Any good editor for creating epub in 2026?

icearch · 01-07-2026, 04:26 AM

The existing threads are old and little bit messy, so I think might well post a new one.

Here's the thing, it's not for me, but for reletively untrained person (in coding and formatting), since if you want to get labor out of others (for free) you'd better get them something easy to wield right?

So is there any editor that's good for creating epub at this time point (2026)?

And by good I mean:

1. Don't need to fiddle with code. (Better be WYSIWYG but not strictly required.)

2. Can export/import templates or CSS so I can control the styling to be uniform.

3. Somewhat clean inner code (I know it's sort of contradict to 1), so not strictly required. It's just easy for me to examine the final file.)

4. Not need Internet connection/subscription. Fully offline, better portable.

Is there any good options? Or should I just teach them to use MSword properly?

If you have better solutions other than editors/makers, please feel free to share!

Karellen · 01-07-2026, 05:36 AM

The only good option is to teach you or them the basics for CSS, HTML and XML. A bit of regex would be helpful also for search and replaces.

Honestly, it is not that hard. I know as I taught myself a few years ago, even before I found this forum.

icearch · 01-07-2026, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karellen

The only good option is to teach you or them the basics for CSS, HTML and XML. A bit of regex would be helpful also for search and replaces.

Honestly, it is not that hard. I know as I taught myself a few years ago, even before I found this forum.

That's the only good (for the long term and personal growth) option, yes, but free labour is already a long stretch, we all have work to do, it's just not feasible to teach them coding.

It is easy enough, but learning still, people these days just hate learning.

Jellby · 01-07-2026, 08:53 AM

Have you tried Sigil and the calibre editor? I'm not sure how WYSIWYG they are, but at least they have live previews (I believe).

icearch · 01-07-2026, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jellby

Have you tried Sigil and the calibre editor? I'm not sure how WYSIWYG they are, but at least they have live previews (I believe).

The pro of Sigil is that you can control code directly, but the con is it needs quite amount of coding skill. I'm using Sigil and Emeditor to making epubs, which I think is too much for others in my group. Thus here I am asking for something more noob friendly.

I haven't tried Calibre editor, I am going to check it.

JSWolf · 01-07-2026, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icearch

The pro of Sigil is that you can control code directly, but the con is it needs quite amount of coding skill. I'm using Sigil and Emeditor to making epubs, which I think is too much for others in my group. Thus here I am asking for something more noob friendly.

I haven't tried Calibre editor, I am going to check it.

calibre is the same way. You need to know how to code. Sigil does have PageEdit (separate download) which you can try.

But you are best to know how to code as that's how you'll get the good code. Also, code for backwards comparability where needed. Don't assume everyone will be reading with an ePub3 compatible program.

DNSB · 01-07-2026, 05:13 PM

Most of the people I know who create ePubs do so in a word processor (Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Writer are the most popular) and convert the docx output to ePub using calibre. A good chunk of the remainder will create their ebook in a word processor and then use a dedicated program such as Vellum for the conversion. In either case, using styles is, IMNSHO, the most important step to getting an ePub that needs minimal touch-up to be usable.

JSWolf · 01-07-2026, 05:22 PM

Just a quick note. A proper such as Vellum is utter garbage. The code is generates is awful. So be very careful what you use to make your ePub.

DNSB · 01-07-2026, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Just a quick note. A proper such as Vellum is utter garbage. The code is generates is awful. So be very careful what you use to make your ePub.

Oddly, Vellum's code does not seem to make epubcheck unhappy which is my personal definition of bad code. It is verbose and includes a media stylesheet which is enthused about trying to make the ePub look good on a wide variety of screen sizes. If you target Kindle ereaders, that media style sheet grows to add KF8/azw3 and mobi specific code. Very handy for people who are targeting the Amazon format market.

Is it the most efficient code? Nope. Is it the prettiest code? Nope. Does the code work? Yes. Can you notice a difference while reading the ebook such as slow page turns? Not in my experience.

Do I often modify ePub stylesheets? Yes but I edit 99% of the ebooks I read since my personal reading preference are rather idiosyncratic.

For those who are not addicted to studying ePub stylesheets and use a Mac, it is one of the better tools for getting your ebook ready for publication. Which is why quite a few indie authors make use of Vellum to prepare their work for publication.

JSWolf · 01-07-2026, 08:32 PM

It's better to use Sigil or calibre or a combination of both. Sigil has better tools for going from ePub2 to ePub3.

This way you can make sure your code is as you want and not as some program dictates. If you are using Word or Libre Office and you do it correctly with styles, you'll have a pretty decent ePub to start with once calibre has done the conversion.

