Vivliostyle
Vivliostyle: A developer-focused publishing workflow for turning HTML and Markdown into books. Ranked #20 of 28 in eBook Creation Software by our editors (7.1/10); pricing: Open source; best for developers building books from HTML and Markdown.
At a glance
- Editor score7.1 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forDevelopers building books from HTML and Markdown
- Free planNo
- Paid fromFree
- EPUB exportYes
- Founded2018 · Saitama, Japan
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Generates EPUB 3, PDF, and print-ready PDF/X-1a output
- Combines chapters with tables of contents, bookmarks, and covers
- Supports reusable CSS themes and browser-based pagination
Where it doesn't
- Requires a technical HTML, Markdown, and CSS-oriented workflow
- Does not include a dedicated accessibility toolset
- Offers no dedicated ebook-validation workflow
Our verdict on Vivliostyle
Vivliostyle is an open-source CSS typesetting ecosystem for authors, publishers, developers, and technical teams creating formatted publications with web technologies. Its workflow accepts HTML and Markdown, supports multiple chapter or document inputs, and provides browser-based viewing and pagination. The command-line interface can generate EPUB 3 and PDF, including PDF/X-1a print-ready output, while its components support WebPub output and reusable or custom CSS themes.
The standout feature is its publication pipeline built around CSS and browser rendering. Users can preview documents in a browser, apply themes, generate covers, and create tables of contents and PDF bookmarks. This makes Vivliostyle a strong fit for teams that want repeatable, code-oriented book production rather than a primarily visual editor. Its supported inputs also include EPUB, EPUB OPF, publication manifest, and WebBook formats, giving technical publishing workflows several ways to structure source content.
Vivliostyle’s open-source model suits developers who want command-line builds and control over publication styling without adopting a paid SaaS workflow. It is less suited to teams seeking a dedicated accessibility toolset, ebook-validation workflow, or a nontechnical authoring experience. Choose it when HTML, Markdown, CSS themes, browser pagination, and EPUB/PDF generation are central requirements; consider an alternative when guided validation or broader editorial tooling matters more than programmable typesetting.
Your product? Our editors can test Vivliostyle in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Vivliostyle pricing
Vivliostyle fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| EPUB export | Yes |
| PDF export | Yes |
| Reflowable layout | Not verified |
| Fixed-layout support | Not verified |
| Ebook validation | Not verified |
| Accessibility tools | Not verified |
| Import formats | HTML, Markdown, EPUB, EPUB OPF, publication manifest, WebBook |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | vivliostyle.org |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Vivliostyle
- 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
See all Vivliostyle alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Vivliostyle is ranked in 2 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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