Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Sigil VS Leanpub

Compare Sigil VS Leanpub and see what are their differences

Sigil logo Sigil

Sigil is a multi-platform WYSIWYG ebook editor. It is designed to edit books in ePub format.

Leanpub logo Leanpub

Leanpub is a powerful publishing platform for serious authors.
  • Sigil Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-23
  • Leanpub Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-22

Sigil features and specs

  • Open Source
    Sigil is open source, meaning it is free to use and its source code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and enhance.
  • WYSIWYG Interface
    The what-you-see-is-what-you-get interface makes it easier for users to format eBooks without needing to understand complex code.
  • Multi-platform Support
    Sigil runs on multiple operating systems such as Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing flexibility for users across different platforms.
  • EPUB Support
    Sigil specifically supports EPUB format, allowing users to create and edit industry-standard eBooks securely.
  • Extensive Editing Features
    The software provides a wide range of editing tools, including metadata editing, table of contents generation, and spell check.
  • Plugin Support
    Sigil supports plugins, which allow users to extend the software's functionality with additional features.

Possible disadvantages of Sigil

  • Limited to EPUB
    Sigil primarily supports the EPUB format and does not offer direct support for other formats like MOBI, which can limit usability for some users.
  • Steeper Learning Curve
    The number of features and options might overwhelm beginners, making it difficult for them to navigate the software initially.
  • Interface Design
    Some users may find the interface to be outdated compared to more modern software applications.
  • No Direct Publishing Option
    Sigil does not offer direct publishing capabilities, meaning users must export their EPUB files and use another platform to publish them.
  • Resource Intensive
    On some systems, Sigil can be resource-intensive, leading to slower performance especially with large eBooks.

Leanpub features and specs

  • Flexible Publishing Platform
    Leanpub offers a flexible publishing platform that allows authors to publish in-progress works and update their books even after publication.
  • Royalty Rates
    Authors can earn up to 80% royalties on their book sales, which is generally higher compared to traditional publishing platforms.
  • Built-in Audience
    Leanpub attracts a dedicated audience interested in technical and non-fiction books, providing authors with an established readership base.
  • Supportive Community
    Authors have access to a supportive community and resources, including forums, blog posts, and FAQs, to help them succeed in their writing endeavors.
  • Multiple Formats
    Books can be published in various formats, including PDF, ePub, and Mobi, giving readers flexibility in how they consume the content.

Possible disadvantages of Leanpub

  • Niche Market
    Leanpub is primarily focused on technical and non-fiction books, which might limit its appeal for authors writing fiction or other genres.
  • Learning Curve
    Authors might face a learning curve when using Leanpub's Markdown-based writing and publishing tools, especially if they are not familiar with Markdown.
  • Limited Marketing Support
    Unlike traditional publishers, Leanpub does not provide extensive marketing and promotional support for authors, who must handle much of the book promotion themselves.
  • Platform Dependency
    Authors may become reliant on Leanpub's platform and ecosystem, which could be a disadvantage if they wish to switch platforms in the future.
  • Platform Fees
    While Leanpub offers high royalty rates, there are platform fees involved, which can affect the final earnings of the author.

Sigil videos

SIGIL Is Really Disappointing (Review) - GmanLives

More videos:

Leanpub videos

Publish your own book for free and make huge money -Use Leanpub .

More videos:

  • Review - Publish early, publish often with Leanpub

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Sigil and Leanpub)
eBook Manager
100 100%
0% 0
Digital Publishing
0 0%
100% 100
Ebooks
71 71%
29% 29
eBook Reader
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Sigil and Leanpub. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Sigil and Leanpub

Sigil Reviews

Let's find the best eBook creator.Here's a List of the 10 best eBook creation software tools:
Sigil is a multilingual tool that supports plugins and keyboard shortcuts for all important commands. Sigil can only convert files to ePUB format for export.
Source: kitaboo.com

Leanpub Reviews

We have no reviews of Leanpub yet.
Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Leanpub might be a bit more popular than Sigil. We know about 31 links to it since March 2021 and only 23 links to Sigil. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Sigil mentions (23)

  • Where can I go to convert old pulp magazines into epub files?
    Sigil is a gui epub editor that can import those images. Source: about 3 years ago
  • Best website to write a rulebook for ttrpgs
    If i’m only doing an ePub, the Sigil ePub Editor (https://sigil-ebook.com/)) has worked well for me (free). Source: over 3 years ago
  • Can someone test this on their Kobo? (Bionic Reading project)
    Sigil is the epub creator and editor. https://sigil-ebook.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How can I rename my ebook files (ePUB and mobi) so they appear on my eReader interface under that name? And is there a way to delete pages from an ebook on Mac? (Kobo reader)
    On Mac, you can use Sigil to edit the metadata, and also remove pages. Source: over 3 years ago
  • EPUB created from Google Docs can't be sent to Kindle
    Another option, better, IMHO, is to download Sigil (https://sigil-ebook.com/), and also download and install the epubcheck plugin for Sigil (https://www.mobileread.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2950625&postcount=1). Then see if Sigil find any issues upon opening your epub, if not, then run the plugin and see if there are any validation issues. The error messages will point at the line of code that is problematical and... Source: over 3 years ago
View more

Leanpub mentions (31)

  • Maximizing Your Development Skills: Proven Strategies for Continuous Learning
    Reading is a time-tested way to deepen your understanding. Titles like “You Don’t Know JS” and “Clean Code” are excellent for developers seeking to refine their knowledge. Digital libraries like O’Reilly or Leanpub offer a range of tech books you can access. - Source: dev.to / 11 months ago
  • You too can write a book
    For beta ebook publishing I can't help but recommend my friends at https://leanpub.com where my latest book is currently at the top of the charts. I've been publishing with them since they launched (a long time ago) and have made nearly six figures lifetime revenue. Plus they give you one-button push to publish to print versions at Amazon. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • 14 Tips for Becoming an Indie Author
    As an indie author and publisher, you may start with one platform—Amazon’s KDP, Lulu, or maybe Leanpub. You may develop the appetite to publish your next title on that platform, too. That can be fine and actually quite useful—but even with Amazon being the ebook platform, increase your reach, and sell on additional platforms. - Source: dev.to / almost 3 years ago
  • website/platform to sell stories based on choose-your-own-fee pricing?
    For books, you can sell on leanpub.com, which uses adjustable sliders for pricing. They take 20%, but they set a minimum price of $7.99, which is probably too high for selling individual stories (they are aiming more at textbooks and technical trade books). Source: about 3 years ago
  • What minimum can I do with a laptop which can help me earn (legal) money (no matter how small, but guaranteed) in python. I wish to know the depth I need to go before I start earning literally anything. Oh and yes, It would be a plus if it were Remote work.
    Look up FREE books. So many peeps have written their own books and put them on the web. One place I also like to get free books is leanpub.com. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Sigil and Leanpub, you can also consider the following products

calibre - Ebook manager, viewer & converter

Gumroad - An all-in-one solution to sell your work and grow your audience.

Vellum - Create ebooks for every platform: Kindle, Kobo, Apple Books, and more.

Libro.fm - A digital audiobook platform for independent bookstores

Atticus - Create professional print books and eBooks easily with the all-in-one book writing software.

Publitas.com - Publitas helps you to drive more visitors to your online store by publishing catalogs online.