Self Publishing Tools — Best Software & Services for Authors
Browse top self publishing tools across writing, AI, editing, formatting, cover design, keyword research, and marketing. Use the quick picks and best-in-class sections to build your publish-ready toolkit fast.
Browse by Category
Top Comparisons
- Atticus vs Vellum
- Atticus vs Reedsy
- Vellum vs Reedsy
- Canva vs BookBrush
- Canva vs Procreate
- Canva vs Adobe InDesign
- Grammarly vs ProWritingAid
- Grammarly vs QuillBot
- Publisher Rocket vs SPT
- Publisher Rocket vs Helium 10
- BookBrush vs Procreate
Quick Picks
Clean web editor with history (Reedsy) or powerful long-form structure (Scrivener).
Jasper for brainstorming & drafting; QuillBot for paraphrasing & summaries.
Grammarly for instant fixes; ProWritingAid for deep diagnostics.
Atticus works anywhere; Vellum is the fastest on macOS.
Canva for speed; InDesign for precise print specs & typography.
Author-ready 3D/book mockups (BookBrush) and fast social/video assets (Canva).
Rocket for streamlined KDP research; SPT for budget niche validation.
Best in Class (by Category)
Writing & AI
| Tool | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Reedsy | $ | Free web drafting with collaboration/history |
| Scrivener | $$ | Complex manuscripts and planning |
| Jasper | $$ | AI brainstorming and drafting |
| QuillBot | $$ | Paraphrasing and summaries |
Grammar & Proofreading
| Tool | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Grammarly | $$ | Instant grammar/clarity fixes across apps |
| ProWritingAid | $$ | Deep style/readability diagnostics |
Formatting
| Tool | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Atticus | $$ | Cross-platform writing + interior formatting |
| Vellum | $$$ | Fast, beautiful interiors on macOS |
| Adobe InDesign | $$$ | Pro typography and print control |
Cover & Design
| Tool | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Canva | $–$$ | Fast covers, mockups, and social/video |
| BookBrush | $$ | Author-ready 3D mockups & trailers |
| Procreate | $ | Hand-drawn illustration on iPad |
Keyword Research & Marketing
| Tool | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Publisher Rocket | $$ | Streamlined KDP keywords & categories |
| Self Publishing Titans | $–$$ | Budget niche validation (incl. low-content) |
| Book Bolt | $–$$ | Low-content research + cover maker |
| Helium 10 | $$$$ | Premium Amazon seller analytics & PPC |
All Featured Tools (A–Z)
- Adobe InDesign Cover & Design $$$
- Atticus Formatting $$
- Book Bolt Keyword Research $–$$
- BookBrush Cover & Design $$
- Canva Cover & Design $–$$
- Grammarly Grammar $$
- Helium 10 Keyword Research $$$$
- Jasper AI Writing $$
- Procreate Cover & Design $
- ProWritingAid Grammar $$
- Publisher Rocket Keyword Research $$
- QuillBot Grammar $$
- Reedsy Studio Formatting $
- Scrivener Writing $$
- Self Publishing Titans Keyword Research $–$$
- Vellum Formatting $$$
FAQ
What tools do I actually need to self-publish?
At minimum: a drafting tool, an editor/proofreader, a formatter (EPUB/print PDFs), and a cover/graphics tool. Add keyword research and marketing to grow sales.
What’s the fastest path to a publish-ready book?
Draft → polish → format → cover → upload. Try Reedsy → Grammarly/ProWritingAid → Atticus/Vellum → Canva/BookBrush → KDP.