The 12 Best Self Publishing Services
Where Can You Find the Best Place to Self-Publish Your Book?
You have a story to tell. Your written words convey a message to share with the world. Sure, you could go the traditional route and start by finding an agent, writing a book proposal, and hoping someone will pay you for your masterpiece. But, that's only one way to share your writing with others.
Only about 10% of book proposals are accepted and published traditionally each year. There is another way to get your masterpiece to the world, and that's through self-publishing. In fact, according to The Alliance of Independent Authors, self-published authors earn more than traditionally published authors, and in 2023 they made up over 50% of Kindle's Top 400 Books.
Tuesday, May 20th
2025 Self Publishing Service Reviews
Outskirts Press
If you're looking for a company to do a majority of the work in your self-publishing journey, Outskirts Press has a lot to offer an author. From print to eBook and audiobook creation, this platform provides the services necessary to turn your manuscript into a professionally-published final product, with customized pricing that depends on which package and add-ons you specifically choose. Outskirts Press has a team of professionals behind their services and offers a free consultation to help you get started. With high customer ratings and a range of price options, this self-publishing company earns our top spot for self-publishing companies.
Book Baby
Offering low-cost packages where you pay only for what you need, BookBaby is a perfect option for those who would prefer not to go on the self-publishing journey alone. They give authors the ability to connect their eBook with Kindle Direct Publishing, affording your book a built-in audience on Amazon. More than just print books and eBooks, BookBaby provides three options for creating an audiobook as well. Their high royalties paid to authors and mostly positive reviews put them at the top of our list of self-publishing services.
IngramSpark
Self-publishing authors who do not need the extra services and assistance offered by some companies may quickly and easily get their books into the world on IngramSpark. Books can be printed on-demand in both paperback and hardcover, and while eBooks are a possibility, audiobook publishing is unavailable on this platform. Additionally, the free online training available brings added value to IngramSpark. Their no-fee model and large distribution network make this one worth a second look.
Publish Drive
If you are a do-it-yourself author who only needs help getting your words distributed around the world, PublishDrive offers a unique self-publishing option. There are free tools to help create eBooks and audiobooks (in addition to print copies) which it will send to the retailers you choose, even in hard-to-reach markets like China. In return, this company charges a monthly fee to distribute your books - even when you don't sell any - instead of taking royalties from your sales. Also, PublishDrive lacks printing capabilities, which we feel may be an important asset necessary for a self-published author to access. However, if you're really focused on avoiding royalties, PublishDrive should get your attention.
Barnes & Noble Press
Several self-publishers offer no-fee publishing, and Barnes & Noble Press is the name you know in books. This is a good option for those who are able to do the work themselves or are bringing a book that's already done. Print-on-demand capabilities and possible marketing within the Barnes & Noble brand make this rank high on our list as a no-fee, no-frills publishing company. And, high royalty rates through B&N Press makes it worth a look despite its limited distribution network.
Draft 2 Digital
Draft2Digital offers zero-fees publishing with expertise in eBooks for self-publishing authors. No editorial, design, or marketing services are included or available to purchase, so it's more for those who are willing to do the work themselves. The company is newer to the print-on-demand service, however, and only offers paperbacks. A large distribution network makes Draft2Digital one to consider if eBooks are your main product.
Kindle Direct Publishing
To get your book available to the most people in the least amount of time, Kindle Direct Publishing cannot be beat for its no-cost service. But, if you desire any help with editing, design, or marketing, you will need to seek help elsewhere. Tools to guide you through the process are available but not the most user-friendly ones we've seen. Quality for print-on-demand books has been inconsistent so if you desire a certain "look” for your book, keep this in mind if you're leaning towards self-publishing with KDP.
Lulu
One option for do-it-yourself publishing is Lulu, which offers print-on-demand publishing with no packages of services you don't need. The tools on the site are helpful, but there are no services which can be added on if needed or desired. If multiple options are what you would like available when printing, Lulu provides a plethora of combinations to create your perfect project. Its quick turnaround and high profit margin earn it a spot in the middle of our list, despite its downsides.
Blurb
Offering unique print options with a focus on visual books, Blurb is a no-fee, print-on-demand publisher which charges for books printed. The website offers free tools to help authors create the books they want to print and lists them in the Blurb online store without taking commission. However, customer service is only via email, which can delay your project's timeline. The company does not offer eBooks or audiobooks for publication. Prices are higher at Blurb than we've seen for print-on-demand books, leading us to rank it below average among self-publishing companies.
