The right Kindle Create alternative depends on your book and computer. For print PDF and EPUB production, compare Atticus, Vellum and Reedsy Studio. For an existing ebook needing conversion or repair, look at Calibre or Sigil. A formatting service prepares the files for you.
I run publishing.co.uk, which sells formatting. That is one of the six options below. Software facts come from the vendors’ linked documentation; this guide does not claim we tested all six on the same manuscript.
Would you rather someone else did it? Our book formatting services UK start at £69, VAT included, with files back in 24 hours.
Kindle Create alternatives at a glance
| Option and platform | Price checked 16 October 2026 | Main use |
|---|---|---|
| Atticus — Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook | US$147 once | Writing, EPUB and print PDF |
| Vellum — Mac, macOS 13 or newer | £159.99 Ebooks; £199.99 Press, excluding VAT | Ebooks; Press also creates print PDF |
| Reedsy Studio — browser | Core formatting free; optional upgrades separate | EPUB and print PDF |
| Calibre — Windows, Mac, Linux | Free, open source | Ebook conversion and library management |
| Sigil — Windows, Mac, Linux | Free, open source | Editing an EPUB’s content and code |
| publishing.co.uk — service | Print £69; print + Kindle £119, including VAT | Someone prepares your files |
Vellum is billed in pounds to UK buyers; Atticus displays US dollars. Compare the final checkout total including applicable tax and any currency conversion. A service price covers work on a book; a software price covers access to a tool you operate.
Whichever tool you choose, the Kindle file rules are the same. Our guide to how to format an ebook for Kindle covers reflowable layout, heading styles, a linked contents page and testing in Kindle Previewer.
Why leave Kindle Create at all?
You may not need to. Amazon’s Kindle Create documentation lists KPF and EPUB export, with EPUB available for reflowable books only. KPF is Amazon’s recommended publishing file for Kindle ebooks and print books. Its EPUB export has limitations for image bleeds, larger drop caps and chapter-start imagery.
Switch when a required layout or output is missing, rather than because somebody says Kindle Create locks every book to Amazon. For fixed-layout work, confirm the required output with your intended retailer before choosing software.
1. Atticus — writing and formatting across platforms
Atticus lists US$147 as a one-time purchase, with future updates included. Its progressive web app supports Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook, and exports EPUB and PDF. The vendor offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Shortlist it if you want writing and formatting together, especially without a Mac. Test your hardest chapter before committing the whole manuscript. Read our Atticus formatting guide for more detail.
2. Vellum — ebook and print production on a Mac
Vellum’s site, checked in a UK browser on 16 October 2026, displays £159.99 for Vellum Ebooks and £199.99 for Vellum Press, excluding VAT. Press includes ebooks and print PDFs. Vellum requires macOS 13 or newer. You can download it, build a book and preview the layout before buying the ability to generate files.
Vellum bills UK buyers in pounds. Confirm the final tax-inclusive total in your checkout. The purchasing FAQ explains the licence and purchase process.
3. Reedsy Studio — free core formatting in a browser
Reedsy Studio offers free core writing and formatting, with EPUB and print PDF exports. Optional premium features are separate. Check its published trim options against your intended dimensions before laying out the whole manuscript.
Free software still requires your time to format and inspect the output. Our Reedsy cost comparison separates Studio from hiring a marketplace formatter.
4. Calibre — ebook conversion and library management
Calibre is free, open-source ebook management software, available for Windows, Mac and Linux. It supports conversion between ebook formats, metadata management and reading.
Use it when you already have an ebook to manage or convert. Conversion alone does not establish that the layout is correct: inspect navigation, images and special characters in the exported file.
5. Sigil — hands-on EPUB editing
Sigil is a free, open-source EPUB editor for Windows, Mac and Linux. It suits work on an EPUB’s structure, text and HTML/CSS. It does not prepare a print edition for you.
See Calibre versus Sigil for the distinction between conversion and editing. Choose Sigil when you need direct control over an EPUB and are comfortable learning its editing workflow.
6. A professional formatting service
Our UK book formatting service prepares a print interior PDF from £69, or print PDF plus Kindle EPUB from £119, including VAT. Two revision rounds are included. Standard turnaround is usually 24 hours; picture books and heavily illustrated non-fiction can take 48–72 hours. Check package scope and add-ons before ordering.
Ask any provider which files, revision rounds and editable sources are included, and whether the quote covers the interior, cover or both. This is a different purchase from a software licence.
UK specifics worth knowing
- Budget in the checkout currency. Compare the final tax-inclusive total, not a guessed dollar-to-pound conversion.
- Pick the trim first. Use the UK book-size reference and trim-size tool, then confirm software and printer support.
- Prepare the opening pages. Our front- and back-matter templates cover novels, non-fiction and ebooks. Consult the separate UK ISBN guide for identifiers.
Common mistakes when switching
Keep your original manuscript and editable project. Test a difficult chapter with your actual images, notes and headings. Confirm the outputs before buying. Inspect exported files, then use the printer’s preview and a physical proof where appropriate. An automated check cannot promise every design decision is right.
Quick verdict
For free browser formatting, shortlist Reedsy Studio. For paid cross-platform writing and formatting, compare Atticus. On a compatible Mac, preview your book in Vellum. Use Calibre for conversion and management, or Sigil for EPUB editing. Choose a service when you want production handled. Keep Kindle Create if it already produces the files and layout you need.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free alternative to Kindle Create?
Reedsy Studio is a useful starting point for free core formatting with print PDF and EPUB output. Calibre and Sigil serve different jobs: conversion/library management and EPUB editing. Choose by the task.
Is there a Kindle Create alternative that works on both Mac and Windows?
Atticus supports both, alongside Linux and Chromebook. Reedsy Studio runs in a browser. Calibre and Sigil also provide Mac and Windows versions. Vellum requires a compatible Mac.
Can Kindle Create export EPUB?
Yes, for reflowable books. Amazon also provides KPF export and recommends it for KDP. Confirm output support separately for fixed-layout projects; not every layout feature survives an EPUB export.
Is a paid formatting tool better than Kindle Create?
Only if its features solve a problem your book has. Compare required outputs, layout control, operating system and time spent. Paying is not automatically better for a straightforward manuscript.
Where can I check my book before I upload it?
Our free KDP Readiness Score can flag common file issues. Use it alongside your own review and Amazon’s previewer; it is not a guarantee of acceptance.
About this guide
Written by Robert Prime for publishing.co.uk. Vendor features and public prices checked on 16 October 2026 using the primary sources linked above. This is a documented feature comparison, not a measured ranking of output quality.
