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Publishing · head to head

Kobo vs Lulu

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
Lulu logo

Lulu

Publishing

Quality book printing at a reasonable price

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Kobo has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Kobo the overall ebook and audiobook catalogue, especially exclusive or first-run titles, is smaller than Amazon can offer through Kindle and Audible.; Lulu no fixed pricing published; vendor requires pricing calculator for quotes
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 1 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kobo and Lulu actually diverge.

Attributes where Kobo and Lulu differ
AttributeKoboLulu
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFree store and app; hardware sold separately; optional subscriptionusage-based
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsiOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readersWeb

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 Kobo

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

Only in Lulu

Nothing recorded that Kobo does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Kobo

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

Lulu

  • Self-publishing novels without traditional publishingnot Kobo
  • Producing print-on-demand photo books without inventorynot Kobo
  • Creating photo books for preserving memoriesnot Kobo
  • Accessing 40,000+ global book retailersnot Kobo

Where each one falls short

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

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.

Lulu

  • No fixed pricing published; vendor requires pricing calculator for quotes
  • Costs vary significantly based on trim size, binding type, page count, and shipping
  • Author royalties and distribution fees not disclosed on website

Pricing, plan by plan

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

Lulu

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Lulu review.

Which should you pick?

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

Choose Lulu if

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

Lulu review

Questions people ask

Is Kobo or Lulu better?
Neither clearly leads. Kobo starts at Free and Lulu at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kobo or Lulu?
Kobo has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Kobo and On request for Lulu.
Does Kobo or Lulu run on more platforms?
Kobo runs on iOS, Android, Web, Kobo e-readers. Lulu runs on Web.
Can I use Kobo for free?
Yes. Kobo has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Lulu starts at On request.
What is Kobo best used for?
Kobo is most often used for a reader who wants dedicated e-ink hardware instead of reading on a backlit phone or tablet, someone who borrows heavily from a public library and wants overdrive integration built directly into the device, a reader outside the amazon ecosystem who wants an open epub-based alternative to kindle, someone who wants the option of both buying individual ebooks and an unlimited subscription from one store. Of those, a reader who wants dedicated e-ink hardware instead of reading on a backlit phone or tablet and someone who borrows heavily from a public library and wants overdrive integration built directly into the device are not what Lulu is typically brought in for.
What can Kobo do that Lulu cannot?
Kobo covers E-ink devices, EPUB support, Built-in Libby integration, Kobo Plus.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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.

Lulu: How much does Lulu self-publishing cost?

Lulu does not publish fixed pricing. Costs depend on specific book specifications including trim size, binding type, page count, and distribution format. Users must access Lulu's pricing calculator to receive personalized quotes for their book project.

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.

Lulu: How does Lulu's pricing calculator work?

Users input their book specifications such as trim size, binding type, and page count into Lulu's pricing calculator tool to receive customized pricing quotes and view production timelines.

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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