Gumroad vs KDP vs Leanpub for Python Technical Ebooks: Real Numbers

If you're producing a technical Python ebook, you have three credible distribution platforms. They work completely differently, and using the wrong one for your situation costs real money.

Here's the comparison with actual fee calculations, not marketing copy.

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Platform overview

Gumroad Amazon KDP Leanpub

Fee structure 10% per sale 30–65% royalty cut 20% per sale

File types Any (EPUB, PDF, ZIP) EPUB → MOBI only EPUB, PDF

Discovery None (you drive traffic) Amazon search Minimal

Payout Weekly Monthly (60-day delay) Monthly

API ✅ Full REST ❌ None ❌ None

Email capture ✅ Built-in ❌ No ✅ Built-in

Pay-what-you-want ✅ ❌ ✅

Code bundles ✅ (ZIP files) ❌ ✅

Min viable price $0 $0.99 $0

Fee calculations at real price points

At $9.99 per sale

Platform Gross Platform cut Your net

Gumroad $9.99 $1.00 (10%)…