I’ve reviewed a ton of book formatting software, and while I still do most of my writing in MS Word, formatting a word document can get tricky, even if you know what you’re doing. The best formatting software is Vellum, but it’s a Mac-only formatting software so I never really got into it.
Until, finally, I figured out how to use Vellum on a PC with Mac-in-Cloud.
It’s still kind of a pain, because I have to login to a special server that shows a Mac desktop, and to transfer files I have to upload them to Dropbox and download them again to my virtual Mac… but it’s *still* easier than using MS Word with better results. It’s not cheap, but it saves me a full day of mind-numbing work each time I need to format a book, which is almost every month…
So it’s worth it for me, as someone who publishes often, and it costs about what I paid someone else to format my first book before I learned how to do it myself. I believe you can use it for free and only pay to export your files, so you might as well try it out and see if it works for you.
How to format a book with Vellum (on a PC)
How to use MacInCloud to format your book in Vellum (even if you’re on a PC)
I’ve been using and teaching book formatting for years, but it’s always been a messy, complex, anxiety-inducing process… even when you know what you’re doing (and I remember spending days pulling out my hair trying to learn how to do book and ebook formatting from scratch.) So I’ve been Vellum-curious for years. I knew it produced great looking books; that everybody loved it; that it was easy to use. But I could never try it out, because I’m a PC user and it’s only for Mac. So today I finally went down the rabbit hole of “renting” space on a Mac device online, so I could run the software and format a book. Overall, I’m pretty excited about it. The first video (above) is just short and quick, showing you how to sign up and get started.
The second video (below) is a rough beginner’s guide to get started with Vellum (but not a professional tutorial on how to use it – there are better guides for that). My video is just a review of whether you should use it. And my answer is, probably, yeah.
Is Vellum Book formatting Software Worth It?
Probably, but if you prefer hard work and MS Word, grab my free formatting templates instead.
This is not a professional tutorial on how to get started using Vellum to format your book. This is just me (a PC user) stumbling around with MacInCloud so I can peak behind the curtain and see what the big deal is, without paying big money for it. Vellum is an expensive book formatting software that everybody loves. After spending an hour with it, I can see why – but there are also some limitations you need to know about.
How to Use Vellum to Format Your Books: A Detailed Guide
Vellum is a top-tier software for authors looking to format their eBooks and print books. Its user-friendly interface and advanced features make it a dream to work with, whether you’re a seasoned author or just starting out.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of using Vellum to format your book. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Download and Install Vellum
Visit the Vellum website to download the software. Currently, Vellum is only available for macOS, so make sure you’re using an Apple computer. Follow the prompts to install the software.
Step 2: Import Your Manuscript
Launch Vellum. You’ll be greeted with the option to create a new project. Select “Import Word File” and locate your manuscript file on your computer.
Step 3: Add Book Details
After importing, you can add or edit details like your book title, author name, and subtitle. You can also add your book cover by clicking on the cover slot and choosing your cover file.
Step 4: Organize Your Book’s Structure
Vellum automatically divides your book into chapters based on your Word document. Review these and make any necessary adjustments. You can add parts, chapters, or sections by clicking on the “+” button in the upper-left corner.
Step 5: Style Your Book
Now for the fun part – styling your book! Navigate to the ‘Styles’ tab in the top-right corner. You can preview different style options for your headings, first paragraphs, block quotations, and more. Clicking on an option will show you a live preview.
Step 6: Insert Special Elements
You can add elements like images, ornamental breaks, and notes. Just click where you want to insert the element and select the desired option from the “+” button at the top of the editor.
Step 7: Preview Your Book
One of Vellum’s greatest strengths is its live preview feature. At any time, you can click on ‘Preview’ to see how your book will look on various devices (Kindle, iPad, iPhone) or in print.
Step 8: Generate Your Files
Once you’re satisfied with your formatting, you can generate your files for publishing. Click on ‘Generate’ in the upper-right corner. You’ll have the option to generate eBook files (for Kindle, Apple Books, etc.) and print-ready PDF files.
Step 9: Purchase and Export
Vellum is free to download and use, but you’ll need to purchase a package to export your files. Choose the package that suits you best, make the purchase, and then you can export your files and upload them to your chosen publishing platforms.
And there you have it! A comprehensive guide to formatting your book with Vellum. Although it might seem daunting at first, once you get the hang of it, you’ll see how it can streamline the book formatting process, saving you time and energy. Plus, the final product will be a professional-grade manuscript that readers will love. Happy formatting!
Is Vellum worth $250 in 2026? The honest verdict.
Yes, if you’re on a Mac and you publish more than one book. Vellum is the fastest, cleanest book formatter on the planet. It pays for itself the first time you stop fighting Microsoft Word margins at 2am the night before launch. It’s a hard no if you’re on Windows — there’s no PC version, the cloud workarounds are clunky, and Atticus or diybooktemplates will get you 90% of the way there for less money.
