BookSetter vs Koberger
BookSetter
booksetter.com
Koberger
koberger.appSide by side
| Figure | BookSetter | Koberger |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | $5/mo |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Yes | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 7 | 3 |
| Spec score · Book Layout Software | 9.0 (#2) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Integrations | The reviewed maker pages do not identify third-party integrations or retailer upload integrations; payment is through hosted Stripe Checkout. | The site names Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, Apple Books, and Kobo as stores its exported files are intended to work with. |
| Payments | Payments use hosted Stripe Checkout, and BookSetter says it stores package credits and cost reports rather than raw card details. | The pricing page says payments are processed securely by Stripe; the privacy policy says Koberger does not store full payment card numbers on its servers. |
Plans
BookSetter
- Free First Edition BetaFree
- Targeted update$9, paid once
- Additional launch book$29, paid once
- Regular single book$49, paid once
- 5-book Series Pack$149, paid once
- 10-book Backlist Pack$249, paid once
- 25-book Publisher Pack$499, paid once
Koberger
- Free accountFree
- Koberger Pro Monthly$9.99 a month
- Koberger Pro Annual$59.94 a year
In their own words
BookSetter
BookSetter is web-based software for turning a manuscript into ebook and print-ready files, with validation reports included in eligible packages. It accepts DOCX, Markdown, TXT, RTF, ODT, HTML, reStructuredText, AsciiDoc, Org, and LaTeX. Authors review a detected Book Map, choose an edition direction, compare rendered proofs, then export files such as print-ready PDF, generic EPUB, Kindle-targeted EPUB, or DOCX content. Reports address EPUB conformance, PDF preflight, accessibility, text integrity, font rights, and reproducibility. Optional metered AI can explain readiness evidence and propose DOCX formatting operations for review; deterministic parsing, rendering, and validation remain authoritative. A limited free beta is available to eligible verified creators for one account-bound manuscript package, subject to fair-use limits. Paid options include a $49.00 USD single-book package, alongside one-time targeted updates and multi-book packs. BookSetter prepares files but does not upload or distribute books to retail marketplaces. The terms say users retain manuscript ownership under a limited service license.
Koberger
Koberger formats manuscripts into EPUB ebooks and print PDFs for indie authors. It imports files from Word, Pages, and Google Docs, recognizing chapters, headings, and section breaks. Authors can adjust ready-made designs, typography, spacing, chapter headings, and ornaments, then save presets for reuse. Page layouts and blocks cover title, copyright, dedication, acknowledgements, glossary, and bibliography pages. Preview ebook and paperback pages, or share a private read-only preview link with editors and beta readers. Pro exports EPUB, Print PDF, and DOCX, with bulk export for multiple books; it can also create watermarked advance review EPUBs. Saved sections and designs can carry across a series, with consistency checks. Koberger says its EPUB output passes store checks and includes accessibility information, and provides pre-export checks for common ebook problems. It runs in a browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, or Chromebook without installation. The free account supports formatting, design, layout, and preview, but finished-file export requires Pro. Pro Monthly costs $9.99 a month for one book; Pro Annual costs $59.94 a year for a catalogue.