Booksprout vs Pubby: Which Gets More Amazon Reviews?
Both platforms promise Amazon book reviews for indie authors — but they work very differently. Here's an honest comparison, plus why many authors choose iWrity instead.
The Key Differences at a Glance
Booksprout and Pubby take very different approaches to helping indie authors get reviews.
Booksprout: ARC Distribution
Booksprout is an ARC (Advance Review Copy) platform. You distribute free copies to a list of readers who may or may not post reviews to Amazon, Goodreads, or their blog.
Pubby: Review Swaps
Pubby uses a coin system where you earn coins by reviewing other books, then spend coins to get reviews on yours. This reciprocal model has raised Amazon TOS concerns.
iWrity: Community Exchange
iWrity uses a points-based community where readers earn by reviewing. Reviews go directly to Amazon. No swaps. 100% TOS compliant. Flat subscription pricing.
Booksprout vs Pubby vs iWrity: Full Comparison
How do all three platforms stack up for indie Amazon KDP authors?
| Feature | iWrity | Booksprout | Pubby |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Flat subscription + free tier | Per-copy fee | Coin-based swap system |
| Review destination | Amazon (direct) | Amazon, Goodreads, blogs | Amazon |
| Amazon TOS safe | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Risk of removal |
| Free tier | ✅ Yes | ✅ Limited | ✅ Yes (earn coins) |
| Genre matching | ✅ Auto-matched | Reader self-selects | Reader self-selects |
| Review turnaround | 3–7 days | 1–4 weeks | 1–2 weeks |
| Extra KDP tools | ✅ Health check, description gen, categories | ❌ None | ❌ None |
| International Amazon stores | ✅ 8 stores | ⚠️ Limited | ⚠️ Limited |
⚠️ A Note on Pubby and Amazon TOS
Pubby's coin-swap model — where you review others' books to earn coins to get reviews on yours — has been flagged by Amazon as a form of review manipulation. Several authors have had reviews removed after using Pubby.
iWrity's model is different: readers earn points for writing reviews, but they're never reviewing a book in exchange for getting their own book reviewed. It's a community pool, not a swap — which keeps it Amazon TOS compliant.
Skip the Comparison. Start Getting Reviews Today.
iWrity gives you everything Booksprout and Pubby offer, without the per-copy fees or TOS risk. Free to start.
Start Free on iWrityFrequently Asked Questions
Is Booksprout better than Pubby for Amazon reviews?+
Both have strengths. Booksprout is safer for Amazon TOS. Pubby can be faster but carries compliance risks. iWrity is built specifically for Amazon with TOS compliance built in.
Has Amazon removed reviews from Pubby users?+
Yes, there are documented cases of Amazon removing reviews from authors who used Pubby's coin-swap system. The reciprocal nature of review swaps violates Amazon's guidelines on incentivized reviews.
Which platform is free?+
All three offer some form of free access. iWrity's free tier lets you earn points by reviewing other books. Booksprout has a limited free plan. Pubby lets you earn coins for free by reviewing.
What is better than both Booksprout and Pubby?+
Many indie authors use iWrity as their primary review platform because it combines community engagement, Amazon-direct reviews, TOS compliance, and flat-rate pricing — all on one platform.
Can I use Booksprout and iWrity together?+
Yes. Some authors use Booksprout for Goodreads/blog reviews and iWrity for Amazon-focused reviews. They serve slightly different purposes and can complement each other.