In this article – Designrr vs Atticus, we will test out both the tools and consider factors such as ease of use, customization options, value for money and advanced features before making a decision.
Ebook creation is no longer just for professional authors—it’s for content creators, business owners, and marketers who want to share their expertise, grow their audience, or even generate passive income. The right ebook creation tool can make a huge difference in terms of ease, efficiency, and final output.
If you’ve ever tried formatting an ebook manually, you know how frustrating it can be. I still remember my first attempt—exporting my Google Docs manuscript to PDF, thinking I was ready to publish, only to find out the formatting was a mess. Paragraphs weren’t aligned, the fonts looked inconsistent, and the entire book had to be redone.
That’s when I started exploring professional ebook formatting tools, and two names kept coming up—Designrr and Atticus. Both tools are designed to help authors and content creators format ebooks professionally, but they serve different purposes.
Before we make a detailed comparison between the two ebook software, let’s have a look at the important features both these software offers.
Here’s a comparison of the important features of Designrr and Atticus in tabular form:
| Feature | Designrr | Atticus |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | eBook creation and formatting | eBook writing, formatting, and publishing |
| Best For | Marketers, bloggers, and businesses repurposing content | Authors, novelists, and self-publishers |
| Platform | Web-based | Desktop (Windows, Mac, Linux) |
| Import Options | Word, Google Docs, PDF, blog posts, and transcripts | Word files only |
| eBook Formats | PDF, EPUB, MOBI | EPUB, PDF, Print-ready |
| Built-in Editor | Yes, with AI-powered editing | Yes, with distraction-free writing |
| Templates & Themes | 100+ professional templates | Limited but customizable |
| Custom Fonts & Styling | Yes | Yes |
| Drag-and-Drop Formatting | Yes | Yes |
| Automatic Table of Contents | Yes | Yes |
| Cover Design Tool | Yes | No |
| Export to Kindle & Print | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing | One-time payment or subscription | One-time payment |
| AI Integration | Yes, for transcription and content repurposing | No |
| Collaboration Features | No | No |
| Offline Access | No, internet required | Yes, works offline |
| Device Compatibility | Works in any browser | Desktop only |
| Customer Support | Email, chat, and knowledge base | Email support |
| Ideal For | Businesses, marketers, and course creators repurposing content | Authors and self-publishers writing books from scratch |
So, which one is the best – Designrr or Atticus? Well, it depends on what you need the tool for. Let’s dive deep into this comparison so you can decide which one is right for you.
Quick Overview: Designrr vs Atticus
Before we jump into the detailed comparison, let’s get a quick understanding of what these two tools offer.
Designrr: The Content Repurposing King
Designrr is a cloud-based ebook creation and formatting tool that allows you to transform existing content into a polished ebook. Whether you have blog posts, PDFs, Word documents, or even audio transcripts, Designrr makes it easy to convert them into professional ebooks without starting from scratch.
I first discovered Designrr when I was looking for a quick way to turn my blog articles into lead magnets. Instead of manually copying and pasting my content into a formatting tool, Designrr allowed me to import my articles directly and convert them into a beautiful ebook in just a few minutes.
It also offer an AI tool called Wordgenie (read review). If you’re struggling to write content for your ebook, you can take the help of this tool. It takes a topic as input, ebook title, your target audience and tone, and starts generating chapter-wise content for your ebook.
After completing the ebook, you can easily download it to your computer in formats like PDF, EPUB, Kindle and Flipbook.
Designrr pricing plans starts at $29 per month and it also offer a 7 days free trial on its paid plans.
Key Features:
- Imports content from URLs, PDFs, Word documents, and Google Docs
- AI-powered formatting for a polished look
- Built-in cover designer
- Supports multiple export formats (PDF, EPUB, Kindle, Flipbook)
Atticus: The Author’s Best Friend
Atticus is an all-in-one writing and formatting tool designed for book authors. Unlike Designrr, which focuses on repurposing content, Atticus is built to help authors write, format, and export books for self-publishing.
When I started working on my first full-length ebook, I needed a distraction-free writing environment with built-in formatting options. That’s where Atticus stood out—it provided a seamless writing experience along with professional book templates that made my book look print-ready.
Key Features:
- Writing, editing, and formatting all in one tool
- Professional book templates for Kindle, print, and EPUB
- Available on both desktop and browser
- One-time purchase (no subscription fees)
Below we’re comparing important features of both Designrr and Atticus. This comparison will enable to choose the best software for your needs.
1. Ease of Use
Both Designrr and Atticus are designed to be beginner-friendly, but they serve very different purposes, which affects their usability for different types of users.
Designrr’s Ease of Use
Designrr is incredibly intuitive and easy to use, especially for those who don’t have any prior experience with ebook formatting. The software follows a drag-and-drop approach, allowing users to quickly import content from multiple sources like blogs, PDFs, and Google Docs.
