You've poured your heart and soul into writing your book, and now you're facing the pivotal question: where can I sell ebooks to reach the widest audience and earn the most from my work? The digital marketplace offers a vast array of options, from retail giants to direct-to-reader storefronts, each with its own unique ecosystem, fee structure, and audience.
Choosing the right platform, or combination of platforms, is a strategic decision that can define your book's success. This guide demystifies the process by breaking down the 12 best places to sell your ebook. We'll go beyond surface-level features to provide a practical analysis of each option, covering royalty rates, distribution reach, unique author tools, and the real-world pros and cons you need to consider. Every entry includes direct links to help you get started immediately.
Whether you're aiming for a wide release through multiple retailers, seeking to build a direct relationship with your readers, or considering a full-service publishing partnership, this comprehensive list will provide the clarity you need. Our goal is to help you make an informed decision and turn your manuscript into a successful, globally available ebook.
1. BarkerBooks
For authors seeking a comprehensive, full-service partner to not just sell ebooks but to professionally publish them, BarkerBooks stands out as a premier choice. Instead of simply providing a platform, it functions as a publishing house, handling every critical step from manuscript to global marketplace. This makes it an ideal solution for authors who want to ensure their work is polished, protected, and positioned for maximum impact without navigating the complexities of the publishing world alone.
Amazon KDP is often the first and most dominant platform authors consider when looking for where to sell ebooks. As the largest single ebook marketplace in the United States, it provides unparalleled access to a massive audience of avid readers already primed to purchase. Publishing directly through KDP gives authors complete control over their book's pricing, cover, and metadata, allowing for agile adjustments based on performance.
The platform offers a tiered royalty structure, with authors earning either 70% or 35% depending on the ebook's price and sales territory. While its reach is a major advantage, success on the crowded platform isn't guaranteed. Authors must also focus on optimizing your Amazon listing to ensure their ebook pages are discoverable and convert readers. Enrolling in KDP Select provides access to promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals and entry into the Kindle Unlimited subscription program, but requires a 90-day exclusivity commitment to Amazon. For a detailed guide on the publishing process, you can learn more about the steps to publish an ebook with KDP.
- Best For: Authors prioritizing maximum reach in the US market.
- Royalties: 70% on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 (minus delivery fees); 35% otherwise.
- Key Feature: Access to Kindle Unlimited and robust promotional tools via KDP Select.
- Website: kdp.amazon.com
3. Apple Books for Authors
For authors seeking to diversify their sales channels beyond Amazon, Apple Books for Authors is a compelling option. It provides direct access to the significant and loyal audience of readers using iPhones, iPads, and Mac computers. Unlike some competitors, Apple does not require exclusivity, allowing you to list your work on multiple platforms simultaneously. This makes it an ideal supplementary storefront for authors looking for where to sell ebooks without being tied to a single ecosystem.
The platform’s standout feature is its straightforward and author-friendly royalty structure. Apple offers a flat 70% royalty on all sales, regardless of the ebook's price, and does not charge delivery fees that can often eat into profits on other platforms. Authors gain access to valuable promotional tools, including up to 250 free promo codes per title and affiliate marketing resources to help drive sales. However, the setup process through iTunes Connect can be more complex than other portals, and authors must supply their own professionally formatted EPUB files. While its market share is smaller than Amazon's, its dedicated user base makes it a crucial sales channel.
- Best For: Authors who want to reach a premium, engaged audience on iOS and macOS devices.
- Royalties: A flat 70% on all ebooks, at any price, with no delivery fees.
- Key Feature: Transparent and consistent royalty structure plus free promotional codes for marketing.
- Website: authors.apple.com
4. Google Play Books Partner Center
For authors looking for where to sell ebooks beyond the Amazon ecosystem, the Google Play Books Partner Center is a compelling choice. It offers direct access to the massive global audience of Android users, integrating ebooks seamlessly into the Google Play Store. Publishing is non-exclusive, allowing authors to sell on other platforms simultaneously while tapping into Google's extensive international reach without upfront costs.
