Edelweiss Plus vs NetGalley: ARC Platforms Compared (Plus Affordable Alternatives)

If you’re preparing to launch a book, you’ve probably heard about Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) and for good reason. Getting your book into the hands of reviewers before publication is one of the most effective ways to generate buzz, collect early reviews, and build social proof that drives sales.

But here’s the problem: the two biggest ARC platforms in the industry NetGalley and Edelweiss Plus weren’t built with indie authors in mind. They were designed for traditional publishing houses with marketing budgets and dedicated publicity teams.

So where does that leave you, the independent author or small publisher?

In this article, I’m going to give you an honest comparison of both platforms, explain why they may or may not work for you, and most importantly show you some budget-friendly alternatives that can get you real results without draining your publishing budget.

What is an ARC and Why Does It Matter?

An Advance Reader Copy (ARC) is a pre-publication version of your book that you distribute to reviewers, bloggers, librarians, booksellers, and other book industry professionals before your official launch date.

Why does this matter? Let me break it down:

Early reviews on Amazon and Goodreads can make or break your book’s visibility in the algorithm
Social proof from trusted reviewers encourages other readers to take a chance on your book
Word-of-mouth marketing starts before your book even hits the shelves
Library and bookstore buyers often make purchasing decisions based on early buzz

If you ask me, ARCs are not optional, they’re essential for any serious book launch strategy. The question isn’t whether you need them; it’s which platform gives you the best results for your budget.

NetGalley: The Review-Focused Giant

NetGalley is the most well-known ARC distribution platform in the publishing world. With over 600,000 active members including book bloggers, librarians, booksellers, educators, and journalists. It offers unparalleled access to potential reviewers.

How NetGalley Works

You upload your book (ePub or PDF format) along with cover art and metadata
NetGalley members browse the catalog and request access to your book
You can approve or deny requests based on reviewer profiles and feedback history
Approved readers access your book through the NetGalley Shelf app
Reviewers are encouraged to leave feedback on NetGalley, Amazon, Goodreads, or their blogs

NetGalley Pricing

Here’s where things get tricky for indie authors:

Listing Type	Direct Pricing
6-month listing	$450 - $575
Audiobook add-on	$125 - $150
Category spotlights	Additional fees

That’s a significant investment for a single title, especially when there’s no guarantee you’ll receive reviews.

Pros of NetGalley

Massive reviewer network: 600K+ active members actively looking for new books
User-friendly interface: Both for publishers and reviewers
Global reach: Access to international reviewers and markets
Professional credibility: Being on NetGalley signals that you’re a serious publisher
Robust analytics: Track impressions, downloads, and engagement

Cons of NetGalley

Expensive for indie authors: $500+ for a single title is steep
No guaranteed reviews: You’re paying for exposure, not actual reviews
Designed for traditional publishers: The platform assumes you have PR support
Approval competition: Your book competes with major publisher titles for reviewer attention

Edelweiss Plus: The Industry’s B2B Powerhouse

While NetGalley focuses on generating reviews and buzz, Edelweiss Plus serves a different purpose entirely. It’s primarily a B2B (business-to-business) catalog platform used by booksellers, librarians, and other industry professionals to discover and order books.

Think of Edelweiss as the industry’s digital catalog system, the place where Barnes & Noble buyers, independent bookstore owners, and library acquisition departments go to find new titles.

How Edelweiss Plus Works

Publishers upload their catalogs, including metadata, cover images, and ordering information
Booksellers and librarians browse catalogs to discover new titles
Publishers can also offer Digital Review Copies (DRCs) for industry professionals
The platform includes tools for sales analysis, marketing, and direct outreach

Edelweiss Plus Pricing

Starting February 2025, here’s what Edelweiss charges:

Fee Type	Cost
Annual fee	$200
Per title upload	$90
Audio review copies	Included

For publishers not already on the platform, there may also be setup fees and additional costs for advertising.

Pros of Edelweiss Plus

Direct access to buyers: Connect with booksellers and library acquisition professionals
Professional industry presence: Your books appear alongside major publishers
B2B sales focus: Better for getting books into stores and libraries
Robust catalog management: Tools for managing multiple titles and seasons
Edelweiss360 analytics: Track engagement and identify sales opportunities

Cons of Edelweiss Plus

Steep learning curve: The interface is not as intuitive as NetGalley
Not review-focused: This is a sales platform, not a review generation tool
Requires industry knowledge: Best suited for those who understand book trade sales
Lower approval rates: Industry professionals are selective about what they request

The Real Problem: Both Platforms Favor Big Publishers

Here’s the honest truth that nobody wants to tell you: both NetGalley and Edelweiss Plus were designed for traditional publishing houses, not indie authors or small publishers.

Consider this:

Major publishers have dedicated publicity teams who manage these platforms full-time
They have marketing budgets that make $500 listing fees trivial
Their books get priority because they’re backed by established publisher credibility
They can afford to list dozens of titles across multiple seasons

Meanwhile, indie authors are left trying to compete with Penguin Random House and HarperCollins for reviewer attention while paying the same fees.

The ROI Problem

Let me be direct: unless you have a substantial marketing budget or you’re working with a publisher who handles distribution, the return on investment (ROI) from these platforms can be questionable for indie authors.

I’ve seen authors spend $500+ on NetGalley and receive only a handful of reviews. That’s not because NetGalley doesn’t work, it’s because the platform is designed for publishers who can support their listings with additional marketing and promotional efforts.

Does this mean you should never use these platforms? Not necessarily. But you need to go in with realistic expectations and consider whether there are better ways to spend your limited marketing dollars.

