A Vellum Alternative for Every Device, Not Just Mac
Vellum has a deserved reputation for the best-looking formatted books in indie publishing. Its one hard limitation is that it runs only on macOS, which locks out every Windows and Chromebook author. CruxOne formats print and ebook in the browser on any device, and goes further, covering writing, covers, audiobook and publishing in the same place.
What Vellum is best at
Vellum produces genuinely beautiful print and ebook formatting, with refined typography that formatting purists prefer. If you own a Mac and want the most polished-looking book with minimal effort, Vellum is excellent at that one job.
When to choose Vellum
Choose Vellum if you own a Mac, you care most about the last few percent of typographic polish, and you are happy to write, design and publish with separate tools.
When to choose CruxOne
Choose CruxOne if you are on Windows or a Chromebook, or if you want more than formatting: AI writing, cover design, audiobook, translation and one-click publishing, all in the browser and free to start.
| Feature | Vellum | CruxOne |
|---|---|---|
| AI writing & editing | No | Yes, write and edit the whole book |
| AI cover design | No | Yes, AI cover design |
| Print-ready formatting | Yes, excellent (Mac only) | Yes, print and ebook |
| Audiobook narration | No | Yes, AI narration |
| Translation | No | Yes, 90+ languages |
| One-click publishing to stores | No | Yes, KDP, Apple, Kobo & 50+ |
| Works on Windows, Mac & web | macOS only | Any browser, any device |
| Pricing | $199.99–$249.99 one-time | Free plan, then from $19/mo |
Frequently asked questions
What is the best Vellum alternative?
For formatting alone, Atticus is the closest cross-platform match. For formatting plus writing, covers and publishing in one place, CruxOne covers the whole workflow, and it runs on any device.
Is there a Vellum alternative for Windows?
Yes. Vellum is Mac-only. CruxOne runs in any browser on Windows, Mac or Chromebook, and formats both print and ebook.
Does CruxOne format as well as Vellum?
CruxOne produces clean, retailer-ready print and ebook files. Vellum edges ahead on fine typographic polish, but CruxOne runs everywhere and also writes, covers and publishes.
Is CruxOne cheaper than Vellum?
CruxOne is free to start and from $19/month, versus Vellum's $199.99 to $249.99 up front, and it replaces the separate writing, cover and publishing tools you would otherwise buy alongside Vellum.
What exactly does Vellum cost?
Vellum sells two one-time licences: $199.99 for ebook formatting, and $249.99 for ebooks plus paperback. There is no subscription, which many authors like, but there is also no way to use it without a Mac.
Can I run Vellum in a browser or on a Chromebook?
No. Vellum is a native macOS application, not a web app, so there is no browser version and no Chromebook version. CruxOne runs entirely in the browser on whatever device you already own.
Does Vellum have AI writing?
No. Vellum is purely a formatting tool. It does not draft or edit your text, design covers, narrate audiobooks or publish, and it has never claimed to.
Can Vellum publish to Amazon KDP?
No. Vellum exports the files and you upload them to KDP yourself. CruxOne publishes to Amazon KDP, Apple Books, Kobo and 50+ stores from inside the app.
Can I use Vellum for formatting and CruxOne for everything else?
Yes, if you own a Mac. Let Vellum handle the interior typography it is famous for, and use CruxOne for writing, cover design, audiobook narration, translation and distribution.