calibre alternatives: EPUB, print PDF and cover from one manuscript
calibre converts e-books on your computer. If you are publishing a book and also need the print interior and a print cover, these are the options.
Short answer
calibre is free e-book software that converts Word files to EPUB. Bookfairy makes the EPUB 3 in the browser, plus print PDFs and the cover from the same manuscript.
- EPUB 3 in the browser$12 per book.
- Print PDFs and full coverFor KDP and IngramSpark, with front, spine and back, with the barcode and publisher logo on the back.
- calibreFree, open source, for Windows, macOS and Linux.
calibre alternatives at a glance
What each one does, where it runs and what it costs.
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EPUB, print PDF and cover
Reflowable EPUB 3 from your Word file, with clickable contents and metadata, and the print interior from the same manuscript.
- Good for
- Authors who publish the ebook and the paperback of the same non-fiction or self-help book
- Runs on
- In the browser, nothing to install
- Price
- $12.00100 tokens per book for the EPUB, $26.40220 tokens with print PDF, no subscription needed
- EPUBCheck result shown in your job
- Print PDF as PDF/X-1a:2001 for KDP and IngramSpark
- Cover with front, spine and back, with the barcode and publisher logo on the back, for $12.00100 tokens
- Translate, resize or rework the cover later as single jobs
-
Vellum Ebooks
Formatting app for ebooks; print editions need Vellum Press7
-
Atticus
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Adobe InDesign
Layout program for print and ebooks; you build the pages yourself10
As of 8 November 2026, from the providers' websites (US prices in USD).
calibre, Vellum, Atticus, Adobe InDesign and IngramSpark are trademarks of their respective owners. Bookfairy is not affiliated with them.
What calibre does
calibre is an e-book manager: it keeps your library, converts between dozens of formats, edits metadata and has its own e-book viewer. It is free and open source and runs on Windows, macOS and Linux. Covers in calibre are e-book cover images.
The EPUB and the print book from one upload
- EPUB and print PDFs together: $26.40220 tokens
- Upload your Word file once.
- The EPUB tool makes a reflowable EPUB 3 with clickable contents and title, author and language in the metadata.
- Check the EPUBCheck result and browse the book in the reader before you download.
- Typesetting adds the print PDF as PDF/X-1a:2001 for KDP and IngramSpark, with bleed and embedded fonts.
A full print cover from the same account
The cover tool makes front, spine and back as one print PDF, with the spine width from your page count and paper, the EAN-13 barcode if you enter your ISBN, and your publisher logo and back cover text on the back. $12.00100 tokens once per cover.
- Translate the cover, exactly the same look in the other language: $4.8040 tokens
- New trim size or page count, spine recalculated: $2.4020 tokens
- Audiobook cover, square 3,000 × 3,000 px: $2.4020 tokens
- Swap or remove the barcode and logo on the back: $1.2010 tokens
- Change a cover in your own words: $1.2010 tokens per change
Who this suits
Non-fiction and self-help authors who publish an ebook and a paperback on KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, Kobo or tolino and want all files for that book from one account. All prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked
What does Bookfairy cost compared with calibre?
Bookfairy charges per book with no subscription: the EPUB is $12, EPUB and print PDF together $26.40. calibre is free, open-source software that you install yourself.
Can Bookfairy make a print-ready PDF?
Yes. Bookfairy delivers the print PDF as PDF/X-1a:2001 for KDP and IngramSpark, with bleed. calibre's PDF output lets you set paper size, margins and page numbers; PDF/X and bleed are not among its options in the manual.
Which EPUB version does Bookfairy make?
EPUB 3, the format Apple Books, Google Play Books, Kobo and tolino take. Bookfairy shows the EPUBCheck result in your job before you upload.
Does KDP accept the EPUB from Bookfairy?
Yes. KDP accepts EPUB for Kindle ebooks and converts it for Kindle devices and apps.
Can Bookfairy make the print cover with spine, plus barcode and publisher logo on the back too?
Yes. The cover tool makes front, spine and back as one print PDF for $12, with barcode and logo on the back. Translating it, with exactly the same look in the other language, costs $4.80, a new trim size $2.40.
Sources (10)
- calibre, About (accessed 7 Nov 2026). calibre-ebook.com/about
- calibre, Download (accessed 7 Nov 2026). calibre-ebook.com/download
- calibre User Manual, ebook-convert: PDF output options (accessed 7 Nov 2026). manual.calibre-ebook.com/generated/en/ebook-con…
- calibre User Manual, ebook-convert: EPUB output options, --epub-version (accessed 7 Nov 2026). manual.calibre-ebook.com/generated/en/ebook-con…
- calibre User Manual, Editing e-book metadata: All about covers (accessed 7 Nov 2026). manual.calibre-ebook.com/metadata.html
- calibre User Manual, E-book conversion: Convert Microsoft Word documents (accessed 7 Nov 2026). manual.calibre-ebook.com/conversion.html
- Vellum, product and pricing page, US prices in USD, excluding tax (checked 8 Nov 2026). vellum.pub/
- Atticus, product page (accessed 7 Nov 2026). atticus.io/
- Atticus Help, How to format your book with Atticus (accessed 7 Nov 2026). intercom.help/atticus-5877e36564df/en/articles/…
- Adobe, InDesign product page, US view, prices in USD (checked 8 Nov 2026). adobe.com/products/indesign.html