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The best free self-publishing platforms and global distribution |
The 4 Best Self-Publishing Platforms for 2025
Are you ready to publish your book? Independent authors no longer have to wait for approval from traditional publishing houses. Thanks to the emergence of self-publishing platforms available for free or at minimal cost
the dream of publishing your book is now a reality, giving you access to millions of readers around the world
However, choosing the right platform is a challenge.
Amazon Kindle, Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, and Feiyr represent the strongest self-publishing platforms globally, each offering exclusive advantages to help authors publish and distribute their books worldwide
This article provides a comprehensive and detailed comparison of these four leading platforms in the self-publishing world, explaining their business models, pros, and cons to help you make the best decision for your literary journey
Comparison between the 4 best platforms for self-publishing and high-volume distribution
First : Publish drive
PublishDrive is an integrated online self-publishing platform designed to help independent authors and publishing companies distribute their books globally
Key Features
Comprehensive Platform*
Offers self-publishing solutions for* eBooks, audiobooks, and printed books (via Print-on-Demand service).
Wide Global Distribution* Allows you to publish and distribute your books with a "single click" to thousands of stores worldwide (over 400 stores and 240,000 digital libraries), including major distribution channels like Amazon, Apple, Google Books, and Ingram, in addition to specialized channels.
0% Commission Rate*One of its most prominent advantages. The platform states that it takes no commission on sales, meaning the author keeps 100% of the earned sales revenue. (Other platforms typically charge a percentage of sales)
Rights Management*
eBook Converter Metadata Generator* Tools for book promotion and ad tracking.
Sales Tracking* Provides a single dashboard to monitor sales, performance, and revenue in real-time across various stores and markets.
Disadvantages of PublishDrive
Subscription-Based* It operates on subscription model where you pay a fixed monthly fee In return, the platform takes no commission from your sales (you keep 100% of the net royalties)
This model is highly beneficial if your monthly sales are high, as the subscription cost becomes significantly less than the total commissions you would pay to other platforms
Despite the subscription system* the platform offers a free, lifetime plan:
The Free Plan on PublishDrive is intended as a beginner option for those who wish to experience wide distribution
Book Limit*The free plan allows publishing only one eBook title for a lifetime
Book Type*eBooks only Earnings The author keeps 100% of the net royalties (the main reason for this plan's appeal).
Goal: This plan aims to give authors a chance to publish their first book in its wide network (over 35 channels) without paying any upfront fees or sales commission
Important Note: If the author wishes to publish more than one book, or to publish print or audio versions, they must upgrade to one of the paid subscription plans (such as the Starter plan, which may begin with three titles in all formats)
Conclusion
PublishDrive is a strong option for authors seeking maximum global reach while retaining 100% of the rights and sales revenue, in exchange for paying a platform subscription or service fee (depending on their pricing model, which is based on taking no commission from sales).
Second :Amazon Kindle (KDP)
It is the globally dominant platform, considered the gateway to the largest audience of readers. It is the best choice for those seeking primarily to reach the US market and have direct control over marketing tools.
Advantages of Amazon Kindle
Amazon offers many free tools and features to help writers succeed
You can use the KDP tool to create* your book in EPUB or MOBI format for free. They also provide free* manuscript templates to simplify the formatting process.
You can use Amazon's* free tool to design a basic cover
Free book promotion* Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Lending Library Feature This feature is one of the most important factors for passive income for authors on Amazon When you choose to enroll in the KDP Select program, your book becomes available to readers subscribed to:
Kindle Unlimited (KU)* A monthly subscription service that allows readers to access and read a huge library of eBooks for free in exchange for a fixed monthly fee
Kindle Owners' Lending Library (KOLL): A free service for Amazon Prime members, where they can borrow one free eBook monthly from a selected list
Amazon Author Central* This is a free platform provided by Amazon for authors to publish their biographies and gather all their books in one place
It acts as a professional business card that increases your credibility and helps readers discover more about you and your work.
Creating a Book Series* and Publishing Together: Creating and publishing a book series together is a very powerful strategy in the world of self-publishing.
Disadvantages of Self-Publishing on Amazon Kindle
Limited Distribution Scope* Distribution is limited to Amazon stores, missing out on stores like Apple Books and Kobo.
Competition Overcrowding*Millions of other books compete for visibility on the same platform.
Exclusivity Requirement (KDP Select)* To join the Kindle Unlimited program and earn payments for pages read, the eBook must be exclusive to Amazon for 90 days.
Variable Royalties* The royalty rate drops to 35% if the book is priced outside the $2.99–$9.99 range or if expanded distribution is chosen.
Third :Draft2Digital
It is the best aggregation platform for new and veteran authors who want to reach the largest number of stores without needing to create an account in each store individually
Advantages of Draft2Digital
Completely Free* Best Option for Wide Distribution* and Ease Draft2Digital (D2D) *provides comprehensive wide distribution.
