If you’re an author, editor, or book designer looking for a simpler and more flexible way to publish your book, you’ve likely heard of Reedsy. While Reedsy is a great platform, it’s not the only option. In fact, many writers are searching for the best alternatives to Reedsy that are affordable, easier to use, and offer more flexibility. Whether you’re a first-time author or a seasoned writer, this guide will walk you through the top Reedsy alternatives and show you how they can simplify your self-publishing journey.
Why You Might Need an Alternative to Reedsy
Reedsy is known for connecting authors with professional editors, designers, and marketers. It also provides a free book editor tool for formatting. However, some users find the platform expensive, limited in flexibility, or not suitable for DIY authors who want to handle everything themselves. Additionally, the availability of freelancers can vary, making it hard for authors on tight deadlines.
Some authors want more control over the writing and formatting process. Others simply want a tool or service that better fits their workflow or budget. This is where alternatives to Reedsy come into play. The market is full of helpful tools and platforms that offer everything from writing software to professional publishing services, many of which come with lower costs or added features that Reedsy doesn’t offer.
Top Alternatives to Reedsy for Writers
If your goal is to write, format, edit, or publish a book without depending solely on Reedsy, you’re in luck. Many platforms today offer powerful alternatives to Reedsy, and they can streamline your entire publishing process—from the first word you write to the day your book goes live on Amazon or other retailers.
Whether you’re writing a novel, nonfiction, or a children’s book, there are tools and services tailored to every type of author. Let’s explore them.
Scrivener – Write Like a Pro
Scrivener is one of the most powerful writing tools for authors who want full control over their manuscripts. Unlike Reedsy’s book editor, Scrivener gives you advanced tools to organize long-form content, manage research, and break your manuscript into manageable chunks.
It’s perfect for authors working on large projects like novels, memoirs, or academic books. Scrivener supports distraction-free writing, drag-and-drop chapter organization, and export options for various formats (ePub, PDF, DOCX, etc.). You won’t find Reedsy’s freelancer marketplace here, but Scrivener empowers you to create polished drafts before handing them over to an editor or formatter.
Atticus – Easy Writing and Formatting
Atticus is a rising star among self-publishing tools. It combines the writing and formatting process into a single, easy-to-use platform. While Reedsy offers free book formatting, Atticus gives you more flexibility and style options without needing technical skills.
With Atticus, you can write your book, organize your chapters, and choose from a wide variety of formatting templates. It’s cloud-based, which means you can write and format your book from any device. Atticus also allows seamless export to ePub and print-ready PDF formats. This makes it a strong alternative to Reedsy for formatting and writing, especially for indie authors who value control and design quality.
Draft2Digital – Publish Everywhere Fast
Draft2Digital is a go-to platform for authors who want to publish wide (beyond Amazon). While Reedsy connects you to professionals for a fee, Draft2Digital simplifies the distribution process by letting you publish to multiple retailers—including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and more—with just a few clicks.
It also offers automated book formatting, metadata management, and sales tracking. Best of all, it’s free to use, with revenue taken only as a small percentage of sales. It’s ideal for authors looking to skip Reedsy’s marketplace and go straight to self-publishing with ease.
Free Alternatives to Reedsy You Can Try Today
If you’re working with a tight budget, you’ll be glad to know there are free tools that offer many of the same benefits as Reedsy.
- Google Docs – Great for writing, sharing, and collaborating.
- Calibre – An open-source eBook manager that helps with formatting and converting files.
- Shaxpir – A cloud-based writing tool with some features similar to Scrivener.
- Reedsy Book Editor – Yes, even though we’re talking about alternatives, you can still use Reedsy’s free formatting tool without hiring freelancers.
- Canva – Useful for DIY book covers and marketing graphics.
These free tools may not replace Reedsy entirely, but when used together, they can help you get through every stage of your book project without spending a dime.
Best Reedsy Alternatives for Editing Help
One of Reedsy’s strengths is its access to professional editors, but the pricing isn’t always budget-friendly. If you need affordable editing services, here are some Reedsy alternatives for editing:
- Fiverr – Offers a huge selection of freelance editors at various price points.
