and transaction; a retailer’s consumer-tax handling does not settle your own business obligations.
Tax reporting
Complete each platform’s tax interview for your actual residence and legal status. The correct US form and any treaty relief depend on your circumstances; an individual and a company may need different forms. For UK reporting, use HMRC’s Self Assessment checker or an accountant. Do not assume that using a distributor removes your reporting obligations.
Print-on-demand
Compare KDP, D2D Print and a direct IngramSpark account against your required trim size, royalty, ordering and distribution needs. Avoid duplicate print feeds: D2D’s FAQ warns against combining D2D Print with KDP Expanded Distribution for the same book. See our KDP vs IngramSpark vs Lulu comparison for the wider decision.
The recommended UK author stack
| Channel | Platform | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon ebook | KDP | Direct control of the Amazon edition |
| Amazon print | KDP Print | Compare its quote for your specification |
| Wide ebook | D2D or direct retailer accounts | Balance administration against channel terms; observe Select restrictions |
| Bookshops + libraries (print) | D2D Print or IngramSpark | Compare distribution and ordering terms; avoid duplicate feeds |
| Audiobook | Assess a specialist audio distributor | Separate production, rights and distribution decision |
This is a menu, not a requirement to open every account. Start with the channels you can support, then review sales, metadata, rights and availability regularly.
Common mistakes
- Confusing availability with demand. More outlets do not automatically produce more sales.
- Duplicating retailer feeds. Choose one distribution route for each edition and outlet.
- Buying an ISBN without checking the need. Consider format, imprint and portability first.
- Treating library availability as a purchase. Libraries still make acquisition decisions.
- Misreading Select exclusivity. The public-library exception does not permit wider ebook retail sales during enrolment.
Frequently asked questions
Should I use Draft2Digital or KDP?
Use KDP for direct Amazon publishing if that fits your plan. Add D2D for supported additional outlets when the administration savings justify its costs. D2D does not distribute to Google Play Books.
How much does Draft2Digital vs KDP cost in the UK?
KDP has no publishing setup fee. D2D’s fee explanation and FAQ state a US$20 activation fee for new publishing accounts and a US$12 annual maintenance fee for accounts earning under US$100 in net royalties over the preceding 12 months; accounts with no titles in distribution are exempt from maintenance. D2D also takes approximately 10% of retail price per ebook sale, leaving about 60% at Apple Books and Kobo. KDP pays 35% or, where eligible, 70% after delivery costs. Print costs are separate.
Can I use KDP and Draft2Digital at the same time?
Yes, with one route per outlet. If the ebook is in KDP Select, D2D’s eligible public-library channels can be used, but wider ebook retail distribution must wait until exclusivity ends. Outside Select, you can combine KDP with supported non-Amazon retailers through D2D.
Is KDP Select worth it for UK authors?
It depends on your readers and economics. Measure a 90-day cycle using royalties and acquisition costs, then compare a wider distribution strategy. Allow for launch effects and avoid assuming one genre guarantees a result.
What are the UK tax requirements for KDP and D2D?
Complete the relevant platform tax interviews and check your UK reporting position with HMRC or an accountant. US withholding, UK income reporting and VAT are separate questions; your legal status and the product being sold matter.
Whichever platform you choose, getting the formatting right is what separates amateur from professional. Run a free KDP Readiness Score to check your file, or let us format it for you from £69.
Related guides
- Draft2Digital marketing tools — explore promotions, Books2Read links and author pages after choosing distribution
- KDP Royalty Calculator — estimate UK and US earnings with current delivery and printing-cost rules
- KDP vs IngramSpark vs Lulu
- KDP Select vs Wide
- Wide vs Exclusive Strategy
