Best Platforms to Publish Your EBook (Amazon KDP, Apple Books & More)

Everything UK authors need to publish your eBook the right way, a breakdown of every major platform (Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Barnes & Noble Press), side-by-side comparison tables covering royalties and reach, the wide-distribution versus Amazon-exclusive debate, and a straightforward decision checklist for choosing where to publish first. 

We’ve also answered the exact questions authors search before hitting “publish,” and pointed to where extra support helps if formatting, editing, or marketing feels like the sticking point.

Publish Your eBook: How to Choose the Right Platform

Deciding to publish your eBook is the easy part, deciding where most first-time authors get stuck. There isn’t a single “best” platform; there’s a best platform for your specific book, genre, and goals. 

Some platforms offer the biggest reach (Amazon), some offer better royalty terms in specific scenarios (Apple Books), and some offer easier access to reader bases Amazon doesn’t reach as well (Kobo, Barnes & Noble).

This guide breaks each option down clearly, so instead of guessing, you can match your book to the platform (or combination of platforms) that actually gives it the best chance with UK readers.

How to Publish an eBook: The Basics Before You Choose a Platform

Before comparing platforms, a few fundamentals apply no matter where you publish:

• Finished, edited manuscript — every platform expects a complete file, not a rough draft
• Formatted file — most platforms accept EPUB or convert from Word/PDF, but formatting quality affects how your book displays on different devices
• Cover design meeting each platform’s size and resolution requirements
• Metadata — title, description, categories, and keywords, which directly affect discoverability
• Pricing strategy — royalty structures vary significantly by platform and price point, covered in detail below

If your manuscript isn’t polished yet, that’s worth solving before platform selection — a great cover on an unedited book still reads as unedited. Book editing services and ebook publishing services exist specifically to get a manuscript from “finished draft” to genuinely publish-ready.

Amazon KDP: Publish an EBook on Amazon

Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) is the largest and most searched option for UK authors, and for good reason. Amazon dominates UK eBook sales more than any other retailer.

Strengths:

• Largest reader base in the UK and globally
• Kindle Unlimited access via KDP Select (page-read royalties)
• Free formatting tool (Kindle Create) and straightforward upload process
• 70% royalty option for eBooks priced £1.99–£9.99

Limitations:

• KDP Select requires 90-day exclusivity, blocking sales on other platforms
• Heavy competition means discoverability still depends on marketing, not just listing
• No editorial or design support included

Publishing an eBook on Amazon is often the first step for UK authors, but “publish an eBook on Amazon” and “stop there” aren’t the same decision, many authors later add wider distribution once they understand their reader base.

Apple Books Publishing: How It Compares

Apple Books (accessed via Apple Books for Authors) is less commonly the first stop for UK authors, but it shouldn’t be overlooked, particularly for genres like literary fiction, memoir, and non-fiction that perform well with Apple’s reader demographic.

Strengths:

• 70% royalty rate on all price points, not just a specific price band like Amazon
• Strong integration with iOS devices, appealing to a specific but loyal reader base
• No exclusivity requirement, can be published alongside Amazon KDP freely

Limitations:

• Significantly smaller UK reader base than Amazon
• Less built-in discoverability tooling compared to Amazon’s algorithm and review system
• Direct publishing requires a Mac or the Apple Books for Authors web app, which some Windows-based authors find an added step

Kobo Writing Life: An Overlooked Option for UK Authors

Kobo doesn’t have Amazon’s dominance in the UK, but it holds a genuinely loyal reader base, particularly for authors writing in romance, fantasy, and general fiction and it’s a favourite among indie authors pursuing wide distribution.

Strengths:

• No exclusivity requirements at all
• Strong promotional tools (Kobo Plus, price promotions) with a supportive indie author community
• Straightforward royalty structure, 70% on eBooks over a set minimum price threshold

Limitations:

• Much smaller UK market share than Amazon
• Less brand recognition among casual UK readers compared to Kindle

Barnes & Noble Press: Is It Worth It for UK Authors?

Barnes & Noble Press is primarily a US-focused platform, given Barnes & Noble’s retail presence is US-only. For UK authors, it’s less immediately useful than the other three platforms, but it can still be a worthwhile addition for reaching US-based readers as part of a wider distribution strategy, rather than a primary UK-focused choice.

Strengths:

• Free to publish, decent royalty rates (around 70% on eBooks)
• Access to a large US reader base if your book has cross-market appeal

Limitations:

• Minimal relevance for UK-only sales strategies
• Smaller platform overall compared to Amazon, Apple, and Kobo

eBook Publishing Platforms UK: Side-by-Side Comparison

Amazon KDP vs Apple Books: Which Should You Choose First?

This is one of the most commonly searched direct comparisons, and the honest answer depends on your book and goals:

• Choose Amazon KDP first if UK reach and volume matter most, especially for genre fiction or books likely to benefit from Kindle Unlimited readership
• Choose Apple Books first (or alongside) if your book suits a slightly more curated readership, or if you want a flat 70% royalty regardless of price point without exclusivity restrictions

Many authors ultimately use both, publishing wide on Apple Books and Kobo while testing whether Amazon exclusivity (via KDP Select) delivers enough additional benefit to be worth the trade-off.

