15 self-publishing and pay-to-publish companies, each reviewed the same way: what the packages cost, what the contract says about rights and royalties, and what authors report on the BBB and Trustpilot. Every figure links its source and carries the date we checked it. Start with the price and rights columns, then read the review for anything you are about to sign.
Last checked 19 October 2026 · No affiliate links · The best self-publishing companies, compared
| Company | Type | Packages | Royalty | BBB | Trustpilot | Review |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archway Publishing | Self-publishing service company | $2,599–18,599 | Print: 10% of list price through retailers, 25% on its own bookstore; e-book: 50% of net receipts | A+, accredited, 73 complaints in 3 years | 3.8 of 5 from 452 reviews | Archway Publishing review |
| Atmosphere Press | Hybrid publisher | $7,200–29,700 | 90% of sales proceeds to the author, paid quarterly (contract cl. 11); basis not defined | A+, not accredited, 1 complaints in 3 years | 4.8 of 5 from 235 reviews | Atmosphere Press review |
| AuthorHouse | Self-publishing service company | $1,499–7,589 | Print: 10% of list price through retailers, 25% on its own bookstore; e-book: 50% of list less discounts | A+, accredited, 73 complaints in 3 years | 3.6 of 5 from 1,019 reviews | AuthorHouse review |
| BookBaby | Self-publishing service company | No package prices; each service priced separately | Ebooks through retailers 100% of net received; own Bookshop 85% ebook, 50% print | A+, not accredited, 15 complaints in 3 years | 4.3 of 5 from 5,500 reviews | BookBaby review |
| Christian Faith Publishing | Hybrid publisher | $4,085–6,581 | All vendor receipts until the author recoups the package price, then all but 50¢ a copy | A+, accredited, 45 complaints in 3 years | 2.2 of 5 from 12 reviews | Christian Faith Publishing review |
| Covenant Books | Pay-to-publish press | $4,085–6,581 | All vendor receipts until the author recoups the package price, then all but 5%; FAQ: about $3 a print copy | A+, not accredited, 14 complaints in 3 years | 2.4 of 5 from 11 reviews | Covenant Books review |
| Dorrance Publishing | Hybrid publisher | No prices published | Not published for print or ebook; audiobooks 80% of royalties, basis not stated | A+, accredited, 58 complaints in 3 years | 4.6 of 5 from 45 reviews | Dorrance Publishing review |
| FriesenPress | Self-publishing service company | $2,299–15,999 | Print: a share of list price above a minimum it sets (45–97% by channel); ebooks up to 70% | A+, accredited, 1 complaints in 3 years | Not listed | FriesenPress review |
| Outskirts Press | Self-publishing service company | $999–2,099 | 100% of the gap between wholesale price and the base price Outskirts sets; author sets the retail price (cl. 5) | A+, accredited, 3 complaints in 3 years | 3.8 of 5 from 5 reviews | Outskirts Press review |
| Page Publishing | Hybrid publisher | $4,085–8,081 | All profit until the author recoups the package price, then all but 20¢ a copy; no per-format rate published | A+, accredited, 36 complaints in 3 years | 2.2 of 5 from 20 reviews | Page Publishing review |
| Palmetto Publishing | Self-publishing service company | From $1,598 | 100% of print "royalties profit": wholesale price minus Palmetto's print cost | A+, accredited, 4 complaints in 3 years | 4.8 of 5 from 1,165 reviews | Palmetto Publishing review |
| She Writes Press | Hybrid publisher | From $12,000 | 60% of net on print, 70% of net on ebooks (less a small ebook fee) | A+, not accredited, 0 complaints in 3 years | Not listed | She Writes Press review |
| WestBow Press | Self-publishing service company | $2,699–8,299 | Print 10% of list price through retailers, 25% on its own store; ebook 50% of list less discounts | A+, accredited, 73 complaints in 3 years | 3.9 of 5 from 905 reviews | WestBow Press review |
| Xlibris | Self-publishing service company | $999–16,499 | Print: 10% of list price through retailers (agreement), 25% on its own bookstore; e-book: 50% of list less discounts | A+, accredited, 73 complaints in 3 years | 2.1 of 5 from 1,326 reviews | Xlibris review |
| Xulon Press | Self-publishing service company | No prices published; quote on request | 100% of net profit after its distribution and printing costs | Not rated, not accredited, 2 complaints in 3 years | Not listed | Xulon Press review |