The platform’s key advantage is its generous royalty structure in many regions. Authors can earn a 70% revenue split regardless of the ebook’s price, offering more flexibility than KDP’s tiered system. Google also provides robust tools for managing territory-specific pricing and running promotions or coupon codes, making it easier to execute targeted marketing campaigns. While this is an excellent platform for reaching Android users, it’s important to note that royalty rates can vary, with some countries still on a lower default split, so authors should verify the terms for their target sales regions.
- Best For: Authors seeking non-exclusive distribution and access to the global Android user base.
- Royalties: 70% in most supported countries (over 60), with a lower percentage in others.
- Key Feature: A flat 70% royalty rate that isn't tied to a specific price range in eligible territories.
- Website: play.google.com/books/publish
5. Kobo Writing Life (Rakuten Kobo)
For authors seeking significant global reach beyond the US, Kobo Writing Life presents a compelling option for where to sell ebooks. As a major player in markets like Canada and with a growing international footprint, it provides a crucial alternative to an Amazon-only strategy. The platform is known for its author-friendly interface, straightforward upload process, and transparent, real-time sales analytics that help creators track performance across different countries.
Kobo offers a competitive 70% royalty for ebooks priced at $2.99 or higher in most major currencies. A standout feature is its non-exclusive access to both the Kobo Plus subscription service and OverDrive, the world's largest digital content distributor to libraries. This allows authors to tap into institutional and subscription-based revenue streams without the exclusivity commitments required by platforms like KDP Select. While its US market share is smaller than Amazon's, its strong international presence and library distribution make it an essential part of a "go-wide" publishing strategy.
- Best For: Authors targeting a global audience, especially in Canada, and those wanting library distribution.
- Royalties: 70% for ebooks priced at or above a specific threshold (e.g., $2.99 USD); 45% for books priced below that.
- Key Feature: Non-exclusive access to the Kobo Plus subscription program and OverDrive for libraries.
- Website: kobo.com/writinglife
6. Barnes & Noble Press (NOOK)
For authors seeking to diversify their distribution beyond Amazon, Barnes & Noble Press offers direct access to the dedicated NOOK reader base in the United States. This platform is a great option for those who want to reach customers loyal to the major brick-and-mortar bookstore brand. It provides a straightforward publishing process with a full suite of tools for authors to manage their ebook projects from manuscript upload to sales tracking.
The platform distinguishes itself by offering a non-exclusive agreement, allowing authors to sell on other platforms simultaneously. Barnes & Noble Press offers competitive royalty rates, typically 65% for ebooks priced from $2.99 to $199.99 and 40% for those under $2.99. While its market share is smaller than Amazon's, its connection to a major US retailer provides unique marketing opportunities. Authors can also utilize helpful features like an ad-banner marketing tool and up to 12-month preorders to build buzz before launch.
- Best For: Authors wanting to diversify and reach the loyal Barnes & Noble US customer base.
- Royalties: 65% on ebooks priced between $2.99 and $199.99; 40% otherwise.
- Key Feature: Direct access to the NOOK ecosystem with a non-exclusive publishing agreement.
- Website: press.barnesandnoble.com
7. Draft2Digital (Aggregator + Smashwords Store access)
Draft2Digital simplifies the process of going "wide," making it a premier choice for authors who want to sell ebooks beyond a single platform. Instead of creating and managing individual accounts on numerous stores, you can upload your manuscript once and let D2D handle the conversion and distribution to major retailers like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and their own Smashwords Store. This aggregator model saves immense time and streamlines royalty payments into one monthly deposit.
The platform stands out for its author-friendly policies, including free professional formatting, no upfront fees, and excellent customer support. Authors retain all rights and can easily opt in or out of specific sales channels at any time. While its own Amazon distribution is invite-only and limited, D2D provides one of the easiest paths to reaching a global audience across retailers, subscription services, and library systems. This makes it an ideal hub for managing a wide-distribution strategy.
- Best For: Authors wanting to manage wide distribution through a single, user-friendly dashboard.
