How BookBub and Thinkific 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.
Thinkific is a reliable place to build and sell learning. Courses, assessments, certificates, communities, memberships, and a branded mobile app option let a training business grow without moving platforms, and the site builder is good enough that many creators never need another. It is steady, well documented, and built around the student.
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.
Thinkific
- Thinkific pages exist to sell courses.
- Thinkific broadcasts to students and sends abandoned-cart email.
- Thinkific books coaching calendars on Start and up.
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 Thinkific when courses, assessments, and student communities are the business.
Compare features
What's on BookBub and Thinkific
A check means that capability is available. BookBub and Thinkific are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
- Custom domainBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
- Theme and fontsBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
Public content
- BlogBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Not included
- Showcase pagesBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
- Shop pagesBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
- Marketing emailsBookBub: IncludedThinkific: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsBookBub: Not includedThinkific: Included
- Scheduling and bookingsLink to external scheduling available on Starter.BookBub: Not includedThinkific: Included
Team
- AI AssistantBookBub: Not includedThinkific: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of BookBub or Thinkific, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but BookBub or Thinkific may add or remove features that are not shown here.
BookBub vs Thinkific pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
BookBub
Current plans and prices
See what BookBub charges on their pricing page.
Thinkific
Current plans and prices
See what Thinkific charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
BookBub and Thinkific
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 Thinkific?
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 Thinkific when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where BookBub and Thinkific are marked.
Can I use Cardel with BookBub or Thinkific?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep BookBub or Thinkific for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with BookBub and Thinkific?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. BookBub and Thinkific set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from BookBub or Thinkific 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.