Wide distribution, ease of use, zero upfront costs It publishes your book in* all other major stores (Apple, Kobo, Nook, etc.) in exchange for a small commission on sales Provides free tools for book formatting* and generating Universal Book Links
Disadvantages of Draft2Digital
They deduct approximately *10-15% commission from the retail price
Your account may be closed* without a specific reason.
Fourth :Feiyr Platform
A relatively different platform, it relies on a one-time publishing fee model per title, while retaining a high royalty percentage. This makes it an attractive option for those who want wide distribution without committing to a monthly subscription
Advantages of Feiyr
Strengths
You get a very high profit* percentage (80%) without needing a monthly subscription, as costs are paid only once per book.
Additional Features*Offers a service to convert a Word file to EPUB and allows for Print-on-Demand (POD).
Disadvantages of Feiyr
Weaknesses: It charges initial fees* for both account activation and for publishing each book, making it less attractive for those publishing very few titles, and it might be more expensive initially compared to the free Draft2Digital.
Conclusion
If your goal is to focus on the largest market (the United States) and achieve the greatest potential sales:
→ Amazon KDP is the best.
If you want to reach all other major stores (wide reach) with minimum cost and administrative effort, without paying anything upfront:
→ Draft2Digital is the best.
If you are a high-selling author and want maximum distribution while retaining 100% of the net royalties (in exchange for a monthly subscription):
→ PublishDrive is the best
If you want to get high royalties (80%) without committing to a monthly subscription, and prefer paying a small, one-time publishing fee:
→ Feiyr is the best
Common Advice
Many successful authors recommend "Going Dual"—publishing directly on Amazon KDP (for the largest market) and using Draft2Digital (to reach all other stores).
How to Choose the Most Suitable Platform
(Expert Advice)
Ultimately, your decision should depend on your priorities
If you are a beginner and focus on the US market: Start with Amazon KDP, then publish on Draft2Digital (excluding Amazon) to cover the rest of the stores
If you are a high-selling author and want to maximize profit: Use PublishDrive (with the monthly subscription) to ensure you keep all your net royalties
If you are looking for wide distribution with minimal financial complexity and dislike subscriptions
Choose Draft2Digital or Feiyr (if you don't mind paying an upfront publishing fee)
Summary
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. The most effective approach is the Hybrid Publishing (Going Wide): Direct publishing on Amazon KDP combined with using an aggregation platform like Draft2Digital or PublishDrive to cover the rest of the global markets and libraries
Read alsoAmazon and Draft2DigitalHow to Publish an E-Book on Amazon Kindle for Free: Your Comprehensive Guide to Self-Publishing
Comprehensive Platform*
Offers self-publishing solutions for*
eBooks, audiobooks, and printed books (via Print-on-Demand service).
Wide Global Distribution*
Allows you to publish and distribute your books with a "single click" to thousands of stores worldwide (over 400 stores and 240,000 digital libraries), including major distribution channels like Amazon, Apple, Google Books, and Ingram, in addition to specialized channels.
0% Commission Rate*
One of its most prominent advantages. The platform states that it takes no commission on sales, meaning the author keeps 100% of the earned sales revenue. (Other platforms typically charge a percentage of sales)
Rights Management*
eBook Converter Metadata Generator*
Tools for book promotion and ad tracking.
Sales Tracking*
Provides a single dashboard to monitor sales, performance, and revenue in real-time across various stores and markets.
Disadvantages of PublishDrive
Subscription-Based*
It operates on subscription model where you pay a fixed monthly fee
In return, the platform takes no commission from your sales (you keep 100% of the net royalties)
This model is highly beneficial if your monthly sales are high, as the subscription cost becomes significantly less than the total commissions you would pay to other platforms
Despite the subscription system*
the platform offers a free, lifetime plan:
The Free Plan on PublishDrive is intended as a beginner option for those who wish to experience wide distribution
Book Limit*
The free plan allows publishing only one eBook title for a lifetime
Book Type*
eBooks only Earnings The author keeps 100% of the net royalties (the main reason for this plan's appeal).
Goal: This plan aims to give authors a chance to publish their first book in its wide network (over 35 channels) without paying any upfront fees or sales commission
Important Note: If the author wishes to publish more than one book, or to publish print or audio versions, they must upgrade to one of the paid subscription plans (such as the Starter plan, which may begin with three titles in all formats)
Conclusion
PublishDrive is a strong option for authors seeking maximum global reach while retaining 100% of the rights and sales revenue, in exchange for paying a platform subscription or service fee (depending on their pricing model, which is based on taking no commission from sales).
