17 Powerful Issuu Alternatives Nobody Told You About (1 BIG winner)


The popular digital publishing platform Issuu is a go-to service for many publishers. However, it’s not without its drawbacks. Looking for a workable Issuu alternative can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, leaving many people frustrated. I’ve reviewed and compared 17 of the best alternatives here and have found an absolute gem in this amazing Issuu Alternative (which by the way is free to use). 

If you’re fed up with Issuu and want to find something else, let me tell you about some of the alternatives and my BIG winner.

Is there a good Issuu Alternative out there?



Over the years of producing flipbooks, Issuu has been a solid old friend. 

However, it is not without its drawbacks and in some situations, I found things highly frustrating. 

So, I thought I’d have a look at some of the other websites similar to Issuu. 

What I found was just amazing; wait until you hear what an awesome software  I found!

If you are looking for services like Issuu that offer either the same or better features, you might find this checklist useful. 

When I started investigating websites like Issuu to discover a realistic alternative and other options, these were the things I was looking for:

Checklist:
  • Clickable links: Links make it effortless to direct traffic for further information, or perhaps to your shop or business website.
  • Branding accepted: Some software solutions like Issuu do not allow branding, or even include their own. That’s not good if you are looking to build your reputation, so look for a tool that allows your own brand on your digital magazine.
  • Compatibility across devices: Some Issuu alternatives do not function well on smaller screens, which excludes an immense proportion of your audience in our smartphone generation.
  • Zero upload problems: You do not want to waste time fiddling with technical stuff, so look for Issuu similar website that relies on drag and drop or an uploading process that is straightforward.
  • Discoverable: Platforms like Issuu should allow readers to find your content directly from Search Engines so you can maximize your outreach.
  • Good balance between pro vs free: Some services that are like Issuu but free really scrimp on the features to encourage you to upgrade to pro. A good software will have advanced features in the paid plan but still be perfectly usable for free.
  • Affordable pro package: If you need advanced features, the pro package shouldn’t be unreachable on other sites like Issuu and should be affordable even for small businesses.
  • Excellent benefits: Look for things like no max upload size, multimedia integration, automatic reporting and built-in SEO.
  • Link to social networks: Being able to spread the word at a click of a button will save you time and make tracking the origins of your readers much easier.
  • Google Analytics (GA): Having inbuilt Google Analytics makes it uncomplicated to verify the impact and traffic your flipbook is generating (most important feature for me).
  • Full Online Software: Having to download the software can get really annoying. It takes up space on your computer and you can't access it from everywhere. That's why a full online software is beneficial.

There’s no doubt that there are plenty of magazine sites like Issuu out there, but can any of them really fulfill all this, at a price we can all afford? 

You will be thrilled to learn I found just the thing! 

It took some effort, in fact, I weighed up Issuu.com vs 17 other providers… that’s right, SEVENTEEN… to find a realistic Issuu alternative. Stay with me and all will be revealed.

From 1k views to 100k in one easy move

I’ve been using Issuu for several years for flipbook making and it has been a pretty solid piece of kit for me. But at some point I got some issues with Issuu.

I enjoyed some of the features such as pinch to zoom and social integration but was always let down when I was out of the office with no Wi-Fi connection.

You see, Issuu only works with internet, so there’s no way to show my work to clients without being on the internet. 

Worse than that, because the service is absolutely saturated in publications, my flip books were really not getting the traffic they deserved. 

Most of my magazines / catalogs were lucky to garner 1,000 views over a month, even with me pushing them fiercely on various social networks.

I was frustrated at the amount of time being invested in Issuu, not to mention the high prices of the pro subscription, and I just wasn’t getting the results and new readers I wanted. 

I knew that other sites like Issuu existed, so I decided to do some investigating and see if there was another way.


And do you know what?

I found a real diamond in the rough, and I mean a ten-carat rock!


Lots of web sites similar to Issuu had positive reasons to try them, but then I’d come up against a problem. 

This free Issuu alternative I’m going to tell you about is really something special; I’ve been using it for three months now and am yet to discover the catch.

Stay with me and I’ll reveal who this publisher like Issuu is and why I like it so much. But first, my results. 

You are not going to believe this, but my very first page flip animation  publication on this software got 100,000 views over the first three weeks!

I did share it on social media but with nowhere near as much effort as usual. 

I almost fell off my chair when I saw the statistics how many new people read my magazine. 

This Issuu alternative is the best thing I’ve done for years, and there’s no going back for me now.

Before we get into my comparison of sites that are like Issuu, let’s take a look at Issuu itself so we can understand where we’re starting from. So here is my Issuu Review.

What is Issuu?

