Best Book Publishing Platforms
Google Play Books alternatives
7 tools scored in the same category. 5 score higher than Google Play Books's 2.6/5.
Ranked by independent composite score, not by payment. Nobody on this page paid to be here.
Before you switch — what Google Play Books does well
- Distributes ebooks to a worldwide audience via the Google Play Store
- Lets you set and modify ebook prices including region-specific pricing
- Supports both EPUB and PDF formats
And where it was marked down
- Could add built-in promotional features so publishers don't rely on external marketing strategies
Global print-on-demand platform for direct-to-consumer book publishing and retail distribution
Scores 0.4 higher than Google Play Books
A comprehensive distribution and automated formatting platform for independent authors and publishers
Scores 0.4 higher than Google Play Books
Global self-publishing platform for distributing ebooks and print books via Amazon
Scores 0.3 higher than Google Play Books
Premium digital bookstore reaching the global ecosystem of Apple device users
Scores 0.2 higher than Google Play Books
The premier storefront for independent e-books, offering authors 75% royalties and global distribution via Draft2Digital. (Now: Acquired by Draft2Digital in March 2022; as of 2026, Smashwords functions primarily as a storefront brand while its publishing and distribution backend is fully integrated into the Draft2Digital platform.)
Scores 0.1 higher than Google Play Books
AI-powered publishing platform that streamlines book production from manuscript to distribution in under 30 days. (Now: Rebranded from Boox.ai in early 2024 to better represent its role as the foundational backbone (spine) of the publishing process.)
Scores level with Google Play Books
Enterprise cloud platform for creating and distributing secure interactive educational eBooks
Scores 0.1 lower than Google Play Books
Common questions
What is the best alternative to Google Play Books?
On Benchmark Grid's independent scoring, Lulu is the highest-scoring alternative in Best Book Publishing Platforms at 3.0/5, against Google Play Books at 2.6/5. Which is right for you depends on your publication's size, revenue model and vertical.
Why would a publisher move away from Google Play Books?
Our editors flagged: Could add built-in promotional features so publishers don't rely on external marketing strategies. Whether those matter depends on your setup — many publishers run Google Play Books successfully despite them.
Are these alternatives ranked by paid placement?
No. Every tool here is ranked by a composite score set by SODP's editorial team across 12 criteria. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, for a score, or for a position on this page.