- Royalties: Approximately 60% of the list price (D2D takes about 10% of the retail price, after the retailer's cut).
- Key Feature: Free automated formatting and conversion, plus broad access to retailers and libraries.
- Website: https://draft2digital.com
8. PublishDrive (Aggregator, subscription-based)
PublishDrive offers a unique subscription-based model for authors looking for where to sell ebooks across a wide array of platforms. Instead of taking a commission, this aggregator provides access to over 35 channels, including major retailers like Amazon, Apple, and Google, as well as libraries and niche stores. This approach allows authors to keep 100% of the net royalties paid by the stores, making costs predictable and potentially more profitable for those with multiple books or high sales volumes.
The platform is particularly well-suited for author collaborations or small publishing teams due to its built-in royalty splitting tools. PublishDrive also provides helpful features like Amazon advertising assistance and guidance for setting up free pricing campaigns. While the subscription fee may not be cost-effective for authors with very low sales, the comprehensive distribution network and full royalty retention present a compelling alternative to commission-based aggregators. A free plan is available for publishing a single title, allowing authors to test the service.
- Best For: Authors with multiple books or collaborators seeking predictable costs and wide distribution.
- Royalties: 100% of net royalties from stores; authors pay a monthly subscription fee.
- Key Feature: Subscription-based model with built-in team royalty splitting.
- Website: publishdrive.com
9. Gumroad (Direct-to-reader storefront)
Gumroad is a streamlined e-commerce platform designed for creators who want to sell digital products directly to their audience. Instead of being a traditional ebook marketplace, it provides a simple yet powerful storefront where authors can sell ebooks, bundles, and even memberships with minimal technical setup. Its main advantage lies in its role as the Merchant of Record, meaning Gumroad automatically handles complex global sales tax and VAT compliance on your behalf, a significant relief for independent authors selling internationally.
This direct-to-consumer model means you retain full control over customer relationships and pricing. While Gumroad does have a "Discover" feature to help new customers find your work, the platform is most effective for authors who already have an existing audience through a blog, social media, or email list. The fee structure is a straightforward 10% cut on each sale, which is competitive for direct sales platforms. For a deeper analysis of how it fits into a broader sales strategy, you can explore more about selling your ebook on platforms like Gumroad. This makes it an ideal choice for authors looking for a simple, all-in-one solution to manage direct sales and payments.
- Best For: Authors with an established audience who want a simple, direct-to-consumer sales solution.
- Royalties: 90% of the list price (minus credit card processing fees), after Gumroad's 10% fee.
- Key Feature: Acts as Merchant of Record, automatically handling global sales tax/VAT compliance.
- Website: gumroad.com
10. Payhip (Direct-to-reader storefront)
For authors seeking full control over their sales process and customer relationships, Payhip provides a powerful and user-friendly platform. It allows you to build a custom storefront or embed a checkout directly onto your existing website, making it an excellent choice if you're looking for where to sell ebooks without relying on a third-party marketplace. This direct-to-consumer model means you own the customer list, enabling direct marketing, upselling, and building a loyal reader base.
Payhip stands out with its robust features, even on its free plan. It automatically handles the complex task of collecting and remitting EU and UK VAT, a significant headache for independent authors selling internationally. The platform also includes built-in affiliate tools, coupons, and email marketing integrations, giving you a comprehensive toolkit to drive your own traffic and sales. While you must generate your own audience, Payhip gives you the freedom and tools to maximize profitability from that audience.
- Best For: Authors with an established audience who want complete control over branding and customer data.
- Royalties: Varies by plan. Free plan has a 5% transaction fee; paid plans reduce this to 2% or 0%, plus standard payment processor fees.
- Key Feature: Automated EU/UK VAT handling and a full suite of marketing tools included on all plans.
- Website: payhip.com
11. Leanpub
Leanpub is a unique and author-centric platform especially popular with technical writers, developers, and nonfiction authors. Its core philosophy is "publish early, publish often," allowing writers to release in-progress ebooks and provide updates to readers as the manuscript evolves. This iterative approach makes it an excellent choice for creating and selling programming guides, startup manuals, and other time-sensitive technical content where reader feedback is valuable during the writing process.