When I first used Designrr, I was able to turn one of my blog posts into a formatted ebook within 15 minutes. The process was simple—paste the URL, let the AI extract the text, select a template, and let Designrr do the rest. For anyone who wants a quick way to format content without dealing with complex settings, Designrr is a fantastic choice.
However, if you want full control over every aspect of your book’s design, you might find Designrr a bit restrictive. While it does allow customizations, it automates many of the design choices, which some advanced users might not appreciate.
Atticus’s Ease of Use
Atticus, on the other hand, is designed for authors and has a structured workflow that caters to writing, formatting, and publishing. If you’ve ever used Scrivener, you’ll feel right at home with Atticus—it provides a distraction-free writing environment while also keeping everything well-organized.
While Atticus is easy to navigate, it does have a slightly steeper learning curve compared to Designrr. The reason? You need to write and format your book manually, unlike Designrr, which automates formatting. But once you get the hang of Atticus, it actually makes the entire book creation process much smoother.
For example, while working on my ebook, I loved that Atticus allowed me to organize my chapters neatly. I could also preview my book in Kindle, print, and EPUB formats in real time. This feature alone made my formatting process faster and more accurate, eliminating the need for multiple re-exports.
Winner: If you’re looking for speed and simplicity, Designrr wins. But if you’re an author who needs a complete writing and formatting experience, Atticus is the better choice.
2. Ebook Formatting & Customization
Formatting is one of the most important aspects of an ebook, especially if you want it to look professional. Both Designrr and Atticus excel in different ways when it comes to customization.
Designrr’s Formatting & Customization Features
Designrr’s biggest strength is its AI-powered automation. Unlike traditional formatting tools where you manually adjust text, margins, and page layout, Designrr automatically formats your book based on the template you choose.
When I first created an ebook using Designrr, I was impressed with how quickly it structured my content. The software auto-adjusted fonts, spacing, and alignment, making my ebook look polished without much effort.Designrr also offers a variety of templates, but customization is limited.
While you can change colors, fonts, and some basic layout elements, you can’t fully control the placement of every element the way you would in a design software like Adobe InDesign. This makes Designrr best suited for users who want a done-for-you approach rather than fine-tuning every detail.
Atticus’s Formatting & Customization Features
Atticus takes a different approach—instead of automating everything, it provides a set of professional book templates that you can tweak to fit your style. If you’re an author who wants to make sure your book looks perfect for Kindle, print, and EPUB, Atticus gives you much more control.
One thing I loved about Atticus is that it allows you to preview your book in real-time in different formats. This was a game-changer for me when I was working on a self-published book because I could see how my book would look on a Kindle device versus a paperback print version.
Additionally, Atticus provides better typography controls compared to Designrr. You can adjust chapter headings, paragraph spacing, line breaks, and even margin sizes to ensure the book follows traditional publishing standards.
Winner: If you want fast and automated formatting, Designrr is the better choice. But if you need more control over book formatting, Atticus is superior.
3. Writing & Editing Capabilities
Writing and editing are key parts of the ebook creation process, and this is where Atticus really pulls ahead of Designrr.
Designrr’s Writing & Editing Limitations
Designrr is strictly a formatting tool—it does offer a built-in editor but it is not easy to use. If you’re an author or blogger who wants to write directly in the software, you’ll be disappointed to find that Designrr editor is not very beginner-friendly.
This means you’ll need to write your content elsewhere (Google Docs, Microsoft Word, or another writing tool) and then import it into Designrr. While this isn’t a huge problem for those who already have content ready, it does add an extra step to the process.
For marketers and business owners who just need to repurpose content into an ebook, this isn’t a dealbreaker. But for authors looking to write and format in one tool, Designrr is not ideal.
Atticus’s Writing & Editing Features
Atticus is a complete writing and formatting tool, so you can start writing inside the software without needing an external document.
One feature I really love about Atticus is its distraction-free writing mode. When I’m working on a long-form ebook, I don’t want clutter—I just want to focus on writing. Atticus provides a minimalist interface, similar to Scrivener, that helps you focus.
Additionally, Atticus includes basic grammar and spell-check tools, which is great for catching small errors while writing. It’s not as advanced as Grammarly, but it does a good job of keeping your content clean before exporting.
Another huge advantage is that Atticus allows you to organize chapters and sections easily. You can drag and drop chapters, rename sections, and even preview the book’s structure in real-time.
This made a big difference for me when writing a 300+ page ebook because I could see exactly how my chapters were flowing without having to scroll endlessly through a long document.
Winner: Atticus wins hands down if you’re looking for a complete writing and formatting tool. Designrr is only useful for content that has already been written.
Quick Note:
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to format existing content into a lead magnet, report, or short ebook, Designrr is the way to go. It automates most of the work, making it ideal for marketers, entrepreneurs, and business owners.
