Amazon KDP
Kindle Direct Publishing — the dominant self-publishing storefront for ebooks and print-on-demand. Optional KDP Select exclusivity unlocks Kindle Unlimited. Essential for most indies; not the only store if you go wide.
Lulu
What it is
Long-running print-on-demand and ebook self-publishing platform known for format variety (paperback, hardcover, photo books, calendars) and direct-to-reader sales. Sell via the Lulu Bookstore, Lulu Direct (Shopify/Wix/WooCommerce/API fulfilment), or optional retail/global distribution. Strong when you want author copies, unusual trim sizes, or white-label shipping from your own site. Trade bookstore reach is generally weaker than going to IngramSpark directly — many authors use Lulu for direct sales alongside KDP or IngramSpark.
Pricing model
Freemium — Free to publish; pay print/shipping. Lulu Bookstore ~80% after print cost; Lulu Direct keeps your sale profit (you pay print). Global Distribution has a small one-time fee — confirm current figure. Always confirm on the vendor site before buying; plans change.
Regions
UK, Global
Affiliate
Affiliate status: affiliate pending — we only add tracked links after joining a free programme.
Honest note: IndieShelf blurbs are written from public positioning. We do not republish vendor marketing copy wholesale and we do not claim rankings we did not earn.
Related tools
Draft2Digital
Wide ebook (and print) aggregator that sends files to multiple retailers and libraries for a distribution commission. Includes automated formatting from Word. A common companion to KDP for authors who want Apple, Kobo, l…
IngramSpark
Print-on-demand and ebook distribution via Ingram’s trade network — the channel bookshops and libraries often use to order. Higher bar for files and metadata than KDP Print; valuable when you want bookstore- and library-…
Kobo Writing Life
Direct self-publishing to Kobo’s ebook and audiobook stores, with no exclusivity. Kobo’s help centre describes a 70% share of list price (excluding tax) when an original ebook meets published price thresholds — including…