Turtle91 · 01-07-2026, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

It's better to use Sigil or calibre or a combination of both. Sigil has better tools for going from ePub2 to ePub3. This way you can make sure your code is as you want and not as some program dictates.

Agree, for the long run. But for untrained, free guest help, that's not going to happen...as the OP stated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

If you are using Word or Libre Office and you do it correctly with styles, you'll have a pretty decent ePub to start with once calibre has done the conversion.

Yuppers - 100%!!

icearch · 01-07-2026, 09:07 PM

So I think it does goes back to prepare MSword stylesheet and teach them to do it properly.

I can do the conversion and final tuning, if others do styling some what properly.

So any suitable word processor recommend other than Msword?

icearch · 01-07-2026, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

calibre is the same way. You need to know how to code. Sigil does have PageEdit (separate download) which you can try.

I do download pageedit, but haven't look into it deeply since I know how to code, and it's a bit unintuitive to control tag and class in pageedit, or I just didn't know better.

I guess in the end of day the most important thing still is teaching them what is reflowable text and the importance of styling properly.

JSWolf · 01-07-2026, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by icearch

I do download pageedit, but haven't look into it deeply since I know how to code, and it's a bit unintuitive to control tag and class in pageedit, or I just didn't know better.

I guess in the end of day the most important thing still is teaching them what is reflowable text and the importance of styling properly.

And also teach them HTML/CSS,

Turtle91 · 01-07-2026, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

And also teach them HTML/CSS,

Disregard...I don't think he actually reads other's posts!!

You an try this video...I just googled "how to use styles in libre office"...this was the first video; there are probably better ones others can recommend.

01-07-2026, 04:26 AM	#1
icearch Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2025 Device: none	Any good editor for creating epub in 2026? The existing threads are old and little bit messy, so I think might well post a new one. Here's the thing, it's not for me, but for reletively untrained person (in coding and formatting), since if you want to get labor out of others (for free) you'd better get them something easy to wield right? So is there any editor that's good for creating epub at this time point (2026)? And by good I mean: 1. Don't need to fiddle with code. (Better be WYSIWYG but not strictly required.) 2. Can export/import templates or CSS so I can control the styling to be uniform. 3. Somewhat clean inner code (I know it's sort of contradict to 1), so not strictly required. It's just easy for me to examine the final file.) 4. Not need Internet connection/subscription. Fully offline, better portable. Is there any good options? Or should I just teach them to use MSword properly? If you have better solutions other than editors/makers, please feel free to share!

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01-07-2026, 05:36 AM	#2
Karellen Wizard Posts: 1,742 Karma: 9501032 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Libra 2	The only good option is to teach you or them the basics for CSS, HTML and XML. A bit of regex would be helpful also for search and replaces. Honestly, it is not that hard. I know as I taught myself a few years ago, even before I found this forum.

01-07-2026, 08:53 AM	#4
Jellby frumious Bandersnatch Posts: 7,582 Karma: 21743811 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Spaniard in Sweden Device: Cybook Orizon, Kobo Aura	Have you tried Sigil and the calibre editor? I'm not sure how WYSIWYG they are, but at least they have live previews (I believe).

01-07-2026, 05:13 PM	#7
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 49,494 Karma: 174632680 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Most of the people I know who create ePubs do so in a word processor (Microsoft Word and LibreOffice Writer are the most popular) and convert the docx output to ePub using calibre. A good chunk of the remainder will create their ebook in a word processor and then use a dedicated program such as Vellum for the conversion. In either case, using styles is, IMNSHO, the most important step to getting an ePub that needs minimal touch-up to be usable.

01-07-2026, 05:22 PM	#8
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 81,537 Karma: 150265873 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Just a quick note. A proper such as Vellum is utter garbage. The code is generates is awful. So be very careful what you use to make your ePub.

01-07-2026, 08:32 PM	#10
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 81,537 Karma: 150265873 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	It's better to use Sigil or calibre or a combination of both. Sigil has better tools for going from ePub2 to ePub3. This way you can make sure your code is as you want and not as some program dictates. If you are using Word or Libre Office and you do it correctly with styles, you'll have a pretty decent ePub to start with once calibre has done the conversion.

01-07-2026, 09:07 PM	#12
icearch Enthusiast Posts: 47 Karma: 10 Join Date: Nov 2025 Device: none	So I think it does goes back to prepare MSword stylesheet and teach them to do it properly. I can do the conversion and final tuning, if others do styling some what properly. So any suitable word processor recommend other than Msword?