Homepage of Issuu

If you are not familiar with Issuu, it is a publishing solution where everyone can make and discover stunning digital content. 

With Issuu you can create digital HTML5 books to showcase your research, products, blog or other brochures in a readable, beautiful way.

Let’s answer some of your questions about Issuu so you can understand better what we’re dealing with here:

  • Which functions do exist?

Issuu features publishing tools like HTML5 reader, embedded reader, iOS and Android apps, built in SEO and more. It allows customization by letting you include your own brand, share your publications by email or social sharing and even embed them on your own website. You can publish free newsletter or charge for subscriptions to your newsletter. Not only that, but the powerful insights built into the platform mean you can see download, page view and publication level statistic to see how your content is performing.

  • Are there more web sites like Issuu?
There certainly are many other sites similar to Issuu. In my research for an Issuu alternative, I investigated seventeen Issuu like software, the findings of which I will share with you now.

  • How does Issuu work?
Once you’ve signed up for an account, using Issuu is straightforward. With Issuu how to create a magazine follows this format: Sign in - select a file and start to upload your PDF documents to convert PDF to flipbook. You can then fill out the details and settings for the publication, choosing whether to release it immediately or schedule release for later on. There are tutorials and posts on the site telling users of Issuu how to use it, so there is some support available.

  • Is Issuu free?
There is a free basic plan of Issuu, but the features are severely limited. When you are thinking about what is Issuu free, do remember that although the publisher tools are still available, you do not get any of the controls to share, insights or advanced features with this. With the paid plan (the pro version) there is a free test period for 14 days, but then you will have to upgrade which costs from $19 to $269 depending on the features you need. When you consider free vs pro on Issuu, there’s an enormous advantage to paying for their service.

  • Is Issuu legal?

You do not want to get involved in any dodgy dealings, so you will want to be confident that Issuu is legal, and it is. They have pretty strict rules on copyright and will penalize you if you are found to be using content that is not your own.

  • How does Issuu make money?
They make money not only by selling their subscriptions for the service but also by taking a commission from users who sell subscriptions to their publications online.

  • What is Issuu used for?
Issuu is used by all sorts of companies, individuals, and corporations around the world. There are something like 20,000 flipbooks made on the site every day so you can see how fast it can go for your flipbook to get lost. People use their flipping book software to create online magazines, catalogues, flyers… even as ingenious ways to approach client presentations or school work.

  • What does Issuu stand for?

As far as I can tell, there’s no complicated acronym in play here. Issuu seems to be a play on the word ‘issue’, as in ‘here’s the next issue of our magazine’. 


So now we’re clear on what this platform is, but are there more like this Issuu service that can compete? 

You’ll be pleased to know there are loads, from SlideShare to the less well known such as Youblisher and 3d Issue. I’ve put Issuu.com vs seventeen of the best and am delighted to have uncovered the highest performing Issuu alternative for you to try out.


So which Issuu Alternative is worth your time?

A simple research for an online flip book maker will reveal tens, if not hundreds, of potential web sites. Many of these are not viable alternatives, as they either are too pricey or simply do not perform to the standard you are going to need. 

I decided to really scratch the surface of 17 of the most highly regarded software to see what’s what.

Here’s what I found out about the alternatives to Issuu:

17. Issuu vs Scribd

Hompage of Scribd

Scribd is, compared to Issuu, a reading based platform which features not only flip books but also audiobooks, eBooks and documents. Nobody can use it for free, although there is a free 30-day trial, after which you will have to pay $8.99. They have millions of readers subscribed to the site, so there is a huge readership, but it is aimed more at leisure readers than at those looking for flipbook creation.

When looking at the costs, Scribd is cheaper, so for anyone publishing a paid for magazine, it could be a consideration. However, the possibility to share isn’t there, and you can’t embed your publications on your website, although it is quite straightforward to load to services like Behance. But, if you are looking for something with an Issuu like PDF viewer, Scribd is not the best choice.

16. Issuu vs Flipboard

Homepage of Flipboard

Flipboard is a bit of a combination of things all in one. It is an RSS, social media and story aggregator all in one. It brings together all the things you are interested in and combines them into a nice-looking online magazine with flipping pages. It comes preinstalled on lots of smart devices and is a well-liked way to look at stories, friend’s updates and more.

From the user’s point of view, Flipboard is a nice bit of publishing software. However, for me, as a flip book creator and publisher, not so much. You have to choose a piece of content to ‘flip’ before you can start creating your magazine, which means you are reliant on other people’s content, not your own. You can’t upload your own PDF files, so for me, it is a no.

