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If you're trying to choose between Draft2Digital and KDP, you might feel overwhelmed by all the options. Both platforms promise to help you sell your book, but which one really earns you more and gets your story to more readers? Keep reading, and I’ll show you the key differences so you can make the best choice for your writing goals.
By the end of this, you'll see exactly where each platform shines — whether it’s royalties, reach, or ease of publishing — and how using both might even be the smartest move. Ready to find out which one helps you earn more and grow your audience? Let’s go!
Key Takeaways
- Draft2Digital offers wider distribution, getting your book onto many stores and library apps without exclusivity, which helps your work reach more readers globally.
- Amazon KDP is best if you want to focus on Amazon’s large audience and enjoy higher royalties—70% for books priced within specific ranges—but your earnings per sale are lower outside Amazon’s store.
- Using both platforms can maximize your sales: KDP for Amazon exposure and Kindle Unlimited, and Draft2Digital for broader global reach, including libraries and international markets.
- Royalties differ: KDP’s 70% rate applies only to certain prices, with lower earnings outside that range, while Draft2Digital pays around $2.90 per sale regardless of the retailer.
- For print books, KDP offers straightforward options, though print quality varies; IngramSpark via Draft2Digital’s recommendation provides more choices and better distribution for physical copies.
- KDP is quick and simple to use, often publishing within a day, while Draft2Digital handles formatting and conversions for multiple stores, saving you time and effort.
- Costs are mainly printing and editing expenses; KDP has no upfront fees, but royalties are split after printing costs, whereas Draft2Digital charges a small percentage of your sales.
- Choose your platform based on your goals: sell mainly on Amazon? Use KDP. Want to reach libraries and international readers? Draft2Digital is ideal. Using both covers all bases and boosts your chances of earning more.
When it comes to self-publishing your book, choosing the right platform can make a big difference in how much you earn and how many readers can find your work. Draft2Digital and Amazon KDP are the two big players, each with their own strengths and quirks.
Draft2Digital is known for its wide distribution reach. It automatically gets your ebook onto numerous online stores like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Libby, the app used for library lending. If you want your book to be available across multiple platforms without much fuss, Draft2Digital is a great choice. Plus, they don’t require exclusivity—you can publish elsewhere at the same time, which means your work gets more exposure.
On the other hand, Amazon KDP is the king of Amazon’s marketplace. It’s perfect if your goal is to focus on Amazon sales, which still makes up a large chunk of ebook buying. KDP offers a generous 70% royalty rate for books priced between $2.99 and $9.99, making it highly attractive. However, if you want to distribute to expanded stores, the royalty drops to about $0.27 per book, which is significantly lower than Draft2Digital’s average of around $2.90 per salemore about KDP royalties.
Both platforms have their sweet spots. If you’re aiming for the broadest reach—say, aiming for international markets, libraries, and niche stores—Draft2Digital is often the top pick. But if your focus is on Amazon’s vast customer base and you’re interested in promotional options like Kindle Unlimited, KDP can help you grow your audience more directly.Explore the pros and cons of each platform.
Another point to consider? Royalties. While KDP’s 70% royalty can seem appealing, it only applies to Kindle sales priced within a certain range. Outside that, your earnings are halved. Draft2Digital pays around $2.90 per book on average, making it more lucrative for sales outside of Amazon, especially when you factor in their commissionsLearn about average ebook prices and earnings.
Many authors find success by using both. For example, you might publish on KDP to take advantage of Amazon’s marketing tools and Kindle Unlimited, while also using Draft2Digital to widen your reach and boost overall sales. This way, you can maximize earnings and get your book into as many hands as possible.
In sum, think about where your readers are and what your goals are. Want your book everywhere? Draft2Digital is your buddy. Want to dominate Amazon? KDP is the way to go. Or, better yet, use both to cover all your bases.
Deciding which platform helps you earn more and reach more readers is about balancing your goals with the reach and royalties each offers. For a detailed comparison, check out our guide on self-publishing options for a deeper dive into what each platform brings to the table.
8. How Do Royalties Work? A Clear Breakdown of Earnings
Understanding how royalties are calculated can really help you plan your publishing strategy.
KDP offers a 70% royalty rate for ebooks priced between $2.99 and $9.99 in major markets, which is often the sweet spot for pricing.
Outside this range, the royalty drops to 35%, so pricing your book is crucial if you want to maximize earnings.
With **expanded distribution**, the royalty drops to about $0.27 per sale, giving you a lower but broader reach.
Draft2Digital pays around $2.90 per ebook sale on average, regardless of the retailer, so you get a more predictable earning per sale outside Amazon.