Wide Distribution vs Amazon Exclusive: The KDP Select Trade-Off

This decision, often searched as “wide distribution vs Amazon exclusive”, sits at the centre of most platform strategy conversations:

Going exclusive (KDP Select) means:

• Access to Kindle Unlimited page-read royalties
• Eligibility for Amazon promotional tools (Countdown Deals, free promotions)
• Concentrated readership and reviews on one platform

Going wide (Amazon + Apple Books + Kobo + others) means:

• Diversified income, not dependent on a single platform’s algorithm changes
• Access to loyal reader bases Amazon doesn’t reach as strongly
• More manageable long-term risk if Amazon policies or visibility shift

Neither approach is objectively better, genre fiction with strong Kindle Unlimited readership often benefits from exclusivity, while non-fiction, literary fiction, and books with broader appeal frequently do better going wide from the start.

eBook Royalties Comparison Across Platforms

Best eBook Platform for New Authors

If you’re publishing your first eBook and want a single, clear starting point: Amazon KDP remains the most practical choice for most UK authors, purely because of reach and reader volume. It’s also the platform with the most tutorials, community support, and free tooling (like Kindle Create) for first-timers.

That said, “best for new authors” doesn’t mean “only option worth using”. Many authors expand to Apple Books and Kobo once their first title is live and they understand their reader base better, rather than starting wide from day one.

Free eBook Publishing Platforms UK

Every platform covered in this guide, Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Barnes & Noble Press is free to publish on. None charge listing or setup fees; they generate revenue through royalty splits on sales instead. The real cost for most authors isn’t platform fees, but editing, cover design, and formatting done properly beforehand, which is where budget is best spent rather than on the publishing platform itself.

How to Choose an eBook Platform: Quick Decision Checklist

• Want maximum UK reach fastest? Start with Amazon KDP
• Want flat royalties regardless of price? Consider Apple Books
• Want a loyal indie-fiction reader base without exclusivity? Try Kobo Writing Life
• Have cross-market appeal in the US? Add Barnes & Noble Press as a secondary platform
• Unsure which fits your genre? Research comparable titles in your category and see which platforms they’re strongest on

Where Book Publishers Online Fits In

Choosing a platform is only one part of actually publishing an eBook successfully. Many authors get the platform decision right but stumble on the steps around it, formatting that looks unprofessional across devices, editing gaps that show up in reviews, or a book that goes live with no plan to reach readers.

That’s where we help:

• Manuscript development to get your book properly structured before it’s ready to publish .
• Professional editing so your eBook reads cleanly across every platform you choose 
• eBook formatting and publishing support across Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and beyond. 
• Marketing strategy to make sure your eBook actually reaches readers once it’s live.

If you’re still deciding between self-publishing and traditional routes more broadly, check how publishing works in the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I publish an eBook? 

Finish and edit your manuscript, format it for eBook (EPUB or platform-specific tools), design a cover meeting platform requirements, then upload it to your chosen platform, such as Amazon KDP, Apple Books, or Kobo Writing Life, along with pricing and metadata.

What is the best platform to publish an eBook in the UK? 

Amazon KDP offers the widest UK reader reach and is generally the best starting point, though many authors expand to Apple Books and Kobo Writing Life for additional reach and royalty flexibility.

Should I publish my eBook on Amazon KDP or Apple Books first? 

Amazon KDP suits authors prioritising maximum UK reach and Kindle Unlimited eligibility, while Apple Books suits those wanting a flat 70% royalty at any price point without exclusivity restrictions. Many authors eventually use both.

What is the difference between wide distribution and Amazon exclusive? 

Amazon exclusive (via KDP Select) means your eBook is only sold on Amazon for 90 days, unlocking Kindle Unlimited royalties and promotional tools. Wide distribution means publishing across multiple platforms simultaneously, sacrificing exclusivity benefits for broader reach.

Is it free to publish an eBook? 

Yes. Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo Writing Life, and Barnes & Noble Press are all free to publish on. Platforms earn revenue through royalty splits rather than upfront fees.

How much do eBook royalties compare across platforms? 

Most major platforms offer around 70% royalties, though conditions vary. Amazon KDP restricts its 70% rate to a specific price band, while Apple Books and Kobo Writing Life offer more flexible pricing conditions for the same rate.

Can I publish my eBook on multiple platforms at once? 

Yes, as long as you haven’t enrolled in Amazon KDP Select, which requires 90-day exclusivity. Outside of that, publishing simultaneously on Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble Press is entirely possible.

What should I prepare before publishing my eBook? 

A finished, professionally edited manuscript, a properly formatted file, a genre-appropriate cover, and clear metadata (title, description, categories, keywords). The platform choice matters less than having these fundamentals right first.

Your eBook Deserves the Right Launchpad

Publishing your eBook has never required less technical know-how; every platform in this guide is free, accessible, and built for authors without a publishing background. But the platform you choose, and how well-prepared your manuscript is before it goes live, will shape your book’s chances far more than most authors expect going in.

Take the time to match your book to the right platform (or combination of platforms), get the manuscript itself properly edited and formatted first, and treat the launch as a strategy rather than a single upload moment. 

If you’d like support with any part of that process, from writing and editing through to publishing and marketing. You can explore how we help authors at every stage of book publishing.