How to Sell eBooks Online in 2025: Top Platforms for Authors

Have you ever dreamed of sharing your stories with the world, maybe even making a living from your writing? These days I can definitely relate. Well, in 2025, that dream is more achievable than ever! Thanks to the boom in self-publishing, and the tools that now help with writing, like AI, powered by user-friendly platforms, anyone can become a published author.

But with so many options, where do you even start? Don’t worry, this guide will walk you through the best eBook platforms for reaching readers worldwide, minimizing those pesky fees, and even getting some marketing help to boost your sales, to sell more books. Whether you have written a novel, a how-to guide, or a collection of poems, there’s a platform perfect for you.

1. Sellfy: All-in-One Digital Storefront

I’ve seen firsthand how creators struggle to juggle multiple tools when selling different products. I was once researching a friend’s options for their online business, and it was clear that separate platforms for ebooks, courses, and merchandise would be a management nightmare! Sellfy solves that headache. It’s kind of like having your own online shop, but without all of the tech struggles. Many creators are using it, and you can see from the many success stories of people using the platform. It supports not just eBooks, but also subscriptions, and print-on-demand products.

Key Features:

• Zero transaction fees on paid plans (a huge win for maximizing profits!).
• PDF stamping to deter piracy.
• Supports eBooks, subscriptions, and print-on-demand items.
• Has built in marketing tools.

Pricing: Starts at $29/month (but there is a 14-day free trial to test it out).

Best For: Authors who are building, or want to build a branded store that sells various types of products and not just an eBook.

2. Payhip: Budget-Friendly Sales

Okay, so let’s say you’re helping someone just starting out, maybe a friend who’s written their first ebook and is really watching their expenses (we’ve all been there, right?). I remember researching options for a family member in a similar situation, and the upfront costs of some platforms were a major obstacle. That’s where Payhip comes in. Their free plan is a lifesaver for beginners. Yes, they take a 5% cut per sale, but you don’t pay anything until you start making money. It’s a great way to test the waters without a big initial investment.

Key Features:

• Instant payouts, and there is no minimum threshold to get paid, unlike other platforms.
• Offers pay-what-you-want pricing so it is great for running promotions.
• Handles the EU VAT for digital products.

Pricing: Has a Free plan (with a 5% transaction fee), or a $29/month plan (with a 2% transaction fee).

Best For: First-time authors who are testing the market to get experience.

3. Amazon KDP: Mass-Market Dominance

Amazon. It’s the elephant in the room when it comes to selling, well, anything, and ebooks are no exception. With Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), you’re putting your ebook in front of a massive audience – we’re talking hundreds of millions of potential readers. The sheer reach is undeniable. Of course, it also means more competition, so standing out is key.

Key Features:

• 70% royalties for books priced $2.99 and up.
• Automatic conversion to Kindle format, and options for paperback too.
• Access to promotional tools like Kindle Countdown Deals.

Pricing: Free to publish (though there are printing costs if you choose to offer paperbacks).

Best For: Authors looking to scale their sales by leveraging Amazon’s massive customer base.

4. Smashwords: Indie Author Hub

Smashwords is a name that often pops up when you’re digging into the world of indie publishing. Think of them as a champion for independent authors. What sets them apart is their focus on distribution beyond just Amazon. While Amazon is huge, there’s a whole world of readers using other platforms, and Smashwords helps you reach them. They get your ebook into places like Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, and even library systems – that’s a big deal for discoverability.

Key Features:

• They offer free ISBNs, which can be a cost-saver if you’re just starting out.
• Gives authors control over their metadata, which is important.
• You get access to their “Premium Catalog” which is key for getting that expanded reach to get your book visible to other platforms.
• They provide sales reporting tools to track your performance across different retailers.

Pricing: Authors earn 10% less in royalty per sale, compared to the other sites mentioned.

Best For: Authors who are specifically looking for that library distribution, and want to broaden their reach beyond the Amazon ecosystem.

