Amazon KDP vs Smashwords
Amazon KDP is the dominant platform with ~67% of the U.S. ebook market (83% counting Kindle Unlimited) and offers free publishing with 35%/70% royalties. Smashwords, now part of Draft2Digital, is an aggregator that distributes to multiple retailers and libraries, charging a 10-15% commission. The key difference is that KDP provides direct access to Amazon's customer base and the Kindle Unlimited program, while Smashwords enables wide distribution without exclusivity. Authors must choose between Amazon's reach and the broader retail network via Smashwords.
Pick Amazon KDP
Pick Amazon KDP if you want maximum reach on Amazon, especially through Kindle Unlimited, and are comfortable with exclusive distribution.
Pick Smashwords
Pick Smashwords if you want wide distribution to multiple retailers and libraries without exclusivity, and are willing to pay a percentage of sales.
At a glance
| Amazon KDP | Smashwords | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free; 35%/70% royalty | 10–15% |
| 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 ↗See more options: Amazon KDP alternatives · Smashwords alternatives