Vellum vs Bookfairy: formatting a book without a Mac
Both turn a manuscript into a print interior and an ebook. Here is where they differ for one book: the computer you need, the price, and what else comes with it.
Short answer
Bookfairy runs in the browser and charges per book. Vellum runs only on a Mac and costs $249.99 once.
- Print PDF and EPUB$26.40 per book.
- Full print coverWith spine, barcode and logo, plus editing and metadata in the same account.
- Vellum Press: $249.99 onceExcluding tax (US price, 8 November 2026).
Vellum and Bookfairy compared
Compared task: print interior and ebook of one non-fiction book, from a Word file.
| Feature |  | Vellum Press (one-time licence) |
|---|---|---|
| Price for one book, print PDF and EPUB | $26.40220 tokens, first 10 pages free | $249.99 once for the licence, excl. tax12 |
| Runs on | In the browser, nothing to install | Mac only; on Windows through a rented cloud Mac12 |
| Print cover with spine and back | One print PDF with back text, barcode and publisher logo, all on the back, spine width from your page count, $12.00100 tokens | Separate file made in another program3 |
| Editing, blurb, keywords, categories | In the same account, fixed price per book | Not listed; Vellum formats ebook and print editions1 |
As of 8 November 2026. Vellum prices as shown on the US site vellum.pub, in USD, excluding tax.
Vellum, Atticus, Adobe InDesign, calibre and IngramSpark are trademarks of their respective owners. Bookfairy is not affiliated with them.
What each one does
- Typesetting in the browser: upload a Word file, choose layout and trim size, check the first 10 pages free
- Print PDF as PDF/X-1a:2001 for KDP and IngramSpark; with the EPUB both cost $26.40220 tokens
The cover in the same account
- Cover with front, spine and back, with the barcode and publisher logo on the back: $12.00100 tokens
- Translate the cover (same look, other language) $4.8040 tokens, new trim size $2.4020 tokens, audiobook cover $2.4020 tokens
- Swap barcode or logo $1.2010 tokens, change it in your own words $1.2010 tokens
Paying per book
- For the book you are publishing now, no subscription and no licence up front
- Editing, blurb, keywords and categories for the same book at fixed prices, see the pricing page
Vellum
- Vellum Press $249.99 once, excl. tax1
Who it suits
Non-fiction and self-help authors without a Mac, and anyone who wants interior, cover and metadata for one book in a single account.
Frequently asked
Can I format my book with Bookfairy on Windows?
Yes. Bookfairy runs in any current browser. Vellum's help says it runs only on a Mac and suggests renting a Mac in the cloud for Windows.
Does Bookfairy need a subscription?
No. Bookfairy has no subscription; you pay per book. Vellum is a one-time purchase: $249.99 for Press and $199.99 for Ebooks, excluding tax (US prices, 8 November 2026).
Which print PDFs does Bookfairy deliver?
A print PDF in PDF/X-1a:2001 for KDP and IngramSpark, with bleed, embedded fonts and a colour profile, included in $18.
Can I see the Bookfairy result before I pay?
Yes. The first 10 pages appear free in your chosen layout, with a watermark.
Sources (8)
- Vellum, product and pricing page, US prices in USD, excluding tax (checked 8 Nov 2026). vellum.pub/
- Vellum Help, Purchasing FAQ (accessed 7 Nov 2026). help.vellum.pub/purchasing/
- Vellum Help, Print Overview: Uploading Your Cover (accessed 7 Nov 2026). help.vellum.pub/print/
- 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
- calibre, About (accessed 7 Nov 2026). calibre-ebook.com/about
- calibre, Download (accessed 7 Nov 2026). calibre-ebook.com/download