AuthorPage vs BookBub Author Websites: Which Website Builder is Right for You?AuthorPage vs BookBub Author Websites: Which Website Builder is Right for You?

You're an indie author who needs a professional website. BookBub—the platform you know for book deals and promotions—now offers a website builder called BookBub Author Websites.

And there's AuthorPage—a newer platform that promises your website builds itself in five minutes from your Amazon profile.

Full disclosure: I'm Sekar, and I built AuthorPage. That means I have obvious bias. But I've genuinely tested BookBub Author Websites in December 2025 because authors keep asking how we compare. I created a test account, went through the full setup process, and explored every feature. This comparison reflects what I actually found—not assumptions from marketing materials.

Both platforms let authors create professional websites. But they take completely different approaches to getting you there.

The real difference? AuthorPage auto-discovers your entire catalog in minutes with zero decisions required. BookBub Author Websites offers 84 templates and more customization options—but requires manual book entry and desktop-only editing.

Let's compare them honestly, based on real testing.

Quick Comparison: AuthorPage vs BookBub Author Websites at a Glance

Here's what matters most to indie authors:

The choice isn't about which platform is "better." It's about which approach fits your workflow, technical comfort, and time availability.

Understanding BookBub Author Websites: Template-Rich but Manual

BookBub—famous for their book deal newsletters reaching millions of readers—launched a website builder for authors. At $9.99/month, it offers guided setup, extensive templates, and features like reader magnet delivery.

What BookBub Author Websites Does Well

84 Template Options: During testing, I counted 84 templates available. You can browse by genre (romance, thriller, fantasy), by vibe (moody, bright, minimal), or by focus (single book, multi-book, author bio, newsletter).

If you want visual variety and specific aesthetics, BookBub delivers options.

Reader Magnet Uploads: BookBub lets you upload files (free chapters, bonus content) that readers can download after signing up for your newsletter. Downloads expire after 7 days—a nice anti-piracy feature.

This reader magnet functionality is genuinely useful for list-building strategies.

Guided Setup Questions: The setup flow asks thoughtful questions: Do you want a mailing list? Which email platform do you use? Do you want a blog? Events page? Contact page?

These questions help configure your site based on your actual needs.

Established Brand: BookBub has massive credibility in the author community. Using their website product means trusting a company that understands book marketing.

Email Platform Integration: BookBub asks about your existing email platform during setup and supports integrations with popular services.

Where BookBub Author Websites Falls Short

Desktop-Only Editing: This was the biggest surprise during testing. When I tried editing on mobile, I saw: "The design screen has not been formatted for mobile devices yet. Log into your account on a desktop computer."

In 2025, this is a significant limitation. Many authors squeeze website updates into gaps—waiting at kids' activities, between writing sessions, during lunch breaks. Desktop-only editing chains you to your computer.

Doesn't Find All Your Books: During testing with an author who has 38 titles, BookBub's search didn't surface all their books. I had to search by author name and manually select books, and some still didn't appear.

For prolific authors, this means tedious manual entry for books the system misses.

Manual Series Creation: BookBub doesn't auto-detect series from Amazon. You create series manually after importing books. More work for authors with multiple series.

Pre-Built Imagery = Similar Sites: BookBub templates include beautiful pre-built images—hero photos, newsletter graphics, section backgrounds. The problem? Unless you replace these images, your site looks like other authors using the same template.

Changing the images helps, but then you're doing design work anyway.

15-20+ Minute Setup: The guided questions are helpful, but they add up. Email preferences, page selections, template browsing, Stripe payment—by the time I finished setup, 20 minutes had passed.

$9.99/Month Ongoing Cost: At $119.88/year, BookBub costs slightly more than AuthorPage Pro ($99/year)—and infinitely more than AuthorPage's free forever plan.

Manual Updates Forever: Change your book description on Amazon? Update your bio? New cover? You'll update BookBub separately—manual data entry every time. With AuthorPage, you just hit refresh to pull your latest Amazon data.

Understanding AuthorPage: Automation-First Simplicity

AuthorPage launched in 2025 with one radical idea: if you're an author on Amazon, your website should build itself. Paste your Amazon Author Central URL, and everything imports automatically—books, bio, covers, reviews, series organization.

The philosophy prioritizes automation over options. Fewer choices, but zero ongoing effort.

What AuthorPage Does Well

True 5-Minute Setup: During my own testing, I pasted my Amazon Author Central URL. Within 2-3 minutes, AuthorPage discovered 72 books automatically. After selecting from 3 personalized design recommendations and choosing my website address, I was done.

No template browsing. No setup questions. No manual book entry.