The platform stands out as a place where you can sell ebooks with some of the most generous royalties in the industry. It also offers a variable pricing model, letting readers choose what they pay above a minimum price set by the author. While it lacks the massive, broad audience of a retail giant like Amazon, it has a dedicated, built-in community of tech-savvy readers actively looking for specialized content. Authors should be aware of the 60-day refund policy, which can be a double-edged sword, providing reader confidence but potentially delaying final payouts.
- Best For: Technical authors and those writing "in-progress" books for a niche audience.
- Royalties: 80% of the purchase price, less a $0.50 transaction fee on sales under $7.99.
- Key Feature: Variable pricing ("pay what you want") and the ability to publish and update books iteratively.
- Website: leanpub.com
12. Lulu (Direct store + distribution)
Lulu is a well-established name in the self-publishing space, offering a unique hybrid model where you can sell ebooks. It functions both as a direct-to-consumer storefront and a gateway for global distribution. Authors can sell EPUB and PDF files directly through the Lulu Bookstore, which is especially useful for those who also leverage Lulu's popular print-on-demand services, creating a unified sales hub for all book formats.
Beyond its own store, Lulu offers distribution services to major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books. A key distinction is its manual review process for distribution, which can lead to delays of 6-8 weeks but aims to ensure quality. While listing on the Lulu Bookstore is free (even for free ebooks), global distribution requires a one-time fee of $4.99 per ebook. This makes Lulu a comprehensive platform for authors who want to manage both print and digital sales from a single dashboard. For those evaluating different distributors, you can find more information about the role of book distribution services and how they compare.
- Best For: Authors already using Lulu for print-on-demand who want a single workflow for ebook sales and distribution.
- Royalties: 90% on ebooks sold via the Lulu Bookstore; varies by retailer for global distribution.
- Key Feature: Integrated platform for print and ebook creation, direct sales, and global distribution.
- Website: https://www.lulu.com
Top 12 Ebook Selling Platforms Comparison
| Publisher/Platform | Core Features/Services | User Experience & Ratings | Value & Pricing | Target Audience | Unique Selling Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 BarkerBooks | End-to-end publishing (editing, design, distribution, marketing) ✨ | ★4.9 Google, proven with 7,500+ authors | Flexible packages Essential to Elite 💰 | 👥 New & experienced authors worldwide | Live editorial sessions, 3D promo videos, multilingual publishing ✨ |
| Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) | Direct US ebook publishing, promos, series mgmt | ★ High US reach, strong review system | 70%/35% royalties, excludes delivery fees 💰 | 👥 Authors targeting US market | Vast discovery, Kindle Unlimited access |
| Apple Books for Authors | 70% royalties, promo codes, next-day sales | ★ Transparent royalties, easy marketing | Flat 70% royalties, no delivery fees 💰 | 👥 iOS/macOS users | Built-in affiliate marketing tools ✨ |
| Google Play Books Partner Center | Non-exclusive global publishing, territory pricing | ★ Large Android base, promo coupons | 70% revenue split in US, variable by country 💰 | 👥 Android readers worldwide | Detailed earnings dashboard |
| Kobo Writing Life (Rakuten Kobo) | Library access (OverDrive), subscriptions | ★ Author-friendly, good intl reach | Up to 70% royalties, pricing thresholds 💰 | 👥 Canada & US niche, intl authors | Kobo Plus subscription option |
| Barnes & Noble Press (NOOK) | US market with preorders, ad-banner tools | ★ Direct US retailer relationship | 65% royalties standard, 40% low price 💰 | 👥 US-focused authors | Free marketing tool for promotions |
| Draft2Digital (Aggregator) | Multistore distribution, no formatting fees | ★ Easy wide distribution, Smashwords access | ~10% commission on sales 💰 | 👥 Authors seeking broad reach | Robust tools, monthly payments |
| PublishDrive (Aggregator) | 35+ stores, subscription model | ★ Predictable costs, team royalties | Subscription plans, keep 100% royalties 💰 | 👥 Large catalogs, predictable budgets | Royalty splitting & free pricing tools |
