Turning your knowledge into an ebook is a powerful move, but choosing where to sell it is the critical next step that defines your reach, revenue, and control. With dozens of options available, from global marketplaces like Amazon to direct-to-fan platforms like Gumroad, navigating the landscape of royalties, features, and fees can feel overwhelming. This guide cuts through the noise and provides a detailed breakdown of the best platforms to sell ebooks, analyzing the nuanced pros and cons of each.
We'll dive deep into the top 12 contenders, including major retailers like Apple Books and direct-sales tools like Payhip. Each review includes screenshots, direct links, and a practical analysis of its pricing, ideal user profile, and key features. You will learn not just what each platform offers, but how it fits into a specific business strategy. Whether you're aiming for mass-market visibility or building a high-margin, direct-sales business, you'll find the right digital storefront here. For a broader perspective and comparison, you can explore other resources discussing the 12 best platforms to sell your ebook to get a well-rounded view.
Our goal is to give you a clear, comprehensive roadmap to help you make an informed decision without the guesswork. This curated list focuses on the strategic differences that matter most, helping you select a platform that aligns perfectly with your financial goals and audience. We'll even show you how to skip the writing bottleneck entirely and launch your ebook in days, not months, using premium, ready-to-sell content from Entrepedia.
1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the undisputed giant in the ebook world, offering authors direct access to the largest digital bookstore on the planet. Its primary advantage is unparalleled reach; publishing on KDP places your ebook in front of millions of potential readers already shopping on Amazon, making it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for authors seeking maximum discoverability. The platform provides a single, unified dashboard to upload your manuscript, set pricing, and monitor sales analytics.
The setup process is relatively straightforward, guided by Amazon's extensive help documentation. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the entire process, refer to this detailed guide on how to publish your book on Amazon.
Key Considerations
Royalties: KDP offers two royalty structures. A 70% option is available for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 in eligible territories, but Amazon deducts a small "delivery fee" based on file size. A 35% option applies to books priced outside that range or sold in certain regions.
KDP Select Program: Enrolling your ebook in KDP Select makes it available to Kindle Unlimited subscribers, who can read it for free as part of their subscription. While this can boost visibility and generate income from pages read, it requires a 90-day exclusivity commitment to Amazon, preventing you from selling the ebook elsewhere during that period.
Promotional Tools: Authors in KDP Select gain access to tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and Free Book Promotions, which can create temporary sales spikes and attract new readers.
Ideal for: Authors prioritizing audience reach and discoverability over higher royalty rates or platform independence. It is the default starting point for most new self-published writers. Learn more about the KDP self-publishing process.
2. Apple Books for Authors
Apple Books for Authors is the official portal for publishing directly to Apple's ecosystem, reaching millions of readers on iPhones, iPads, and Mac devices. While its market share is smaller than Amazon's, it presents a significant opportunity to connect with a premium, engaged audience. The platform’s key advantage is its straightforward approach and clean integration, making it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for authors who want to diversify their income streams beyond a single retailer.
The platform allows authors to upload their work directly using Pages, iTunes Producer, or through an approved aggregator. Its backend provides access to next-day sales reports and valuable analytics, giving authors timely insight into their ebook's performance.
Key Considerations
Royalties: Apple offers a flat 70% royalty on all sales, regardless of the ebook's price. This simple structure is a major draw, as there are no complicated price bands or delivery fees deducted from your earnings, providing more predictable income.
Exclusivity: Unlike Amazon's KDP Select, Apple Books does not require any exclusivity. You are free to sell your ebook on any other platform simultaneously, which aligns with a "wide" distribution strategy favored by many independent authors.
Promotional Tools: Authors can create custom promo codes to offer free copies of their book for reviews or marketing campaigns. The platform also features an affiliate program, allowing authors to earn an extra commission on sales generated through their unique links.
Ideal for: Authors who want to reach a global, tech-savvy audience and prefer a simple, high-royalty model without exclusivity constraints. It's an essential second stop for any author pursuing a wide distribution strategy. Learn more about publishing on Apple Books.