VBW Publishing
VBW Publishing requires manuscript approval before it will agree to print your book, so it's a little different from other self-publishing options on our list. Its outdated website raises concerns about the product the publisher produces. Most services are add-ons, so the cost can add up quickly. Exclusivity agreements and a lengthy production process contribute to ranking VBW well below average.
Xlibris
Offering pricey packages to help an author publish a book, Xlibris is one of two companies on our list owned by Author Solutions. Professional services, such as editing, design, and marketing are available, but at a high price. All formats of books are available at Xlibris, but audiobooks are priced much higher than other publishers we've seen. Numerous complaints and poor ratings has this self-publishing service ranking near the bottom of our list.
iUniverse
Self-publishing company iUniverse is one of two companies on our list owned by Author Solutions. While they offer many packages and publishing options, including eBooks and audiobooks, they are at some of the highest prices we have seen. In addition, to receive the most royalties from their book sales, authors need to purchase a special package. When taken into consideration with customer reviews, iUniverse ranks at the bottom of our list of self-publishing platforms.
Continued from above...
In traditional publishing, the money made from book sales is split between the author, publisher, agent, and others. That often leaves the writer with a small percentage. But with self-publishing, authors usually keep a much larger share of each sale. Platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing and others make it easier to sell books to readers all over the world. For many writers, this means they have a better chance of making a living from their writing, especially if they build a loyal audience.
Self-publishing services also give writers a lot more control over their books. In traditional publishing, editors and publishers often make decisions about the story, cover, and even the title. These changes might not always match what the writer originally wanted. With self-publishing, the author gets to make all those choices. They decide how the book looks, what it says, and how it's presented to readers.
Another big benefit of self-publishing is how quickly a book can be published. Traditional publishing can be a slow process. It often takes months or even years to get a book accepted, edited, printed, and finally released. On the other hand, self-publishing platforms let writers upload their finished book and have it available online in just a few days or weeks.
Confused about where to start? It's true that there are a lot of options out there, and they vary widely in terms of what they offer with respect to price and services, how they distribute your book, what add-ons they make available, how much money you can make off your sales, how long the process will take, what support you will receive, and what reviews say about the publishers.
To get rolling, we suggest making a list of what is most important to you when publishing your book. Some people just want to get their book into the world. Others want a guarantee that they will have a bestseller (news flash- there are no guarantees). Some are on a strict budget while others have an inheritance to spend. Control of the finished product is important to some authors, while others prefer a more hands-off approach.
Once you have decided on your priorities, here are the key considerations to keep in mind when looking for a publishing company for your book:
- Cost. How much are you willing to spend and for what? Some people are willing to do a lot of the work themselves or have connections to others who will help them. If that's not you, be prepared to spend money on services such as editing, design, and marketing.
- Length of time involved. While there are ways to have your book available almost overnight, other self-publishing processes take months. If you are in a hurry, you will need to consider doing some of the tasks yourself.
- User-friendly tools. Are you pretty tech savvy? If so, you can save a lot of money by learning how to use formatting programs, design programs, and other offerings from some of these publishing houses for your work. There are even companies which offer you free use of their online tools - even if you choose to publish elsewhere. This is something to keep in mind when you are comparing companies.
- Formats. Do you have your heart set on a hardcover book with a dust jacket for your manuscript? Are you a believer in the power of audiobooks? Would an eBook meet your needs? Not all publishers offer all formats, so remember this while you shop for a company.
- Sales. If you want to make a certain amount of money, you will need a publisher which allows you to set your own price (most do) and keep as much of your profits (royalties) as you possibly can. The amounts vary greatly on this point so this will be something worth comparing. Remember, these companies are in business to make money, so they will have to get it somewhere - from upfront fees, from a portion of your book sales, or from subscription services.
We at Top Consumer Reviews want to see you succeed as an author, whatever that looks like to you. To that end, we have reviewed and ranked some of today's most popular self-publishing services, ranging from "no fee and no frills” to packages costing in five digits to do all of the work for you. While often the mantra "you get what you pay for” rings true, we advise you to especially keep in mind customer experiences and reviews when choosing a place to publish your masterpiece.
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