5. BookBaby: Full-Service Publishing

Okay, let’s talk about BookBaby. And no, it’s not what it sounds like – we’re not talking about a site exclusively for publishing children’s books, though you can certainly publish those there too! This one’s a bit different from the others. Instead of just being a platform to sell, they offer a whole suite of services for authors. Think of them as a one-stop shop for getting your book not just published, but polished and ready for the world. This can be a good route if you want to focus more on the writing and less on the many other jobs associated with an eBook.

Now, this full-service approach does come with a higher upfront cost, but it can be worth it if you’re feeling overwhelmed by all the steps involved: editing, cover design, formatting, ISBNs, getting listed on different retailers…it adds up! BookBaby takes care of all of that, which frees you up to focus on, well, writing your next book, it can be good if you want to focus on writing more.

Key Features:

• They offer professional editing services, and they offer different levels of it too.
• They do cover design, which is an important aspect that many authors forget about.
• ISBN assignment is also included.
• They do global distribution and get your book into places like Barnes & Noble and Scribd, which is a big advantage.
• They also have eBook formatting

Pricing: Starts at $249+ for their distribution packages, so it’s definitely an investment compared to the DIY approach.

Best For: Authors who are really looking for that hands-off experience, and are willing to pay for comprehensive publishing support. They want the convenience of having a team handle most of the work.

6. Gumroad: Flexible Pricing Model

Let’s dive into Gumroad. This platform is a favorite among creators who offer a mix of products, not just eBooks. Think courses, coaching sessions, digital downloads – that kind of thing. So, if you’re a writer who also has other offerings, Gumroad makes it easy to bundle everything together. But even if you’re only selling an eBook, they have some cool features.

One of the things that makes Gumroad stand out is its flexible pricing. You’re not locked into fixed prices. You can do “pay what you want” pricing, set up subscriptions, offer different versions of your book at different price points…it gives you a lot of control. It is important to note that even if you are not selling an eBook, Gumroad is a good platform that you can use.

Key Features:

• Offers “Pay what you want” pricing and subscription options, which other platforms don’t offer.
• Has a built-in affiliate program, so you can get help selling.
• Allows you to sell multiple product types.

Pricing: They have a 10% transaction fee. (as of 2025)

Best For: Creators who sell more than just eBooks, like offering courses or other things, and want a lot of control of their pricing structure.

7. Shopify: Brand Independence

Shopify. You’ve probably heard of it as the go-to platform for building an online store, and it’s true, it is usually used for physical products. But it can absolutely be used for eBooks too. The big difference here is that Shopify gives you complete control over your branding, your customer data, everything. It’s like building your own house instead of renting an apartment – you’re in charge.

Now, this also means more responsibility. You’re handling the marketing, the customer service, all of it. But if you’re serious about building a long-term author brand, that control can be invaluable. It’s a bigger commitment, for sure, but the potential payoff is also bigger. I mean you own your own store, and have access to the Shopify App Store, and all the tools that come with it.

Key Features:

• Highly customizable store, giving you 100% control of your branding.
• Lots of SEO tools and email marketing integrations.
• You can scale, by selling physical products and digital products, not just an eBook.

Pricing: Starts at $39/month.

Best For: Established authors, or those who plan to be, and want the independence to grow their brand, and prioritize it.

Your eBook Journey Starts Now: Choosing the Right Platform

So, there you have it – a rundown of some of the top platforms for selling your eBook in 2025. Choosing the “best” one really depends on your specific goals, your budget, and how much control you want. It is important to note the different advantages that some of the platforms offer.

Platform Comparison:

Platform	Fees	Unique Advantage
Sellfy	$29/month	Anti-piracy tools
Smashwords	10% royalty	Library distribution
BookBaby	$249+ package	Full-service publishing
Payhip	Free (5% transaction fee)	Great for beginners
Gumroad	10% transaction fee	Flexible pricing model

Don’t be afraid to start small! Platforms like Payhip or even Sellfy’s free trial are great for testing the waters. As you grow, you can always branch out to something like Shopify or leverage Amazon KDP’s massive reach. The most important thing? Get that eBook out there! Your audience is waiting – so go publish your ebook this week!