Back to articles

What is Libba?

Libba is a browser-based EPUB formatting tool and Vellum alternative for Windows, Mac, and iPad with clean, retailer-ready exports.

M Marcus 4 min read

Libba is a browser-based EPUB formatting tool designed specifically for indie authors. It provides professional book formatting capabilities without the high cost or platform limitations of alternatives like Vellum ($250, Mac-only) or Atticus ($147).


The Problem with Current Tools

If you’ve tried to publish a book, you’ve probably hit one of these roadblocks:

ToolProblem
VellumLooks perfect, but costs $250 and is Mac-only
Atticus$147 with reviews mentioning bugs and stability issues
Free toolsCalibre, Draft2Digital, Kindle Create produce generic-looking books
Word processorsCreate EPUBs that fail KDP validation

The reality: You just want your book to look professional without spending hundreds of dollars or learning code.


What Libba Does

Libba creates professionally formatted EPUB 3.0 files that pass validation and work across all major ebook platforms.

Supported Platforms

  • Amazon Kindle (all generations)
  • Apple Books
  • Kobo e-readers
  • Google Play Books
  • Barnes & Noble Nook

Key Features

Import Your Work

Accepts DOCX, EPUB, and Markdown files. One of the few tools that can import existing EPUBs—perfect if you’re switching from another tool.

Professional Typography

  • 87 custom fonts optimized for ebook readability
  • 300+ ornaments organized by genre (Romance, Fantasy, Mystery, etc.)
  • Scene breaks that actually work on all devices (no more disappearing dividers)

Live Device Preview

See how your book looks on Kindle, iPad, and iPhone as you type. No more exporting and checking—instant feedback.

Platform-Specific Exports

Automatically removes competitor store links. Export for Kindle? Only Amazon links appear. Export for Apple Books? Only Apple links appear.

Why this matters: Prevents KDP rejections for “competitor links” violations.

Works Anywhere

Browser-based means it works on Mac, Windows, Linux, iPad—anywhere with a modern web browser. No installation required.


Who Should Use Libba?

Libba is designed for:

  • Indie authors publishing on KDP, IngramSpark, or wide distribution
  • Multi-book authors who need consistent formatting across series
  • Windows/Linux users excluded from Mac-only tools like Vellum
  • Authors with multiple pen names who need profile management
  • Budget-conscious authors who don’t want to spend $250 on formatting

Pricing That Makes Sense

PlanPriceDetails
Free$0All formatting features, no EPUB export
Annual$39/yearUnlimited EPUB exports + cloud backup
Lifetime$99 oncePay once, use forever. All future updates included.

Payment plan built-in: The annual subscription is essentially a 3-year installment plan. After 3 years of payments ($117 total), you’re automatically upgraded to lifetime access—no action needed. The years don’t need to be in a row. Paying $99 up front costs $18 less.


What Makes Libba Different?

EPUB-Only, Done Right

We don’t try to do everything. No print PDF. No fixed-layout EPUBs. No audiobook creation.

Focused EPUB formatting for digital-first publishing.

Most indie authors make 80%+ of sales from eBooks. We’ve focused on making the best EPUB experience possible instead of being mediocre at everything.

Local-First Architecture

Your books save instantly to your device. After initial load, core editing works offline. Cloud backup is optional and manual—you choose when to sync.

Why this matters: Write on flights, in coffee shops with spotty WiFi, anywhere. Never lose work to a connection drop.

Built by an Indie Author

I built Libba because I didn’t want to spend $250 to make my book look decent. And I figured I wasn’t the only one.


Getting Started (5 Steps, 5 Minutes)

  1. Create your account via the waitlist
  2. Import your manuscript (DOCX, EPUB, or Markdown)
  3. Choose a genre template (Romance, Thriller, Non-Fiction, etc.)
  4. Customize fonts, ornaments, and spacing (optional—templates look great out of the box)
  5. Export your EPUB (requires paid account)

Free tier: One book, with access to all editing features. No time limit. Only need to upgrade when you’re ready to export your finished EPUB or start a second book.


Frequently Asked Questions

Can I try it for free? Yes. The free tier lets you format one book with every formatting feature, and it has no time limit. You only pay when you’re ready to export or want to work on more books.

What file formats can I import? DOCX (Microsoft Word), EPUB, Markdown (.md), and plain text (.txt).

Do I need to install anything? No. Libba runs in your browser. Works on any device with a modern web browser.

Can I use my own fonts? Libba includes 87 professionally licensed fonts. Custom font uploads aren’t currently supported, but our library covers most use cases.

What about print/PDF? Libba is EPUB-only. For print, we recommend using your EPUB with platforms like KDP Print or IngramSpark, which accept EPUBs for print-on-demand.

Is Libba a Vellum alternative for Windows users? Yes. Libba is browser-based and works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and iPad, so you can format without buying a Mac.


Next Steps

Ready to format your book? Here’s what to do next:


Still have questions? The best way to understand Libba is to try it. The free tier has no time limit and includes all formatting features for one book—start it and see for yourself.

Now in beta

See what Libba can do for your book.

Professional EPUB formatting in your browser, built for indie authors.

$39/year, or $99 lifetime · Works on Mac, Windows, iPad and phones · EPUBs for Kindle, Apple Books and Kobo