The 5 Best Self-Publishing Platforms, Compared

Choosing the best self-publishing platform to put your book out into the world can be a big decision.

Some authors take a simple path, and make the book “exclusive” to just one retailer—at least initially.

Others opt for a “wide” approach, seeking to maximize their potential sales.

Some publish “direct” to each retailer to maximize their royalties and to be able to customize and tweak their metadata and promotions to the fullest extent.

Others use a distributor like Draft2Digital or IngramSpark to “push” the book out for them to various retailers and wholesalers.

Which platforms for self-publishing are the best for your book?

Without any further ado (or to-do), let’s look at your author options for publishing books direct.

Let’s review and compare the five biggest—and the five best self-publishing companies for authors in 2022:

The “Big 5” for self-publishing are Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Barnes & Noble Press, and Google Play Books.

Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing)

Formats: ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, audiobooks

Biggest advantages: market share in the US—Amazon is the major player, the option to use KDP Select (to make your ebook “exclusive” to Amazon Kindle Unlimited) and to have access to special promotion opportunities

Biggest disadvantages: crowded marketplace, (as of now) limited trim size options for hardcovers, Amazon only operates in 13 countries worldwide, KDP Select requires exclusivity (90 days at a time)

Apple Books

Formats: ebooks, audiobooks

Biggest advantages: Can reach readers in 50+ countries worldwide (popular in Australia); an easy-to-use interface, promotional opportunities, it accounts for the second-largest percentage of most authors’ ebook sales, reach a younger, more female audience with money to spend

Biggest disadvantages: Apple Books has only a 10 percent market share in the US and worldwide

Read more: “Why Publish on Apple Books? Pros and Cons for Ebook Authors.”

Self-publish with a plan.

Self-publish your book like a pro, get eyes on it, and get sales.

You owe it to yourself (and your readers) to do this well and to do this right!

Kobo Writing Life

Formats: ebooks, audiobooks

Biggest advantages: Excellent customer service, easy to use, reach readers in more countries than any other platform (Kobo is especially popular among Canadian readers and readers in Australia and New Zealand, France, the Netherlands, and Italy), higher royalties on ebook box sets than with Amazon KDP, can put your ebook on Kobo Plus (similar to KDP Select/Kindle Unlimited, but without exclusivity to Kobo)

Biggest disadvantages: authors outside of the romance, mystery, thriller, sci-fi genres may not see as high sales, prices tend to be lower overall, smaller market share within of the US

Read more: “Should You Self Publish on Kobo? What Are the Pros and Cons for Ebook Authors?”

Barnes & Noble Press

Formats: ebooks, paperbacks, hardcovers, audiobooks

Biggest advantages: high-quality print books, name recognition, easy to self-publish, more trim size options than Amazon KDP, good prices, their books are curated by real people and their promotions are great

Biggest disadvantages: declining market share, it is almost impossible to get physical stores to stock your book

Google Play Books

Formats: ebooks, audiobooks

Biggest advantages: reach international markets (75+ countries worldwide, including South Africa, India, and many European countries), discoverability online, a great affiliate program

Biggest disadvantages: Google Play Books has only a 5 percent market share in the US for ebooks, learning the algorithm can be a little difficult, you must make at least 20 percent of your ebook previewable

Read more: “Why Publish on Google Play Books? Pros and Cons for Ebook Authors.”

Authors, PublishingDaniel J. TortoraAmazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, Barnes & Noble Press, Google Play Books