What it nails
- Output looks like a Big Five publisher’s typesetting
- Drag-and-drop simple — no learning curve
- One-click ebook + print + multiple retailers
- Drop caps, scene breaks, ornaments — auto
- Free until export — try every feature first
What it doesn’t
- Mac-only (the entire reason “vellum for pc” gets 750 searches/mo)
- $249.99 ebook / $299.99 print — pricey one-time
- Limited typography control vs InDesign
- No collaboration (single-user app)
- Doesn’t help with the actual writing
Vellum vs Atticus vs the rest: comparison table
Five tools authors actually use to format books in 2026, side by side.
| Software | Platform | Price | Output Quality | Ease of Use | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VellumMac pick | Mac only | $250 ebook / $300 print | Excellent | Effortless | Mac authors who release more than 1 book |
| Atticus | Mac, Windows, Linux, Web | $147 one-time | Good | Easy | PC authors, anyone who wants Vellum-on-Windows |
| diybooktemplates.com | Mac, Windows (Word) | $27–$67 per template | Excellent | Moderate | Authors comfortable in Word who want pro-grade design |
| Reedsy Book Editor | Web (any OS) | Free | Decent | Easy | One-off authors, no design fussiness |
| Draft2Digital | Web (any OS) | Free (5–15% distribution cut) | Decent | Easy | Authors using D2D as their distributor anyway |
| Microsoft Word | Mac, Windows | $70/yr (M365) | Mediocre | Painful for books | Don’t. Use a template from diybooktemplates.com if you must. |
“Vellum for Windows” — there isn’t one, but here’s what to use instead
Vellum doesn’t make a PC version. Probably never will. Every couple of years a forum thread reignites the hope, dies, and another year passes. So if you’re on Windows and you want Vellum-quality output, here are your real options:
Best Windows alternative: Atticus
Atticus is the closest thing to “Vellum for PC.” Same drag-and-drop simplicity, same one-click ebook+print export, runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, and the web. $147 one-time (about $100 less than Vellum). Output isn’t quite as polished — Vellum’s typography is genuinely better — but for 90% of indie authors it’s indistinguishable. This is what I’d buy if I were on a PC tomorrow.
Cheapest pro-quality option: diybooktemplates.com
If you’re comfortable working in Microsoft Word, diybooktemplates.com sells professional book interior templates for $27–$67 per genre. You drop your manuscript in, the typography is already set, you export to PDF for print and convert to EPUB. It’s more manual than Vellum, but the output looks identical and you keep using a tool you already know.
Cloud workaround: MacInCloud + Vellum
You can rent a Mac in the cloud (MacInCloud, ~$20/mo) and run Vellum there. It works but it’s clunky — file transfer, latency, the cost adds up if you’re formatting more than one book. Most people who try this switch to Atticus within a year.
Free option (decent, not great): Reedsy or Draft2Digital
Reedsy’s free book editor produces clean output and runs in any browser. Draft2Digital’s formatting is similar. Both are good enough for a first book. Neither gives you Vellum-level control.
What it actually costs to use Vellum
Vellum’s pricing structure surprises people. It’s free to use — you can build your entire book, see every preview, mess with every setting — but you have to buy a license to export the final files.
- Vellum Ebooks: $249.99 one-time. Unlimited books, unlimited exports for ebook formats only.
- Vellum Press: $299.99 one-time. Adds print PDF export. Most authors should buy this; print-on-demand pays back the difference fast.
- No subscriptions. Pay once, use forever, free updates.
- What you don’t get: commercial use isn’t restricted; you can format clients’ books with one license. But there’s no team plan or volume discount.
If you charge a client $300 to format their book, Vellum pays for itself on the first job. If you publish your own work, the time you save formatting one novel pays for it. The pricing is annoying for first-time authors who’ll only ever publish one book — for everyone else it’s a steal.
Vellum FAQ
How much does Vellum cost in 2026?
$249.99 for ebook export only or $299.99 for ebook + print. One-time payment, no subscription, free updates. You can use the full software for free until you need to export.
Does Vellum work on Windows or PC?
No. Vellum is Mac-only and there’s no Windows version planned. PC users have three real options: Atticus ($147, the closest equivalent), diybooktemplates.com (Word-based pro templates, $27–$67), or rent a cloud Mac via MacInCloud and run Vellum on that.
What’s the best Vellum alternative?
For PC users: Atticus. For people on a budget: diybooktemplates.com. For free: Reedsy Book Editor. None match Vellum’s polish on Mac, but Atticus comes closest at less than half the price.
Is Vellum worth $250 if I’m only publishing one book?
Probably not. You’ll save 10-15 hours of formatting time, which is real, but $250 for a one-shot tool is steep. Use Reedsy’s free editor or buy a $30 template from diybooktemplates.com instead. If you’re publishing more than once, Vellum pays for itself by the second book.
Can I use Vellum to format clients’ books?
Yes. Vellum’s license doesn’t restrict commercial use. Many freelance book formatters charge $200–$400 per book using Vellum. The license pays for itself on your first paid job.
Does Vellum support audiobooks or paperbacks?
Print paperbacks: yes (with the Press license). Audiobooks: no — Vellum is text formatting only. For audiobook production look at GarageBand, Audacity, or hire a narrator on ACX.
How does Vellum compare to Scrivener?
Scrivener is for writing — outlining, drafting, organizing scenes. Vellum is for formatting — turning a finished manuscript into publishable files. They’re complementary, not competing. Most pros use Scrivener for the writing then Vellum for the export. Or Atticus, which tries to do both.
Will Vellum format my book for KDP, IngramSpark, and Apple Books?
Yes. With the Press license you get formatted files for Amazon KDP (both ebook and print PDF), IngramSpark, Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, Google Play, and generic EPUB. One click each.
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Derek Murphy has a PhD in Literature, is a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and has spent over a decade helping authors write, publish, and sell books through Creativindie. When he’s not critiquing manuscripts or building writing tools, he’s probably in a castle somewhere with cats.
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