Auto-Discovers Your Entire Catalog: AuthorPage found all 72 books from my Amazon profile, including reviews for each. Compare this to BookBub missing books from a 38-title author during testing.

3 Personalized Recommendations: Instead of overwhelming you with 84 templates, AuthorPage shows 3 design recommendations personalized to your genre and book count. "Based on your 64 books, we have personalized designs for you."

This reduces decision fatigue while ensuring the design fits your catalog.

Mobile-Friendly Editing: AuthorPage works from any device—phone, tablet, laptop, desktop. Make updates wherever you are.

Interactive 3D Book Covers: The designs include interactive elements like 3D book covers that respond to hover. Your books feel dynamic, not static.

Easy Amazon Refresh: Publish a new book? Update your bio? Change a description? Just hit refresh in AuthorPage to pull your latest Amazon data—no manual data entry required. Maintain information in one place (Amazon), and updating your website takes seconds.

Minimal Maintenance: After 5-minute setup, your website needs almost no attention. When you publish new books, just refresh to pull them in. No manual data entry. No re-typing descriptions. It just works.

Free Forever Plan: AuthorPage offers a genuinely free forever plan—not a trial. Free tier includes 10 books, 10 blog posts, 20 newsletter subscribers, and 20 contact messages. For debut authors or authors testing the waters, this removes all financial risk.

Affordable Pro Plan: Want a custom domain and unlimited everything? $99/year. That's competitively priced with BookBub's annual cost while offering automatic Amazon sync and zero maintenance.

Where AuthorPage Has Real Limitations

No Design Customization: AuthorPage offers zero visual customization. No template choices. No color changes. No layout modifications.

All AuthorPage sites share the same professional design. If your brand has specific visual identity requirements, AuthorPage won't express them. This matters more for some genres (fantasy, YA) where visual branding is important.

Fewer Templates = Less Variety: 3 personalized recommendations vs 84 templates means less visual diversity. Your site might look similar to other AuthorPage users.

No Reader Magnet File Hosting: AuthorPage collects newsletter signups but doesn't host reader magnet files. You'd deliver those through your email service provider instead.

Missing Features: Blog is now available (10 posts on free plan, unlimited on Pro), but no events calendar. No custom pages beyond the core author website structure.

Amazon Dependency for Auto-Import: The magic 5-minute setup requires Amazon Author Central. If you publish exclusively elsewhere, you'd use manual onboarding instead—which loses the instant automation.

Newer Platform: AuthorPage launched in 2025. Less track record than established platforms. I'm bootstrapped and committed, but I can't promise decades of history like BookBub can.

The Real Differentiator: Automation vs Options

Both platforms create author websites. But they take fundamentally different approaches.

AuthorPage chooses automation:

• Fewer features but they maintain themselves
• 3 personalized recommendations instead of 84 templates
• Zero ongoing effort after 5-minute setup
• Lower cost ($0-99/year)

BookBub chooses options:

• 84 templates with extensive customization potential
• Reader magnet file hosting
• Blog, events, and extra pages available
• Higher cost ($119.88/year) plus ongoing maintenance

Neither approach is wrong. They serve different author needs.

If You Value Automation

You want your website to maintain itself. You'd rather write books than browse templates for hours. You prefer "paste URL and done" over "configure every detail."

AuthorPage's simple approach means you spend 5 minutes on setup, then minimal time maintaining it. New book? Hit refresh and it appears. Updated bio? Refresh and it's there. Changed cover? Refresh and it updates.

Your website becomes simple infrastructure you control with one click.

If You Value Options

You want to browse 84 templates and find the perfect aesthetic. You need reader magnet file hosting. You want blog and events pages built in.

BookBub provides these features immediately. Yes, you'll spend 15-20 minutes on setup. Yes, you'll update books manually. Yes, you'll edit only from desktop. But you get more visual variety and features.

Pricing Comparison: Real Costs Over Time

Let's examine actual costs over one year and three years.

Cost Over Time: Real Numbers

First Year:

• AuthorPage Free: $0
• AuthorPage Pro: $99
• BookBub (regular): $119.88
• BookBub (with 6-month promo): $89.88

Three-Year Total:

• AuthorPage Free: $0
• AuthorPage Pro: $108
• BookBub: $359.64

Over three years, BookBub costs 3.3x more than AuthorPage Pro—and infinitely more than AuthorPage's free plan.

Real Author Scenarios: Which Platform Fits?

Let's examine specific situations indie authors face.

Scenario 1: The Prolific Author Who Hates Website Work

Maria has published 40 romance novels through Amazon KDP. She updates her Amazon Author Central regularly. Website maintenance feels like pulling teeth—she'd rather be writing. She wants professional online presence without the work.

