epubli
Berlin self-publishing platform run by Neopubli GmbH since 2008, with free book and e-book publishing, 70% of net revenue and print from one copy
Quick Overview
| Company | Neopubli GmbH |
|---|---|
| Category | Self-Publishing Platforms |
| Headquarters | Berlin, Germany |
| Founded | 2008 |
| EU Presence | Yes - Germany (EU) |
| Data Location | Servers in Germany according to the privacy notice |
| Open Source | No |
| GDPR Compliant | Yes |
| Self-Hosting | No |
| Main Features | Free publishing, ISBN, listing in the German directory of available books, print on demand from one copy, EPUB distribution, cover designer, price promotions, bulk discounts up to 50% |
| Pricing | Publishing free; print example 7.39 euro per copy for a 200-page pocketbook; shipping 2.95 euro in Germany and 9.95 euro abroad |
| Best For | German-language authors who want to publish at no cost and also order printed copies for private or business use |
| Replaces | Amazon KDP, Lulu |
Detailed Review
epubli started in 2008, according to its homepage, and says more than 30,000 authors have placed over 100,000 books and e-books through it. The legal entity is Neopubli GmbH, entered in the Charlottenburg register as HRB 108995, with Sebastian Stude as managing director.
Publishing is described as 100% free and without risk. Print jobs are priced separately, so the platform serves two groups: authors who sell through the book trade and people who just want a few printed copies.
How the 70/30 Split Works
The earnings page explains that a book price is made up of printing costs, distribution costs and VAT. What remains is the net revenue, and the author receives 70% of it while epubli keeps 30%. The page calls both shares fixed, regardless of how many titles an author has published.
For e-books the same 70% of net revenue applies, and the page notes that the figure is based on German VAT of 7% and an average distribution cost, so sales abroad change the result.
Print Options and Prices
Authors pick from twelve formats, four bindings and five paper types. The price page gives examples: 7.39 euro per copy for a 200-page pocketbook in black and white, 9.36 euro for an A5 softcover with 150 pages, and 17.11 euro for an A4 hardcover with 20 colour pages of 60.
There is no minimum quantity. From 25 copies a discount applies, starting at 10% and reaching 50% from 1,000 copies. Payment is by direct debit or card, and invoices are possible after a first order of at least 50 euro.
Distribution and Data
A free ISBN, the listing in the German directory of available books and orders through bookshops and online shops such as Amazon are included. E-books go to shops that include Thalia, Hugendubel, Weltbild, Google Play, Apple, Kobo, Skoobe and readfy. E-books must be supplied as EPUB 2.0.
The privacy notice says data is stored on servers in Germany. Newsletter mailing runs through the US provider Mailchimp, and the terms page is dated March 2008.
Limitations to Consider
Royalty depends on a net-revenue formula, so the euro amount per sale is only visible in the calculator. Most pages are German. The terms (AGB) page carries the date March 2008, and the newsletter uses a US provider. This review rests on the vendor's pages, not a hands-on test.
Who Should Use epubli
German-speaking authors who want to publish without any fee and sometimes order small print runs for events, clients or family.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Publishing costs nothing
- Fixed 70% share of net revenue
- Print from a single copy with no minimum
- Twelve formats and five paper types
- Discounts up to 50% for 1,000 copies
Cons
- Earnings are a formula, not a stated price per sale
- Print shipping costs 9.95 euro abroad
- Terms page shows a 2008 date
- Newsletter data goes to a US provider
Alternatives to epubli
Other European self-publishing platforms worth comparing before you decide:
BoD Books on Demand
Germany · Hamburg print-on-demand house with fixed one-off publishing packages
tolino media
Germany · Self-publishing arm of the German tolino bookseller alliance
tredition
Germany · Family-run German platform with a quality check on every book
Bookmundo
Netherlands · Rotterdam print-on-demand platform without exclusivity or setup fees
See all European self-publishing platforms or compare them directly against Amazon KDP on our alternatives page.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. The platform describes publishing as 100% free and without risk. ISBN, distribution and listing are included, and you only pay when you order printed copies for yourself.
The author receives 70% of the net revenue, which is what is left after printing costs, distribution costs and VAT. epubli keeps 30%. The page says both shares are the same for every author.
The price page gives 7.39 euro for a 200-page pocketbook, 9.36 euro for an A5 softcover with 150 pages and 10 colour pages, and 17.11 euro for an A4 hardcover with 60 pages. Discounts start at 10% from 25 copies.