Amazon KDP vs Smashwords: Complete Platform Analysis for Self-Publishers
Key Takeaways
- ✓Amazon KDP controls 70% of the ebook market vs Smashwords' 2% market share (as of December 2024)
- ✓KDP offers 70% royalties on books priced $2.99-$9.99, while Smashwords takes 10-15% cut from your 60-85% retailer royalties
- ✓KDP reaches 400+ million active customers directly vs Smashwords' distribution to 12 retailers
- ✓KDP Select exclusivity unlocks Kindle Unlimited earnings averaging $0.004 per page read
- ✓Smashwords accepts EPUB uploads while KDP requires DOC/DOCX conversion or manual formatting
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Quick Verdict: Choose KDP Unless You Need Wide Distribution
Amazon KDP wins for most self-publishers. With 70% ebook market share and direct access to 400+ million customers, KDP delivers higher visibility and earnings potential. Choose Smashwords only if you're committed to wide distribution and refuse KDP Select exclusivity.
The numbers don't lie: KDP authors typically earn 5-10x more than Smashwords-only publishers. However, Smashwords offers valuable services for authors wanting multi-platform presence without managing individual retailer accounts.
Expert Tip
If you're earning under $500/month on KDP, test Smashwords for 6 months. The learning curve is worth it for understanding how different retailers perform with your specific genres.
At-a-Glance Feature Comparison
| Feature | Amazon KDP | Smashwords | Winner |
|---------|------------|------------|--------|
| Market Reach | 400M+ customers | 12 retailers | KDP |
| Royalty Rate | 35-70% | 60-85% minus 10-15% fee | KDP |
| Upload Format | DOC/DOCX | EPUB preferred | Smashwords |
| Print Books | Yes (POD) | No | KDP |
| Exclusive Programs | KDP Select/KU | None | KDP |
| Global Distribution | 170+ countries | 12 major retailers | Tie |
| Metadata Control | Limited | Full control | Smashwords |
| Pricing Control | Full | Retailer dependent | KDP |
| Analytics | Basic | Detailed | Smashwords |
| Customer Support | Self-service | Personal | Smashwords |
| Publication Speed | 24-72 hours | 1-2 weeks | KDP |
| ISBN Requirement | Optional | Required | KDP |
| DRM Options | Yes | Retailer dependent | KDP |
| Preorder Options | Yes | Limited | KDP |
| Marketing Tools | Amazon Ads | None | KDP |
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Audit My Listing →Royalty Rates: The Real Math Behind Your Earnings
KDP's royalty structure is straightforward: 35% for books under $2.99 or over $9.99, and 70% for the $2.99-$9.99 sweet spot. On a $4.99 ebook, you earn $3.49.
Smashwords operates differently. They distribute to retailers who pay 60-85% royalties, then Smashwords takes 10-15%. For that same $4.99 book sold through Apple Books (70% retailer rate), you'd earn: $4.99 × 0.70 × 0.85 = $2.97.
The gap widens with volume. KDP's Kindle Unlimited adds $0.004 per page read. A 200-page book fully read generates $0.80 additional revenue. Smashwords has no equivalent program.
Expert Tip
Calculate your break-even point: if Smashwords generates 25%+ more unit sales than KDP, the lower per-unit royalty might balance out. Track this for 90 days minimum.
Market Reach: 400 Million vs 12 Retailers
KDP provides direct access to Amazon's 400+ million active customers across 170+ countries. Your book appears in Amazon search results, recommendation algorithms, and targeted advertising systems immediately.
Smashwords distributes to 12 retailers including Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and library systems like OverDrive. While this sounds comprehensive, individual retailer performance varies dramatically. Apple Books might generate 50 sales monthly while Scribd delivers 2.
Geographic reach differs too. KDP serves every major English-speaking market plus translated interfaces. Smashwords' retailer network has gaps—some retailers don't operate in Australia or Canada, fragmenting your international presence.
Publishing Process: Speed vs Control
KDP publishing takes 24-72 hours from upload to live listing. Upload a DOC file, add cover and metadata, hit publish. The process prioritizes speed over customization.
Smashwords requires 1-2 weeks for distribution completion. You upload an EPUB file that must pass their "Meatgrinder" conversion system, then manual review before retailer distribution begins. However, you get granular control over pricing, metadata, and which retailers receive your book.
File format flexibility favors Smashwords. Their EPUB-first approach means cleaner formatting across devices. KDP's DOC conversion sometimes creates formatting inconsistencies, especially with complex layouts or special characters.
Expert Tip
Use Smashwords' style guide even if publishing KDP-only. Their formatting requirements create cleaner ebooks that convert better across all platforms.
Real Cost Comparison: Same Book, Different Platforms
Let's analyze a $4.99 romance ebook with these assumptions: 100 monthly sales on KDP, 30 monthly sales across Smashwords retailers.
KDP Earnings:
- Regular sales: 70 × $3.49 = $244.30
- KDP Select bonus: 30 × $3.49 = $104.70
- KU page reads: 2,000 pages × $0.004 = $8.00
- Monthly total: $357.00
Smashwords Earnings:
- Apple Books (15 sales): 15 × $2.97 = $44.55
- B&N (8 sales): 8 × $2.62 = $20.96
- Kobo (5 sales): 5 × $2.97 = $14.85
- Other retailers (2 sales): 2 × $2.47 = $4.94
- Monthly total: $85.30
KDP generates 4.2x more revenue in this scenario, primarily due to market reach and KU participation.
Decision Tree: Which Platform Fits Your Goals
Choose Amazon KDP if:
- You want maximum earnings potential
- You're comfortable with platform dependence
- You publish in competitive genres (romance, thriller, self-help)
- You can commit to KDP Select exclusivity
- You need print-on-demand capabilities
- You want built-in marketing tools (Amazon Ads)
Choose Smashwords if:
- You refuse platform exclusivity on principle
- You target library sales specifically
- You have strong international audience outside Amazon's reach
- You need detailed sales analytics by retailer
- You publish in niche genres that perform well on alternative platforms
- You want to test retailer performance without individual account management
Use both platforms if:
- You publish 4+ books annually
- You can A/B test KDP Select vs wide distribution
- You have administrative bandwidth for dual management
Expert Tip
Start with KDP Select for your first 3 books. Once you hit $1,000+ monthly earnings, test wide distribution with your next release to compare performance data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I publish the same book on both KDP and Smashwords?▾
Not if you're enrolled in KDP Select, which requires 90-day exclusivity. You can publish on both platforms if you skip KDP Select, but you'll miss Kindle Unlimited revenue and promotional tools.
Which platform pays faster?▾
KDP pays monthly with 60-day delay, while Smashwords pays quarterly with 45-day delay from each retailer. KDP's payment schedule is more predictable and frequent.
Do I need an ISBN for each platform?▾
KDP provides free ISBNs or accepts your own. Smashwords requires you to provide ISBNs for all formats, adding $125+ cost per book if buying from Bowker.
Which platform has better customer support?▾
Smashwords offers personalized email support with founder Mark Coker's team. KDP relies on automated systems and community forums, though response times are faster.
Can I track which retailers perform best through Smashwords?▾
Yes, Smashwords provides detailed breakdowns by retailer, including units sold, revenue, and return rates. This data helps optimize your distribution strategy over time.
Related Resources
Decision Guides
Comparisons