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Publishing · head to head

Blurb vs Kobo

Blurb logo

Blurb

Publishing

Visual storytelling through print-on-demand books and wall art

From
$3.99/unit
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Kobo logo

Kobo

Publishing

Rakuten e-reader hardware, app and ebook store, the reader-facing side of the Kobo ecosystem

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kobo has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Blurb print-on-demand model; no subscription plans or seat limits; Kobo the overall ebook and audiobook catalogue, especially exclusive or first-run titles, is smaller than Amazon can offer through Kindle and Audible.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Blurb and Kobo actually diverge.

Attributes where Blurb and Kobo differ
AttributeBlurbKobo
Starting price$3.99/unitFree
Pricing modelusage-basedFree store and app; hardware sold separately; optional subscription
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebiOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readers

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Publishing).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Blurb

Nothing recorded that Kobo does not also cover.

Only in Kobo

  • E-ink devices
  • EPUB support
  • Built-in Libby integration
  • Kobo Plus
  • Kobo Store
  • Note-taking models

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Blurb

  • Self-publishingnot Kobo
  • Print marketing materialsnot Kobo

Kobo

  • A reader who wants dedicated e-ink hardware instead of reading on a backlit phone or tabletnot Blurb
  • Someone who borrows heavily from a public library and wants OverDrive integration built directly into the devicenot Blurb
  • A reader outside the Amazon ecosystem who wants an open EPUB-based alternative to Kindlenot Blurb
  • Someone who wants the option of both buying individual ebooks and an unlimited subscription from one storenot Blurb

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Blurb

  • Print-on-demand model; no subscription plans or seat limits
  • Per-page costs add $0.04-$3.50 depending on product type
  • Volume discounts require minimum orders

Kobo

  • The overall ebook and audiobook catalogue, especially exclusive or first-run titles, is smaller than Amazon can offer through Kindle and Audible.
  • Kobo Plus, the unlimited subscription layer, is not available in every country the hardware and store otherwise serve.
  • Hardware pricing for higher-end note-taking models runs into the several-hundred-dollar range, which is a real commitment against reading on a phone for free.
  • Software updates and app polish have historically lagged the Kindle app in some regions, particularly around syncing and highlighting features.
  • This is a distinct product from Kobo Writing Life, and readers looking for author or publishing tools need that separate platform, not this one.

Pricing, plan by plan

Blurb

$3.99/unit
  • Paperback$3.99/unit
  • Photo Books$12/unit
  • Notebooks$12/unit
  • Wall Art$65/unit

Kobo

Free
  • Kobo app and storeFree
    • Free app and store, pay per ebook or audiobook
    • Hardware sold separately, from around $110 for entry e-readers
    • Full library of individual purchases
  • Kobo Plus$9.99/month
    • Unlimited access to a Kobo Plus catalogue
    • Available in supported countries only
    • Layered on top of the regular store

Which should you pick?

Choose Blurb if

Nothing in the data separates Blurb from Kobo on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Blurb review

Choose Kobo if

  • You need e-ink devices.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on iOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readers.
  • You also want epub support.
Kobo review

Questions people ask

Is Blurb or Kobo better?
Neither clearly leads. Blurb starts at $3.99/unit and Kobo at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Blurb or Kobo?
Kobo has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $3.99/unit for Blurb and Free for Kobo.
Does Blurb or Kobo run on more platforms?
Blurb runs on Web. Kobo runs on iOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readers.
Can I use Kobo for free?
Yes. Kobo has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Blurb starts at $3.99/unit.
What is Blurb best used for?
Blurb is most often used for self-publishing, print marketing materials. Of those, self-publishing and print marketing materials are not what Kobo is typically brought in for.
What can Blurb do that Kobo cannot?
Kobo covers E-ink devices, EPUB support, Built-in Libby integration, Kobo Plus.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Blurb: What is Blurb's starting price for printed books?

Blurb's paperback books start at $3.99 for a 5x8-inch book with economy color paper, with prices increasing based on size and binding style.

Source
Kobo: Is this the same as Kobo Writing Life?

No, Kobo Writing Life is the separate self-publishing platform for authors; this entry is the consumer reading app, store and hardware.

Blurb: Does Blurb offer volume discounts?

Blurb provides volume discounts: 10-20% for 10-19 copies, 15-20% for 20-49 copies, and 20-25% for 50+ copies depending on product type.

Source
Kobo: Can I borrow library books on a Kobo device?

Yes, many Kobo devices have built-in OverDrive/Libby integration for direct library borrowing.

Blurb: What does Blurb charge for photo book printing?

Blurb's photo books start at $12 and can cost up to $159 depending on size (6 sizes available), paper quality, and cover binding option.

Source
Kobo: Do I need a subscription to use Kobo?

No, you can buy ebooks and audiobooks individually; Kobo Plus is an optional unlimited add-on where available.

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