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BookBubvsDisciple

BookBub Author Websites builds a book-first site and simple newsletter for authors. Disciple gives community owners branded iOS and Android apps with subscriptions.

How BookBub and Disciple compare

BookBub Author Websites is made for writers who would rather be writing. Import an ebook from Amazon or BookBub and its cover, description, and retailer links fill in, and each book gets its own page that you update in one place. Templates are designed around genres, the Author Bio, Blog, and Contact pages are ready on day one, and a built-in newsletter pulls your book details into every email. Pro adds series pages, a press kit and events, and reader magnets that trade a free download for a signup, and the Free plan has no time limit.

Disciple does the thing most community platforms charge a premium for: every plan includes your own iOS and Android app listed under your name, a synced web version, and no Disciple branding anywhere your members look. Groups, feeds, DMs, events, native video, livestreaming, courses, push notifications to segments, and a customer success manager who helps you through the app store submission. Associations, training providers, nonprofits, and membership brands that want an icon on the member's phone are who it is built for.

Where they are different

BookBub

  • BookBub's book pages send readers to Amazon, Apple Books, and other retailers, with no checkout on the site.
  • BookBub's newsletter sends 1,000 emails a month on Free and 10,000 on Pro, from a no-reply address on your domain on Pro, and replies go to your personal email.
  • BookBub's blog has an RSS feed but no comments, and its only automation is a welcome email.
  • BookBub's Events page lists your appearances.

Disciple

  • Disciple lives behind a login and a home screen icon.
  • Disciple reaches members with push notifications and hands email to Mailchimp or ConvertKit.
  • Disciple starts at $599 a month for a branded app with unlimited members.
  • Disciple has courses, livestreams, tiers, and in-app purchases.

Choose BookBub when your books sell through retailers, you want a polished author site in an afternoon, and a simple monthly newsletter is all the email you need.

Choose Disciple when your members should open an app with your name on it, and a private community with groups, events, and paid tiers is the whole point.

Compare features

What's on BookBub and Disciple

A check means that capability is available. BookBub and Disciple are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.

Site and brand

  • Workspace site
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Not included
  • Custom domain
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Included
  • Theme and fonts
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Included

Public content

  • Blog
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Not included
  • Showcase pages
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Not included
  • Shop pages
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Not included

Reach and quality

  • SEO
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Not included

Audience and email

  • Audience
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Included
  • Marketing emails
    BookBub: Included
    Disciple: Not included

Commerce

  • Shop payments
    BookBub: Not included
    Disciple: Included

* Note: This table does not capture every feature of BookBub or Disciple, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but BookBub or Disciple may add or remove features that are not shown here.

BookBub vs Disciple pricing

Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.

  • BookBub

    Current plans and prices

    See what BookBub charges on their pricing page.

  • Disciple

    Current plans and prices

    See what Disciple charges on their pricing page.

Cardel: An alternative to
BookBub and Disciple

You don't pay until you publish.

Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.

Common questions

  • Is Cardel an alternative to BookBub or Disciple?

    Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace BookBub or Disciple when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where BookBub and Disciple are marked.

  • Can I use Cardel with BookBub or Disciple?

    Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep BookBub or Disciple for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.

  • How much does Cardel cost compared with BookBub and Disciple?

    You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. BookBub and Disciple set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.

  • How do I switch from BookBub or Disciple to Cardel?

    Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.