- KDP tools side by side
- Eleven KDP tools to try
- Which KDP tool handles which job
- What Amazon KDP says about AI-generated covers and text
- Research tool, formatting app or marketing helper?
- Seven questions before you add another KDP tool
- Signs your KDP set-up needs a tool
- My plain advice on choosing KDP tools
- Frequently asked questions
KDP tools help self-publishing authors do the jobs Amazon's own dashboard doesn't: research niches and keywords, format interiors, design launch graphics, deliver reader magnets and track sales across stores. Most specialise in one stage of publishing, and a few combine several. Eleven options follow in no particular order.
Writing the book is only half of self-publishing. The other half is choosing a niche people search for, formatting files Amazon accepts, picking keywords and categories, and getting the book in front of readers.
These tools cover that second half. The eleven below are listed alphabetically and in no particular order, and every description comes from the vendor's own website, read this week. If you publish from Britain, my guide to using Amazon KDP from the UK covers the account and tax set-up first.
KDP tools side by side
I checked the free plan column on each tool's own website, as of Oct 2026. Yes means the site says the tool, or a plan or version of it, is free or open source. Trial only means a time-limited trial. Not stated means the pages I read named neither, even where there's a button inviting you to try it, so check the vendor's page before you sign up.
| Tool | Type | Good for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Book Bolt | KDP research and book creation software | Niche research and low-content books | Trial only |
| Book Brush | Image tool for authors | Mockups and social graphics for a launch | Not stated |
| Book Report | Sales reporting for authors | Seeing all your sales in one place | Trial only |
| BookBeam | All-in-one software for Amazon self-publishers | Niche finding and trademark checks | Yes |
| BookFunnel | Ebook and audiobook delivery for authors | Delivering reader magnets and advance copies | Not stated |
| Draft2Digital | Self-publishing distribution service | Publishing beyond Amazon too | Not stated |
| K-lytics | Ebook market research reports | Choosing a genre with less competition | Not stated |
| KDSPY | Book niche and keyword research tool | Spotting trends in your genre | Not stated |
| Publisher Rocket | Amazon book keyword and category tool | Keywords and categories for a listing | Not stated |
| Reedsy Studio | Free online writing and formatting app | Writing and formatting in one place | Yes |
| Vellum | Book formatting software for Mac | Formatting ebooks and print books on a Mac | Not stated |
Eleven KDP tools to try
Book Bolt
Best for: Low-content publishers who want niche research from Amazon data and help creating puzzle, colouring and journal interiors.
Book Brush
Best for: Authors who want 3D book mockups, ads and social media images from thousands of templates without hiring a designer.
Book Report
Best for: Publishers selling on several platforms and want their sales data imported into one simple dashboard.
BookBeam
Best for: Publishers who want a niche finder, category history and a trademark checker in one place, with a free Chrome extension tier.
BookFunnel
Best for: Writers building a mailing list who want reader magnets, advance review copies and direct sales delivered to readers without download headaches.
Draft2Digital
Best for: Self-publishers who want to publish wide to other stores as well as Amazon, with promotions and universal book links in one account.
K-lytics
Best for: Authors planning their next series who want market reports on which genres and niches face less competition.
KDSPY
Best for: Anyone weighing up a niche who wants to check trends and keywords quickly before they commit months to writing a book.
Publisher Rocket
Best for: Indie authors who want keyword searches and category analysis to optimise their book listing on Amazon.
Reedsy Studio
Best for: First-time authors who want to write, collaborate and format a book in a free online app before they upload it.
Vellum
Best for: Mac users who want to build, style and preview beautiful ebooks for every store, buying only when they're ready to publish.
Which KDP tool handles which job
- Low-content books and niche research: Book Bolt.
- Mockups and launch graphics: Book Brush.
- Niche finding and trademark checks: BookBeam.
- Reader magnets and advance copies: BookFunnel.
- All your sales in one dashboard: Book Report.
- Publishing wide as well as on Amazon: Draft2Digital.
- Genre research before a new series: K-lytics.
- Quick niche and keyword checks: KDSPY.
- Keywords and categories for a listing: Publisher Rocket.
- Writing and formatting online: Reedsy Studio.
- Formatting on a Mac: Vellum.
What Amazon KDP says about AI-generated covers and text
Amazon KDP's content guidelines say you must tell KDP about AI-generated content, meaning text, images or translations, when you publish a new book or republish an edited one. They add that AI-generated images include cover and interior artwork, and that you don't need to disclose AI-assisted content.
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I build the systems that handle the boring 80 percent, so you get your week back. Done properly, with the human kept in.
That distinction matters more than ever, because several self-publishing tools now generate covers, colouring pages and puzzle interiors with AI. If a tool created the actual content, KDP counts it as AI-generated, even if you picked the result and tweaked it. If you wrote the book and used AI to brainstorm or edit, KDP treats that as AI-assisted. Keep a note of which tools made what for every title.
Research tool, formatting app or marketing helper?
Research tools look at Amazon data to show which niches, keywords and categories have readers and how crowded they are. Use them before you write, not after.
Formatting apps turn your manuscript into clean ebook and print files. They save hours of fiddling and fewer files get rejected at upload.
Marketing helpers deliver reader magnets, gather reviews, design launch graphics and pull your sales into one view. They earn their keep once you have more than one book out.
Seven questions before you add another KDP tool
- Which stage of publishing is holding you back right now?
- Does the tool use real Amazon data or estimates?
- Will it create content KDP counts as AI-generated?
- Can you check a trademark before you use a title or phrase?
- Does it export files KDP accepts first time?
- Will it still be useful when you've got five books out?
- Can you cancel easily if you stop publishing for a while?
Signs your KDP set-up needs a tool
- You guess your keywords. Use research data.
- Uploads keep getting rejected. Fix your formatting.
- Your launch graphics look homemade. Use templates.
- You can't see sales in one place. Pull reports together.
Do you make a KDP or self-publishing tool? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.
My plain advice on choosing KDP tools
Choose for your bottleneck, not your wish list. If books don't sell, it's usually the niche, the keywords or the cover, so start there. If you're spending weekends wrestling with formatting, fix that first. One tool that removes your biggest problem beats five that sit unopened.
If you're also selling from Canada, my guide to Amazon KDP in Canada explains how it works there.
Frequently asked questions
What are KDP tools?
They're apps that help Amazon self-publishers with niche and keyword research, formatting, covers, marketing and sales tracking.
Are there free KDP tools?
A few have a free app, a free version or a free tier. Check the free plan column above, then confirm on each vendor's site.
Must I tell Amazon if I used AI?
Amazon KDP says you must disclose AI-generated text, images or translations, including covers, but not AI-assisted content.
What's the difference between AI-generated and AI-assisted content?
KDP says AI-generated means an AI tool created the content. AI-assisted means you created it and used AI to edit or brainstorm.
Do I need a formatting tool for KDP?
Not always, but formatting tools produce clean ebook and print files faster and reduce rejected uploads.
Can I publish on other stores as well as Amazon?
Yes, unless you've enrolled a book in an exclusive programme. Distribution services can send your book to other stores.
