Best free eBook creator software?

Best Free eBook Creator Software

Creating an eBook can be a very rewarding process, allowing you to share your knowledge with a wide audience. But actually designing, formatting, and producing the eBook files can be challenging, especially if you don’t have experience in digital publishing. This is where eBook creator software comes in handy.

eBook creator tools allow you to easily convert your manuscript into professionally designed eBooks ready for publication. There are both paid and free eBook maker software options available to independent authors and small publishers.

This guide examines the top free eBook creation software tools to help you find the best choice based on your specific needs and capabilities. We’ll explore the key features offered, pros and cons of each option, publishing format support, and helpful tips for leveraging free eBook creators effectively despite some limitations. Let’s dive in!

Why Use eBook Creator Software?

Before looking at options, it helps to understand the core benefits that eBook creation software provides:

Formatting and Design

The programs automatically format your manuscript into common eBook layouts and apply professional fonts, styling, and page layouts.

Speeds Production

What may take hours or days to manually format can be accomplished in minutes or seconds using eBook software automation.

Learning Curve

Intuitive WYSIWYG interfaces require no coding or design skills – simply paste in your manuscript.

Distribution Support

Many tools allow directly publishing finished eBooks to major stores and platforms.

Visual Customization

Customize look via themes, colors, covers, headers, chapter layouts, images, etc.

While paid tools offer more features, free eBook makers provide ample power for basic needs.

Key Criteria for the Best Free eBook Creators

When evaluating the plethora of free eBook manufacturing software options, some key criteria to look for include:

1. Output Formats Supported

The most flexible tools support exporting eBooks in multiple formats – PDF, EPUB, MOBI, HTML, etc. Limiting output to just PDF reduces publishing options.

2. Design Customization Available

Look for controls to personalize the visual design like color themes, fonts, page layout, headers, covers, etc. Preset templates offer only limited styling.

3. Publishing Platform Integration

One-click publishing to major eBook platforms like Amazon Kindle, Apple Books, Google Play, etc. streamlines distribution.

4. Media and Content Support

Ability to seamlessly embed images, videos, tables, diagrams, links, footnotes, and other media enhances eBooks.

5. Accessibility and DRM Options

Options like text-to-speech and digital rights management (DRM) improve accessibility and security.

While rarely matching paid software feature-for-feature, the top free programs provide sufficient core tools to create appealing eBooks from your manuscript efficiently.

7 Best Free eBook Creator Software Tools

Based on the criteria above, here are seven of the top free tools for eBook manufacturing in 2022:

1. Reedsy Book Editor

• Simple What-You-See-Is-What-You-Get (WYSIWYG) interface
• Support for EPUB, PDF, MOBI, HTML, and Word
• Quick export eBook files or publish to stores
• Hundreds of design templates
• Embed text, media, footnotes

2. Canva

• Drag-and-drop design editor
• PDF, JPG, PNG output formats
• Library of fonts, images, icons, and themes
• Resize images and text boxes easily
• Some design limitations and eBook distribution features in paid tiers

3. Atlantis Word Processor

• Converts documents to EPUB, MOBI, PDF
• Preserve document formatting like links, images, tables
• Built-in eBook cover creator
• Price list: $9.99 to $129 depending on features

4. Pages / iBooks Author

• Create richly formatted eBooks integrated with Apple ecosystem
• Limited customization compared to paid Adobe InDesign
• Must own Apple device running MacOS or iOS

5. Sigil

• Open source EPUB editor for technical users
• Support for HTML, CSS, images
• Plugin extensions available
• Steep learning curve for beginners

6. Calibre

• Open source eBook library manager and converter
• Good option for converting PDF to EPUB
• Support plugins and Python scripts for automation
• Dated interface and less intuitive than alternatives

7. Draft2Digital

• Free aggregation service distributes to major eBook stores
• Upload finished print or eBook files
• Split royalties across stores automatically
• Limited design and formatting capabilities

Evaluate your needs against the pros and cons of each option above to select the best free program for your eBook project aims and technical capabilities.

Top 5 Free Online eBook Creators

For added convenience, some of the top free web-based eBook creators include:

1. Bookemon

• Direct publishing to Amazon, B&N, and more
• Simple WYSIWYG online editor
• PDF and EPUB formats
• Minimal design customization

2. Book Creator Online

• Drag and drop image/text insertion
• Multi-platform web app
• PDF export only
• Must download desktop Book Creator to access EPUB export

3. Flipsnack

• Create embeddable flipbook-style eBooks
• Customizable viewer
• PDF export only
• Focus on web books more than eBook downloads

4. Lucid Spark

• Collaborative real-time editor
• PDF, EPUB, MOBI output
• Chapter management and versioning
• Some features limited in free version

5. Pubbly

• Convert blogs/articles into eBooks
• Email collecting integration
• PDF format download only
• Promotional brand logo on eBooks

These online apps allow quick eBook creation without software installation. But features are often limited compared to desktop programs.