Best Choice: AuthorPage

Why? Maria's massive catalog would require extensive manual entry on BookBub (and based on testing, some books might not even be found). AuthorPage discovers all 40 books automatically with one refresh at a similar price point ($99/year vs $119.88). Minimal maintenance matches her "hate website work" preference.

Scenario 2: The Author Who Loves Design Control

James writes urban fantasy and has strong visual brand identity. He wants his website to match his book aesthetic precisely. He enjoys browsing templates and customizing designs.

Best Choice: BookBub Author Websites (or consider WordPress)

Why? James values design variety over automation. BookBub's 84 templates give him options to explore. The desktop-only editing and manual updates don't bother him because he enjoys the design process. Though honestly, if design control is paramount, WordPress might serve him even better.

Scenario 3: The Author Who Delivers Reader Magnets

Lisa runs extensive list-building campaigns with free first-in-series downloads as reader magnets. She needs to host and deliver these files to new subscribers automatically.

Best Choice: BookBub Author Websites

Why? BookBub's reader magnet upload feature with 7-day expiring links directly addresses Lisa's need. AuthorPage collects emails but doesn't host files—Lisa would need to deliver reader magnets through her email service provider separately.

Scenario 4: The Debut Author Testing the Waters

Sofia just published her first novel. She's unsure if writing is a long-term path. She needs some online presence but doesn't want to invest much money until she knows she'll continue.

Best Choice: AuthorPage

Why? AuthorPage's free forever plan removes all financial risk. Sofia creates a professional website in 5 minutes, pays nothing, and focuses on whether she wants to keep writing. If she abandons publishing, she's lost nothing. If she continues, she can upgrade to Pro for $99/year when ready.

BookBub's $9.99/month feels riskier for someone uncertain about their author future.

Scenario 5: The Author Who Edits on the Go

David works a day job and squeezes author tasks into lunch breaks and commutes. He updates his website from his phone while waiting for his kids. Mobile access isn't optional—it's essential.

Best Choice: AuthorPage

Why? BookBub's desktop-only editing would prevent David from making updates during his available time windows. AuthorPage's mobile-friendly editing matches his workflow. He can tweak his site from anywhere.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Setup and Initial Launch

AuthorPage:

1. Paste Amazon Author Central URL
2. Wait 2-3 minutes while books are discovered
3. Choose from 3 personalized design recommendations
4. Select website address
5. Done—5 minutes total

BookBub:

1. Enter email, author name, book count
2. Search for books (may miss some titles)
3. Answer questions: mailing list? email platform? blog? events?
4. Browse 84 templates
5. Complete payment setup
6. Launch—15-20+ minutes total

Book Discovery and Management

AuthorPage: Paste Amazon URL → All books discovered automatically (tested: 72 books found) → Series auto-detected → Refresh anytime to pull latest updates

BookBub: Search for books individually → Some books may not appear → Series created manually → Updates entered manually every time you change something on Amazon

Editing Flexibility

AuthorPage: Edit from phone, tablet, or computer. Make quick updates wherever you are.

BookBub: Desktop only. Must be at a computer to make any edits. "The design screen has not been formatted for mobile devices yet."

Design Options

AuthorPage: 3 personalized design recommendations based on your genre and book count. No customization. All sites share consistent professional design.

BookBub: 84 templates. Browse by genre, vibe, or focus. Pre-built imagery included (but may make sites look similar unless replaced).

Newsletter and Reader Magnets

AuthorPage: Built-in newsletter signup forms. Integrates with your email service. You deliver reader magnets through your email platform.

BookBub: Email platform integration during setup. Reader magnet file uploads with 7-day expiring download links.

Maintenance Requirements

AuthorPage: Minimal. Update Amazon Author Central, then refresh your AuthorPage to pull the changes—no manual data entry.

BookBub: Ongoing. New book? Add it manually. Changed description? Update it manually. New bio? Update it manually.

When to Choose Each Platform

Choose AuthorPage If:

• You have many books and don't want to enter them manually
• You value automation over extensive customization options
• You edit on mobile/tablet as part of your workflow
• Budget matters and you prefer $0-99/year over $119.88/year
• You hate website maintenance and want minimal ongoing work
• You're testing the waters with the free forever plan
• You already maintain Amazon Author Central and want easy refresh to pull updates

Choose BookBub If:

• You want 84 template options and enjoy browsing designs
• You need reader magnet file hosting with expiring download links
• Desktop-only editing works for your workflow
• You're okay with manual updates and don't mind maintaining two systems
• Visual variety matters more than automation
• You trust BookBub's established brand over newer alternatives

Frequently Asked Questions

Does BookBub Author Websites integrate with BookBub's marketing features?

