How BookBub and Patreon 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.
Patreon turned fans into patrons. Membership tiers, members-only posts, community chats, a shop for one-off items, and native podcast and video delivery give creators steady income from the people who care most. It is the default word for creator memberships, and the tools have grown up with it.
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.
Patreon
- Patreon lives at patreon.com/yourname and gates most content.
- Patreon takes a percentage of membership revenue.
- Patreon messages patrons in-app.
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 Patreon when recurring fan support with tiers and members-only perks is the model.
Compare features
What's on BookBub and Patreon
A check means that capability is available. BookBub and Patreon are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteBookBub: IncludedPatreon: Not included
- Custom domainBookBub: IncludedPatreon: Not included
Public content
- BlogBookBub: IncludedPatreon: Not included
- Shop pagesBookBub: IncludedPatreon: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceBookBub: IncludedPatreon: Included
- Marketing emailsBookBub: IncludedPatreon: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsBookBub: Not includedPatreon: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of BookBub or Patreon, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but BookBub or Patreon may add or remove features that are not shown here.
BookBub vs Patreon pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
BookBub
Current plans and prices
See what BookBub charges on their pricing page.
Patreon
Current plans and prices
See what Patreon charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
BookBub and Patreon
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 Patreon?
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 Patreon when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where BookBub and Patreon are marked.
Can I use Cardel with BookBub or Patreon?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep BookBub or Patreon for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with BookBub and Patreon?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. BookBub and Patreon set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from BookBub or Patreon 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.