| Gumroad (Direct-to-reader) | Hosted storefront, tax compliance | ★ Fast setup, global tax handled | 10% + $0.50 per sale or 30% marketplace fee 💰 | 👥 Creators with established audience | Merchant of Record for taxes ✨ |
| Payhip (Direct-to-reader) | Store builder, VAT handling, marketing tools | ★ Full features even free plan | Free plan (5% fee) + paid tiers 💰 | 👥 Authors wanting customer data control | Built-in EU/UK VAT remittance |
| Leanpub | Iterative publishing, high royalties | ★ Author-centric, variable pricing | 80% royalties, 60-day refund window 💰 | 👥 Tech & nonfiction authors | DRM-free, free updates ✨ |
| Lulu (Direct store + distribution) | Print + ebook selling, global retail reach | ★ Single workflow for print & ebooks | $4.99 review fee, manual distribution 💰 | 👥 Authors needing POD + ebook | Lulu Bookstore free titles option |
Crafting Your Winning Ebook Sales Strategy
Navigating the landscape of digital publishing can feel overwhelming, but the journey to answering "where can I sell ebooks?" is really about defining your personal author goals. As we've explored, the "best" platform is not a one-size-fits-all solution; it's a strategic choice that aligns with your specific needs, genre, and long-term vision. The path you choose will fundamentally shape your book's reach, your potential earnings, and the level of direct control you maintain over your work.
Synthesizing Your Options: Key Takeaways
The platforms available today fall into three primary categories, each with distinct advantages.
- Major Retailers (The Giants): Platforms like Amazon KDP, Apple Books, and Kobo Writing Life offer unparalleled access to massive, built-in audiences of eager readers. Committing to a single platform, such as KDP Select, can unlock powerful promotional tools and algorithm boosts, but it means sacrificing presence on other stores.
- Aggregators (The Distributors): Services like Draft2Digital and PublishDrive are the ultimate efficiency tools. They simplify the process of going "wide," placing your ebook on numerous retailers and library systems from a single dashboard. This approach maximizes your global footprint but involves a small royalty share for the convenience.
- Direct Sales (The Independent Route): Using storefronts like Gumroad or Payhip puts you in the driver's seat. You gain the highest royalty rates (often over 95%), direct access to customer data, and complete control over pricing and promotions. This path offers the most freedom but requires you to build and attract your own audience.
Making the Strategic Choice for Your Book
So, where can you sell ebooks most effectively? Your decision should be guided by a clear-eyed assessment of your priorities.
If your primary goal is to tap into the world's largest ebook ecosystem and you're comfortable with exclusivity, a focused strategy on Amazon KDP is a powerful starting point. For authors who want to build a brand across multiple storefronts and reach a global readership without managing dozens of accounts, an aggregator like Draft2Digital is an invaluable partner.
For the entrepreneurial author with an established platform or a desire to build a direct relationship with readers, direct-sales tools are unmatched. This approach is especially potent when you focus on audience ownership. Building an engaged email list is one of the most powerful strategies for directly connecting with readers and driving ebook sales. If you're serious about this path, learning How to Build an Email List That Grows Fast & Effectively is a critical next step in creating a sustainable author career.
Ultimately, the most successful authors often employ a hybrid strategy over time. You might launch exclusively on Amazon to build initial momentum, then go wide to capture a broader audience, all while selling exclusive bonus content directly from your own website. The power is in knowing you have options. You now have the map; the next step is to choose your destination and begin your author journey.
Ready to move beyond just listing your ebook and build a professional author career? BarkerBooks offers comprehensive publishing services, from ghostwriting and editing to global distribution and marketing, handling the complexities so you can focus on writing. Explore how our expert team can elevate your book from a manuscript to a marketplace success.