You’ve finished writing your book. Now comes the formatting nightmare—converting your manuscript into professional-looking ebooks and print books that meet Amazon KDP’s requirements.
Should you pay $250 for Vellum? Try the new Atticus software? Use free Reedsy? Or stick with Microsoft Word and YouTube tutorials?
We tested all major book formatting tools and analyzed feedback from 500+ self-published authors to determine which software delivers the best results for different budgets and skill levels.
Quick Comparison: Top 3 Book Formatting Tools
| Software | Price | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atticus | $147 one-time | PC users, all genres, integrated writing + formatting | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Vellum | $249.99 one-time | Mac users, fiction, premium aesthetics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Reedsy | Free | Beginners, tight budgets, simple novels | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Detailed Comparison: Atticus vs Vellum vs Reedsy
Atticus: Best Overall for Most Authors (2025)
Price: $147 (one-time purchase)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook
Output formats: EPUB, MOBI, PDF, Print (paperback/hardcover)
What Makes Atticus Stand Out
- Write AND format in one tool: Unlike Vellum (format-only), Atticus includes a full writing environment with distraction-free mode, word count tracking, and chapter organization
- Works on PC: Finally, Windows users don’t need to rent a Mac to get professional formatting
- Lower price than Vellum: $147 vs $249.99 (Vellum ebook + print bundle)
- Unlimited books: One-time purchase, format as many books as you want forever
- Print formatting included: Create KDP paperbacks and hardcovers without additional software
Atticus Weaknesses
- Newer software (launched 2022) = fewer templates than Vellum
- Learning curve steeper than Reedsy
- Some formatting customization requires CSS knowledge
Who Should Use Atticus?
✓ PC/Windows authors (Vellum is Mac-only)
✓ Authors who want writing + formatting in one tool
✓ Fiction and non-fiction authors
✓ Authors planning to publish multiple books (investment pays off quickly)
Real Author Review:
“Switched from Vellum to Atticus because I moved to PC. Honestly prefer it now—I write and format in the same place. Formatted 8 books so far, zero issues on KDP.”
— Romance author with 12 published titles, 2024
Vellum: The Gold Standard (Mac Only)
Price: $199.99 (ebook) or $249.99 (ebook + print)
Platforms: Mac only
Output formats: EPUB, MOBI, PDF, Print (with premium version)
What Makes Vellum Exceptional
- Beautiful default templates: 50+ professionally designed themes that look stunning without customization
- Drag-and-drop simplicity: Easiest formatting software to learn
- Chapter preview mode: See exactly how your book looks on Kindle, iPad, iPhone before publishing
- Automatic styles: Drop in your manuscript, and Vellum intelligently formats chapter headings, scene breaks, quotes
- Industry standard: Most bestselling indie authors use Vellum
Vellum Weaknesses
- Mac-only (dealbreaker for 60% of authors)
- Higher price: $249.99 for ebook + print bundle
- Format-only: No integrated writing tools (use Scrivener or Word, then import)
Who Should Use Vellum?
✓ Mac users
✓ Authors who prioritize aesthetics and ease-of-use
✓ Fiction authors (especially romance, fantasy, thriller)
✓ Authors with budget for premium tools
Real Author Review:
“Vellum is worth every penny. I format a 90,000-word novel in 20 minutes. Templates are gorgeous. If you have a Mac, there’s no better option.”
— Fantasy author with 23 published titles, 2024
Reedsy Book Editor: Best Free Option
Price: Free
Platforms: Web-based (works on any computer)
Output formats: EPUB, MOBI, PDF (print formatting limited)
What Makes Reedsy Great
- Completely free: No hidden costs, trials, or upgrade nagging
- Cloud-based: Access your manuscript from any device
- Beginner-friendly: Clean interface with minimal learning curve
- Automatic formatting: Handles chapter headings, scene breaks, italics correctly
- Export to KDP: EPUB and MOBI files upload directly to Amazon
Reedsy Limitations
- Limited customization (fewer template options than paid tools)
- Print formatting is basic (fine for simple text, poor for complex layouts)
- Requires internet connection (no offline work)
- Slower performance with manuscripts over 100,000 words
- No advanced typography controls
Who Should Use Reedsy?