15. Issuu vs FlippingBook

Homepage of FlippingBook

On the face of it. Flippingbook looks like a workable Issuu alternative. It has got a very Issuu like PDF viewer and promises to work cross-platform by using HTML5. Everything was going well until I got to the part about pricing.

 PDF magazines tend to be famous, and it is only the advanced subscription on Flippingbook that will give you unlimited uploads, so I’d have to pay to use it. And yikes! With a requirement to buy a lifetime license, at a cost of many hundreds of dollars, plus a monthly subscription on top for access to advanced features, this was way out of my budget. For Issuu versus Flippingbook, Flippingbook is a huge no from me.

14. Issuu vs Yudu

Homepage of Yudu

Yudu looked like a strong contender too, with cross-platform functionality and lots of fun extras. Being able to include rich media such as links, audio and videos in publications is always a nice thing, and you can even create your own app interface to share your magazine.

However, it is very difficult to get out how much Yudu costs. Their FAQ’s tell me that pricing will depend on what you want to publish and how often, asking interested parties to get in touch for more info. I always think that if a tool has to be covert about their pricing, it is probably quite expensive, so decided to steer away from this one.

13. Issuu vs Uberflip

Homepage of Uberflip

This flipbook creator is a solid Issuu alternative but is pretty firmly aimed at the sales market. It does have optimal flexibility and, according to reviews, great customer service, but it is not so simple  to customize the experience for different markets.

For me, looking to publish catalogs rather than sales brochures, it wasn’t ideal. Uploading large files can take quite a while and it is hard to keep folders organized within the software.

12. Issuu vs Magcloud

Homepage of Magcloud
Magcloud looked pretty good for my needs, being a page flipping magazine focused tool that even prints physical copies of your publications if you wish. They supply the latest readymade designed templates for publishers to ensure your content meets their layout requirements, so you can easily use them as a one-stop shop for both digital and physical production.

However, as with many things that try to do two jobs, they start to stumble when compared to more focused services. Although their digital print side of things is great, they do not allow you to add as many interactive elements to pages like Issuu does. Embedding is not possible, which put it out of the running for me.

11. Issuu vs Zinio

Homepage of Zinio

Just like Issuu, Zinio offers a complete solution for digital publishing and distribution of flippingbooks. Their content management system makes it straightforward to oversee all the content you’ve uploaded to the site, and you can embed Google DFP or in-house ads into your advertising area if you haven’t sold it all to increase the revenue from your content.

It sounds nice, but it also looked a bit too pro for me. It is up there with Kindle, Apple and Google newsstands. They’ve been around forever and work with the world’s best magazines to digitalize their content. It is very hard to get information on their pricing, but you can bet it is expensive, and I was not set to compete with the likes of Hello! or US Weekly for attention.

10. Issuu vs Zmags

Homepage of Zmags

Based in Boston, Zmags is firmly aimed at the catalogs market rather than the magazine publishing end of the spectrum. Zmags looks great for retailers, as it is not complicated to integrate publications with online stores and e-commerce platforms. If you are looking to create an online brochure, this could be a perfect Issuu alternative for you, but for me, it just wasn’t relevant.

A lot of the extras available just weren’t going to be used for my purposes, and nobody likes to pay for things they do not use. And with being rather on the pricey site with of over $10,000 a year for the full version, that’s simply too much for my wallet to cope with.

9. Issuu vs SlideShare

Homepage of Slideshare

Created and owned by LinkedIn, SlideShare offers PowerPoint style slideshows from experts on your mobile Android and iOS devices or Windows device. It is a way to enjoy conference level lectures in the comfort of your own home, often with accompanying notes to explain what each slide is about.

It is a very well liked and useful resource but lacks the flip transitions I like so much for my digital magazines. It is something I’ll keep in mind for other purposes, but for publishing my magazine it is not what I needed at all.

8. Issuu vs Calameo

Homepage of Calameo

When you compare Calameo to Issuu, you can see that they are very close, but is it a real Issuu alternative? It has got a straightforward platform, offers a lot of powerful features and a clear pricing structure. However, as a French-based company, they tend to attract more French readership than Issuu.

While there is less competition because of the lower customer numbers, you are also narrowing yourself down to a smaller market. For me, it is not a viable alternative to Issuu.

7. Issuu vs Flipsnack

Homepage of Flipsnack

The user interface for Flipsnack is light, fun and bouncy. The support is, apparently, on point also. If you are just getting started and need your handheld, I can see why Flipsnack would appeal.

However, with a limit of just five pages per PDF flipbook on the free plan and 500 pages for the $24 a month plan, I do not think this is a particularly generous choice.

