Comparison
BuildPDFs vs Vellum for book formatting
Vellum is a Mac app that formats a finished manuscript into EPUB and print-ready PDF files, and its output is widely seen as the best in its category. Vellum Ebooks costs $199.99 and Vellum Press $249.99, both one-time, and it needs macOS 13 or later. BuildPDFs runs in any browser and uses AI to write, design and format print-ready book interiors, and it has a free plan.
Updated
At a glance
| Feature | BuildPDFs | Vellum |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | Any browser: Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook | Mac only (macOS 13+) |
| Starting point | Your manuscript, notes, an outline or a short description | Your finished manuscript |
| Writes or expands content | Yes, with AI | No, you write the book |
| Print-ready book interior | Yes, 6×9 and 5.5×8.5 with mirrored margins and front matter | Yes, PDF/X-1a with 24 trim sizes (Press) |
| Output formats | Print-ready PDF | EPUB 3, EPUB 2, MOBI (ARC) and PDF/X-1a |
| How you work | Describe changes in chat, the book updates | Choose styles and settings by hand |
| Price | Free plan; paid from $19/month; Lifetime $249 | $199.99 (Ebooks) or $249.99 (Press), one-time |
What Vellum does well
- Widely seen as the highest-quality formatting output in its category.
- EPUB 3, EPUB 2, MOBI (ARC) and print-ready PDF/X-1a, all in sync from one file.
- 24 trim sizes and large-print options on Vellum Press.
- Free to build, style and preview; you pay only to export.
- One-time price, no subscription.
Where BuildPDFs is the better choice
- Works on any computer in the browser, including Windows and Chromebook.
- AI help with the writing: draft chapters, expand notes or tighten a section.
- Format by asking, and the book updates: chapter openers, fonts, spacing, front matter.
- Print-ready interiors with drop caps, mirrored margins, running heads and page numbers.
- A free plan to start, and one tool for the book plus its lead magnets, workbooks and media kits.
Vellum on Windows
Vellum is Mac only and needs macOS 13 or later. There is no Windows version, and the company has said one is not planned; it suggests Windows users rent a cloud Mac. If you write on Windows, Linux or a Chromebook, you need a different tool.
BuildPDFs runs in the browser, so it works on any computer. Paste your manuscript, pick a book design and you get a print-ready 6×9 or 5.5×8.5 interior with front matter, chapter openers, drop caps, mirrored margins, running heads and page numbers.
Formatting tool or AI book tool
Vellum formats books you have already written, and it does this very well, with a polished set of styles and many trim sizes. BuildPDFs adds AI to the process. You can start from an outline or notes and get help writing and structuring the chapters. Then you change the format by asking, instead of looking for the right setting.
The same conversation can make the documents around a book: a lead magnet from chapter one, a reader workbook, a one-page media kit or a launch checklist.
Which to use
If you are on a Mac, have a finished manuscript and want EPUB and print files from one app, Vellum is a strong choice. If you want to work in the browser on any computer, with AI to help write, design and format your book interior, BuildPDFs does that and has a free plan to start.
Pricing
| BuildPDFs | Free plan with AI credits (no credit card). Starter $19/month, Pro $69/month, Lifetime $249 one-time. See pricing |
|---|---|
| Vellum | Vellum Ebooks $199.99, Vellum Press $249.99, both one-time. Free to build and preview; payment is needed to export. Source |
Prices checked on October 10, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free alternative to Vellum?
BuildPDFs has a free plan with AI credits and no credit card, and it makes print-ready book interiors at 6×9 and 5.5×8.5 in the browser. Amazon's Kindle Create is free for Kindle ebooks. Vellum itself is free to build and preview, but you pay to export.
Does Vellum work on Windows?
No. Vellum is Mac only and needs macOS 13 or later, and a Windows version is not planned. BuildPDFs runs in any browser, including on Windows.
Can Vellum make a print-ready PDF?
Yes. Vellum exports print-ready PDF/X-1a files. Vellum Press ($249.99) adds 24 trim sizes and large-print options.
Can BuildPDFs format a book for Amazon KDP?
Yes. BuildPDFs makes print-ready interiors with the trim size, mirrored margins, front matter, running heads and page numbers set for you. Upload the PDF to KDP as your manuscript file.