Amazon KDP vs Draft2Digital
Amazon KDP is the largest direct-to-Amazon platform, giving you control over pricing and royalties (35% or 70%) with no middleman fees, but limits distribution to Amazon and its properties. Draft2Digital is an aggregator that distributes your ebook to multiple retailers (including Amazon) and libraries, taking a 10% commission, simplifying formatting and upload across platforms. While KDP offers higher potential royalties per sale on Amazon, Draft2Digital provides broader reach with less effort. Both handle print books, but KDP's print offering is more integrated with its ecosystem.
Pick Amazon KDP
Pick Amazon KDP if you want maximum control and higher royalties on Amazon, especially if you plan to enroll in Kindle Unlimited or rely heavily on Amazon sales.
Pick Draft2Digital
Pick Draft2Digital if you want to distribute your ebook to multiple retailers with minimal effort, value ease of formatting and broad distribution over higher per-sale margins.
At a glance
| Amazon KDP | Draft2Digital | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free; 35%/70% royalty | 10% of retail |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Paid |
| Free option | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Best for | Distribution & Publishing | Distribution & Publishing |
| AI features | No | No |
| Open source | No | No |
Amazon KDP
kdp.amazon.com
Dominant ebook/print self-publishing platform; ~67% of the U.S. ebook market (83% counting Kindle Unlimited), per WordsRated.
Visit Amazon KDP ↗Draft2Digital
draft2digital.com
User-friendly ebook/print aggregator (acquired Smashwords); free formatting.
Visit Draft2Digital ↗See more options: Amazon KDP alternatives · Draft2Digital alternatives