BookBub Author Websites is a standalone product. It's from the same company that runs BookBub book deals, but your website doesn't directly integrate with their deals platform or follower system.

Can I try BookBub before paying?

Yes, BookBub offers a 30-day free trial. AuthorPage offers a genuinely free forever plan (no trial period—actually free permanently).

What happens if I cancel BookBub?

Your website would stop working since it's hosted on their platform. With AuthorPage, even if you downgrade from Pro to Free, your site continues working (just on a subdomain instead of custom domain).

Can I use my own domain with AuthorPage?

Yes, with the Pro plan ($99/year). The free plan uses authorpage.me/yourname subdomain.

Does AuthorPage integrate with email services like Mailchimp?

AuthorPage collects email signups. You can export subscribers or connect integrations to sync with your email service provider.

Why can't I edit BookBub's website from my phone?

During testing, BookBub showed: "The design screen has not been formatted for mobile devices yet." This suggests their website builder predates mobile-first design practices or prioritizes desktop experience.

Will AuthorPage add blog features?

AuthorPage now includes blog functionality (10 posts on free plan, unlimited on Pro). For authors who want occasional updates ("I published a new book!"), this works great. For prolific bloggers who need advanced features like scheduling and categories, BookBub may offer more robust tools.

What if BookBub doesn't find all my books?

During testing with a 38-title author, not all books appeared in search. You'd need to add missing books manually—which defeats some of the setup convenience.

Can I switch from BookBub to AuthorPage later?

Yes. Your domain can point to a new site. Your content would be rebuilt (AuthorPage would auto-import from Amazon anyway). Switching is always possible, though it takes some setup work.

The Bottom Line: Making Your Decision

After testing both platforms in December 2025, here's the clearest guidance:

Choose AuthorPage if:

You want the simplest possible experience—5-minute setup with automatic discovery of your entire catalog, zero ongoing maintenance, and mobile-friendly editing. You prefer spending $0-99/year instead of $119.88/year. You value automation over template variety.

AuthorPage gives you: Simple setup, mobile editing, lower cost, and peace of mind knowing website updates are just a refresh away.

Choose BookBub Author Websites if:

You want 84 template options and enjoy the design selection process. You need reader magnet file hosting with expiring download links. Desktop-only editing fits your workflow. You're comfortable with manual updates and higher annual cost.

BookBub gives you: Template variety, reader magnet hosting, and the established BookBub brand—at the cost of manual maintenance and desktop-only editing.

For Authors Who Value Simplicity

If you want your website handled simply, AuthorPage's combination of instant setup, easy Amazon refresh, mobile editing, and low cost makes it the logical choice.

The time and energy you save goes directly to writing better books and connecting with readers—activities that actually matter for your author career.

For Authors Who Value Options

If you enjoy browsing templates, need reader magnet hosting, and don't mind desktop editing and manual updates, BookBub's feature set might justify the higher cost and maintenance burden.

Remember What Actually Matters

Your website exists to serve readers and support your books. It should be a helpful tool, not a burdensome project.

A simple AuthorPage site with easy refresh beats an elaborate BookBub site you avoid updating because it requires your laptop and manual data entry.

Choose the platform that removes barriers between you and your readers, not one that creates new work.

Because you already did the hard part—you wrote your books.

Your website should make sharing them effortless.

Ready to Create Your Author Website?

You have two solid paths forward:

Try AuthorPage

If simplicity appeals to you, start with AuthorPage's free forever plan. Paste your Amazon Author Central URL and see a professional website in five minutes. Risk nothing financially.

You can always add complexity later if needed. Starting simple rarely leads to regret.

Try BookBub Author Websites

If template variety and reader magnet hosting matter more than automation, explore BookBub Author Websites with their 30-day free trial. Test their templates, upload reader magnets, see if desktop-only editing fits your workflow.

The Most Important Decision

The most important decision isn't which platform you choose—it's that you actually create your author website instead of endlessly researching and never launching.

Both platforms serve indie authors. Both are better than having no website at all.

Pick the one that feels right based on this honest comparison. Set it up. Then get back to what actually matters: writing your next book and connecting with readers.

Your books deserve a professional home on the web.

And you deserve a website that doesn't consume your creative energy.

Ready to get started with AuthorPage? Learn more about how AuthorPage works and why I built it specifically for authors who want websites that maintain themselves.

Comparing other platforms? Read my detailed comparison of AuthorPage vs Tertulia to see how AuthorPage compares to another author-focused website builder.