17 Best Self Publishing Companies In 2025

The 17 Best Self-Publishing Companies for Authors in 2025

Self-publishing has never been more accessible, but with so many options available, choosing the right platform can be overwhelming. Whether you’re looking for the 17 best self publishing companies to sell your book, an aggregator to distribute it across multiple retailers, or services to assist in the publishing process, this guide will help you make an informed decision.

📌 The Big Five: The Top Self-Publishing Companies

These are the five major self-publishing platforms that dominate the industry and where most authors make the bulk of their income.

1. Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP)

Amazon KDP is the largest self-publishing platform, allowing authors to publish eBooks and paperbacks for free.

✅ Pros:

• Highest market share in book sales.
• 70% royalty on books priced between $2.99-$9.99.
• Kindle Unlimited offers an additional revenue stream.

❌ Cons:

• Exclusive requirements for KDP Select restrict distribution.
• Competitive market, making visibility a challenge.

2. Apple Books

Apple Books allows authors to sell directly to iPhone, iPad, and Mac users without exclusivity requirements.

✅ Pros:

• Higher profit margins than Amazon in many cases.
• Integrated into the Apple ecosystem.

❌ Cons:

• Less market reach than Amazon.
• Can be challenging to set up without a Mac.

3. Kobo Writing Life

Owned by Rakuten, Kobo is a popular alternative to Amazon, especially in Canada, Europe, and Japan.

✅ Pros:

• No exclusivity requirements.
• Strong international presence.
• Offers promotional opportunities through Kobo’s partner programs.

❌ Cons:

• Limited market share in the U.S.
• Less visibility compared to Amazon and Apple Books.

4. Barnes & Noble Press

Barnes & Noble’s self-publishing arm offers access to Nook eReaders and the company’s website.

✅ Pros:

• Easy distribution to Barnes & Noble customers.
• Potential to be stocked in physical stores (though not guaranteed).

❌ Cons:

• Limited reach compared to Amazon.
• No major promotional tools.

5. Google Play Books

Google Play Books allows authors to sell eBooks to Android and Chromebook users without exclusivity.

✅ Pros:

• Direct access to Android and Google users.
• No exclusivity requirements.

❌ Cons:

• Setup can be complicated.
• Less effective advertising and promotional tools.

📌 The Best Platform for Selling Direct

6. Shopify: Selling Books Directly to Readers

For authors looking to build a direct sales channel, Shopify is the best eCommerce platform.

✅ Pros:

• Full control over pricing and profits.
• No revenue cuts—100% of your earnings go to you.
• Allows authors to create an email list for future marketing.

❌ Cons:

• Requires effort to drive traffic.
• Monthly fees apply.

📌 The Best Aggregators: Distribute Your Book Everywhere

Aggregators help authors distribute their books to multiple platforms without needing to upload manually.

7. Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital distributes books to Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, and more, simplifying the self-publishing process.

✅ Pros:

• Free to upload (they take a 10% commission on sales).
• Converts Word documents into professional eBook formats.

❌ Cons:

• No direct access to Amazon KDP (must be uploaded separately).

8. PublishDrive

PublishDrive offers a subscription-based model instead of taking a percentage of royalties.

✅ Pros:

• Best for high-volume authors who want to save on commission fees.
• Expansive global distribution.

❌ Cons:

• Subscription fees apply, which may not be worth it for beginners.

9. IngramSpark

IngramSpark distributes print and eBooks to bookstores, libraries, and online retailers.

✅ Pros:

• Best for getting print books into physical bookstores.
• Extensive global distribution network.

❌ Cons:

• Uploading fees (unless waived through promotions).
• No guarantee bookstores will stock your book.

📌 The Best Audiobook Distribution Platform

10. Findaway Voices

Findaway Voices allows authors to distribute audiobooks to multiple retailers, including Spotify, Apple Books, and Google Play.

✅ Pros:

• Distributes beyond Audible (which is Amazon-exclusive).
• Allows authors to set their own pricing.

❌ Cons:

• Audible (Amazon’s audiobook platform) has a much larger market share.

📌 The Best Self-Publishing Tools & Services

These platforms help authors with book research, formatting, and marketing.

11. Publisher Rocket (for Amazon Keyword Research)

Helps authors find profitable categories and keywords to maximize book sales.

✅ Pros:

• Provides category and keyword data for Amazon books.
• Helps improve book visibility.

❌ Cons:

• Focused only on Amazon optimization.

12. Atticus (for Formatting & Writing)

A professional book formatting tool that simplifies the process of creating eBooks and print books.

✅ Pros:

• Affordable one-time purchase.
• Great for authors who want professional book formatting.

❌ Cons:

• Lacks advanced editing features.

13. ProWritingAid (for Editing & Proofreading)

An AI-powered grammar, spelling, and style checker designed for authors.

