Can I publish on KDP and Draft2Digital at the same time?

Yes, as long as you don't enroll the book in KDP Select. Select requires 90-day Amazon exclusivity. Without Select, you can publish on KDP for Amazon and use D2D for everywhere else.

Does Draft2Digital pay less than KDP?

On Amazon, KDP pays more (no middleman). On non-Amazon stores, D2D pays roughly the same as going direct to each retailer once you factor in the time saved managing them individually.

Is Kindle Unlimited worth the exclusivity?

In KU-heavy genres (romance, thriller, fantasy), yes — page reads often outpace what you'd earn going wide. In literary fiction, non-fiction, or niche genres, going wide usually wins.

Does Draft2Digital charge upfront?

No. D2D is free to use and only takes ~10% of what you earn through their distribution.

What about KDP vs IngramSpark?

Different question — that's about print distribution. KDP and D2D are about ebook distribution. See our KDP vs IngramSpark comparison for the print side.

Comparison

KDP vs Draft2Digital

KDP and Draft2Digital are two ways to publish your ebook. KDP focuses on Amazon; Draft2Digital spreads your book everywhere else. Here's how they compare.

Last Updated: June 2026

Reviewed for current platform fees and pricing rules.

Side-by-side comparison

A quick overview of how KDP and Draft2Digital stack up on the things that matter most.

Factor	KDP	Draft2Digital
Reach	Amazon — the biggest ebook store.	Apple, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, libraries, and 35+ stores (everything except Amazon Kindle).
Ebook royalty	70% for $2.99–$9.99 (35% outside that range).	Passes through ~60% of net retailer royalty.
Exclusivity	KDP Select = 90-day Amazon exclusivity (unlocks Kindle Unlimited).	No exclusivity required.
Fees	No upfront fee.	No upfront fee — D2D keeps ~10% of what you earn.
Tools	Kindle Unlimited + Amazon Ads.	Free formatting tools + simpler interface.
Print	KDP Print (Prime eligible).	Prints via IngramSpark.
Best for	Amazon reach + KU genres (romance, thriller).	Wide reach without exclusivity.

Pros and cons

KDP

Pros

Direct access to Amazon, the biggest ebook market.
70% royalty in the $2.99–$9.99 range.
Kindle Unlimited can drive significant page-read income in KU genres.
Amazon Ads platform built in.

Cons

KDP Select requires 90-day Amazon exclusivity.
All eggs in one retailer's basket.
Algorithm and policy changes affect income overnight.
Less control over pricing in promotions.

Draft2Digital

Pros

Distributes to Apple, Kobo, B&N, Google Play, libraries, and more.
No exclusivity — list anywhere, including KDP (without Select).
Free formatting tools and a clean interface.
One dashboard for many retailers.

Cons

Keeps ~10% of what you earn.
No Kindle Unlimited equivalent — fewer high-volume promo tools.
Print runs through IngramSpark, with its own learning curve.
Smaller per-store sales than Amazon for most authors.

Example scenarios

Realistic situations and which platform tends to fit best.

Romance, thriller, or romantasy author
Start with KDP Select. Kindle Unlimited page reads are a huge income source in these genres, and the 90-day exclusivity is usually worth it.
Literary or non-fiction author
Go wide. Use KDP (without Select) for Amazon, and Draft2Digital for everywhere else — Apple, Kobo, libraries, and international stores.
Author building a long-term backlist
Both. KDP for Amazon, D2D for the rest of the world. Avoid KDP Select so you keep distribution flexibility.
First-time author unsure of audience
Try KDP Select for the first 90 days to test Kindle Unlimited. If KU page reads underperform, opt out and add Draft2Digital for wide distribution.

Who should choose KDP?

Authors whose readers are on Amazon and whose genre performs well in Kindle Unlimited (romance, thriller, fantasy, cozy mystery). KDP's 70% royalty and KU page reads are hard to beat in those categories.

Who should choose Draft2Digital?

Authors who want reach beyond Amazon — Apple Books, Kobo, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, and libraries — without locking themselves into exclusivity. D2D's 10% cut is the trade-off for one-dashboard distribution.

Can you use both?

Yes — and many authors do. Use KDP for Amazon and Draft2Digital for everywhere else, as long as you are NOT enrolled in KDP Select. Select blocks selling the same ebook anywhere outside Amazon.

Frequently asked questions

Can I publish on KDP and Draft2Digital at the same time?: Yes, as long as you don't enroll the book in KDP Select. Select requires 90-day Amazon exclusivity. Without Select, you can publish on KDP for Amazon and use D2D for everywhere else.
Does Draft2Digital pay less than KDP?: On Amazon, KDP pays more (no middleman). On non-Amazon stores, D2D pays roughly the same as going direct to each retailer once you factor in the time saved managing them individually.
Is Kindle Unlimited worth the exclusivity?: In KU-heavy genres (romance, thriller, fantasy), yes — page reads often outpace what you'd earn going wide. In literary fiction, non-fiction, or niche genres, going wide usually wins.
Does Draft2Digital charge upfront?: No. D2D is free to use and only takes ~10% of what you earn through their distribution.
What about KDP vs IngramSpark?: Different question — that's about print distribution. KDP and D2D are about ebook distribution. See our KDP vs IngramSpark comparison for the print side.

Related calculators

Put the comparison into numbers for your own shop.

Related guides

Plain-English deep dives that pair with this comparison.

How KDP Royalties Work
How Amazon KDP royalties are calculated for paperbacks, hardcovers, and Kindle eBooks.

Seller hub

KDP Seller Hub

Calculators and guides for Amazon KDP self-publishers.

All seller tools

Browse every calculator and guide

Etsy, KDP, print-on-demand, and more.