Kindle Direct Publishing vs Merchize
Kindle Direct Publishing
kdp.amazon.com
Merchize
merchize.comSide by side
| Figure | Kindle Direct Publishing | Merchize |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 9 |
| Spec score · Print-on-Demand Platforms | 8.5 (#17) | 8.8 (#10) |
| Design and mockups | Yes | Yes |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Fulfillment coverage | global | global |
| Storefront integrations | Amazon.ca,Amazon.co.jp,Amazon.com,Amazon.com.au,Amazon.co.uk,Amazon.de,Amazon.es,Amazon.fr,Amazon.it,Amazon.nl,Amazon.pl,Amazon.se,Amazon.ie,Amazon.com.be; Expanded Distribution through bookstores,online retailers,libraries,and academic institutions | Shopify,Etsy,WooCommerce,eBay,Amazon,TikTok Shop,Google Shopping,Order Desk |
| Support | Authors can request phone support from a KDP representative by submitting a call request through the KDP Contact Us Form. | Merchize advertises 24/7 human merchant support and named account managers. |
| What it does | KDP lets authors self-publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books and make them available on Amazon. | Merchize provides print-on-demand production, warehousing and global fulfillment so sellers can sell custom products without holding inventory. |
Plans
Merchize
- Fulfillment PlanPrice not published
- Platinum$79 a month
- Diamond$299 a month
- Shopify FreeFree
- Merchize Lite$6.99 a month
- Gold (Starter Plan)$29 a month
- Shopify Premium$29.99 a month
- Platinum (Getting Big)$79 a month
- Diamond (Real Legend)$229 a month
In their own words
Kindle Direct Publishing
Kindle Direct Publishing lets authors self-publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardcover books and make them available through Amazon. Authors retain full rights to their books. eBook royalty choices are 35% and 70%; the 70% option is limited to certain territories and subject to delivery costs. Print books can earn up to 60% royalties and are printed on demand, with printing costs deducted from royalties when an order ships. Manuscript formats include DOC/DOCX, KPF, EPUB, HTML, RTF, TXT, and PDF. Kindle Create for Windows and Mac can prepare manuscripts exported from Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, or Google Docs. Authors can promote eBooks and paperbacks with Amazon Advertising, and share Instant Book Previews or sample chapters. KDP Select is a free 90-day program for Kindle eBooks that includes Kindle Unlimited and eligibility for certain promotions; enrolled eBooks must remain exclusive to the Kindle Store during that period. Publishing is free, but KDP does not accept magazines, periodicals, calendars, or spiral-bound books. New title creation and first-time submission are limited to two titles per format each week.