PubCoder
PubCoder is a desktop authoring tool for interactive digital publications, with exports for apps, HTML, and ebooks.
What PubCoder is
PubCoder is a desktop authoring tool for interactive digital publications, with exports for apps, HTML, and ebooks. Its fixed-layout editor links click or touch gestures to animations, videos, and sounds without code. Output options include native iOS and Android apps, EPUB 3 Fixed Layout, HTML5, XPUB, and Kindle Format 8. Accessibility tools cover semantic metadata, image descriptions, screen-reader support, and read-aloud functions. Integrations include Adobe InDesign, After Effects through Bodymovin, YouTube, Vimeo, Unsplash, The Noun Project, and Google Fonts. SHELF adds a white-label library for web and native-app distribution. Its XPUB DRM encrypts content files, while downloaded content can be used offline; SHELF also describes AWS-based hosting and analytics. PubCoder provides documentation, a forum, bug reporting, training, and custom development. The Standard plan costs €99 a year plus VAT if needed, with unlimited publications and all features. A 15-day, all-feature trial requires registration but no credit card.
Good
- Exports apps, HTML5, XPUB, and ebooks
- Code-free gesture-triggered media
- Accessibility metadata and screen-reader support
- SHELF supports offline protected downloads
- 15-day trial with all features
Watch out
- No free plan
- Standard plan costs 99.00 EUR yearly plus VAT
- Paid subscription works on one computer at a time
Who it suits
It suits publishers and teams creating fixed-layout interactive publications for apps, web, or ebook formats. Accessibility, distribution, and analytics tools also support managed digital-content programs.
Verdict
PubCoder covers interactive authoring, accessible fixed-layout output, and optional SHELF distribution. The trial provides a way to evaluate the full feature set before the paid subscription.
Plans and prices
From PubCoder's own pricing page, checked 8 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | €99 a year | Unlimited publications · all features · macOS and Windows · € 99/ year + VAT if needed |
| Shelf Base version | Priced on request | Annual fee · iOS and Android app · CMS · AWS hosting · analytics · readers · free-content distribution · Contact us ([email protected]) |
| Shelf Enterprise version | Priced on request | Pro features · dedicated web URL · exercise statistics · APIs · technical support package · Contact us ([email protected]) |
| Shelf Pro version | Priced on request | Base features · Mac and Windows apps · in-app purchases · subscriptions · push notifications · Contact us ([email protected]) |
| Team | Priced on request | Flexible seats · multiple licenses managed for your team · Contact Us ([email protected]) |
The facts
Each one read from PubCoder's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Accessibility
- Accessibility features include semantic metadata, image descriptions, screen-reader support, and read-aloud tools.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Cloud and analytics
- SHELF says its backend uses Amazon AWS technology and provides analytics on user access and content interaction.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The feature page lists integrations with Adobe InDesign, After Effects via Bodymovin, YouTube, Vimeo, Unsplash, The Noun Project, and Google Fonts.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Interactivity
- The editor supports click and touch gestures that trigger animations, videos, and sounds without requiring code.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Output formats
- Exports include native iOS and Android apps, EPUB 3 Fixed Layout, HTML5, XPUB, and Kindle Format 8.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Product
- PubCoder is a desktop authoring tool for creating interactive digital publications and exporting them as apps, HTML, or ebooks.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Shelf security
- SHELF says its XPUB format is protected by custom DRM that encrypts content files, and downloaded content can be used offline.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Support
- PubCoder provides documentation, a user forum, bug reporting, training, and custom development services.checked 8 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The download page lists macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later and Windows 10 64-bit or later for PubCoder.checked 8 Oct 2026
- Usage limit
- The documentation says a paid subscription can be installed on multiple owned computers but used on only one computer at a time.checked 8 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2013checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Turin, Italychecked 28 Sep 2026
Where it runs
- Shelf platform
- SHELF is a white-label library platform for distributing digital content through web and native apps.checked 8 Oct 2026
Money
- Trial terms
- The 15-day trial requires account registration, has no credit-card requirement, and includes access to all features.checked 8 Oct 2026
Alternatives to PubCoder
- 1

Blurb BookWright
Free planiOSWebAPImacOS8.1Free plan - 2

Storyloft
Free planWebmacOSWindows7.6From $398 a year - 3

Pressbooks
Open sourceWebAPILinuxSelf-hosted7.5From $120 a year - 4
Vivliostyle
Free planOpen sourceWebAPILinuxmacOS7.5Free plan - 5

BookSetter
Free planWeb7.3$9 one-time - 6

Koberger
Free planWebLinuxmacOSWindows7.1From $59.94 a year