However, if you’re a self-publishing author or someone writing an ebook from scratch, Atticus is the better choice. It offers a dedicated writing environment, better book formatting controls, and one-time pricing that makes it a solid investment.
I personally use both tools depending on my needs. When I want to repurpose blog content, I use Designrr. But when I’m writing a full-length book, Atticus is my go-to tool.
Pros and Cons: Designrr vs Atticus
Before you decide which tool to go with, let’s break down the pros and cons of each so you can get a clearer picture of what they offer and where they fall short.
Pros and Cons of Designrr
✅ Pros of Designrr:
✔️ Best for Content Repurposing – If you have blog posts, PDFs, or even old Word documents that you want to transform into an ebook, Designrr makes it incredibly easy. Just import your content, and within minutes, you have a professionally formatted ebook.
✔️ AI-Powered Formatting – One of Designrr’s standout features is its AI-powered formatting. Instead of manually adjusting margins, fonts, and layouts, the tool does most of the work for you.
✔️ Multiple Export Formats – Unlike many ebook tools that are limited to PDF or EPUB, Designrr lets you export your book in PDF, EPUB, Kindle, and even Flipbook format. This flexibility makes it great for various publishing needs.
✔️ Cloud-Based & Accessible Anywhere – Since Designrr is a cloud-based tool, you don’t need to install anything on your computer. You can access your projects from anywhere, which is great if you work from multiple devices.
✔️ Great for Marketers & Business Owners – If you’re creating ebooks for lead magnets, opt-ins, or digital products, Designrr’s templates and fast content conversion make it a perfect fit for content marketers.
❌ Cons of Designrr:
❌ Not Ideal for Writing Books from Scratch – Unlike Atticus, Designrr is strictly designed for taking existing content and turning it into an ebook.
❌ Subscription-Based Pricing – While it offers powerful features, Designrr follows a monthly or yearly subscription model instead of a one-time purchase. This can add up over time, making it more expensive in the long run. However, it does offer a deal on its Standard Plan ($29/month) that let you buy this plan at a one-time price of $27 only. Know more about it here – Designrr lifetime deal.
❌ Limited Customization for Advanced Users – While Designrr automates most of the formatting, it can feel restrictive if you want complete control over how your book looks. Customization is possible but not as flexible as tools like InDesign or Scrivener.
Pros and Cons of Atticus
✅ Pros of Atticus:
✔️ All-in-One Writing & Formatting Tool – Unlike Designrr, Atticus allows you to write, edit, and format your book all in one place. This is perfect for authors who want a distraction-free writing environment with built-in formatting tools.
✔️ One-Time Purchase (No Recurring Fees) – Atticus is available for a one-time payment of $147, making it a more cost-effective solution in the long run compared to subscription-based tools.
✔️ Professional Formatting for Print & Kindle – Atticus provides pre-made templates for Kindle, print books, and EPUB, making it easy to create beautifully formatted books without needing technical skills.
✔️ Offline Functionality – Since Atticus is a desktop application, you can write and format your book without needing an internet connection. This is a huge advantage for writers who prefer working offline.
✔️ Cross-Platform Compatibility – Atticus works on Windows, Mac, Linux, and Chromebooks, so no matter what device you use, you can access your work.
✔️ Perfect for Self-Publishing Authors – If you’re writing a novel, non-fiction book, or any other long-form content, Atticus streamlines the entire process from writing to publishing.
❌ Cons of Atticus:
❌ No Content Import from Blogs or PDFs – Unlike Designrr, Atticus does not allow you to import blog posts, PDFs, or other web content. You have to start from scratch or copy and paste your manuscript manually.
❌ Not Cloud-Based (Limited Collaboration) – Since Atticus is a desktop-based tool, it does not support real-time collaboration like Google Docs or cloud-based platforms. You can work on multiple devices, but your files won’t sync automatically unless you use an external cloud storage solution like Google Drive.
❌ Less Flexibility for Marketers & Businesses – If you’re creating ebooks for marketing purposes rather than publishing books on Kindle or print, Atticus might not be the best tool. It lacks design-heavy templates and branding features that Designrr offers.
Conclusion: Which Tool is Right for You?
The right choice depends on your needs. Here’s a quick summary to help you decide:
👉 Choose Designrr if:
- You want to repurpose existing content (blogs, PDFs, Word documents).
- You need a quick and easy way to create lead magnets, reports, or marketing ebooks.
- You prefer a cloud-based tool with multiple export formats.
- You don’t mind paying for a monthly subscription for convenience.
👉 Choose Atticus if:
- You are an author who needs an all-in-one writing and formatting tool.
- You want a one-time purchase instead of a subscription.
- You need print-ready and Kindle-friendly book templates for self-publishing.
- You prefer working on a desktop-based application with offline access.
Final Recommendation:
For me personally, I use both tools depending on the project. Designrr is my go-to for quick lead magnets and repurposing blog content, while Atticus is my preferred tool for writing and formatting full-length books.