3. Google Play Books Partner Center
The Google Play Books Partner Center provides authors with direct access to Google's massive global ecosystem, reaching billions of Android users and web readers. Its key strength lies in its international reach and flexible pricing controls, making it a powerful component of a wide distribution strategy. The platform allows authors to upload their work, manage metadata, and track sales performance through a dedicated dashboard, positioning it as a strong contender among the best platforms to sell ebooks for those looking to expand beyond Amazon.
The onboarding process involves a straightforward account setup, although approval times can vary. Once approved, you gain control over your listings and can even offer your book for free permanently, a useful tactic for building an audience or promoting a series.
Key Considerations
Royalties: Google offers a 70% royalty rate in over 60 countries for authors who accept their updated terms of service. For other regions, the rate is 52%. A significant advantage is that Google does not charge delivery fees, so your royalty is calculated from the list price.
Pricing Flexibility: Authors can set their own list prices and manage promotional discounting rules directly. This allows for greater strategic control over how your ebook is priced and marketed in different international markets.
Audience Reach: Publishing on Google Play Books makes your ebook discoverable through the Google Play Store, which is pre-installed on virtually all Android devices. This provides a direct channel to a huge mobile-first audience that may not be active on the Kindle ecosystem.
Ideal for: Authors focused on international sales and reaching Android users, as well as those who want to implement flexible or perma-free pricing strategies without exclusivity constraints. Learn more about selling on Google Play Books.
4. Kobo Writing Life (KWL)
Kobo Writing Life (KWL) is the self-publishing arm of Rakuten Kobo, a major global player in the ebook market with a particularly strong presence in Canada, Europe, and Asia. It offers authors a direct path to an international audience, distributing not only to the Kobo storefront but also to a vast network of partner retailers and libraries via OverDrive. This makes it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for authors focused on building a worldwide readership beyond the Amazon ecosystem.
The platform is known for its user-friendly interface and straightforward publishing process, which includes a free EPUB conversion tool that can turn your manuscript into a professionally formatted ebook. This feature is especially valuable for authors who are not technically inclined.
Key Considerations
Royalties: KWL offers a clear royalty structure. Authors receive 70% royalties on original works priced at or above specific thresholds (e.g., $2.99 in the US/Canada). For ebooks priced below this minimum, the royalty rate is 45%. Importantly, Kobo does not charge any delivery fees, which can result in a higher net payout compared to KDP.
Global Reach and Library Sales: Publishing with KWL gives you access to readers in over 190 countries. Its partnership with OverDrive is a significant advantage, allowing your ebook to be purchased by thousands of public libraries and potentially reaching a new segment of readers.
No Exclusivity: Unlike Amazon's KDP Select program, Kobo does not require exclusivity. This allows you to pursue a "wide" distribution strategy, selling your ebook on multiple platforms simultaneously without restriction. It also offers participation in its own subscription service, Kobo Plus.
Ideal for: Authors who want to diversify their income streams and build an international brand. It is an excellent choice for those pursuing a wide distribution strategy and seeking to tap into the lucrative library market. Learn more about Kobo Writing Life.
5. Barnes & Noble Press (NOOK)
Barnes & Noble Press serves as the direct publishing portal for the NOOK e-reader, granting authors access to the well-established B&N customer base. While its market share is smaller than Amazon's, it remains a significant U.S. retailer with strong brand recognition, making it a valuable secondary distribution channel. For authors looking to diversify beyond a single platform, B&N Press offers a straightforward way to reach readers who prefer the NOOK ecosystem.
The platform is designed exclusively for publishing to the Barnes & Noble store, providing a simple, no-frills dashboard for uploading manuscripts, setting prices, and tracking sales performance. Its direct-to-retailer model appeals to authors who want to manage their listings on major storefronts individually.
Key Considerations
Royalties: B&N Press offers a very competitive and simple royalty structure. Authors earn a flat 70% royalty on ebooks priced at $0.99 or higher, which is more generous at lower price points compared to competitors like KDP.
Market Reach: The audience is primarily concentrated in the United States. While it’s a dedicated readership, it is significantly smaller than the global reach offered by Amazon, limiting overall sales potential.
Payouts: Payments are reliable, with a low minimum payout threshold of just $10 via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT). However, payments operate on a 30-day lag after the end of the sales month.
