$0 upload and revisions
Skip the $49 + $25 per-revision cycle IngramSpark charges for direct uploads.
Compare
Chiify vs IngramSpark
IngramSpark is Ingram's self-publishing arm, owned by the world's largest book distributor. They reach indie bookstores and academic libraries that pure-digital aggregators can't. Chiify distributes to IngramSpark + everywhere else.
IngramSpark is the self-publishing arm of Ingram Content Group — the world's largest book distributor, which supplies most indie bookstores, academic libraries, and international book wholesalers. If your book needs to reach a brick-and-mortar indie bookstore, IngramSpark is the path.
Chiify is different in scope: we're an aggregator that delivers to IngramSpark as one of our channels, plus Amazon directly, Apple, Kobo, Google Play, OverDrive, and our library aggregation hub. So this isn't really "Chiify vs. IngramSpark" — it's "Use Chiify (which includes IngramSpark) vs. Use IngramSpark directly."
Chiify vs IngramSpark, side by side
| Feature | Chiify | IngramSpark | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upload cost per title | $0 | $49 (Print + Ebook); $25 ebook-only | ✓ |
| Per-revision fee | $0 unlimited revisions | $25 per revision after first | ✓ |
| Commission on sales | 0% (Lifetime/Pro), 10% (Free) | 40% wholesale discount + Ingram cut | – |
| Free EPUB conversion | Yes | No | ✓ |
| Free ISBN | Yes | No | ✓ |
| Amazon Kindle | Direct | Possible but discouraged | ✓ |
| Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play | Yes | Yes | – |
| Indie bookstore distribution | Via IngramSpark channel | Yes | – |
| Academic library distribution | Via IngramSpark + library network | Yes | – |
| Print-on-demand (paperback) | Via IngramSpark channel | Yes | – |
| Hardcover print-on-demand | Via IngramSpark channel | Yes | – |
| Audiobook distribution | Yes | No | ✓ |
| Library lending platforms | OverDrive, Hoopla, cloudLibrary direct | Indirect via wholesale | ✓ |
| WCAG 2.2 accessibility | Auto on every plan | Author's responsibility | ✓ |
| Best for | Authors wanting one platform for everything | Authors only doing paperback for bookstores | – |
Competitor details are based on publicly available information and can change — check IngramSpark's site for current pricing and terms.
What you actually pay
Upload cost math
IngramSpark direct (1 book, print + ebook)
- Initial upload: $49
- First revision (almost always needed): $25
- Title change later: $25
- Total typical first-year cost: $74 + per-revision
Chiify (1 book, print + ebook, includes IngramSpark delivery)
- Initial upload: $0
- Revisions: $0 each, unlimited
- EPUB conversion: $0
- ISBN: $0
- Total first-year cost: $0 (Free plan) or $300 (Lifetime)
The Lifetime plan pays for itself after roughly 4 IngramSpark-direct uploads with revisions.
Hybrid setup
Many authors use both
A common pattern: use Chiify for ebook + audiobook + library distribution, and use IngramSpark direct for paperback + hardcover print-on-demand. You get Chiify's 0% commission on digital and IngramSpark's indie-bookstore reach on print.
If you do this, use different ISBNs per format and make sure metadata stays in sync between the two systems.
Why authors choose Chiify
Digital + print in one place
Ebook, audiobook, and print-on-demand via IngramSpark channel — plus direct Amazon, Apple, and library lending.
Free EPUB and ISBN
Conversion and Bowker ISBNs included — not separate line items on every title.
WCAG 2.2 by default
Accessibility compliance built into every EPUB before it reaches EU retailers.
When IngramSpark might be the better choice
No tool is right for everyone. Here's where IngramSpark can be the smarter pick:
- Paperback-only for indie bookstores — direct ordering relationships and returns processing.
- Hardcover quality control — direct relationship with Ingram print plants for paper, color, and binding.
- Authors who only need print and want maximum control over the Ingram relationship.
Try the numbers yourself with our free royalty calculator and print cost calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Chiify replace IngramSpark entirely?
For digital (ebook + audiobook), yes. For print, we use IngramSpark as a delivery channel — your print book reaches the same indie bookstores and academic libraries it would if you uploaded direct.
Can I use Chiify for digital and IngramSpark direct for print?
Yes, common setup. Use different ISBNs (one for ebook on Chiify, separate for paperback on IngramSpark) and keep metadata in sync.
Is the IngramSpark distribution discount really 40%?
IngramSpark requires a wholesale discount retailers can buy at. The minimum for catalog inclusion is 30%; many authors set 40–55%. Through Chiify, this setup is the same but our aggregator commission is 0% (Lifetime) instead of additional cuts.
Start distributing your books worldwide
Keep 100% of your royalties — no exclusivity, no setup fees.