Top MagCloud Alternative Platforms for Self-Publishing Your Magazine

MagCloud, HP's innovative self-publishing web service, revolutionized how aspiring and experienced publishers brought their ideas, stories, and images to life in a printed magazine format. Offering commercial-quality magazines printed on demand with no upfront costs or minimum print runs, MagCloud simplified the process by providing automated ordering and print management. While MagCloud offered an incredible service, the landscape of self-publishing has evolved, leading many to seek a robust MagCloud alternative that caters to a wider range of needs and preferences.

Best MagCloud Alternatives

Whether you're looking for broader distribution, more control, or different publishing formats, these platforms offer excellent alternatives to MagCloud for bringing your print dreams to reality.

Lulu

Lulu is a commercial web-based platform that empowers creators to make, self-publish, print, and sell print-on-demand books, e-books, photo books, and calendars. It stands out as a strong MagCloud alternative due to its comprehensive publishing and self-publishing features, offering flexibility beyond just magazines to include various print formats.

CreateSpace

CreateSpace, a commercial web platform, allowed users to sell books, CDs, and DVDs for a fraction of traditional manufacturing costs while maintaining more control over their materials. While primarily known for books, its robust publishing and self-publishing features made it a viable MagCloud alternative for those seeking broader media publishing capabilities, before its integration into Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing.

Magforest.com

Magforest.com is an innovative digital magazine newsstand and online distribution platform for magazine publishers and readers. Available on Free, Mac, Windows, Linux, Web, Android, iOS, and Wordpress, it specializes in digital magazines with features for high-quality photos and magazine publishing, making it an excellent MagCloud alternative for those focused on digital distribution rather than print-on-demand.

FastPencil

FastPencil is a free, web-based, and iPhone-compatible book authoring and collaboration application designed to help users quickly create, write, and work on books. While it may not offer direct print magazine distribution like MagCloud, its focus on easy content creation and collaboration for authors makes it a valuable alternative for preliminary content development before moving to a print-focused platform.

The self-publishing world offers a diverse range of platforms, each with its unique strengths. By exploring these MagCloud alternative options, you can find the perfect fit for your publishing journey, whether you're creating a magazine, a book, or a digital publication. Consider your target audience, desired format, and level of control to make the best choice for your needs.