Ideal for: U.S.-based authors seeking to diversify their sales channels and tap into the loyal NOOK readership. It's a strong second platform to consider after establishing a presence on Amazon. Learn more about Barnes & Noble Press.
6. Draft2Digital (D2D)
Draft2Digital (D2D) operates as an ebook aggregator, streamlining the process of "going wide" by distributing your book to multiple online retailers and library systems from a single dashboard. Instead of uploading your manuscript to each store individually, D2D handles the conversion, formatting, and distribution to partners like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and OverDrive. This makes it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for authors who want to reach a broad audience beyond Amazon without managing multiple accounts.
The platform is renowned for its user-friendly interface and exceptional customer support. Its automated layout and conversion tools are particularly valuable, producing professional-grade ebook files from a simple Word document at no upfront cost.
Key Considerations
Royalties: D2D is free to use; there are no publishing or conversion fees. The platform earns its revenue by taking a commission of approximately 10% of the ebook's retail price. This is in addition to the cut taken by the retailer (e.g., Apple Books, Kobo), so your final net royalty is lower than if you were to publish directly with that store.
Wide Distribution: The primary benefit is simplified access to a global market. With one upload, you can place your ebook in major international stores and make it available for purchase by libraries, a channel that is difficult for individual authors to access.
Unified Management: All sales data from various retailers is consolidated into one clean report. This simplifies royalty tracking and performance analysis. You can also make universal updates to your book's price or metadata and have them pushed out to all stores simultaneously.
Ideal for: Authors who want to maximize their reach by selling on multiple platforms ("going wide") without the administrative hassle of managing each retailer account separately. Learn more about the Draft2Digital distribution process.
7. Gumroad
Gumroad is a streamlined e-commerce platform built for creators who want to sell digital products, including ebooks, directly to their audience with minimal fuss. Its core strength lies in its simplicity and all-in-one nature; it provides a hosted storefront, handles file delivery, and processes payments, making it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for authors who prioritize ease of use and speed. The platform acts as the merchant-of-record, which means it manages complex sales tax and VAT compliance on your behalf, a significant advantage for creators selling internationally.
The setup process is incredibly fast, allowing you to go from signing up to having a live product in just a few minutes. For those looking to get started, you can explore more about creating compelling digital products to sell with platforms like Gumroad.
Key Considerations
Fees: Gumroad uses a straightforward fee structure with no monthly subscription. It takes a flat 10% fee on each sale. This simple pricing model is attractive for new sellers, though it can become more expensive than other options as your sales volume grows.
Discover Feature: The platform has a "Discover" marketplace that can recommend your ebook to other Gumroad customers, helping with discoverability. However, sales generated through this feature are subject to a much higher 30% fee.
Direct-to-Audience: Unlike large marketplaces, Gumroad is designed for creators who already have an audience or plan to build one. It provides essential tools like customer email capture and direct updates, allowing you to nurture a relationship with your readers without a middleman.
Ideal for: Authors, artists, and educators with an existing audience who want a simple, no-fuss solution to sell ebooks directly without worrying about sales tax or hosting. Learn more about Gumroad.
8. Payhip
Payhip is an e-commerce platform designed specifically for creators selling digital products, making it an excellent direct-to-consumer option for authors. It simplifies the process of selling ebooks directly from your own website, blog, or social media with a powerful, easy-to-use checkout system. Unlike large marketplaces, Payhip gives you full control over your customer relationships, branding, and pricing without the complexity of building a full e-commerce store from scratch.
The platform provides you with a customizable storefront and handles secure file delivery automatically after a purchase. Its standout feature is the built-in, automated handling of EU and UK VAT, which is a major administrative relief for authors selling to a global audience.
Key Considerations
Pricing: Payhip offers a straightforward tiered pricing model. The Free plan has a 5% transaction fee, the Plus plan is $29/month plus a 2% fee, and the Pro plan is $99/month with no transaction fees. Standard Stripe and PayPal processing fees still apply across all plans.
VAT Handling: The platform automatically calculates and remits digital VAT taxes for sales to EU and UK customers, a complex task that many other platforms leave to the author.
