Galley as a Vellum alternative
Last reviewed July 2026
The facts first: Vellum ($199.99 for ebooks, $249.99 with print, one-time) is a formatting application: it runs on macOS only and works on finished manuscripts imported from elsewhere. Galley (€199, one-time) is a writing and formatting tool in one, running in the browser on any platform. Both are one-time purchases producing print-interior PDF and EPUB; only one of them is also where the book gets written.
Ask self-publishers about interior design and Vellum comes up in the first breath, deservedly. Its themes are gorgeous and its output is clean. The two structural catches: there is no Windows version (and never will be, per its makers), and Vellum enters your process only after the manuscript is finished. It's a destination, not a writing tool.
Galley's bet is that the separation is the problem. If the page is real while you draft (real trim, real typeface, real scene breaks) then "formatting the book" stops being a phase. You also get everything a formatting tool can't know about: your characters, your timeline, your overused words, your version history.
| Feature | Galley | Vellum |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €199 once | $199.99 ebooks · $249.99 with print, once |
| Platforms | Web: Mac, Windows, Linux | Mac only |
| Write your book in it | Yes, it's a writing app | No, import a finished manuscript |
| Print-interior PDF & EPUB | Yes, with KDP preflight included | Yes, widely praised output |
| Decorative interior themes | Classic conventions + your own ornaments | Rich themed styles |
| Story bible, glossary, references | Built in | No |
| Revision analytics | Built in | No |
| Watermarked beta-reader drafts | Yes, per reader | No |
| Version history | Daily snapshots per chapter | No |
The workflow Vellum assumes
Vellum doesn't want to be where you write. You draft somewhere else (Word, Scrivener, Google Docs), finish the manuscript, then import the .docx into Vellum and style it. It's a beautiful last mile, but it is a last mile: revise after that import and you're either editing in Vellum's lighter editor or re-importing and re-checking the styling. The "write here, format there" split is the model, not an accident of it.
Galley collapses the two into one surface. Formatting isn't a stage you enter at the end; it's the page you've been writing on the whole time. Change a line in chapter nine the day before you upload and there's no re-import; the export just reflects it.
On interiors specifically: Vellum's themed styles are the benchmark, and if you own a Mac and want one of its looks, it's a fine buy. Galley sets classic conventions (mirrored margins, real gutters, drop folios, your own ornaments) and shows them while you draft, on any platform. Different philosophies, stated plainly; I'm not going to pretend Vellum's decorative themes don't exist.
Choose Vellum if…
- You're on a Mac and your manuscript is finished, and you want its specific themed looks
- You already have a drafting tool you love and only need output
Choose Galley if…
- You'd rather write on the finished page than format at the finish line
- You want writing, story bible, revision tools, and export for one payment instead of buying a writing app and a formatter
Common questions
Is Galley a real Vellum alternative on Windows?
Yes. Vellum is Mac-only and its developers have said it will stay that way. Galley runs in the browser on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks, and exports print-ready PDF and EPUB 3 like Vellum does.
Are Galley interiors as beautiful as Vellum’s?
Vellum’s themed interiors are the benchmark and I say so plainly. Galley’s interiors follow classic book conventions (mirrored margins, real gutters, drop folios, ornaments) and you see them while writing rather than after importing. If you want Vellum’s specific decorative themes and own a Mac, Vellum is a fine choice.
Do I still need Vellum if I use Galley?
No. Galley covers the same output (print PDF sized to KDP trims and EPUB 3 with your cover) plus the writing, story bible, and revision tools.
Competitor details are from public pricing pages, checked July 2026. Verify current pricing at vellum.pub. I've tried to be fair; if I've got something wrong, email me and I'll correct it.
Write it and typeset it in the same tool. One payment, any platform.
Launch Galley