6. Issuu vs FlipHTML5

Homepage of FlipHTML5

FlipHTML5 is relatively well used, but I have to say I was not impressed at all. As soon as you log into the website, it feels clunky, dated and not very refined. The possibility to share is limited, and the wooden bookshelves make it look old fashioned and not very appealing.

The pricing is somewhat competitive with other flipbook makers, but for me, I was looking for something more inspiring in my alternative.

5. Issuu vs Publitas

Homepage of Publitas

On the plus side, Publitas has some interesting features such as cross-platform support, embedding functionality and secure cloud storage. You can customize your domain to make your content more personal and it does integrate with GA for insight into your performance.

For me, the no-no came when it came to pricing this offer against Issuu. There are a whopping FIVE plans to choose from, each with different features either present or missing. I couldn’t make head nor tail of which subscription I needed, so my search continued.

4. Issuu vs iPaper

Homepage of iPaper

Originating in Denmark, iPaper has a pretty impressive client list and a gorgeously well-designed website, which is why I’ve included it on my list. iPaper oozes quality and there are some additional features such as lead generation which can really help businesses increase their reach.

However, with high quality, as often is the case, comes a high price tag. Don’t expect to be able to use your own brand logo without paying around $135 a month. That’s a lot higher than the market average and priced me smartly out of the platform.


3. Issuu vs Anyflip

Homepage of Anyflip

Anyflip is a highly interactive basis for your flipbook publication. It features video and hyperlink inclusion, as well as ways to monetize your publication to create an income more easily.

Where it does fall down, however, is in the customer numbers. I just don’t see enough traffic on Anyflip to make it a serious contender as an Issuu alternative. Without readers, you might as well be throwing your time publishing magazines online down the drain. 


2. Axmag

Homepage of Axmag

Axmag are a software of the highest caliber, letting you create magazines from flip page publications through to full 3D packages. It is not so much of a sharing platform as a package of software to make more technically fancy catalogs; not really what I was looking for.


There’s no virtual news desk or kiosk, so you’ll need to get your own place to host your publication. If you are already well established, I can see how this service would help you kick your flip books up a notch. For me, it is not right, and at a rate of $380 for the software, it is more than I was willing to invest also. 

1. Issuu vs Yumpu

Homepage of Yumpu

So, we’re at the top of my list. The crème de la crème. The cherry at the top of the tree. You get the idea. My number one choice is the leading digital publishing platform Yumpu not Jumpu alternative Issuu type platform, and it’s a gem. The website is gorgeously laid out, intuitive and has all the basic features that Issuu has.

I went through my checklist and my jaw dropped. I ticked everything off! Embedding – check, SEO – check, shareability – check. And then, the biggest bombshell of all… Yumpu is FREE! Besides their free plan they also offer paid versions which add in GA support, no ads and privacy settings, but even the premium plan is only $24.95. In comparison to the $35 I’d been paying for Issuu for the same features, this was a steal!

Here is a video if you want to know more about them:



I can’t speak highly enough of the tool I’ve chosen as my actual best Issuu alternative. 

I’ve been using it for three months with great success and I urge you to make the switch too.

I’m getting higher readership, more engagement and have better insight than I did before. 

My bank balance is healthier too, so really, this is a no-brainer!

Reasons you are going to love this best free Issuu alternative

My Issuu alternative is going to be your new favorite online publishing service too. 

Here are just a few of the reasons I know you are going to fall in love with this platform:

  • Perfect customer support from a proactive, friendly support team to contact
  • Embed a video (Youtube, Vimeo)  or audio in your magazines
  • Fully loaded for SEO so your digital publications can be found on any Search Engine
  • Supported on all devices; desktop, mobile: smartphone, iPad and iPhone tablet etc.
  • Seamless embedding on your website, e-commerce store, Facebook page and more
  • Link directly to your shop, blog or anywhere from your digital publications
  • Offer Wordpress Plugin
  • Share to different networks directly from your digital publication
There are loads more reasons to like this Issuu alternative. 

Take a look back at my checklist from the start, and be confident that it ticks every box and a good deal more.

Are you ready to close your Issuu account and discover a better way to do things?




You can’t deny that I’ve found a real winner here with Yumpu. 

It’s easier, more powerful and cheaper, so why would you go anywhere else? 

I can’t help you with the problems some have around closing their Issuu accounts, but I can assure you that if you did decide to end your business with my choice, their account closure process is quick and simple, so you are not tied into anything.

Why not try this best Issuu alternative on a free trial for your next publication? 

If you’ve found other publishing solutions and  alternatives to Issuu I’ve not mentioned here like Joomag, Flip HTML5 etc., let me know and I’ll include them in a future article.

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