Security Features: To protect your work from piracy, Payhip includes features like PDF stamping, which adds the buyer's email address to each page of the ebook, and limiting the number of download attempts per customer.
Ideal for: Authors who want to sell directly to their audience and need a simple, all-in-one solution that handles complex digital tax requirements automatically. It is one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for creators who have an existing audience and prioritize ease of use. Visit Payhip.
9. Shopify (with the Digital Downloads app)
Shopify is a comprehensive ecommerce solution that empowers authors to build a fully branded online store, offering complete control over design, customer data, and the entire sales process. While known for physical products, it becomes one of the best platforms to sell ebooks when paired with an app like Shopify’s own free Digital Downloads app. This combination allows you to create a professional storefront, manage a catalog of ebooks, and automate the delivery of digital files to your customers immediately after purchase.
The platform's strength lies in its scalability and robust app ecosystem, which allows you to integrate advanced marketing tools, create upsells, and bundle your ebooks with other digital or physical products. For guidance on setting prices for your digital products within a dedicated store, explore this helpful digital product pricing ebook.
Key Considerations
Pricing: Shopify operates on a monthly subscription model, with plans starting around $29/month, plus payment processing fees for each transaction. The official Digital Downloads app is free to install.
Full Ownership: Unlike marketplaces, you own your customer list and have direct control over your branding, checkout experience, and marketing communications. This is crucial for building a long-term author brand.
App Ecosystem: While the basic Digital Downloads app is functional, its features are limited. The Shopify App Store offers more powerful third-party alternatives for delivering ebooks, which can provide features like PDF stamping or more granular download controls, though these may come at an additional cost.
Ideal for: Established authors, businesses, or creators who want to build a centralized brand hub and sell ebooks alongside other products or services, retaining full control over their customer relationships and storefront.
10. WooCommerce (WordPress)
For authors who already run a WordPress site or desire complete control over their branding and customer experience, WooCommerce is a powerful solution. This free, open-source plugin transforms a standard WordPress installation into a full-featured ecommerce store. Its primary advantage is ownership; you control every aspect of your storefront, from design to customer data, without being beholden to a third-party platform's rules or transaction fees, making it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for entrepreneurs with an existing content hub.
Setting up an ebook for sale is as simple as creating a new product and selecting the "Downloadable" option, which allows you to upload your file and configure secure delivery. The ecosystem of plugins lets you add advanced features like memberships, affiliate programs, or course integrations directly alongside your ebook sales.
Key Considerations
Cost Structure: While the core WooCommerce plugin is free, you are responsible for web hosting, a domain name, and an SSL certificate. You will also pay standard processing fees to payment gateways like Stripe or PayPal, but there are no additional platform commissions on your sales.
Technical Responsibility: The trade-off for ultimate flexibility is the need for more hands-on management. You are responsible for installing updates, ensuring website security, and managing backups. This requires a higher level of technical comfort compared to all-in-one hosted platforms.
Extensibility: The true power of WooCommerce lies in its vast library of extensions. You can integrate email marketing services, create ebook bundles, offer tiered pricing for different packages, or even sell physical merchandise alongside your digital products, all from one dashboard.
Ideal for: Authors and businesses with an existing WordPress site who want to integrate ebook sales directly into their content marketing strategy. It's the best choice for those who prioritize long-term asset ownership and customization over out-of-the-box simplicity. Learn more about WooCommerce.
11. Leanpub
Leanpub is a unique platform specifically designed for authors in the tech, business, and educational fields who embrace an iterative "publish early, publish often" philosophy. It allows writers to release in-progress books, gather reader feedback, and push updates seamlessly. Its primary distinction is its focus on the creation process and a direct-to-reader sales model that favors the author.
The platform supports writing directly in Markdown or uploading completed manuscripts, giving authors flexibility. This makes it one of the best platforms to sell ebooks for authors creating technical documentation, programming guides, or business courses that require frequent updates.
Key Considerations
Royalties: Leanpub offers a highly competitive 80% royalty rate. For sales under $7.99, the author receives 80% minus a $0.50 fee. This simple, generous structure is a major draw for creators.
Variable Pricing: Authors can set a minimum and a suggested price, allowing readers to choose how much they want to pay. This "pay what you want" model can increase conversions and empower readers to support authors they value.
