10 Best Book Formatting Software for Professional Formatting
Formatting your manuscript is like adding the final brushstroke to a painting—it brings everything together, turning your draft into a publish-ready book. The right book formatting software helps you create clean layouts, export in the correct file types, and maintain consistency across every chapter. But with so many tools out there, which one should you use?
Here are the 10 best book formatting software:
- Squibler
- Atticus
- Vellum
- Reedsy Book Editor
- Adobe InDesign
- Scrivener
- Word + Kindle Create
- Draft2Digital
- Calibre
- Google Docs + Templates
The Best Book Formatting Software
This article reviews the pros, cons, and prices of the leading book formatting software. Let’s start.
1. Squibler
If you’re writing a novel, screenplay, or anything long-form, Squibler is a great tool.
Few platforms offer the kind of structure and creative support Squibler builds right in. It’s a complete workspace designed to help you organize ideas, create narratives, and finish what you start.
But Squibler isn’t just for writing—it’s one of the best book formatting software options. As you write, it structures your chapters, scenes, and sections based on standard publishing formats. That means your manuscript is already well-organized when you’re done writing.
When you’re ready to publish, you export to PDF or DOCX with a clean, professional layout—no need for extra formatting tools or design skills. Plus, you can format unlimited books, and there’s a dark mode.
Pros
- Smart Writer: This tool gives you real-time help while you write. Perfect if you’re stuck on a scene or just want smoother phrasing.
- Generate Scene Tool: Designed for fiction writers, this feature lets you input characters and story elements, generating dialogue or narration that fits your style. Think of it as an AI co-author that understands the story.
- Versatile Project Types: Squibler adapts to your format. Whether writing a book, planning a script, or outlining a content series, it supports your workflow.
- Organizational Tools: Storyboards, plot timelines, and note cards lay everything out for complex storytelling. This tool is ideal for managing sprawling ideas or serialized projects.
Cons
- There’s a bit of a learning curve because of the rich feature set. But once you’re familiar, that depth makes complex projects much easier to manage.
Best For
Writers crafting a novel, developing a screenplay, or building a series. If structure and creativity matter to you, Squibler is where they meet.
Pricing
- Free Plan: Yes
- Premium Plan: This plan starts at $16/month and includes access to all writing tools, live training sessions, and a printed copy of your first finished book.
2. Atticus
Atticus is a clean, modern formatting tool designed with indie authors in mind. It’s a part-word processor and part-layout designer, giving you everything you need to create eBooks and print books without bouncing between tools.
While it’s not as feature-rich for creative control as something like Scrivener or Squibler, Atticus shines in terms of clean, professional formatting and ease of use.
Pros
- Built-In Themes: Atticus includes pre-made formatting themes that look polished right out of the box. These can be customized, but even the defaults are solid enough for publication.
- Multi-Platform Friendly: You can use Atticus on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook—it’s cloud-based, so your writing travels with you.
- Live Preview: See exactly how your book will look as you format it. This is especially helpful for adjusting chapter themes, heading styles, or print layout spacing.
- One-Time Payment: Atticus doesn’t require a subscription. You pay once and get lifetime access—including updates and significant features.
Cons
- While it does include a writing area, it’s relatively basic. You won’t find plotting tools, timelines, or AI features built in.
- If you’re working on a highly complex or research-heavy book, Atticus may feel too lightweight for the formatting process.
Best For
Indie authors who want a distraction-free writing and formatting solution in one tool. It’s especially ideal for writers publishing eBooks and print, who want complete control over layout, without learning professional design software.
Pricing
- One-Time Purchase: $147
- No ongoing subscription fees. Includes future updates and unlimited projects.
3. Vellum
Vellum is one of the most visually elegant book formatting tools available—but it’s Mac-only. Vellum is a great choice if you’re publishing a print book and want it to look beautiful without spending hours on design.
It offers a professional-grade interface without the complexity of traditional design software, making it especially appealing for indie authors and small publishers. With intuitive drag-and-drop tools and stunning preset styles, Vellum helps you create books that feel professionally designed, without hiring a designer.
Pros
- Exceptional Visual Design: Vellum produces polished layouts with excellent typography, spacing, and print balance—no design experience needed.
- Instant Preview: You can toggle between print and eBook previews to see how your book will appear on various devices.
