There are different programs people use to format their manuscripts for print or e-book. Many authors still love Microsoft Word, but it can be a process to get an entire manuscript formatted in Word. Also, not everyone wants to use Microsoft software or pay for a word processor when there are so many free ones out there.
With so many professional formatting programs to choose from, it's no wonder that many authors turn to these to format their books to publishing industry standards.
Below you can find six formatting programs, what they offer in terms of formatting (print/ePub), how much they cost to download/use, their pros and cons, and a link to take you to their website.
Prices of software are correct at the time of writing (February 2025)
Have a look at this blog post in which I discuss formatting industry standards: How to format your book. Let's get it ready for publishing.
Go straight to:
Atticus
$147 (VAT not included)
Formatting options: Print & ePub
Pros
User-friendly. The program is simple to navigate and adjustments to your chosen formatting style can easily be made.
Instant "published page view" for print and ePub when you add your text/edit your formatting style.
Customisable formatting templates. You can even add full-page art on your chapter pages and choose your own scene break art.
Easily add bookish pages like a half title, foreword, and afterword. You can even add full-sized artwork to different parts of the book, for example, if you have a fantasy world map you'd like to add.
Downloadable software, so you can work offline.
Cons
Even though templates and page settings can be customised, there is limited choice. (For example, you cannot download your own fonts and use them in your template. Atticus does grant their users access to Google Fonts for chapter headings and subheadings - you cannot use these for the main text.)
Cannot download the program before purchasing. They do offer a "30-day money back guarantee".
Computer-only program: Not meant for those who prefer to work on the go.
Conclusion
If you feel you don't need to customise a lot of elements, there are more than enough formatting options in Atticus to create a fantastic-looking manuscript without too much hassle.
Vellum
£200 for print and e-book (VAT not included)
£160 for e-book formatting only (VAT not included)
Formatting options: Print & ePub
macOS only
Pros
User-friendly. The program is simple to navigate and adjustments to your chosen formatting style can easily be made.
Instant "published page view" for print and ePub when you add your text/edit your formatting style.
Customisable formatting templates. You can even add full-page art on your chapter pages and choose your own scene break art.
Easily add bookish pages like a half title, foreword, and afterword. You can even add full-sized artwork to different parts of the book, for example, if you have a fantasy world map you'd like to add.
Downloadable software, so you can work offline.
You can download and use the software before purchasing the program. This way you can see if the formatting styles work for your manuscript and if you get on with the program.
Cons
Windows users can not use Vellum.
Even though templates and page settings can be customised, there is limited choice.
Computer-only program: Not meant for those who prefer to work on the go.
Conclusion
If you own a MacBook, and you feel you don't need to customise a lot of elements, there are more than enough formatting options in Vellum to create a fantastic-looking manuscript without too much hassle.
Affinity Publisher
£67.99
Formatting options: Print https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/publisher/
Pros
Full formatting control: You can customise every inch of your manuscript.
Relatively cheap.
Professional design software.
You own the software and will receive free updates while that version of Affinity is being sold. When a new version of Affinity gets released, you can continue to use your "older" version.
Lots of FAQ videos and online support on their website and YouTube to get you started or for when you're stuck.
Easily format different size books. There is no need to adjust font sizes when you switch from your paperback formatting to your hardback formatting, the program does that for you.
Downloadable software, so you can work offline.
Cons
Learning curve: Some may find it difficult to get started with Affinity Publisher.
Can only format print, not ePub.
Cannot download the program before purchasing. They do offer a 14-day return period for a full refund when you're not 100% happy with the product.
Computer-only program: Not meant for those who prefer to work on the go.
Conclusion
If you prefer to be in full control of your manuscript and/or you have images you wish to include, you can easily do this with Affinity. It is a cheap but brilliant software that many professionals use.
Reedsy Editor
Free
Formatting options: Print & ePub
Pros
It's free!
User-friendly.
A good option for your basic text-heavy manuscripts. It adds drop caps beautifully, and when you add endnotes, etc., it formats those perfectly as well.
Online program, so you can edit your manuscript and export it for print or e-book on the go.
Cons
Very limited formatting options available. You cannot choose font type and sizing, and when you add images to your manuscript, you cannot change the dimensions.
Online program only: If you don't have access to the internet, you cannot edit or format your manuscript.
Conclusion
If you have a text-only manuscript, and you're happy with standard industry formatting (you don't need to add fancy fonts, etc.), then I would try the Reedsy Editor before purchasing formatting software. I mean, it's free, so there's no harm in trying.
Reedsy does add a line at the beginning of the manuscript saying "Formatted with Reedsy Editor" (or something like that). You can easily delete this by using a free PDF editor and Calibre (a free e-book editor).
Scrivener
£55
Formatting options: Print & ePub
Pros
Cheap!
You own the version you purchased so you can use it for many more projects if you wish to do so.
They offer a free 30-day trial period.
Lots of formatting options. For example, all the fonts you have on your computer are available to use to customise formatting styles. You can also add images, tables, etc. (Please note, I'm not sure how much control you have in formatting those elements.)
Downloadable program, so you can write/format offline.
Lots of FAQ videos and an online community are available so you don't get stuck.
You can download and use the software for 30 days before purchasing the program. This way you can see if the formatting styles work for your manuscript and if you get on with the program.
Cons
Learning curve*: There is quite a steep learning curve with Scrivener because it's unlike any other writing program out there, and it may not be for everyone. *They have a lot of FAQ videos on their website, so you can play with the settings and customise the format to your liking.
Computer-only program: Not meant for those who prefer to work on the go.
I couldn't find an option to add drop caps to start a chapter.
Conclusion
Scrivener is a much-loved writing program, and the people who have put some energy into understanding the program seem to stick with it for years. There are many formatting options, and if your manuscript isn't image-heavy*, it's a good program to use. Especially, considering it's probably the cheapest software out there that does formatting for both print and e-books. *There were some image formatting choices I could make when I was playing with the settings during my free trial, but I don't know how it would work with full-page images, etc. Though, you could always use the 30-day free trial period to see if it's for you.
InDesign
£262.51/year
£32.98/month
Formatting options: Print & ePub
Pros
Full formatting control: You can customise every inch of your manuscript.
Professional design software.
Downloadable software, so you can work offline. (The licence gets checked about once a month so you do need to be online from time to time.)
Cons
Learning curve: Some may find it difficult to get started with InDesign and/or to grasp all its design features.
You don't own the software.
Computer-only program: Not meant for those who prefer to work on the go.
You have to pay a fee every month or year if you decide to format another book or if you decide to make changes to your current book, so it can become very expensive.
Cannot download the program before purchasing. They do offer a 14-day cancellation period for a full refund when you're not 100% happy with the product.
Conclusion
If you prefer to be in full control of your manuscript and/or you have images you wish to include, you can do this with InDesign. It is a brilliant software that many professionals use.
Did I miss a formatting program you feel should be included? Let me know in the comments.
Which formatting program will you use?
0%Atticus
0%Vellum
0%Reedsy Editor
0%Scrivener
Ready2Publish offers beta reading, copyediting, proofreading, and formatting for non-fiction and fiction manuscripts. I also copyedit and proofread business documents. For more information, check out the rest of my website.
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