Second :Amazon Kindle (KDP)
It is the globally dominant platform, considered the gateway to the largest audience of readers. It is the best choice for those seeking primarily to reach the US market and have direct control over marketing tools.
Advantages of Amazon Kindle
Amazon offers many free tools and features to help writers succeed
You can use the KDP tool to create*
your book in EPUB or MOBI format for free.
They also provide free*
manuscript templates to simplify the formatting process.
You can use Amazon's*
free tool to design a basic cover
Free book promotion*
Kindle Unlimited and Kindle Lending Library Feature
This feature is one of the most important factors for passive income for authors on Amazon
When you choose to enroll in the KDP Select program, your book becomes available to readers subscribed to:
Kindle Unlimited (KU)*
A monthly subscription service that allows readers to access and read a huge library of eBooks for free in exchange for a fixed monthly fee
Kindle Owners' Lending Library (KOLL): A free service for Amazon Prime members, where they can borrow one free eBook monthly from a selected list
Amazon Author Central*
This is a free platform provided by Amazon for authors to publish their biographies and gather all their books in one place
It acts as a professional business card that increases your credibility and helps readers discover more about you and your work.
Creating a Book Series*
and Publishing Together: Creating and publishing a book series together is a very powerful strategy in the world of self-publishing.
Disadvantages of Self-Publishing on Amazon Kindle
Limited Distribution Scope*
Distribution is limited to Amazon stores, missing out on stores like Apple Books and Kobo.
Competition Overcrowding*
Millions of other books compete for visibility on the same platform.
Exclusivity Requirement (KDP Select)*
To join the Kindle Unlimited program and earn payments for pages read, the eBook must be exclusive to Amazon for 90 days.
Variable Royalties*
The royalty rate drops to 35% if the book is priced outside the $2.99–$9.99 range or if expanded distribution is chosen.
Third :Draft2Digital
It is the best aggregation platform for new and veteran authors who want to reach the largest number of stores without needing to create an account in each store individually
Advantages of Draft2Digital
Completely Free*
Best Option for Wide Distribution*
and Ease
Draft2Digital (D2D) *
provides comprehensive wide distribution.
Wide distribution, ease of use, zero upfront costs
It publishes your book in*
all other major stores (Apple, Kobo, Nook, etc.) in exchange for a small commission on sales
Provides free tools for book formatting*
and generating Universal Book Links
Disadvantages of Draft2Digital
They deduct approximately *
10-15% commission from the retail price
Your account may be closed*
without a specific reason.
Fourth :Feiyr Platform
A relatively different platform, it relies on a one-time publishing fee model per title, while retaining a high royalty percentage. This makes it an attractive option for those who want wide distribution without committing to a monthly subscription
Advantages of Feiyr Strengths
You get a very high profit*
percentage (80%) without needing a monthly subscription, as costs are paid only once per book.
Additional Features*
Offers a service to convert a Word file to EPUB and allows for Print-on-Demand (POD).
Disadvantages of Feiyr
Weaknesses: It charges initial fees*
for both account activation and for publishing each book, making it less attractive for those publishing very few titles, and it might be more expensive initially compared to the free Draft2Digital.
Conclusion
If your goal is to focus on the largest market (the United States) and achieve the greatest potential sales:
→ Amazon KDP is the best.
If you want to reach all other major stores (wide reach) with minimum cost and administrative effort, without paying anything upfront:
→ Draft2Digital is the
best.
If you are a high-selling author and want maximum distribution while retaining 100% of the net royalties (in exchange for a monthly subscription):
→ PublishDrive is the best
If you want to get high royalties (80%) without committing to a monthly subscription, and prefer paying a small, one-time publishing fee:
→ Feiyr is the best
Common Advice
Many successful authors recommend "Going Dual"—publishing directly on Amazon KDP (for the largest market) and using Draft2Digital (to reach all other stores).
How to Choose the Most Suitable Platform
(Expert Advice)
Ultimately, your decision should depend on your priorities
If you are a beginner and focus on the US market: Start with Amazon KDP, then publish on Draft2Digital (excluding Amazon) to cover the rest of the stores
If you are a high-selling author and want to maximize profit: Use PublishDrive (with the monthly subscription) to ensure you keep all your net royalties
If you are looking for wide distribution with minimal financial complexity and dislike subscriptions
Choose Draft2Digital or Feiyr (if you don't mind paying an upfront publishing fee)
Summary
Don't put all your eggs in one basket. The most effective approach is the Hybrid Publishing (Going Wide): Direct publishing on Amazon KDP combined with using an aggregation platform like Draft2Digital or PublishDrive to cover the rest of the global
markets and libraries
Read also
Amazon and Draft2Digital
How to Publish an E-Book on Amazon Kindle for Free: Your Comprehensive Guide to Self-Publishing