✅ Pros:

• Ideal for long-form content like books.
• Offers a lifetime purchase option.

❌ Cons:

• Requires manual implementation of changes.

14. AutoCrit (for Manuscript Analysis)

AutoCrit compares your book’s writing style to best-selling novels in your genre.

✅ Pros:

• Helps authors improve pacing, dialogue, and readability.

❌ Cons:

• Requires manual work to apply suggestions.

📌 The Best Cover Design & Illustration Services

15. Miblart

A professional book cover design service with affordable pricing.

✅ Pros:

• Custom designs at a fraction of high-end designer prices.
• Offers branding kits and social media graphics.

16. GetCovers

A budget-friendly book cover service for indie authors.

✅ Pros:

• Covers start at just $10.
• Great for first-time authors on a budget.

📌 The Best Ghostwriting & Author Services

17. The Urban Writers

A marketplace for ghostwriting, editing, and book marketing services.

✅ Pros:

• Offers pre-vetted ghostwriters for fiction and non-fiction.

❌ Cons:

• Higher-quality writers come at a premium cost.

🎯 Final Thoughts: Which Self-Publishing Platform is Right for You?

🔹 If you want the highest sales potential → Amazon KDP
🔹 If you want to go beyond Amazon → Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble
🔹 If you want to sell direct → Shopify
🔹 If you want wide distribution → Draft2Digital or PublishDrive
🔹 If you want bookstore access → IngramSpark
🔹 If you want audiobook distribution → Findaway Voices
🔹 If you need author tools → Publisher Rocket, Atticus, ProWritingAid

The right self-publishing companies depends on your goals—whether you want maximum sales, wide distribution, or full control over your book’s success. Choose wisely and happy publishing!

Self Publish A Book To Boost Your Career

If you are serious about skyrocketing your career, listen up .There is one thing that will give you instant credibility in your field. It’s a book and it’s easier to self publish than you think.

Straight off the bat I’ll tell you that I love Amazon, especially Amazon Kindle Publishing. For the first time in history both you and I can publish a book, express our opinions and have our words read, debated and maybe even loved, all on the same platform. And it’s not going to break the bank.

But if our work is considered crap, no problem. We just start again……until we get it right.

And speaking of crap, let’s talk about 50 Shades of Grey. Not my opinion incidentally as I have not read it. But according to my literary friends (the ones stepping out of their rusted VW Beetles wearing kaftans) and some pontificating literary agents (wannabe writers who couldn’t make it) tell me this 100 million selling series is ‘utter garbage’. Are they right or just bitter and twisted?

Well thanks to Amazon, E L James was able to self publish her books which at one time accounted for 25% of all books sold in the world. Now that’s the kind of rubbish I want to write!

James’s books were eventually picked up by a publisher who got them into bookstores around the world. The movie grossed over $600 million which is not bad for a ‘garbage book’ either.

There are plenty of other titles that do not suit traditional publishers. Some of these old war horses are adverse to risk and it’s difficult to break in. Amazon is one platform that allows fledgling writers the opportunity to self publish and boost their careers.

Creating Your Own Genre

Most traditional publishers want to put you into a box. There’s a certain number of words required, the book can only be in print format and it must be a standard size and so the list goes on. Amazon throws those rules out the window and allows you to write short stories. They have a specific section called Kindle Short Reads. On their print platform CreateSpace, you can print standard size paperbacks or larger ones. No problem.

A Book Sets You Apart

Let’s say you are a dentist and you want to build your client base particularly amongst young children. You have a passion for preventative care of children’s teeth by educating them on how to look after their teeth and gums.

But let’s face it that sounds like a boring  topic to write about. Rightly so it would be difficult to imagine such a book rushing out the door and becoming a bestseller. I don’t think Spielberg will be knocking on your door to create a movie from your book.

But that’s not to say you shouldn’t write a book. It will definitely give you credibility. But instead of making it a boring  practical journal why not write say a children’s story about a bear with a sore tooth. A fun tale with a message of looking after your teeth could be easily portrayed. Parents would love the book and kids may happily brush their teeth more often.

Can’t Write Or Have No Time To Write

You have a couple of choices – do it yourself or pay somebody else to do it for you. It may mean that you have to get up at 5 am and put in a couple of hours of writing before work. You may have to do it after dinner. But if you want to write the book then you’ll need to make time. Period.

But if early morning starts doesn’t float your boat, perhaps you could hire a ghostwriter. Google the term and you’ll be overwhelmed with choice.

Will a book make you rich?

Possibly but most likely not. The purpose of the book is to differentiate you from your peers. Set you apart. It will open up other opportunities for you which will lead to more credibility and income earning possibilities. And you may make some serious coin from the book as well but don’t hold your breath.

So writing a book has huge upside. Amazon has made it so much easier to self publish your work. It’s easier than it’s ever been. Want to take your career to the next level? The ball is in your court.