Iterative Publishing: The platform is built around the concept of releasing early and updating often. This is perfect for works-in-progress, allowing authors to build an audience and incorporate feedback before the book is officially "finished."
Payouts: Royalties are held for 60 days to accommodate Leanpub's generous refund policy, which can affect the timing of author payouts compared to other platforms.
Ideal for: Technical writers, programmers, and business authors who want to publish iteratively, offer bundles, and benefit from high royalty rates directly from a niche audience. Learn more about the Leanpub author platform.
12. Etsy (Digital Downloads)
While primarily known for handmade goods, Etsy has become a powerhouse marketplace for digital downloads, making it a surprisingly effective platform to sell ebooks, particularly those in creative, niche, or instructional categories. Its main strength lies in its massive, built-in audience actively searching for unique digital products, from planners and templates to specialized guides and workbooks. The platform offers a native "digital item" listing type that handles instant download fulfillment seamlessly.
When a customer purchases your ebook, they receive a download link immediately in their account and via email, eliminating any need for third-party delivery tools. This streamlined process, combined with Etsy's review-driven discovery and listing-level SEO, provides significant organic marketing potential for authors who can tap into its creative and DIY-focused user base.
Key Considerations
Fees: Etsy's fee structure is layered. There's a $0.20 listing fee (which renews after a sale or every four months), a 6.5% transaction fee on the total sale price, and a payment processing fee (typically around 3% + $0.25 in the US).
Audience and Niche: Success on Etsy requires understanding its audience. It's not a traditional bookstore. Ebooks that perform best are often visually appealing and solve a specific problem for a creative or niche hobbyist, like a "Guide to Sourdough Baking" or "Canva Templates for Small Businesses."
Marketplace Competition: Your ebook will be listed alongside thousands of other digital products. Strong branding, professional-looking cover designs, and strategic use of keywords in your titles and tags are crucial for standing out in search results.
Ideal for: Authors and creators with visually-driven or niche-specific ebooks (e.g., crafting, design, planners, self-help guides) who want to tap into a large, existing marketplace of buyers looking for digital solutions. Learn more about selling digital downloads on Etsy.
Top 12 eBook Platforms Comparison
Platform | Distribution & Reach | Pricing / Royalties | Best for | Key selling point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) | Kindle Store + Kindle Unlimited; largest US audience | 70% (with delivery/price rules) or 35%; KDP Select = 90‑day exclusivity option | Authors seeking max Amazon discoverability and Kindle readers | Industry-leading reach and Amazon-native discoverability |
Apple Books for Authors | iPhone/iPad/Mac storefront; curated Apple ecosystem | Flat 70% royalties; no delivery fees; no exclusivity | Authors targeting Apple device users and premium storefront placement | Simple royalty model, fast reporting, strong Apple merchandising |
Google Play Books Partner Center | Android & web readers; strong international reach | 70% in 60+ countries (52% in others); monthly payouts; flexible pricing | Authors seeking Android/web distribution and flexible free/paid options | Flexible pricing rules and wide Android/web audience |
Kobo Writing Life (KWL) | Kobo store, international partners, library channels | 70% ≥ $2.99; 45% below; no distribution fees; free EPUB conversion | Authors targeting Canada/international markets and libraries | Library distribution + free EPUB conversion and partner reach |
Barnes & Noble Press (NOOK) | NOOK store + B&N customer base (US retail brand) | 70% for ebooks priced ≥ $0.99; EFT payouts; 30‑day payment lag | US authors wanting B&N storefront and physical‑store branding | Association with B&N brand and easy direct listing |
Draft2Digital (D2D) | Aggregator to Apple, Kobo, B&N, libraries, etc. | No upfront fees; ~10% platform cut plus retailer fees | Authors who want one dashboard for broad distribution | Single-point distribution and free formatting tools |
Gumroad | Direct-to-customer storefront and hosted checkout | 10% + $0.50 per sale (direct); 30% on marketplace sales | Creators selling direct downloads, bundles, memberships | Fast setup, instant delivery, MoR handles taxes/compliance |
Payhip | Hosted product pages and checkout for digital goods | Free plan (5% fee); Plus $29/mo (2%); Pro $99/mo (0% fee) | Creators wanting predictable pricing and VAT handling | Automatic EU/UK VAT handling, PDF stamping, simple plans |