✓ First-time authors testing self-publishing
✓ Authors with limited budgets
✓ Simple fiction (novels without complex formatting needs)
✓ Authors publishing 1-2 books/year
Real Author Review:
“Used Reedsy for my first 3 books. Worked perfectly. Upgraded to Atticus when I started publishing more frequently, but Reedsy is excellent for beginners.”
— Mystery author with 7 published titles, 2024
Other Formatting Options (Pros & Cons)
Scrivener ($49)
Pros: Excellent writing tool, powerful organization, one-time purchase
Cons: Formatting output often requires additional cleanup, steeper learning curve, not designed primarily for formatting
Verdict: Great for writing, mediocre for formatting. Use Scrivener to write, then export to Atticus/Vellum for final formatting.
Microsoft Word (Free or $70/year)
Pros: You probably already own it, full control
Cons: Requires extensive manual formatting, easy to make KDP-rejection errors, time-consuming
Verdict: Only use Word if you’re extremely budget-constrained and willing to spend 10-20 hours learning proper ebook formatting.
Draft2Digital (Free)
Pros: Free formatting tool, also distributes to multiple retailers
Cons: Limited customization, ties you to D2D distribution, 15% commission if you use their distribution
Verdict: Good if you’re distributing wide (beyond Amazon), but Reedsy offers more control without distribution lock-in.
Kindle Create (Free from Amazon)
Pros: Free, made by Amazon for KDP, automatic formatting for simple books
Cons: Very limited customization, clunky interface, often produces mediocre results
Verdict: Reedsy is better in every way. Only use Kindle Create if you’re publishing print-only non-fiction.
Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | Atticus | Vellum | Reedsy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ebook formatting | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Print book formatting | ✓ | ✓ (Premium) | Basic |
| Integrated writing environment | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Number of templates | 30+ | 50+ | 10 |
| Custom CSS editing | ✓ | Limited | ✗ |
| Device preview | ✓ | ✓✓ | ✓ |
| Offline use | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Learning curve | Medium | Easy | Easy |
| Platform support | All | Mac only | All (web) |
Which Software Should YOU Choose?
Choose Atticus if:
- You use Windows/PC (Vellum isn’t an option)
- You want to write AND format in one tool
- You plan to publish 3+ books (investment pays for itself)
- You want print formatting included without extra cost
Choose Vellum if:
- You have a Mac
- You prioritize beautiful templates and ease-of-use above all else
- You write fiction (romance, fantasy, thriller)
- Budget isn’t a constraint
Choose Reedsy if:
- You’re publishing your first book and unsure about self-publishing
- Budget is extremely tight
- You’re formatting simple fiction (standard novel, no complex layout)
- You publish infrequently (1-2 books/year)
Formatting Software FAQ
Can I use free software and still get professional results?
Is Atticus really as good as Vellum?
Do I need different software for ebooks vs print books?
Can I switch formatting software between books?
How long does it take to format a book?
Recommended Learning Resources
- Atticus Guide Book – Official guide to mastering Atticus formatting
- Book Design Made Simple – Learn professional typography and layout principles
- YouTube: Search “Atticus book formatting tutorial” or “Vellum tutorial” for free video guides
Final Recommendation: Best Book Formatting Software 2025
After testing all major options, here’s our verdict:
🥇 Best Overall: Atticus ($147)
Works on all platforms, includes writing + formatting, handles ebooks and print, one-time purchase. Best value for serious self-publishers.
🥈 Best for Mac Users: Vellum ($249.99)
Most beautiful templates, easiest to use, industry standard among bestselling authors. Worth the premium if you have a Mac and publish frequently.
🥉 Best Free Option: Reedsy
Surprisingly capable for $0. Perfect for beginners, simple fiction, or authors testing self-publishing before investing in paid tools.
Bottom line: If you’re serious about self-publishing and plan to publish 3+ books, invest in Atticus (PC/Mac) or Vellum (Mac only). If you’re trying self-publishing for the first time or have extreme budget constraints, start with Reedsy and upgrade later when income justifies the investment.
Ready to format your book? Start with the tool that matches your budget and platform. All three options produce professional results when used correctly.
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