Keep in mind, royalties for paperbacks and hardcovers work differently, usually based on printing costs and retailer discounts.
Pro tip: Always set your ebook price within the sweet spot for Amazon’s 70% royalty to boost your income.
Using tools like (https://automateed.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-write-a-book/) can help you estimate your earnings before hitting publish.
9. How to Maximize Your Reach by Using Both Platforms
Many authors find that a combo approach works best.
Publish on **KDP** to tap into Amazon’s massive marketplace and access promotional tools like Kindle Unlimited.
Use **Draft2Digital** to get your book into libraries, Apple Books, Kobo, and international stores.
Here’s a tip: Keep your pricing consistent so readers don’t get confused or feel like they’re being upsold.
Use KDP’s promotional tools for time-sensitive sales while relying on Draft2Digital’s wide reach for steady, ongoing sales.
Make sure your metadata (like title, description, keywords) is optimized for both platforms so your book surfaces in search results.
Regularly monitor your sales data to see which platform is performing better and adjust your strategy accordingly.
If you want more tips for boosting sales, check out our article on (https://automateed.com/how-to-increase-book-sales-on-amazon/).
10. What About Print Books? Options and Quality
When it comes to print books, KDP has you covered with both paperbacks and some hardcover options.
They handle printing, distribution, and even returns, making it straightforward for new authors.
But the print quality can vary depending on the paper type and binding—you get what you pay for.
Draft2Digital doesn’t offer print services directly, but they recommend (https://automateed.com/how-to-publish-a-graphic-novel/) for high-quality print books.
IngramSpark has a larger selection of print options and better distribution to brick-and-mortar stores.
Pro tip: Order print proofs before you launch to check quality, especially if you’re selling physical copies through your website or local stores.
Consider your target audience and the look you want—sometimes a hardcover makes a big difference, especially for gift or collectors’ editions.
11. Which Platform Is Easier and Faster to Use?
If speed and simplicity are your priorities, KDP is hard to beat.
It usually takes just a day or two to go from upload to live on Amazon.
The interface is straightforward, with step-by-step instructions for formatting and uploading your files.
Plus, KDP provides real-time royalty and sales data, so you know exactly how your book is doing.
Draft2Digital shines with its super-simple process—upload your manuscript once, and they handle the rest.
No need to format specifically for each retailer—Draft2Digital converts your files for you.
They also don’t require exclusivity, so you can publish elsewhere without getting locked out of other platforms.
This makes Draft2Digital ideal if you’re testing different markets or don’t want to spend hours on formatting.
12. Understanding Publishing Costs and Fees
When comparing what you might pay or earn, it’s important to know the costs involved.
KDP charges no upfront fee—you just pay printing costs for paperbacks or bookstores take their cut from ebook royalties.
Draft2Digital charges a 10% fee on net sales, meaning they take a small cut but most of your earnings go directly to you.
Besides fees, consider costs for professional editing, cover design, and formatting, which are often the biggest investments upfront.
For print books, printing costs depend on the page count, paper type, and binding—these are deducted from your royalties.
Tools like (https://automateed.com/how-much-does-it-cost-to-start-a-publishing-company/) can help you plan your budget smarter.
Generally, keeping your production costs low early on allows more flexible pricing and potentially higher profit margins.
13. How Do You Pick the Best Platform for Your Goals?
Think about what matters most: reach, royalties, or ease of use.
If your main goal is to sell primarily on Amazon, then KDP is the natural choice.
Want to reach readers in libraries, international markets, and independent stores? Draft2Digital is your best bet.
If you’re unsure, using both platforms can really open up options.
Stop guessing—use their free (https://automateed.com/amazon-kdp-niche-research-tool/) to see where your target audience shops.
Also, consider the exclusivity requirement for Kindle Unlimited if you're going the KDP route—it's a good opportunity or a restriction, depending on your goals.
Whichever you choose, keep your overall marketing plan consistent so your readers know where to find you.
FAQs
Draft2Digital usually pays higher royalties outside Amazon, while KDP offers up to 70% on Kindle sales. Earnings vary based on sales channels and pricing, making each platform suited to different types of authors and markets.
KDP primarily distributes on Amazon, with limited expanded options, while Draft2Digital connects your book to many stores like Apple Books, B&N, Kobo, and more, expanding your reach significantly.
KDP offers print options like paperbacks and some hardcovers on Amazon. Draft2Digital focuses on ebooks only; print books can be handled through other services like IngramSpark for wider distribution.
KDP provides a quick, straightforward process with built-in marketing tools, often publishing within 1-3 days. Draft2Digital offers a simple interface to publish across multiple stores without exclusivity requirements.
