Sigil
Sigil: A capable free EPUB editor for authors comfortable with desktop publishing workflows. Ranked #7 of 28 in eBook Creation Software by our editors (8.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free EPUB editors and technically inclined authors.
At a glance
- Editor score8.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree EPUB editors and technically inclined authors
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- EPUB exportYes
- Founded2009
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Supports EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 editing with code and preview views
- Includes plugins, checkpoints, TOC tools, and configurable spell checking
- Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux with EPUB validation tools
Where it doesn't
- Focused on EPUB rather than broader publishing workflows
- PDF export is not part of its documented product capabilities
- Desktop software may not suit teams seeking a hosted service
Our verdict on Sigil
Sigil is a free, open-source desktop application for creating, editing, formatting, and packaging EPUB ebooks. It supports EPUB 2 and EPUB 3 and is aimed at personal ebook formatting as well as professional editors publishing across multiple platforms. Authors can work in Code View or Preview View, edit metadata, generate multi-level tables of contents, check spelling with configurable dictionaries, and import EPUB, HTML, images, and stylesheets. Its Windows, macOS, and Linux availability also makes it suitable for users who want a cross-platform desktop editor.
The strongest part of Sigil's feature set is its control over EPUB production. Regular-expression find and replace can support detailed text and markup changes, while EPUB, CSS, and XHTML validation helps identify issues within the ebook package and its underlying files. Plugin support extends the editor's workflow, and checkpoint snapshots allow users to compare changes. These tools make Sigil particularly relevant to technically inclined authors and editors who are comfortable working with structured ebook content rather than relying only on visual formatting.
Sigil's narrow focus is also its main boundary. It is built around EPUB editing and packaging, so authors who need PDF output or broader publishing workflows should choose a different tool. The application is distributed as desktop software rather than a hosted service, which makes it a better fit for individual production work than for buyers specifically seeking a browser-based collaboration environment. Choose Sigil for free, cross-platform EPUB creation with detailed editing and validation controls; look elsewhere if your workflow depends on formats or publishing functions beyond EPUB.
Your product? Our editors can test Sigil in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Sigil pricing
Sigil fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| EPUB export | Yes |
| PDF export | Not verified |
| Reflowable layout | Not verified |
| Fixed-layout support | Not verified |
| Ebook validation | Yes |
| Accessibility tools | Not verified |
| Import formats | EPUB, HTML, images, stylesheets |
| Deployment | Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | sigil-ebook.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Sigil
- KobergerA complete cross-platform workflow with free formatting and paid exports.9.3
- Reedsy StudioA low-cost book workspace with strong planning, collaboration, and export tools.9.1
- LeanpubA practical publishing workspace for technical authors with synced workflows and format generation.9.0
Sigil vs the competition
- Sigil vs Koberger
- Sigil vs Reedsy Studio
- Sigil vs Leanpub
- Sigil vs Jutoh
- Sigil vs Pressbooks
- Sigil vs Bloom
Compare Sigil with any tool side by side →
Used Sigil? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used Sigil for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
Sigil is listed in our eBook Creation Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/sigil/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/sigil.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
Last updated · How we research and update