- Consistent Styling: Once you pick a style, Vellum applies it across chapters, front matter to back matter, automatically.
- Multiple Formats: Export to EPUB and PDF (for print), making publishing widely or through Amazon KDP easy.
Cons
- Only available for Mac users.
- It has a high upfront cost and no free version.
Best For
Authors who want beautifully formatted books with minimal effort, especially those focused on print quality and consistency.
Pricing
- One-Time Purchase: $199 for eBook-only / $249 for eBook + print formatting
4. Reedsy Book Editor
Reedsy Book Editor is free, browser-based, and surprisingly powerful. It’s perfect for authors who want to write and format without installing word processing software.
It’s useful for newer writers or collaborators who want a clean, no-cost entry into professional formatting without the technical overhead.
Reedsy also integrates with their marketplace of editors and designers, making it part of a larger ecosystem for self-publishing support.
Pros
- Zero Cost: 100% free, no trial limits or paid plans.
- Live Formatting: See changes to layout, spacing, and structure as you write.
- Clean Export Options: Produces professional-looking EPUB and PDF files ready for publishing.
- Collaboration Ready: Share your manuscript with editors or co-writers directly inside the platform.
Cons
- Fewer customization options compared to paid tools.
- Doesn’t support MOBI or DOCX export formats.
Best For
Writers who want an easy-to-use, no-cost option for formatting books without extra tools or downloads.
Pricing
- Free
5. Adobe InDesign
Adobe InDesign is the publishing industry’s gold standard for professional layout design. It’s ideal for authors working on books with illustrations, complex formatting, or visual elements.
With an expansive set of design tools, InDesign gives you complete control over typography, layout, image placement, and print specs.
It’s widely used in traditional publishing and by professionals who need total precision over every design detail.
Pros
- Complete Design Control: You can customize different elements, such as fonts, columns, and image placement.
- Templates and Styles: Professional-grade templates and paragraph styles speed up production.
- Widely Used in Publishing: You’ll work with a tool trusted by publishing houses and print shops.
Cons
- Complex interface—best for designers or experienced users.
- Subscription required (no one-time payment option).
Best For
Designers or authors creating illustrated books, workbooks, or any title with advanced visual layout needs.
Pricing
- Subscription: Starts at $22.99/month (Creative Cloud plan)
6. Scrivener
Scrivener is primarily a writing tool—but its built-in Compile feature gives authors control over formatting and export. It’s great for managing large or research-heavy writing projects, then turning them into publishable files.
Scrivener’s binder structure and metadata options allow authors to organize chapters, research, notes, and drafts.
Pros
- Structured Writing Environment: Organize chapters, scenes, and research side-by-side.
- Custom Compile Options: Format text for eBook or print, including font size, spacing, and structure.
- Multiple Export Formats: Output to EPUB, PDF, DOCX, and more.
Cons
- Formatting tools require a learning curve.
- The interface isn’t as modern or visually polished as newer tools.
Best For
Authors working on large, complex projects who need detailed organization and flexible formatting.
Pricing
- One-Time Purchase: $59 (Mac/Windows)
7. Word + Kindle Create
Kindle Create paired with MS Word, is one of the most accessible formatting solutions for Amazon authors. You format your book using Word’s built-in styles, then polish it inside Kindle Create for KDP compatibility.
This combo is ideal for authors who already use Word and want a straightforward path to Kindle publishing without new writing software or expenses.
Pros
- Simple Workflow: Start in Word, finish in Kindle Create—great for authors already using Microsoft Office.
- Amazon-Optimized: Kindle Create ensures smooth publishing on Kindle Direct Publishing.
- Free to Use: No cost for either tool if you already own Word.
Cons
- Limited formatting control and style variety.
- Not ideal for print layout design.
Best For
Writers who publish through Amazon want a low-tech, budget-friendly workflow.
Pricing
- Free (assuming access to Microsoft Word)
8. Draft2Digital
Draft2Digital simplifies the publishing process with built-in book formatting and distribution services. Just upload your manuscript, and the platform formats it for you.
It’s ideal for authors who don’t want to spend time fiddling with layouts and need a fast way to get their book into readers’ hands.
Pros
- Auto-Formatting: Upload a DOCX file and get clean, publishable output with chapter breaks and layout styles.
- Free to Use: No upfront cost—Draft2Digital earns through distribution.
- Wide Reach: Easily publish to multiple stores like Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble.