IBPA Membership: A Smarter Way to Access Both Platforms

If you’re serious about accessing NetGalley and Edelweiss Plus, there’s a more cost-effective route: joining the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA).

IBPA offers member discounts on both platforms that can save you hundreds of dollars. Here’s what you get:

IBPA Edelweiss Plus Benefits

Benefit	Details
Annual fee	Waived for IBPA members
DRC upload cost	~$50 (vs $90 standard)
Advertising discount	Up to 40% off
Setup fee	$500 one-time (for new publishers)

IBPA NetGalley Benefits

Listing Duration	IBPA Member Price
1 month	$179
3 months	$299
6 months	$499

With IBPA’s co-op program, they also manage the upload process for you, handling file uploads and request management on your behalf.

Is IBPA Membership Worth It?

IBPA membership costs around $180-300 per year depending on your tier. If you plan to use these platforms regularly or want access to other member benefits (education, community, industry credibility), the membership can pay for itself.

However, for authors publishing just one or two titles, even the discounted rates may still be more than you want to spend. That’s where budget-friendly alternatives come in.

Budget-Friendly ARC Alternatives for Indie Authors

Here’s the good news: you don’t need NetGalley or Edelweiss to run a successful ARC campaign. There are several affordable alternatives that are specifically designed for indie authors and small publishers.

ARC Platform Comparison

Platform	Approximate Cost	Best For
BookSirens	$10 + $2/reader (~$30-50/campaign)	Targeted, affordable ARC distribution
BookSprout	~$9/month	Ongoing ARC campaigns with reader management
BookFunnel	$100/year	ARCs + newsletter building + reader magnets
Readers’ Favorite	Free	Free reviews across 150+ genres
Pen Pinery	One-time purchase	No subscription, lifetime access
StoryOrigin	Varies	Combined marketing and ARC tools

Let me break down each option:

BookSirens

BookSirens is one of the most popular NetGalley alternatives for indie authors. You pay a small base fee ($10) plus $2 for each reader who downloads your book.

Cost: Most campaigns run $30-50 for 20 readers
Free trial available: Test it before committing
Targeted distribution: Readers request books in their preferred genres
Review tracking: See where reviews are posted

BookSprout

BookSprout offers monthly subscription plans starting around $9/month, making it ideal for authors who publish regularly.

ARC team management: Build your own reader team over time
Automated reminders: Encourage reviewers to post their reviews
Genre targeting: Reach readers who love your type of book
Review verification: Track which reviewers follow through

BookFunnel

BookFunnel isn’t just an ARC platform, it’s a complete reader delivery system that many indie authors already use for newsletter magnets.

Cost: $100/year for unlimited readers
Multi-purpose: ARCs, reader magnets, newsletter swaps, group promos
Professional delivery: Readers get your book in their preferred format
Tech support: They handle reader delivery issues so you don’t have to

Readers’ Favorite

Readers’ Favorite offers free book reviews for both published and unpublished books across 150+ genres.

Cost: Free
Published reviews: Reviews are posted on their site and indexed by search engines
Awards program: Enter their book awards for additional exposure
No pressure: They review what they want, when they want

Pen Pinery

Pen Pinery takes a different approach with a one-time purchase model, no subscriptions.

Cost: One-time fee (no recurring charges)
Author control: You manage your own ARC distribution
Encourages reviews: Designed to get reviews on Amazon and Goodreads
Simple process: Upload once, distribute to interested readers

StoryOrigin

StoryOrigin combines ARC distribution with other indie author marketing tools like group promotions and newsletter building.

All-in-one: ARCs, reader magnets, group promos, newsletter swaps
Community: Connect with other indie authors for cross-promotion
Automation: Streamline your marketing workflows
Affordable: Competitive pricing for the feature set

Which ARC Platform Should You Choose?

The right platform depends on your budget, genre, and goals. Here’s my honest recommendation:

If You’re on a Tight Budget

Start with the affordable alternatives. BookSirens or BookSprout can get you legitimate reviews at a fraction of the NetGalley cost. Readers’ Favorite is completely free if you’re willing to wait.

If You Write Genre Fiction (Romance, Thriller, Fantasy)

Genre readers are incredibly active on indie-focused platforms. BookSprout, BookFunnel, and StoryOrigin all have strong genre communities. NetGalley may be overkill unless you’re launching a major series.

If You’re Targeting Libraries and Bookstores

Edelweiss Plus makes more sense for B2B sales. Consider IBPA membership to reduce costs. Make sure you have proper distribution in place first, libraries and bookstores need to be able to order your book through Ingram or a similar distributor.

If You’re a Serious Indie Publisher with Multiple Titles

IBPA membership becomes cost-effective when you’re publishing multiple books per year. The discounts on both NetGalley and Edelweiss can add up to significant savings.

My Honest Take

For most indie authors, I recommend starting with budget-friendly platforms and graduating to NetGalley or Edelweiss once you have:

A proven track record of sales
A marketing budget to support your listings
A backlist that justifies the investment
Clear goals for library or bookstore distribution

Don’t spend $500 on NetGalley for your first book. Build your ARC team organically, learn what works, and invest in premium platforms when the ROI makes sense.

Get Expert Help with Your Book Launch

Navigating ARC platforms, distribution channels, and book marketing can be overwhelming, especially when you’re doing it alone. Every author’s situation is different, and what works for one book may not work for another.

If you want personalized guidance on your book launch strategy, reach out to the team at Bookllo Publishing. They specialize in helping indie authors publish professionally and can provide expert support on:

ARC campaign planning and execution
Distribution setup for libraries and bookstores
ISBN services and metadata optimization
Marketing strategy tailored to your genre and goals

Your book deserves a strong launch. Don’t leave it to chance.