Key Pros and Cons of Using Free eBook Makers

While immensely helpful, free eBook creator tools still have some limitations to factor in:

Pros of Free eBook Creators

• User-friendly platforms require minimal technical skills
• Automates formatting and covers for a polished look
• Saves hours of complex manual formatting work
• Some tools support publishing directly to eBook stores
• Easy WYSIWYG editing and drag-and-drop design

Cons of Free eBook Creators

• More limited design compared to paid Adobe InDesign
• Advanced multimedia, animation, interactivity usually not supported
• More control needed for fixed-layout textbooks vs. reflowable eBooks
• May lack accessibility features like read-aloud for disabilities
• PDF-only output misses EPUB benefits for responsive mobile screens

Understand the trade-offs to set proper expectations. Free tools lower barriers for new authors but lack capabilities compared to paid alternatives.

Tips for Using Free eBook Makers Effectively

Follow these tips to maximize results from free eBook creation software:

Choose the Simplest Viable Tool

Avoid overcomplicated programs with steep learning curves if basic tools meet your needs. The easier the better.

Set Realistic Design Expectations

Don’t expect unlimited customization or fixed layouts. Focus on clean, readable designs over artistic masterpieces.

Learn Exporting Workarounds

If your desired format isn’t directly supported, research indirect exporting workarounds through secondary programs.

Outsource If Struggling

Consider hiring an eBook formatter to help if the tools are too limiting for your project scope.

Try Paid Software Down the Road

If publishing frequently, investing in paid tools like Adobe InDesign often pays dividends improving workflows long-term.

Leverage Free Support Resources

Use available training videos, tutorials, and community forums to learn the tools thoroughly.

Set practical goals for what free software can reasonably achieve to prevent frustration. They offer immense value with a bit of learning and creativity.

Case Study: Creating a Cookbook eBook with a Free Tool

To see the free software in action, let’s walk through a common example – creating a simple cookbook eBook using Canva:

Step 1 – Outline the eBook Contents

First, organize your recipes and supporting content like the intro, ingredients glossary, about the author, etc. in a Word doc. This provides your manuscript contents to work from.

Step 2 – Set Up the Canva Document

Open up Canva and choose the “Kindle Book Cover” template then add pages to match your outlined content.

Step 3 – Copy Over Content

Copy each section from your Word document like the intro, recipes, and glossary then paste them into relevant Canva pages. Insert recipe photos.

Step 4 – Customize Design

Apply color themes, stylize text, insert icons, and other design flourishes using Canva’s templates for visual polish.

Step 5 – Export as PDF

When complete, export your fully designed cookbook out of Canva as a print-ready PDF file.

Step 6 – Validate on eReaders

Load the PDF onto popular eReaders/tablets to validate formatting transfers properly.

While a simple example, it illustrates the process – import manuscript, design, export, validate on devices. Using Canva’s intuitive editor allowed creating a polished eBook quickly and easily.

Top eBook Formats Supported by Free Creators

The most common eBook file formats produced by free creation tools include:

PDF

Universal format perfect for print. But lacks reflowable flexibility for digital screens.

EPUB

Standard for most eReaders. Reflows text responsively across devices.

MOBI

Required for publishing eBooks on Amazon Kindle. Based on EPUB standard.

HTML

Simple format for websites. Can create web-based eBooks.

DOCX/Word

Popular for document editing. Limited eReader compatibility.

Ideally, choose software supporting EPUB, MOBI, and PDF to publish across all major channels and devices.

Paid eBook Creators for Expanded Features

Once ready to invest, paid eBook creation software unlocks powerful capabilities like:

Adobe InDesign

• Industry Standard: Professional layout and typography used by major publishers worldwide.
• Features: Deep features for creating fixed and reflowable eBook formats.
• Learning Curve: Steep learning curve but extremely versatile.
• Cost: $20.99 USD/month subscription.

Scrivener

• Ideal for Authors: Top choice for long-form fiction and non-fiction writing.
• Features: Track research, outlining, notes, word counts, etc. Compile to eBook format when manuscript draft is finished.
• Cost: $49 USD one-time license fee.

Vellum

• Ease of Use: Streamlined conversion of print books to eBooks with an intuitive design-focused interface.
• Formats: Create EPUB, Kindle, iBooks, and more.
• Cost: $249 USD one-time license fee.