Cons
- Limited control over detailed formatting elements.
- Formatting options are more templated than custom.
Best For
Authors who want to format and publish in one place, especially if speed and simplicity matter.
Pricing
- Free to format (distribution earns a commission)
9. Calibre
Calibre is a powerful eBook manager and converter used by indie authors and tech-savvy writers. It supports virtually every format and lets you tweak everything—from metadata to layout code.
Though its interface is dated, Calibre offers unmatched flexibility for users comfortable with manual editing and deeper control.
Pros
- Extensive File Support: Convert to and from almost any eBook format (EPUB, MOBI, PDF, AZW3, and more).
- Free and Open Source: No cost, no limits.
- Advanced Customization: Tweak CSS, edit metadata, and refine layout details manually.
Cons
- The interface feels outdated.
- Steeper learning curve than most tools.
Best For
DIY authors and developers who want full control over formatting and file conversion.
Pricing
- Free
10. Google Docs + Templates
Google Docs isn’t a formatting tool by design, but with the right templates and styling, it can work surprisingly well as a free book formatting software. For writers with basic needs, it’s a solid zero-cost solution.
While it doesn’t export directly to EPUB, Docs is still great for drafting and early-stage formatting, especially with tools like Kindle Create or Reedsy for final polish.
Pros
- Familiar Interface: Most writers are already comfortable with Docs.
- Collaboration Friendly: Co-authoring, editing, and feedback are built-in.
- Free Templates Available: Use preset styles for chapters, headers, and spacing.
Cons
- Manual formatting is time-consuming.
- Not ideal for print design without extra steps.
Best For
Writers on a budget who want basic formatting and easy collaboration.
Pricing
- Completely free
If you need advice, join Squibler’s bustling community on Discord. You can also check our video on staying productive as a writer.
What to Look for in Book Formatting Software
Before you pick a formatting tool, just like with a writing app, it helps to clarify what you need. Not every writer is publishing the same type of book—or publishing in the same way. What works for a simple eBook might not cut it for a complex nonfiction title or print release.
Here are the key features to consider when comparing book formatting software:
Publishing Output
Do you need print-ready files, eBooks, or both? Some tools—like Vellum or Squibler—let you export in multiple formats (PDF, EPUB, DOCX), which saves time if you’re planning both digital and print versions. Others focus on eBooks or are optimized specifically for Kindle (like Kindle Create).
Design Flexibility
Look for tools that let you control fonts, spacing, headers, margins, and overall layout. InDesign and Atticus offer strong design flexibility. Google Docs, by contrast, is functional but more limited when it comes to visual polish.
Ease of Use
Not every writer wants to learn complex software just to publish a book. Tools like Reedsy, Draft2Digital, or Squibler are beginner-friendly and don’t require a design background. InDesign is incredibly powerful—but it comes with a steeper learning curve.
Export Formats
Make sure the tool can export in the formats your publisher or distributor needs. EPUB and PDF are common, but if you’re publishing through Amazon, KDP-ready formats are key. Scrivener, Squibler, and Calibre are flexible here, offering multiple export options.
All-in-One Workflow
If you’re still writing or revising your manuscript, look for a tool that includes writing, planning, and formatting in one space. Squibler, Scrivener, and Atticus stand out here—they let you write, structure, and format without jumping between apps.
FAQs
Here are the most frequently asked questions about book formatting software.
What is book formatting software used for?
Book formatting software helps authors and publishers structure their manuscripts for publishing. It ensures consistent layout, proper chapter title formatting, and compatibility with publishing platforms.
How do I use a paperback file setup calculator?
A paperback file setup calculator helps determine the correct trim size, margins, and spine width based on page and word count and binding preferences. Simply input your book’s specifications to receive a print-ready format.
Can I estimate printing costs with book formatting software?
Many book formatting tools include or integrate with printing cost calculators. These allow you to estimate expenses based on page count, paper type, trim size, and cover options.
How should chapter titles be formatted in book formatting software?
Chapter titles should be consistently styled using built-in templates or custom styles. Most software allows you to choose font size, alignment, spacing, and whether to start on a new page.
Does book formatting software support both digital and print outputs?
Yes, most modern formatting tools export files for both digital (e.g., EPUB, MOBI) and print (e.g., PDF for paperback), ensuring compatibility with major publishing platforms.
