Pandoc
Formatting & publishingUniversal document converter for manuscripts and ebooks
- Stars
- ★ 46.6k
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Free alternatives to Vellum
Last updated · 6 options
Quick answer: Pandoc has the most stars on its repository of the 6 options here (★ 46.6k), followed by Calibre (★ 26.2k). Stars show popularity, not fit, so check formats, platforms and licence for your own work.
Mac-only ebook and print book formatter popular with indie authors. Here are 6 free options, most-starred first.
Calibre
Formatting & publishingOpen-source ebook library manager and converter
- Stars
- ★ 26.2k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Sigil
Formatting & publishingWYSIWYG and code-view EPUB ebook editor
- Stars
- ★ 7k
- Licence
- GPL-3.0
- Updated
Scribus
Formatting & publishingOpen-source desktop publishing for print layouts
- Stars
- ★ 640
- Licence
- GPL-2.0
- Updated
Alternative to Adobe InDesign, Vellum
Atticus
Formatting & publishingWriting plus ebook and print formatting in one paid app
- Licence
- Proprietary
- Status
- Proprietary
K
Kindle Create
Formatting & publishingAmazon's free formatter for Kindle and paperback interiors
- Licence
- Freeware
- Status
- Free (proprietary)
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FAQ
Is there a free alternative to Vellum?
Yes. WriterAlts lists 6 options: Pandoc, Calibre, Sigil, Scribus, Atticus and Kindle Create.
Which Vellum alternatives are open source?
Pandoc (GPL-2.0), Calibre (GPL-3.0), Sigil (GPL-3.0) and Scribus (GPL-2.0). The others are free or freemium but not open source.
Which Vellum alternatives run on a Mac?
Pandoc, Calibre, Sigil, Scribus, Atticus and Kindle Create (all of them).
Related categories: Formatting & publishing
Free tools are not always drop-in replacements. Check that a tool exports a format your editor, agent or printer accepts, and back up your manuscript before you switch mid-draft.