Vellum
Mac app for formatting ebooks and print books
What is Vellum?
Vellum is a Mac app for formatting books for self-publishing. It imports a .docx manuscript, builds the title page and table of contents, applies a chosen Book Style to every chapter, and previews the result on a range of e-readers and in print. It then generates store-ready ebook files and, with Vellum Press, a print edition. The app is free to download and use up to that point; a one-time purchase is needed to generate files for publishing.
Vellum is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks). See every plan
Good for
- Self-publishing authors on a Mac who format their own books
- Authors with many titles, since one license covers unlimited books and pen names
- Producing ebook and print editions of a book from a single file
Worth knowing
- Mac only, on macOS 13 or newer. It does not run on iPad, and the vendor says it has no plans for a native Windows version.
- The free download cannot generate files for publishing; that step requires buying Vellum Ebooks or Vellum Press.
- Print editions need Vellum Press. Upgrading from Vellum Ebooks after 30 days costs $69.99, more than the $50 gap between the two prices.
- A license is tied to one individual and cannot be shared with a co-worker or assistant. Listed prices do not include tax.
Key features
- Manuscript import
- Imports any .docx file, including ones made in Word, Scrivener or Pages, and builds the book's structure with a title page and table of contents.
- Book Styles
- A chosen style, with drop caps, embedded fonts and flourishes, is applied to every chapter, including ones added later. Custom ornaments and backgrounds can be added.
- Live preview
- Shows how the ebook will appear on a range of devices and how the print edition will look, updating with every edit.
- Ebook generation
- Generates files for Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books and other stores in EPUB 3 or EPUB 2, with image optimization and output the vendor describes as ACE-approved for accessibility.
- Print editions
- With Vellum Press, sets margins, page numbers, headers and footers for 24 trim sizes plus large print, handles widows and spread balancing, and outputs PDF/X-1a.
- Box sets and advance copies
- Combines a finished series into a box set in a few steps and produces advance reader copies for beta readers in EPUB and MOBI.
Vellum pricing
- Starts at
- $199.99 one-time, before tax (Vellum Ebooks)
- Free plan
- None
- Free trial
- Free download with no time limit for importing, styling and previewing. Generating files for publishing requires a purchase.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Vellum Ebooks | $199.99one-time purchase, before tax | Create unlimited ebooks for stores such as Kindle, Kobo and Apple Books. Does not include print editions. |
| Vellum Press | $249.99one-time purchase, before tax | Create unlimited ebooks plus print editions that can be printed as paperbacks or hardcovers. |
Read from vellum.pub on Oct 5, 2026. Prices change, so confirm with Vellum before you buy.
Vellum alternatives
- Vellum vs Atticus
From $147 one-time
- Vellum vs Reedsy Studio
Free plan · from $4.99/mo
- Vellum vs Scrivener
Free trial · from $23.99 one-time
- Vellum vs Ulysses
Free trial · from $39.99/yr
Common questions
Is Vellum free?
No, Vellum is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free download with no time limit for importing, styling and previewing. Generating files for publishing requires a purchase.
How much does Vellum cost?
Vellum lists 2 plans. Vellum Ebooks: $199.99 one-time purchase, before tax. Vellum Press: $249.99 one-time purchase, before tax. Prices were read from vellum.pub on Oct 5, 2026.
What platforms does Vellum work on?
Vellum is available on macOS.
Does Vellum have an Android app?
No Android app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Vellum is listed for macOS.
Does Vellum have an iPhone app?
No iPhone app was listed when its pages were read on Oct 5, 2026. Vellum is listed for macOS.
Is Vellum open source?
Vellum is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 5, 2026.
Who makes Vellum?
Vellum is made by 180g.
What are the alternatives to Vellum?
The closest alternatives to Vellum in our directory are Atticus, Reedsy Studio, Scrivener and Ulysses. Each one has a side-by-side comparison with Vellum.
Sources for this page
The prices, plans, platforms and features above were read from these pages on Oct 5, 2026.