- Upwork – Great for finding experienced editors with flexible contracts.
- Scribendi – A professional editing service with fast turnaround times.
- ProWritingAid – An AI-based editing tool that helps polish grammar, style, and structure before you send it to a human editor.
These platforms allow you to review ratings, compare pricing, and work directly with editors who match your budget and timeline—without being locked into Reedsy’s freelancer marketplace.
Where to Find Book Cover Designers Like Reedsy
A great cover sells your book. Reedsy offers professional design services, but they’re not your only option. Many authors are turning to freelance marketplaces and design tools that are affordable and equally professional.
Some good places to find book cover designers include:
- 99Designs – Offers a curated selection of professional designers.
- Fiverr – Many affordable designers with real reviews and sample portfolios.
- Upwork – Custom contracts and vetted freelancers available for cover design.
- DesignCrowd – Crowdsourced designs with multiple submissions to choose from.
You don’t have to rely on Reedsy to find great designers—there are platforms out there with thousands of creatives ready to bring your vision to life.
Canva – Make Your Own Book Cover
If you’re a do-it-yourself kind of author, Canva is your best friend. Canva is an easy-to-use design tool with drag-and-drop features that make creating book covers a breeze. You don’t need graphic design experience—just choose a template, customize it with your title and author name, and download your cover.
Canva also offers design assets like fonts, stock photos, and elements specifically tailored for books. It’s free to use, with premium options available. This makes it one of the top free alternatives to Reedsy for book cover design.
99Designs – Hire a Pro Designer
If you want a professional cover but don’t want to go through Reedsy, 99Designs is a premium alternative. You can either work directly with a designer or start a contest where multiple designers submit ideas, and you choose your favorite.
This is perfect for authors who want high-quality work, a range of style options, and a more customized design process. While it can be more expensive than DIY tools, many authors believe the investment is worth it for the polished result.
Self-Publishing Platforms That Work Like Reedsy
Reedsy helps authors connect with publishing professionals, but it doesn’t distribute books. If you’re looking for platforms that help you publish your book directly, consider:
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) – The most popular self-publishing platform.
- Draft2Digital – Wide distribution beyond Amazon.
- IngramSpark – Best for print-on-demand books and bookstores.
- Lulu – Print and eBook publishing, good for workbooks and photo books.
- Smashwords – Another platform for wide eBook distribution.
These platforms give you more control and higher royalty options than traditional publishing or hiring through Reedsy.
Tools That Help You Format Books Without Reedsy
Formatting is one of the areas where Reedsy’s editor tool shines, but it’s not the only one out there. If you need to format your book for print or eBook, check out these tools:
- Atticus – Formatting plus writing in one place.
- Vellum (Mac only) – Professional-quality formatting for eBooks and print.
- Calibre – Free and powerful for converting files.
- Draft2Digital – Includes automatic formatting tools.
- Pressbooks – Great for academic and educational books.
These tools help make your book look professional, ensuring you don’t need to depend on Reedsy’s formatting services.
How to Pick the Best Reedsy Alternative for You
Choosing the best alternative to Reedsy depends on your personal goals, budget, and skills. If you’re a hands-on author who wants to write, design, and publish independently, tools like Scrivener, Atticus, Canva, and Draft2Digital are perfect.
If you need help with editing or cover design but want to save money, platforms like Fiverr and Upwork give you access to professionals without high platform fees. Take time to explore your options, test the tools, and decide what combination works best for your book.
Remember, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best publishing process is the one that matches your needs and helps bring your story to life.
The Bottom Line
Reedsy is a great platform, but it’s not your only choice. From writing tools like Scrivener and Atticus, to publishing platforms like Draft2Digital and KDP, to freelance marketplaces like Fiverr and 99Designs, there are plenty of Reedsy alternatives that offer more flexibility, better pricing, or DIY-friendly features.
Whether you’re a new author or a seasoned pro, using the right tools can make your publishing journey smoother, faster, and more affordable. Test a few platforms, compare the pros and cons, and build a toolkit that helps you achieve your publishing dreams—without being limited to Reedsy.
