The Best 10 eBook Formatting Tools for Indie Authors in 2024

A Comprehensive Guide for New Authors

Congratulations! You’ve successfully completed your manuscript—an incredible achievement! Now, it’s time to transform your written work into a polished eBook ready for publication. This step can be particularly challenging for indie authors who might be more focused on their creative process rather than the technical aspects of formatting.

At Tech Guys, we understand that this stage can be overwhelming, especially if technology isn’t your strong suit. That’s why we’ve researched and evaluated the top eBook formatting tools for 2024, based on feedback from author forums and industry experts. Here’s our comprehensive list of the top 10 eBook formatting tools, along with a few runner-ups, to help you make an informed choice.

1. Vellum

• Price: $199.99 for eBook formatting, $249.99 for both eBook and print formatting.
• Free Plan/Trial: Free demo available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 5/5
• Best for: Mac users looking for high-quality, effortless eBook formatting.
• Core Features: Stunning pre-designed templates, real-time previews, support for EPUB, MOBI, and print-ready PDF exports.
• Pros: Known for elegant templates and ease of use.
• Cons: Available only for Mac users; higher price.
• Standout Features: Professional-grade templates and intuitive design.
• Integrations: None specific; standalone software.
• Learn more about Vellum.

2. Scrivener

• Price: $49 (one-time purchase).
• Free Plan/Trial: 30-day free trial available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 3/5
• Best for: Authors who want a comprehensive tool that combines writing and formatting.
• Core Features: Integrated writing and formatting with support for EPUB, MOBI, and PDF formats.
• Pros: Powerful for both writing and formatting.
• Cons: Steeper learning curve; complex interface.
• Standout Features: Integration of writing and formatting tools.
• Integrations: Syncs with Dropbox, Google Drive, iCloud, and other cloud services.
• Learn more about Scrivener.

3. Atticus

• Price: $149 (one-time purchase).
• Free Plan/Trial: 7-day free trial available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 4/5
• Best for: Writers seeking an intuitive, versatile tool that works across devices.
• Core Features: Cloud-based with support for EPUB and print-ready PDF formats; combines formatting and writing.
• Pros: User-friendly and accessible on various devices.
• Cons: Less polished compared to Vellum.
• Standout Features: Cross-device functionality.
• Integrations: Syncs with Dropbox, Google Drive, and other cloud storage services.
• Learn more about Atticus.

4. Reedsy Book Editor

• Price: Free.
• Free Plan/Trial: Free with all features included.
• Ease of Use Rating: 5/5
• Best for: Authors looking for a straightforward, no-cost formatting solution.
• Core Features: Web-based tool with basic formatting; supports EPUB, MOBI, and PDF exports.
• Pros: Free and easy to use.
• Cons: Limited customization options.
• Standout Features: Simple, free, and web-based.
• Integrations: None specific; standalone web tool.
• Learn more about the Reedsy Book Editor.

5. Calibre

• Price: Free.
• Free Plan/Trial: Free with all features available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 3/5
• Best for: Authors needing a versatile, cost-free tool for managing and converting eBooks.
• Core Features: Open-source software for converting eBooks across multiple formats.
• Pros: Versatile and free.
• Cons: Outdated interface; less intuitive for complex formatting.
• Standout Features: Extensive format conversion capabilities.
• Integrations: None specific; standalone software.
• Learn more about Calibre.

6. Designrr

• Price: Starts at $29/month or $297/year.
• Free Plan/Trial: 7-day free trial available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 4/5
• Best for: Authors repurposing existing content into eBooks.
• Core Features: Converts blogs, podcasts, PDFs, and other content into eBooks; customizable templates and drag-and-drop functionality.
• Pros: Easy to use; good for repurposing content.
• Cons: Monthly subscription may not be cost-effective for infrequent users.
• Standout Features: Versatility in converting various types of content.
• Integrations: Integrates with cloud storage services like Dropbox and Google Drive.
• Learn more about Designerr.

7. Kindle Create

• Price: Free.
• Free Plan/Trial: Free with all features included.
• Ease of Use Rating: 4/5
• Best for: Authors targeting Amazon Kindle publication.
• Core Features: Formatting tool for Kindle eBooks with templates and preview options.
• Pros: Direct integration with Amazon Kindle; user-friendly.
• Cons: Limited to Kindle format.
• Standout Features: Tailored for Kindle with direct publishing options.
• Integrations: Direct integration with Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.
• Learn More about Kindle Create.

8. Adobe InDesign

• Price: $20.99/month (with Adobe Creative Cloud subscription).
• Free Plan/Trial: 7-day free trial available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 3/5
• Best for: Professional-level formatting with advanced design options.
• Core Features: Comprehensive design and layout tool with support for eBook formats including EPUB.
• Pros: Powerful and versatile for professional designs.
• Cons: Steep learning curve; higher cost.
• Standout Features: Advanced design capabilities.
• Integrations: Integrates with other Adobe Creative Cloud tools.

9. Jutoh

• Price: $39.00 (one-time purchase).
• Free Plan/Trial: 30-day free trial available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 4/5
• Best for: Authors looking for a balance between cost and functionality.
• Core Features: eBook creation tool with support for multiple formats, including EPUB and MOBI.
• Pros: Affordable and feature-rich.
• Cons: Interface can feel a bit dated.
• Standout Features: Supports a wide range of eBook formats and customization.
• Integrations: None specific; standalone software.

10. Sigil

• Price: Free.
• Free Plan/Trial: Free with all features available.
• Ease of Use Rating: 3/5
• Best for: DIY eBook creators needing a free, open-source tool.
• Core Features: Open-source EPUB editor with a WYSIWYG editor.
• Pros: Free and customizable.
• Cons: Basic features; can be tricky for beginners.
• Standout Features: Strong support for EPUB editing.
• Integrations: None specific; standalone software.

Runner-Up Tools

• Book Design Wizard
  • Price: $27 (one-time purchase).
  • Free Plan/Trial: 7-day free trial available.
  • Ease of Use Rating: 4/5
  • Best for: Quick and easy eBook design with minimal effort.
  • Core Features: Simple design tool with pre-designed templates.
  • Pros: User-friendly and affordable.
  • Cons: Limited advanced features.
  • Standout Features: Quick setup with pre-designed templates.
  • Integrations: None specific; standalone tool.
• Pressbooks
  • Price: Starts at $19/month.
  • Free Plan/Trial: 30-day free trial available.
  • Ease of Use Rating: 4/5
  • Best for: Authors who want to format for multiple platforms easily.
  • Core Features: Cloud-based tool for creating eBooks and print books with various formatting options.
  • Pros: Multi-platform formatting and easy to use.
  • Cons: Monthly fee and limited free plan.
  • Standout Features: Comprehensive formatting for multiple platforms.
  • Integrations: Integrates with major distribution platforms like Amazon, IngramSpark, and more.

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Choosing the right eBook formatting tool can make a huge difference in your publishing journey. We hope this guide helps you find the best fit for your needs. If you need assistance with setting up any of these tools or have other tech-related questions, Tech Guys is here to help! Call us today at 844-TEC-GUYS (844) 832-4897. Explore our creator services and check out our range of easy, friendly tech courses to get the support you need. Happy publishing!