ARC & Reviews

BookSprout vs Hidden Gems

BookSprout is a self-service ARC management platform with a free tier for up to 20 copies and subscription plans from $90 to $229 per year, giving authors control over reviewer invitations and tracking. Hidden Gems is a curated matching service that charges per reader (deposit-based) and has matched reviewers since 2015, handling the reviewer selection process. BookSprout is better for authors who want to manage ARCs themselves on a budget, while Hidden Gems suits those who prefer a hands-off, curated approach despite higher per-reader costs. Both focus on ARC and reviews, but their pricing and level of involvement differ significantly.

Pick BookSprout

Pick BookSprout if you want a cost-effective, self-managed ARC platform with a free tier and subscription options starting at $90 per year.

Pick Hidden Gems

Pick Hidden Gems if you prefer a curated reviewer-matching service that handles reviewer selection, and you are willing to pay per reader.

At a glance

BookSproutHidden Gems
PricingFree; $90–$229/yrPer-reader/deposit
Pricing modelFreemiumPaid
Free optionYesNo
PlatformsWebWeb
Best forARC & ReviewsARC & Reviews
AI featuresNoNo
Open sourceNoNo

BookSprout

booksprout.co

Indie-friendly ARC management; free tier for up to 20 copies.

Visit BookSprout

Hidden Gems

hiddengemsbooks.com

Curated reviewer-matching ARC service since 2015.

Visit Hidden Gems

See more options: BookSprout alternatives · Hidden Gems alternatives