If you’ve been researching Bookblaze vs Pubby vs Bookbounty, you’re likely at the stage where you’ve already published (or are about to publish) a book — and now you’re trying to figure out the best way to get reviews.
All three platforms operate in the same category:
They help self-publishers get book reviews through a structured review system, where authors and readers contribute by reviewing other books to receive reviews in return (without review swapping directly).
At a glance, they may seem very similar. And in many ways, they are.
But once you look deeper — especially at pricing, features, and long-term usability — there are some important differences that can significantly impact your results
Bookblaze vs Pubby vs Bookbounty: How These Platforms Work
Before comparing them, it’s important to understand the core model.
All three platforms operate on a credit-based system:
You read and review other authors’ books
You earn credits (coins, snaps, or points depending on the platform)
You use those credits to get reviews on your own book
What They All Have in Common
Across Bookblaze, Pubby, and Bookbounty:
You must review other books to earn credits
All platforms have systems to prevent direct review swapping
Users remain anonymous
They are designed to be Amazon-compliant
They support fiction, non-fiction, and low-content books
So at a foundational level, they all solve the same problem.
The real differences come in how they execute it.
Bookblaze vs Pubby vs Bookbounty: Pricing Comparison
Pricing is one of the first things most users look at — and it’s where some clear differences appear.
Monthly Plans
Bookblaze → $24.99/month
Pubby → $29.99/month
Bookbounty → $24.99/month (basic)
At first glance, Bookblaze and Bookbounty look similar, with Pubby slightly higher.
Higher-Tier Plans
Both Pubby and Bookbounty offer premium plans:
Pubby Pro → ~$250/month
Bookbounty Pro → ~$250/month
These plans allow you to:
Receive reviews without reviewing other books
Get a fixed number of credits/coins/snaps each month
Why Bookblaze Doesn’t Offer High-Priced “Skip the Queue” Plans
Both Pubby and Bookbounty offer higher-tier plans (around $250/month) that allow users to receive reviews without reviewing other books.
On the surface, that might sound convenient.
But there’s an important trade-off that’s easy to overlook.
The Short-Term Benefit
With these plans, you can:
Receive a set number of reviews each month
Avoid spending time reviewing other books
Move faster in the short term
The Long-Term Impact
However, systems like this can gradually weaken the platform itself.
Because when users can bypass the process:
Fewer people actively review books
The overall quality of reviews can decline
The value of credits (or points) becomes diluted
Over time, this affects everyone on the platform.
Why We Chose Not to Offer This
At Bookblaze, we intentionally chose not to introduce this type of plan.
Not because it’s difficult to implement — but because:
It prioritises short-term convenience over long-term platform quality.
Instead, the focus is on:
Maintaining a balanced ecosystem
Encouraging genuine participation
Ensuring reviews remain meaningful and earned
What This Means for You
It does require:
Some level of participation
A bit more time investment
But in return, you get:
A more stable system
Better quality reviews
A platform that continues to work effectively as it grows
Video Review Pricing Difference
This is another key point.
Bookblaze → Video reviews included in standard plan
Bookbounty → ~$45/month (listed as “coming soon”)
Pubby → No comparable feature
So while pricing looks similar on the surface, feature access changes the equation.
Bookblaze vs Pubby vs Bookbounty: Feature Comparison
Here’s where the biggest differences appear.
Platform Coverage
Amazon Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ✅
Bookbounty: ✅
Apple Books Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
Kobo Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
Goodreads Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
Barnes & Noble Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
Audiobook Support
Audiobook Reviews (ACX / Audible)
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ⚠️ Coming soon (paid tier)
Audiobook Reviews (Spotify, Audiobooks.com)
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
Advanced Features
Video Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅ Included
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ⚠️ Coming soon (paid tier)
Low-Content Verified Purchase Reviews
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
Reader Request Filtering (Questionnaire)
Bookblaze: ✅
Pubby: ❌
Bookbounty: ❌
What Makes Bookblaze Stand Out
1. Multi-Platform Review Support
Most platforms focus only on Amazon.
Bookblaze supports:
Apple Books
Kobo
Goodreads
Barnes & Noble
2. Audiobook Review Support
Bookblaze supports:
ACX
Spotify
3. Request-to-Review Feature (Higher Quality Reviews)
One feature that stands out is the request-to-review system.
This allows authors to:
See anonymous requests from readers interested in their book
Review short questionnaire responses explaining why a reader wants to read it
Choose which requests to accept
Important Clarification
Even though authors can accept or decline requests:
The process remains fully anonymous.
You are not:
Selecting specific individuals you know
Engaging in direct exchanges
Or coordinating reviews with other users
All interactions are handled within the platform to maintain compliance. Users also have the option to list their books/audiobooks into our library without the need to receive requests to review. You can also make your book open.
What This Improves
Compared to a fully random system, this approach helps:
Match books with genuinely interested readers
Improve engagement
Lead to more thoughtful, higher-quality reviews
4. Low-Content Verified Purchase Reviews
Bookblaze allows:
Physical purchases
Verified purchase badges
5. Video Reviews (Underrated but Powerful)
Video reviews allow:
Visual demonstration
Higher conversion
More trust
Included in Bookblaze standard book plan.
Bookblaze vs Pubby vs Bookbounty: Which Platform Is Best for You?
Best for Beginners
All work, but Bookblaze offers more value upfront.
Best for Wide Distribution Authors
👉 Bookblaze
Best for Audiobook Creators
👉 Bookblaze
Best for Low-Content Publishers
👉 Bookblaze
Best for “Hands-Off” Users
👉 Pubby / Bookbounty Pro (higher cost)
Final Verdict: Bookblaze vs Pubby vs Bookbounty
All three platforms are built to solve the same core problem:
Helping self-publishers generate reviews through a structured system.
But When You Look Closer…
Pricing differs
Features vary significantly
Platform coverage is limited in some cases
Where Bookblaze Stands Out
Bookblaze offers:
Broader platform coverage
Audiobook support
Video reviews included
Anonymous request-to-review system
Low-content verified purchase reviews
At a competitive price point.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for:
Flexibility
Long-term usability
More control
Broader reach
Bookblaze is a strong option.
Try It for Yourself
Bookblaze offers a 14-day free trial, allowing you to:
Explore the platform
Start earning coins
Test the system
Try it out here
Final Thought
Choosing the right platform isn’t just about getting reviews.
It’s about choosing one that:
Scales with you
Maintains quality
Supports your publishing strategy
That’s where the differences become clear.
Have you missed our last article on how to be a freelance writer? You can check it out here