Draft2Digital vs PublishDrive vs Amazon KDP vs IngramSpark
A fair look at four common paths for getting indie books in front of readers: Amazon via KDP, wide ebook aggregation via Draft2Digital or PublishDrive, and trade print-on-demand / bookstore–library distribution via IngramSpark. Channel lists, setup fees, and plan limits change — confirm on each official site before you commit.
| Amazon KDP | Draft2Digital | PublishDrive | IngramSpark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best fit | Authors focused on Amazon (and optional KDP Select / KU) | Authors who want free wide ebook distribution with a simple upload flow | Authors who prefer flat subscription fees and keeping 100% of net store royalties | Authors who want print-on-demand into bookshops and libraries via Ingram’s trade network |
| Model | Direct retailer account | Aggregator (typically takes a share of royalties on distributed sales) | Aggregator with subscription plans and 0% commission on store royalties | Print (and ebook) distributor / POD via Ingram’s wholesale channel — not a “set and forget” Amazon storefront |
| Pricing model | Free to publish; Amazon takes its retail cut | Free to use; D2D’s cut comes from distributed royalties (confirm current rates) | Free plan for a limited catalog; paid tiers by title count | Title setup / revision fees may apply; wholesale discounts and print costs affect your net (confirm current fees) |
| Reach | Amazon storefronts worldwide | Wide retailers and libraries via D2D’s partner network (plus optional Amazon in some setups) | Wide stores and library networks marketed on PublishDrive’s site (ebook, print, audio) | Bookshops and libraries that order through Ingram; global English trade print footprint — not Amazon exclusivity |
| Formats | Ebook + print (and ACX separately for audio) | Strong ebook focus; print options via D2D print partners where offered | Ebook, print-on-demand, and audiobook distribution on supported plans | Print-on-demand is the core strength; ebook distribution also offered — files and metadata standards are stricter than KDP |
| Reporting | KDP reports (pair with a tracker like Book Report if you want a cleaner dashboard) | D2D consolidated reporting for distributed channels | Single dashboard across distributed channels; royalty-split tools on higher needs | IngramSpark reporting for wholesale / print orders (pair with Book Report or retailer dashboards for a full picture) |
Who should choose what?
- Choose Amazon KDP if Amazon (and possibly Kindle Unlimited) is your primary income plan and you are happy managing that account directly — including KDP Print for Amazon-first paperbacks.
- Choose Draft2Digital if you want a familiar free aggregator path to go wide without paying a monthly platform fee — accepting that the aggregator’s royalty share is the cost of convenience.
- Choose PublishDrive if your catalog and sales volume make a flat subscription cheaper than a commission cut, or you want multi-format distribution under one paid plan. Run the maths on your titles before switching.
- Choose IngramSpark (often alongside KDP, not instead of it) if bookstore returns, library orders, or wholesale print distribution matter to your plan. Expect a higher bar for print files and metadata than KDP Print, and budget for setup fees where they still apply.
KDP Print and IngramSpark together
Many UK and global English indies keep Amazon print on KDP and use IngramSpark for wide bookstore/library availability. That avoids fighting Amazon’s own retail channel while still reaching trade accounts. Using both means two print setups, two ISBNs or imprint decisions in some cases, and careful pricing so wholesale discounts still leave you a sensible margin — check current IngramSpark and KDP guidance rather than copying someone else’s spreadsheet blindly.
Going wide without an aggregator
Some authors upload ebooks directly to Kobo Writing Life, Apple Books, Google Play, and others, then use KDP only for Amazon. That maximises control and avoids aggregator fees, but means more accounts, more metadata updates, and more reporting tabs. Tools like Book Report help stitch sales views together either way.
Related compares: Atticus vs Vellum vs Reedsy vs FormatReady
Tool pages: Amazon KDP · Draft2Digital · PublishDrive · IngramSpark · Kobo Writing Life · Book Report