Choosing between IngramSpark and Amazon KDP is one of the first major decisions a self-publishing author makes, and the right answer depends heavily on your distribution goals, your budget, and how you plan to sell your book. Many authors use both. Understanding what each platform actually offers helps you make that decision deliberately rather than defaulting to whichever one you heard about first. If you’re still new to the industry, understanding what self-publishing actually involves can provide useful context before comparing distribution platforms.
This guide compares IngramSpark and Amazon KDP across the factors that matter most for choosing the best place to self-publish: cost, distribution reach, royalties, and practical workflow differences.
What Amazon KDP Offers
The Default Choice for Most Self-Publishing Authors
Core Strengths
Amazon KDP is free to use, offers the widest reach into the largest book retail market in the world, and provides a streamlined publishing process that most authors find more straightforward than alternatives. For ebooks specifically, KDP is essentially the default choice given that Amazon represents the majority of ebook sales in most English-language markets. KDP also offers Kindle Unlimited and KDP Select, programs that can meaningfully expand income for genre fiction authors with strong backlist potential.
Where KDP Falls Short
KDP’s print distribution is essentially limited to Amazon’s own retail channels. Print books published exclusively through KDP do not reach physical bookstores, and getting listed with libraries is limited compared to platforms built specifically for wider distribution. Authors who want their print book available through Barnes & Noble, independent bookstores, or library systems need a different or additional distribution solution.
What IngramSpark Offers
The Wide Distribution Specialist
Core Strengths
IngramSpark connects to Ingram’s vast distribution network, which supplies the majority of bookstores and libraries in the United States with their inventory. A book published through IngramSpark becomes orderable by virtually any bookstore or library that uses Ingram as a supplier, which most do. This is the most significant practical advantage IngramSpark offers over Amazon KDP for authors who want their book to have a presence beyond Amazon’s own platform.
Where IngramSpark Falls Short
IngramSpark charges setup fees for each title and format (though these are modest), offers a less polished and less beginner-friendly interface than KDP, and does not have direct access to Kindle Unlimited, since that program is exclusive to Amazon’s own publishing ecosystem. The wholesale discount structure required to make a book attractive to bookstores also means lower per-unit royalties for IngramSpark print sales compared to KDP print sales of the same book at the same price.
IngramSpark vs. KDP: Direct Comparison
| Factor | Amazon KDP | IngramSpark |
| Setup cost | Free | $49 print setup fee per title (often waived with promotions); $25 for revisions |
| Ebook royalty | 70% (priced $2.99-$9.99) or 35% (outside that range) | Up to 70%, depending on retailer and pricing |
| Print royalty structure | Higher per-unit royalty on Amazon sales | Lower per-unit royalty due to wholesale discount requirements |
| Bookstore availability | Not available through traditional bookstore ordering channels | Available to virtually any bookstore through Ingram’s network |
| Library availability | Limited | Strong, standard supplier relationship with most library systems |
| Kindle Unlimited access | Yes, through KDP Select (requires exclusivity) | Not available |
| Global reach | Strong on Amazon’s international marketplaces | Strong across multiple retailers and countries via the Ingram network |
| Ease of use for beginners | Very straightforward, well-documented | More complex setup; steeper learning curve |
Which Platform Should You Choose?
Matching the Platform to Your Goals
Choose Amazon KDP If…
- Your primary sales channel is and will remain Amazon
- You write genre fiction that performs well in Kindle Unlimited (romance, fantasy, mystery, thriller)
- You want the simplest possible publishing workflow with no setup fees
- Print distribution to physical bookstores is not a priority for your book
- You are publishing your first book and want to minimize complexity while learning the process
Choose IngramSpark If…
- You want your print book available to order through independent bookstores and Barnes & Noble
- Library distribution is important to your goals, particularly for nonfiction, literary fiction, or children’s books
- You are building a long-term author business and want maximum market presence
- Your book has potential for bookstore events, local author programs, or school and library sales
- You are comfortable with a more complex setup process in exchange for a wider reach
The Hybrid Approach: Using Both Platforms
What Most Serious Self-Publishing Authors Actually Do
A Common and Effective Strategy
Many experienced self-publishing authors use both platforms strategically rather than choosing one exclusively. This hybrid strategy aligns with many recommendations found in technical self-publishing guides that focus on maximizing distribution opportunities.
Important Technical Considerations for the Hybrid Approach
If you use both platforms, you need separate ISBNs for the different print editions if you want full flexibility, since KDP can use either your own ISBN or a free Amazon-assigned one, while IngramSpark requires you to provide your own ISBN. Understanding how ISBNs and barcodes work is essential when managing multiple editions across platforms.
Cost Comparison for a Typical First Book
What to Budget for Each Approach
| Approach | Setup Costs | Ongoing Costs | Best For |
| KDP only (ebook + print) | $0 | None beyond production (editing, cover, formatting) | Authors focused purely on Amazon sales |
| IngramSpark only (ebook + print) | $49 to $98 (print + ebook setup, often discounted) | None beyond production | Authors prioritizing bookstore and library reach |
| Hybrid (KDP ebook + IngramSpark print) | $49 print setup fee | None beyond production | Authors wanting maximum reach across all channels |
| Both platforms for both formats | $49 to $98 | Requires managing two systems and separate ISBNs | Authors with significant marketing reach who want full redundancy |
Final Thoughts
The best place to self-publish is not a universal answer. Amazon KDP is the simpler, more accessible choice for authors focused on digital sales and the Amazon ecosystem. IngramSpark is the better choice for authors who genuinely need bookstore and library presence and are willing to handle the additional complexity. Most serious self-publishing authors with bookstore or library ambitions ultimately use both, leveraging each platform for what it does best.
Alpine Publishers helps authors navigate the self-publishing landscape and choose the right distribution strategy for their specific goals. If you want guidance on which approach fits your book, reach out to us.
FAQs
1. Is IngramSpark better than Amazon KDP?
Neither is universally better. IngramSpark offers superior bookstore and library distribution. Amazon KDP offers a simpler setup, no fees, and access to Kindle Unlimited. The right choice depends on whether your priority is wide physical distribution or simplicity and Amazon ecosystem access.
2. Can I use both IngramSpark and Amazon KDP for the same book?
Yes, and many experienced self-publishing authors do exactly this. A common approach is to publish the ebook through KDP and the print edition through IngramSpark to combine the strengths of each platform. You will need separate ISBNs and should maintain consistent pricing across platforms.
3. Which platform pays higher royalties?
For ebooks, both platforms can offer royalties up to 70 percent, depending on pricing and retailer. For print books, KDP typically offers a higher per-unit royalty because IngramSpark’s wholesale discount structure, necessary for bookstore distribution, reduces the royalty per copy sold through that channel.
4. Does IngramSpark cost money to use?
Yes, IngramSpark charges a setup fee per title and format, typically around $49 for print, though promotions sometimes waive this fee. Amazon KDP is completely free to use with no setup fees.
5. Which platform should a first-time self-published author use?
Amazon KDP is generally the better starting point for first-time authors due to its simpler workflow and zero cost. As authors gain experience and want to expand into bookstore and library markets, adding IngramSpark for print distribution becomes a logical next step.