Pressbooks

• Open Source: Book production for small presses.
• Features: Simple browser-based editing with export options including PDF, EPUB, MOBI, XHTML, HTML.
• Cost: Plans from free up to $99/month.

Evaluate expanded features against subscription costs and learning curves. Paid tools like Adobe InDesign are valued investments for prolific eBook creators.

Do Readers Care What Software You Used?

Importantly, readers don’t care what tool you used to create your eBook files as long as the end result looks professional. The goal is sharing your knowledge – not showing off technical skills.

As an author just starting out, don’t get hung up on limitations of free software or feel you must invest right away. Focus first on creating compelling content. As your audience and revenues grow over time, consider upgrading to paid tools.

Conclusion

Creating polished eBooks is now more accessible than ever before thanks to intuitive, free eBook creator software. While paid alternatives provide deeper capabilities, free web and desktop publishing tools lower barriers for indie authors.

This guide provided an extensive examination of the top free eBook maker options helping you to:

• Understand the core benefits eBook creation software provides.
• Identify key selection criteria like output formats and design controls.
• Compare the pros and cons of leading free tool choices.
• Discover expanded features available in paid alternatives down the road.
• Walk through the creation process from manuscript to publication.
• Gain insights into effectively leveraging free tools despite limitations.

The next step is downloading one of the recommended free programs and importing your manuscript contents to see eBook formatting and layouts automatically applied. Don’t get intimidated by the publishing process – simply focus on sharing your expertise through well-designed content.

With the right software selected, you now have everything needed to publish eBooks successfully. Now get your ideas into the hands of readers who need them!

FAQ: Best Free eBook Creator Software

1. What is eBook creator software?

• eBook creator software allows you to design, format, and produce eBooks from your manuscripts. These tools automate the process, making it easy to create professional-looking eBooks without requiring advanced technical skills.

2. Why should I use eBook creator software?

• eBook creator software simplifies formatting, speeds up production, and allows for easy distribution. It also provides design customization options and supports various media and content, enhancing the overall look and functionality of your eBook.

3. What are the key criteria for choosing the best free eBook creator software?

• Look for software that supports multiple output formats (e.g., PDF, EPUB, MOBI), offers design customization, integrates with publishing platforms, allows for embedding media and content, and includes accessibility and DRM options.

4. What are some of the best free eBook creator software tools?

• Some of the top free tools include:
  • Reedsy Book Editor
  • Canva
  • Atlantis Word Processor
  • Pages / iBooks Author
  • Sigil
  • Calibre
  • Draft2Digital

5. Are there any free online eBook creators?

• Yes, some of the top free online eBook creators include:
  • Bookemon
  • Book Creator Online
  • Flipsnack
  • Lucid Spark
  • Pubbly

6. What are the pros and cons of using free eBook makers?

• Pros: User-friendly, automates formatting, saves time, supports publishing directly to eBook stores, and easy WYSIWYG editing.
• Cons: Limited design customization, fewer advanced multimedia options, more control needed for fixed-layout books, and potential lack of accessibility features.

7. How can I use free eBook makers effectively?

• Choose the simplest tool that meets your needs, set realistic design expectations, learn exporting workarounds, consider outsourcing complex formatting tasks, and leverage free support resources like tutorials and community forums.

8. What eBook formats are supported by free creators?

• Common formats include PDF, EPUB, MOBI, HTML, and DOCX/Word. Ideally, choose software that supports multiple formats to ensure compatibility with various devices and platforms.

9. What are some paid eBook creator tools with expanded features?

• Paid tools offer more advanced features and capabilities. Some popular paid options include:
  • Adobe InDesign
  • Scrivener
  • Vellum
  • Pressbooks

10. Do readers care what software was used to create an eBook?

• Readers generally do not care about the software used as long as the eBook looks professional and is easy to read. Focus on creating high-quality content and design rather than the technical details of the software.

11. How can I create a simple eBook using free software like Canva?

• Here’s a basic process:
  • Outline your eBook contents in a Word document.
  • Set up a new document in Canva and add pages for each section.
  • Copy your content into Canva and customize the design.
  • Export the finished eBook as a PDF.
  • Validate the formatting on various eReaders.

12. What are some tips for optimizing eBooks for different devices?

• Reduce image sizes and DPI resolution, choose smaller font sizes, remove large margins, simplify complex layouts, run OCR software for text conversion, split large files, and remove interactive elements like forms and JavaScript.

13. What should I do if I want more advanced features than free tools offer?

• If you find the limitations of free tools restrictive, consider investing in paid eBook creation software. These tools offer more advanced design, multimedia, and publishing options, which can be beneficial for frequent or professional eBook publishing.