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Publishing · head to head

Kotobee vs Marq

Kotobee logo

Kotobee

Publishing

Interactive EPUB authoring that also exports native mobile apps and hosted libraries

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Marq logo

Marq

Publishing

Web-based design and publishing for brand templates

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Kotobee interactive EPUB 3 features degrade or disappear in mainstream retail readers, Kindle in particular, so a book built around widgets and quizzes cannot simply be resold through ordinary retail channels later.; Marq enterprise pricing requires sales consultation with no online quotes
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Kotobee and Marq actually diverge.

Attributes where Kotobee and Marq differ
AttributeKotobeeMarq
Pricing modelPer licence per yearfreemium
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Web, iOS, AndroidWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Kotobee

  • Interactive EPUB 3
  • Quizzes and question banks
  • Native app export
  • Kotobee Cloud
  • DRM and access control
  • Kotobee Reader

Only in Marq

Nothing recorded that Kotobee does not also cover.

What people use each for

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

Kotobee

  • An education publisher whose distribution channel is a branded app installed by schools rather than a retail ebook storenot Marq
  • A training department delivering interactive course material with embedded assessment to a known set of employeesnot Marq
  • A publisher in a market where regional retail ebook channels are weak and direct institutional sales dominatenot Marq
  • An organisation that needs access control and device limits on material it cannot distribute openlynot Marq

Marq

  • Design automation for print materialsnot Kotobee
  • Team-based design collaborationnot Kotobee
  • Brand asset managementnot Kotobee

Where each one falls short

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

Kotobee

  • Interactive EPUB 3 features degrade or disappear in mainstream retail readers, Kindle in particular, so a book built around widgets and quizzes cannot simply be resold through ordinary retail channels later.
  • Exporting a native app does not remove the app store obligations: you need Apple and Google developer accounts, you handle review submissions, and you own every rejection and update cycle.
  • There is no print workflow at all, so a title that also needs a paperback edition requires a separate layout tool and a duplicated production process.
  • It is a small vendor with a limited partner and integration ecosystem, which is a genuine concern for an institution embedding it in a multi-year curriculum programme.
  • Cloud hosting, DRM and user management are priced separately from the authoring licence, so the recurring cost of delivery, rather than the software purchase, is what the budget has to carry.

Marq

  • Enterprise pricing requires sales consultation with no online quotes
  • 3 project limit on free tier restricts heavy users

Pricing, plan by plan

Kotobee

Free
  • Kotobee Author$undefined/year
    • A free tier with limited export options
    • Paid licence tiers unlock app export and advanced widgets
    • Kotobee Cloud hosting and DRM billed separately

Marq

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 25MB storage
    • 3 project limit
    • basic template library
  • Pro$10/month
    • 2GB storage
    • 5 free design imports
    • premium library
  • Team$10/month
    • 2GB+ shared storage
    • 15 free design imports
    • admin/user roles
  • Enterprise$null/custom
    • Unlimited storage
    • 30+ design imports
    • unlimited automations

Which should you pick?

Choose Kotobee if

  • You need interactive epub 3.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android.
  • You also want quizzes and question banks.
Kotobee review

Choose Marq if

  • You want to start without paying.
Marq review

Questions people ask

Is Kotobee or Marq better?
Neither clearly leads. Kotobee starts at Free and Marq at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Kotobee or Marq?
Kotobee starts at Free and Marq at Free.
Does Kotobee or Marq run on more platforms?
Kotobee runs on Windows, macOS, Web, iOS, Android. Marq runs on Web.
Can I use Kotobee for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Kotobee best used for?
Kotobee is most often used for an education publisher whose distribution channel is a branded app installed by schools rather than a retail ebook store, a training department delivering interactive course material with embedded assessment to a known set of employees, a publisher in a market where regional retail ebook channels are weak and direct institutional sales dominate, an organisation that needs access control and device limits on material it cannot distribute openly. Of those, an education publisher whose distribution channel is a branded app installed by schools rather than a retail ebook store and a training department delivering interactive course material with embedded assessment to a known set of employees are not what Marq is typically brought in for.
What can Kotobee do that Marq cannot?
Kotobee covers Interactive EPUB 3, Quizzes and question banks, Native app export, Kotobee Cloud.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Kotobee: Can I sell a Kotobee book on Amazon?

You can sell a stripped-down EPUB, but the interactive content that justified the tool will not render. Treat retail as a separate, simpler edition.

Marq: What storage limits apply to each paid plan?

Pro and Team plans both include 2GB+ shared storage. Enterprise plans offer unlimited storage. Free plan limited to 25MB.

Source
Kotobee: Does Kotobee publish the app to the stores for me?

No. It generates the application; you supply the developer accounts and go through Apple and Google review yourself, including every subsequent update.

Marq: Can I upgrade from monthly to annual billing for cost savings?

Pro and Team plans offer annual billing at $120 per year (equivalent to $10/month), versus month-to-month at $10/month. Contact sales for Enterprise annual options.

Source
Kotobee: Is it suitable for a trade fiction publisher?

No. It is built for education, training and reference material where interactivity and controlled access are the point.

Marq: How many team members can be added per plan?

Team plan supports 2-20 licenses with 1 primary user and 1 secondary free license included. Pro plan limited to 1 user. Contact sales for Enterprise member scaling.

Source
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