Mythwrite and Vellum
Formatting your book without a Mac
Vellum is well loved for beautiful book formatting, but it only runs on a Mac. If you write on Windows, Linux or a Chromebook, you need another route. Mythwrite is a web app, so it works anywhere you have a browser. This page compares the two honestly.
Mythwrite isn't affiliated with Vellum. It's a web app, so it runs in any browser on Windows, Mac, Linux or a Chromebook.
45 days free, no card required. We make Mythwrite, so this page is not neutral; we have tried to be fair.
Who this page is for
- You publish on Kindle or in paperback and use Windows, Linux or a Chromebook.
- You want one place to draft, revise and produce the EPUB and print PDF.
- You do not want to buy a Mac just to format a book.
The short verdict
On a Mac, Vellum is a polished, focused formatter and has a deeper set of trim sizes and styling. Off a Mac it is not an option. Mythwrite gives you publish-ready EPUB and print PDF with themes from the same browser tab you write in, with fewer trim sizes and a younger feature set.
Feature by feature
Mythwrite and Vellum side by side
| Vellum | Mythwrite | |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | macOS 13 or newer only. The site mentions no Windows version. | Any modern browser: Windows, Linux, Mac and Chromebook. |
| What it is | A dedicated book formatting app. | A manuscript editor with planning, story bible and publishing in one app. |
| Ebook output | EPUB 3 and EPUB 2, with MOBI mentioned for beta-reader copies. | Publish-ready EPUB, plus Send to Kindle delivery. |
| Print output | Paperback or hardcover PDF/X-1a, with full-bleed pages. | Print PDF with themes. Three trim sizes: 5 x 8, 5.5 x 8.5 and 6 x 9 inches. |
| Trim sizes | 24 trim sizes, plus large print. | Three presets. |
| Styling | Drop caps, embedded fonts, flourishes, custom ornaments and backgrounds. | Publish themes; fewer decorative options. |
| Illustrated books | Image optimisation and full-bleed backgrounds. | Figure blocks with captions and alt text that carry into PDF, EPUB and audiobook. |
| Price | Free to download and preview. US$199.99 for Ebooks or US$249.99 for Press (ebooks and print), one-time, excluding tax. | Monthly subscription from £7.99 after a 45-day free trial (no card required). Publish-ready PDF and EPUB export is on the £14.99 tier. |
Last checked: 25 October 2026. Prices and features change; check Vellum's site.
Is there a Vellum for Windows?
No. Vellum only runs on a Mac.
- Rent a cloud Mac. You can rent a Mac over the internet from a Mac-in-the-cloud service and run Vellum on it. It fits if you want Vellum itself and will pay for the extra service. Check the provider's price and terms first.
- Atticus. Runs on Windows, Mac, Linux and Chromebook for a one-time price (US$147 at the time we checked). It fits if you want to write and format in one place and pay once.
- Reedsy Book Editor. A browser-based book editor from Reedsy. It fits if you want to try a web formatter first; check reedsy.com for its current features and price.
- Word with a template. You can set up a book layout in Microsoft Word, or use a ready-made template. It fits if you already know Word and are happy to adjust the layout by hand.
- Mythwrite. A web app that runs in any browser, with EPUB and print PDF export. It fits if you want to draft, plan and format in one place and prefer a subscription.
Why a web app?
Mythwrite runs in the browser so it works on whatever computer you have, with nothing to install. A web app has trade-offs too: it needs an internet connection, and you are trusting the provider with your work. We set out both sides in an honest look at desktop and web apps for writers. Desktop app or web app? An honest look for writers.
Where Mythwrite fits
- You are not on a Mac, or you move between devices.
- You would rather keep drafting and formatting together than export and re-import.
- You want a subscription you can stop, rather than a larger one-off purchase.
- You need audiobook export or alt text for illustrations.
Where Vellum fits
- You are on a Mac and want the most polished formatting tool, with a long-standing reputation.
- You need more trim sizes, hardcover output or detailed ornamental styling.
- You prefer a one-off purchase and write elsewhere.
- You produce box sets or heavily designed interiors.
Questions
Good to know.
Is there a Vellum for Windows?
No. According to Vellum's own site it is available only for Mac, on macOS 13 or newer. It does not mention a Windows version.
Can Mythwrite produce files for Kindle Direct Publishing?
It produces an EPUB for ebooks and a print PDF for paperbacks. KDP's rules are set by Amazon, so check your file in KDP's previewer before publishing.
Can I write in Mythwrite and format elsewhere?
Yes. You can export DOCX or Markdown at any point and use those in another tool.
Is this page neutral?
No, we make Mythwrite. Vellum's details come from its own site and we have said where it is stronger.
Switching from Vellum?
Prepare a Word DOCX manuscript with our Word and Google Docs guideTry it on your own book.
Import a chapter, look around, and decide for yourself. 45 days free, no card required.
Sources
- Vellum home page (accessed 25 October 2026)
All product names are the property of their owners and are used here only to identify them. Mythwrite is not affiliated with or endorsed by Vellum.