Shopify (Digital Downloads) | Branded ecommerce stores with app ecosystem | Monthly plans + payment processing; Digital Downloads app free | Brands needing full storefront control and scalability | Full checkout/store control and extensive integrations |
WooCommerce (WordPress) | Self‑hosted store integrated with WordPress content | Free core plugin; hosting/processing costs apply; no core platform fee | Content-driven sites that want ownership and SEO control | Maximum flexibility and ownership of customer data |
Leanpub | Platform for iterative publishing (tech/business/edu) | Up to ~80% royalties for higher price bands; payouts held 60 days | Tech/business authors and iterative/work‑in‑progress books | Iterative publishing tools, bundling, author-friendly economics |
Etsy (Digital Downloads) | Marketplace for templates, guides, creative ebooks | $0.20 listing + 6.5% transaction + payment processing fees | Creators of niche/creative digital downloads and templates | Built-in marketplace traffic and native instant downloads |
From Platform to Profit: Your Next Steps to Launching a Bestseller
Navigating the landscape of the best platforms to sell ebooks can feel overwhelming, but as we've explored, the "best" choice is not a one-size-fits-all answer. Your decision hinges entirely on your unique business goals, your audience, and the level of control you desire over your brand and revenue. We've dissected everything from the immense, built-in audience of Amazon KDP to the unparalleled brand control offered by a Shopify or WooCommerce setup.
The journey from a simple idea to a published ebook is a strategic one. Choosing your platform is a critical milestone, but it's fundamentally a distribution decision. The real engine of your success is the quality, relevance, and value of the ebook itself. Without a compelling product, even the most powerful sales platform will fall flat.
Synthesizing Your Strategy: Key Takeaways
To move forward with clarity, let's distill the core principles from our deep dive:
Goal Alignment is Paramount: Are you chasing maximum discoverability or maximum profit per sale? If you want to tap into a global marketplace of millions of readers, platforms like Amazon KDP and Kobo Writing Life are your primary channels. If your goal is to build a direct relationship with your audience and keep nearly all your revenue, direct-sale tools like Payhip or Gumroad are superior.
Don't Underestimate the Hybrid Approach: You don't have to choose just one path. A powerful strategy for many authors and entrepreneurs is to combine both methods. Use an aggregator like Draft2Digital to achieve wide distribution across numerous smaller retailers, giving you broad visibility. Simultaneously, sell the same ebook directly from your own website using a platform like Shopify to capture higher-margin sales from your dedicated followers.
Your Audience Dictates Your Platform: Where does your target reader already spend their time? If you're an Etsy seller with an established shop, adding a digital download is a natural extension. If you're a content creator with a large email list, selling directly via a simple checkout link from SendOwl or Payhip is the path of least resistance for your customers.
Your Actionable Roadmap to Launch
Choosing a platform is just one step. The next, and most crucial, phase is creating a product worthy of that platform. This is often where momentum stalls. The process of researching, writing, editing, and designing a high-quality ebook can take months, delaying your launch and revenue.
But what if you could bypass that bottleneck entirely? What if the "creation" phase could be reduced from months to just a few days? This is where you can gain a significant strategic advantage. Instead of getting stuck in the content creation mire, you can leverage professionally developed, ready-to-use assets. This allows you to focus your energy where it matters most: marketing your product and engaging with your customers. The foundation of a successful digital product business is not just having the right sales tools, but having a premium product to sell in the first place.
The biggest hurdle isn't choosing a platform; it's creating a professional-grade product to sell on it. With Entrepedia, you can license a market-tested PLR ebook from our library of over 1,000 titles, rebrand it, and launch it this week. Turn your expertise into a polished, high-value asset without the months-long effort by visiting Entrepedia and accelerate your path to profit.
Want an ebook built specifically for your platform and business goals?
We design and create custom digital products using a refined 6-step process with senior writers, editors, and designers, so you can launch with confidence.
You can learn more about Custom Product Service here.
Tomas
Founder of Entrepedia
