KDP vs IngramSpark: Which Should You Choose?
They’re not rivals so much as different tools. Here’s what each does best — and why serious self-publishers often use both.
Quick answer: Amazon KDP is best for reaching Amazon’s huge audience with free, easy setup and strong ebook royalties. IngramSpark is best for wide distribution to bookstores and libraries and premium print options. Many authors use both — KDP for Amazon, IngramSpark for everywhere else.
| Platform | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Amazon KDP | Amazon sales, ebooks, simple setup | Free; up to 70% ebook royalties |
| IngramSpark | Bookstore & library distribution, hardcover, wide reach | Small fees; bookstore-friendly terms |
See our book publishing service to set up either or both.
Ask which is better, Amazon KDP or IngramSpark, and the honest answer is: it depends on where you want your book to sell. They’re built for different jobs. KDP owns the Amazon customer. IngramSpark owns the path into physical bookstores and libraries. Understanding that split makes the decision simple — and often points to using both.
What KDP does best
KDP is unbeatable for reaching Amazon’s massive customer base. It’s free, fast, and its print-on-demand costs are low, which means higher per-copy royalties on Amazon sales. It also unlocks Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and Amazon’s advertising ecosystem. If most of your sales will come through Amazon — which for most self-published authors, they will — KDP is the core of your setup. Start with our step-by-step KDP guide.
What IngramSpark does best
IngramSpark plugs your book into the Ingram catalog — the distribution network that bookstores, libraries, and international retailers actually order from. Bookstores are reluctant to stock a book listed as published by “Amazon,” their direct competitor. IngramSpark also offers more print options: hardcovers, more trim sizes, premium papers, and better control over returns. If you want your book available beyond Amazon — in indie shops, libraries, or overseas — IngramSpark is how you get there.
Head-to-head on the things that matter
- Reach: KDP = Amazon and Kindle. IngramSpark = 40,000+ retailers, bookstores, and libraries worldwide.
- Cost: KDP is free to publish. IngramSpark charges small setup and revision fees, though these are frequently waived via promo codes.
- Print quality and options: IngramSpark generally offers more formats and finishes; KDP is simpler and cheaper for standard trade paperbacks.
- Royalties on Amazon: KDP usually pays more per copy on Amazon sales because printing costs are lower.
- Bookstore-friendliness: IngramSpark wins — its listings and return options make stores far more willing to order.
The strategy most pros actually use
Many experienced self-publishers use both, deliberately: KDP for Kindle and Amazon print (best royalties there), and IngramSpark for expanded distribution to everywhere else. The one setting that makes this work is turning off KDP’s “Expanded Distribution” so the two don’t compete to supply the same non-Amazon retailers — you let Ingram handle those channels. It sounds fiddly, but it’s a one-time setup that gives you Amazon’s economics and Ingram’s reach at once.
So which should you choose?
If you’re publishing one book and nearly all your sales will be on Amazon, start with KDP alone — it’s free and covers most of the market. If bookstore placement, library sales, or premium hardcovers matter to you, add IngramSpark. For a book that’s part of a real author business, using both is the standard playbook. Not sure how to set it up cleanly? Our publishing team configures multi-channel distribution so it works without the channel conflicts.
Helpful resources
Frequently asked questions
Is KDP or IngramSpark better?
Neither is universally better — they serve different channels. KDP is best for Amazon and Kindle sales with the highest per-copy royalties there. IngramSpark is best for reaching bookstores, libraries, and international retailers. Many authors use both.
Can I use both KDP and IngramSpark for the same book?
Yes, and it’s a common professional strategy. Use KDP for Amazon and Kindle, and IngramSpark for wider distribution. Turn off KDP’s Expanded Distribution so the two don’t compete to supply the same non-Amazon retailers.
Is IngramSpark worth the cost?
If you want bookstore, library, or international availability, yes — that reach is hard to get any other way. If nearly all your sales come through Amazon, KDP alone may be enough. IngramSpark often waives setup fees with promo codes.
Which pays higher royalties?
For Amazon sales, KDP typically pays more per copy because its print costs are lower. For non-Amazon channels, IngramSpark is what actually gets your book into those stores, so the comparison depends on where the sale happens.
Want distribution set up without the headaches?
Author’s Craft configures KDP and IngramSpark together — Amazon’s economics plus bookstore and library reach, with no channel conflicts. Get a quote for done-for-you publishing.