Last reviewed by Robert Prime — July 2026
The Verdict — July 2026: Reedsy is a solid starting point for UK authors who want a free, browser-based editor and access to vetted publishing professionals. The free editor produces clean EPUB and PDF files, and the marketplace connects you with real editors and designers. The limitations are real, though: no built-in ISBN or barcode support, US-centric trim defaults, and the paid tiers add cost without necessarily replacing dedicated formatting tools. If your priority is professional print formatting for the UK market, a dedicated tool or service — Atticus, Vellum, or our formatting service from £69 — will get you there faster.
What Reedsy actually offers
Reedsy is three things bundled under one brand. Understanding which parts you need — and which you can skip — saves time and money.
1. Reedsy Book Editor (free tier)
A browser-based writing and formatting tool. You sign up, paste or import your manuscript, and export EPUB or print-ready PDF files. No software to install, no upfront cost.
What the free editor does well:
- Clean, distraction-free writing interface
- Chapter organisation with drag-and-drop reordering
- Basic formatting: bold, italic, headings, scene breaks, drop caps
- EPUB export accepted by KDP, Apple Books and Kobo
- PDF export for print-on-demand upload
- Real-time collaboration (useful if you work with an editor or co-author)
Where it falls short for UK authors:
- Trim size defaults are US-centric — you need to manually adjust for A5 or B-format (129 × 198 mm)
- No ISBN purchase or barcode generation — you handle that separately via Nielsen (£93 single / £174 for 10)
- Limited control over advanced typography and page layout compared to desktop tools
- No offline access — you need an internet connection
For a deeper look at the editor's output quality, see our Reedsy Book Editor review.
2. Reedsy paid tiers
Reedsy now offers paid tiers alongside its free editor. These add features beyond the free tier. We do not have verified prices for the paid tiers, so we will not quote specific figures here — check Reedsy's website for current pricing. The key question to ask before upgrading: does the paid tier give you something a one-off formatting tool would not? For many UK authors, buying Atticus ($147/~£109) or using a formatting service gives you more control for a similar or lower total cost.
3. Reedsy Marketplace
This is the part many authors overlook — and it is arguably Reedsy's strongest offering. The marketplace connects you with vetted freelance editors, cover designers, ghostwriters and book marketers. Reedsy takes a commission from the professional, not from you.
How it works in practice:
- Browse professionals by category (developmental editing, copy-editing, cover design, etc.)
- View portfolios, reviews and pricing
- Request quotes from multiple professionals
- Pay through Reedsy's platform (offers some buyer protection)
UK-specific note: Many marketplace professionals quote in USD. Factor in the exchange rate when comparing quotes. A $2,000 developmental edit is roughly £1,486 (converted at $1 = £0.74, July 2026) — always check the live rate.
Reedsy at a glance
| Feature | Reedsy Free Editor | Reedsy Paid Tiers | Reedsy Marketplace |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | Free | Paid (check Reedsy's site) | Free to browse; professionals set their rates |
| What you get | Writing + basic formatting + EPUB/PDF export | Additional editor features | Access to vetted editors, designers, marketers |
| UK trim sizes | Manual adjustment needed | Manual adjustment needed | N/A |
| ISBN/barcode | Not included | Not included | Can hire someone to help |
| Best for | First drafts, simple ebook formatting | Authors wanting extra editor features | Finding professional help |
Worked example: formatting cost comparison in GBP
Let's say you have a 250-page fiction manuscript ready for ebook and paperback. Here is what formatting alone costs through different routes.
| Route | Cost | What you get | Ongoing cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reedsy free editor | £0 | EPUB + PDF (basic formatting, manual UK adjustments) | £0 |
| Reedsy paid tier | Check Reedsy's site | Enhanced editor features | Depends on tier |
| Atticus | $147 / ~£109 | Desktop app, ebook + print formatting, cross-platform | £0 (one-time purchase) |
| Vellum | $249.99 / ~£186 (ebook+print) | Mac desktop app, premium typography | £0 (one-time purchase) |
| publishing.co.uk | From £69 | Done-for-you KDP-ready formatting | Per project |
The maths: If you plan to publish more than one book, a one-time tool purchase (Atticus or Vellum) pays for itself by book two or three. If you want someone else to handle formatting entirely, our formatting service starts from £69 per title — less than a single Atticus licence. The Reedsy free editor costs nothing but requires more manual work, especially for UK print specifications.
For a full feature comparison of formatting tools, see Reedsy vs Scrivener and best book formatting software.
Common mistakes UK authors make with Reedsy
1. Accepting US trim defaults for UK print
Reedsy's editor defaults to US paper sizes. If you export a PDF without changing the trim to A5 or B-format, your book will look and feel wrong to UK readers and may not match your cover template. Always check trim size before exporting.
2. Assuming Reedsy handles ISBNs
It does not. You need to buy your own ISBN from Nielsen (£93 single, or £174 for a block of 10). A free KDP ISBN lists Amazon as publisher, limiting your distribution options. Buy your own before you upload anywhere.
3. Hiring the first marketplace professional without comparing
Reedsy's marketplace makes it easy to hire someone — perhaps too easy. Always request quotes from at least three professionals. Rates vary enormously, and the most expensive option is not always the best.
4. Skipping the print proof
Reedsy's PDF preview is not a substitute for a physical proof copy. Margins, gutters and font rendering can look different in print. Order a proof through KDP or IngramSpark before approving your book for sale.
5. Overlooking the exchange rate
Marketplace quotes are often in USD. A quote that looks reasonable in dollars may be steep once converted to GBP. Check the current exchange rate and factor it into your budget.
Sources
Figures were checked against these primary sources in July 2026; providers reprice, so verify the live page before you rely on a number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Reedsy free to use in the UK?
The Reedsy Book Editor has a free tier that lets you write, format and export EPUB and PDF files at no cost. Reedsy also offers paid tiers with additional features — check their website for current pricing. The Reedsy Marketplace is free to browse and request quotes; you pay the professional directly for their services.
Can I format a print book for KDP using Reedsy's free editor?
Yes. The free editor exports print-ready PDFs. However, you will need to manually set UK trim sizes (A5 or B-format) and handle ISBN/barcode placement yourself. For more complex print layouts, a dedicated tool like Atticus or a formatting service may be faster.
How does Reedsy's marketplace compare to hiring freelancers directly?
Reedsy vets its marketplace professionals, which reduces risk. You also get some buyer protection through the platform. The trade-off is that marketplace rates may be higher than finding a freelancer independently, because Reedsy takes a commission from the professional (which can be passed on in pricing). Compare quotes both inside and outside the marketplace.
Do I need an ISBN to publish through Reedsy?
Reedsy does not sell or provide ISBNs. If you are publishing a print book, you need an ISBN — buy one from Nielsen (£93 single / £174 for 10). For ebooks sold only through KDP, an ISBN is optional but recommended if you plan to distribute widely.
Is Reedsy better than Atticus or Vellum for formatting?
For basic ebook formatting, the free Reedsy editor is perfectly adequate and costs nothing. For print formatting — especially to UK specifications — Atticus ($147/£109) and Vellum ($249.99/£186) offer more control, better typography, and offline access. If you do not want to learn formatting software at all, a done-for-you service like publishing.co.uk handles it from £69. See our Vellum vs Atticus comparison for a detailed breakdown.
Whichever route you take, the formatting has to be right before you upload. A rejected file costs you days; a badly formatted book costs you reviews. If you want the formatting handled, our done-for-you service starts from £69 and delivers KDP-ready files for UK authors.
