Jutoh

Jutoh is a desktop ebook creation tool from Edinburgh-based Anthemion Software, developed by Dr Julian Smart and his novelist wife Harriet Smart over more than 15 years. It runs natively on Windows, Mac, and Linux (including Raspberry Pi) and produces ebooks in more output formats than any other mainstream formatting tool. Version 3.29 was released in November 2025, confirming active ongoing development.

What Jutoh Does

Jutoh handles the full ebook creation workflow: import manuscripts from Word, ODT, Markdown, or existing Epub files; format with precise typography controls; validate the output against retailer standards; and export to whichever format your distributor requires. Unlike most formatting tools, Jutoh gives direct access to styles, HTML structure, and configuration at every level — which makes it powerful, and also means the learning curve is steeper than simpler tools.

Export Format Coverage

Jutoh's format range is the broadest of any paid formatting tool:

• Epub 2 and 3 — reflowable, for all major ebook retailers
• Kindle — reflowable and fixed layout (via Kindlegen)
• ODT — for print-on-demand workflows; open in LibreOffice to produce PDF
• CBZ — comic book archive format for comics and graphic novels
• MP3 — text-to-speech audio with pronunciation lexicons and SMIL synchronised narration for Epub 3 on Apple Books
• DAISY — experimental accessibility format for visually impaired readers
• HTML, Markdown, plain text — for further processing or custom pipelines

Print workflow note: Jutoh does not produce print-ready PDF natively. Authors exporting for print must export to ODT, then open that file in LibreOffice or Word to generate the PDF. Jutoh includes a print-on-demand wizard to assist with page setup for KDP Print, Lulu, and similar services — but the LibreOffice step is still required.

Key Features

• EPUB validation — detects oversized images, unresolved links, and body text inconsistencies before you upload
• Retailer configurations — compile different builds for Amazon, Apple Books, Kobo, and other stores; conditionally include or exclude content per retailer (e.g., print-only half-title pages)
• Inspector tool — dedicated modes for spell-checking, formatting discovery, and custom content rules
• Advanced typography — drop caps, image wrapping, footnotes, endnotes, bibliographies, multi-level tables of contents, full table formatting
• Find and replace presets — bulk operations across the entire project
• Text-to-speech and SMIL — creates MP3 files and synchronised narration for Apple Books enhanced ebooks
• Offline operation — no internet connection or subscription required

Standard vs. Plus

Standard ($45) covers everything most authors need: all import/export formats, EPUB validation, a storyboard planning tool, and the included writing guide Fiction: The Facts.

Plus ($90) adds an HTML template system for fully custom output styling, a scripting language to automate compilation tasks, mass book personalisation for producing reader-specific editions at scale, and custom compile messages for automated proofreading checks. These features are aimed at publishers and power users with batch workflows.

Both editions include a free demo (watermarks output, limits to 20 publications). Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) members receive a 25% discount.

Who It's For

• Linux users — no other professional formatting tool runs natively on Linux; Atticus requires a browser, Vellum is Mac-only
• Complex non-fiction authors — books with heavy use of images, tables, graphs, footnotes, and bibliographies benefit from Jutoh's precision controls
• Accessibility producers — DAISY format and SMIL synchronised narration support capabilities no mainstream alternative offers
• Budget-conscious Windows or Linux authors — provides more format control than free tools at $45, without Atticus's $147 price tag

For authors writing straightforward fiction or simple non-fiction and needing print output, Atticus ($147, cross-platform, with native print PDF) or Reedsy Studio (free, web-based) are easier paths.

Strengths

• Broadest format coverage — CBZ, DAISY, MP3/TTS, and SMIL are unique capabilities not found in competing tools
• Linux and Raspberry Pi support — a genuine differentiator for a meaningful subset of authors
• Exceptional customer support — user testimonials consistently praise rapid personal responses from the developers
• Conditional content per retailer — publish different back matter or front matter for different stores without maintaining separate manuscript files

Limitations

• No native print-ready PDF — requires the ODT → LibreOffice workflow, which adds steps and dependencies
• Dated interface — the UI has not kept pace with modern design standards; described as cluttered by multiple reviewers
• Steep learning curve — feature depth creates complexity that overwhelms most casual users
• Per-retailer compilation — exporting for multiple stores means separate compilation runs rather than a single one-click export

Alternatives

Atticus ($147) is the better choice for most self-publishing authors — it produces print PDFs directly, has a friendlier interface, and runs cross-platform. Vellum ($249, Mac only) produces the most polished output but locks out Windows and Linux users. Calibre is free but oriented toward library management and format conversion rather than design.