Booksprout Pricing vs Hidden Gems: Which Gets Better Amazon Reviews?
Booksprout and Hidden Gems both promise Amazon book reviews, but they work differently and cost very different amounts. Here's the full comparison for indie authors in 2026.
Booksprout pricing runs three tiers: $9, $19, and $29 per month. Hidden Gems charges per campaign instead of a flat rate, which usually costs more per review. iWrity is a genre-matched alternative to both, with a free tier and flat-rate paid plans.
How Booksprout and Hidden Gems Differ
Both platforms work, but their approach and cost are very different.
Booksprout: Volume ARC Platform
Booksprout has a large open pool of ARC readers. You distribute copies and readers self-select to review. High volume, variable quality, per-copy pricing.
Hidden Gems: Curated Reader List
Hidden Gems uses a vetted, curated email list of book reviewers. Smaller pool, higher quality, more expensive. Good for authors who prioritize review quality over quantity.
iWrity: Genre-Matched Community
iWrity auto-matches your book to readers in your genre who are actively looking for books to review. Community-driven, flat subscription, fast Amazon-direct reviews.
Booksprout vs Hidden Gems vs iWrity
| Feature | iWrity | Booksprout | Hidden Gems |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat subscription + free tier | Per-copy fee | Per campaign fee |
| Reader quality | Genre-matched, vetted | Large open pool | Curated, high quality |
| Review speed | 3–7 days | 1–4 weeks | 2–4 weeks |
| Amazon TOS safe | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Free tier | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | ❌ No |
| Review volume | Medium-high | High | Medium |
| Genre matching | ✅ Automatic | Reader self-selects | By genre email list |
| Extra KDP tools | ✅ Yes (5+ tools) | ❌ None | ❌ None |
How Much Does Booksprout Cost?
Booksprout runs three monthly plans: Growing Author at $9, Pro Author at $19, and Bestselling Author at $29. Each tier raises the number of simultaneous review campaigns and reader access, with the top tier unlocking unlimited campaigns and vetted top reviewers.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Growing Author | $9/month | One active review campaign, standard reader pool, privacy protection |
| Pro Author | $19/month | Up to three active campaigns, audiobook review access |
| Bestselling Author | $29/month | Unlimited campaigns, unlimited reviewers, access to manually vetted top reviewers |
Is Booksprout Worth the Price?
For authors running one campaign at a time, the $9 Growing Author plan is cheap enough to test. Authors who publish often outgrow it fast and end up on the $19 or $29 tier, which is where a flat-rate alternative like iWrity starts to cost less per review.
Booksprout Pricing vs iWrity Pricing
Booksprout charges more as you publish more, since the higher tiers gate campaign volume and reviewer access behind a bigger monthly fee. iWrity keeps one flat subscription price regardless of how many books or campaigns you run, plus a free tier to start. If you release multiple books a year, that flat rate usually beats climbing the Booksprout tiers.
Get a free Amazon review for your book
iWrity is a reader community for indie authors. Add your book for free, earn points by reviewing a book you pick, and a different reader chooses yours and reviews it. Honest reviews from real readers, no card needed.
Get my free reviewComparing options? Read our guide to free book reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hidden Gems better than Booksprout?+
Hidden Gems delivers higher-quality, more detailed reviews but at a higher cost per review. Booksprout delivers more reviews faster at lower cost per review. Which is "better" depends on your goals and budget.
How much does Hidden Gems cost?+
Hidden Gems charges per campaign and pricing varies based on genre and book length. It's generally more expensive per review than Booksprout. Contact Hidden Gems directly for current pricing.
Does Hidden Gems post reviews on Amazon?+
Yes, Hidden Gems readers primarily post on Amazon. This is one of their advantages over platforms like NetGalley. iWrity also posts directly to Amazon.
Which is cheaper: Booksprout or Hidden Gems?+
Booksprout is typically cheaper per review than Hidden Gems. iWrity's flat subscription pricing is often the most cost-effective option for authors releasing multiple books per year.
Can I use Hidden Gems and iWrity at the same time?+
Yes. Some authors use Hidden Gems for their most important launches where they want guaranteed quality, and iWrity for ongoing review generation at lower cost.
How much does Booksprout cost?+
Booksprout runs three monthly plans: Growing Author at $9, Pro Author at $19, and Bestselling Author at $29. Higher tiers unlock more simultaneous campaigns, audiobook reviews, and vetted top reviewers.
Is Booksprout worth the price?+
The $9 plan is cheap enough to test with one campaign at a time. Authors publishing multiple books a year usually outgrow it and move to the $19 or $29 tier, which is where flat-rate pricing elsewhere starts to look cheaper.
Reading for free, not for pay
iWrity gives readers free copies from indie authors. No payment, no review required, nothing owed in return. Amazon bans paying for reviews, so we do not pay.
See the free shelf