BookFunnel sells three author plans, and the differences between them are not obvious from the pricing page if you have never run a campaign. For a standard ARC campaign, the BookFunnel plan for ARCs you need is the mid-tier one, called Mid-List Author. This guide breaks down what each plan includes, why the entry plan does not cover a managed ARC, and when the top plan is worth it. Prices below are current as of July 2026; check the pricing page for the latest.
The short answer
For most authors running an ARC campaign, the Mid-List Author plan at $200 a year is the right one. It is the lowest tier that includes Certified Mail, BookFunnel’s secure watermarked ARC delivery, along with 5,000 downloads a month and support for up to four pen names. Unless you need unlimited downloads or more than four pen names, you do not need the Bestseller plan.
What each BookFunnel plan includes
A comparison is genuinely clearer as a table here, because the plans differ on a few specific features rather than in kind.
| Plan | Annual price | Downloads / month | Pen names | Certified Mail (watermarked ARCs) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First-Time Author | $30 | 500 | 1 | No | A single reader magnet or landing-page giveaway |
| Mid-List Author | $200 | 5,000 | Up to 4 | Yes | Authors running ARC campaigns |
| Bestseller | $300 | Unlimited | Up to 6 | Yes | High volume, many pen names, priority support |
Mid-List Author and Bestseller are also offered monthly, at $20 and $30 a month. Audiobook delivery is an optional add-on on both.
Why the entry plan does not cover a managed ARC
First-Time Author can hand out review copies through a landing page, but it has no Certified Mail, which means no watermarking and no per-reader tracking. A managed ARC campaign relies on Certified Mail: a unique link for each reader, the reader’s email stamped on the file, automatic reminder emails, and links that expire when the campaign ends. Authors sometimes sign up for the entry plan, then find at launch that they cannot send the secure ARC their marketer needs. If an ARC is on your calendar, start on Mid-List Author.
When the Bestseller plan is worth it
Bestseller at $300 a year earns its price in specific situations: you need unlimited monthly downloads, you write under more than four pen names (it supports up to six), or you want priority support across frequent launches. For a single-title ARC campaign, Mid-List Author covers it. You can upgrade later if your needs grow, so there is no reason to pay for the top tier on your first campaign.
What to Watch Out For
Upgrade before launch week, not during it. If you are on First-Time Author and your marketer is about to build the campaign, move to Mid-List Author first. Leaving it until access is requested adds a day or two of back-and-forth at the worst possible moment.
Watch the download cap. Mid-List Author includes 5,000 downloads a month. A large ARC team plus ongoing reader-magnet delivery can approach that, and Bestseller removes the cap if you need it.
Plans renew annually. Factor the yearly cost and check the renewal date so it does not surprise you mid-campaign.
What comes next
Once you are on the right plan, the next steps are creating the account, adding your marketer, and uploading your book. If you have not set the account up yet, start with How to Set Up BookFunnel for Your ARC Campaign. To give your marketer access, see How to Add Your Marketer as a BookFunnel Team Member. The Author Onboarding Bootcamp covers the full onboarding sequence.
For current pricing, visit BookFunnel’s pricing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does BookFunnel cost for ARCs?
The Mid-List Author plan, which is the one that includes Certified Mail, is $200 a year or $20 a month as of July 2026. Check the pricing page for the current figure before you sign up.
Can I downgrade after my launch?
Yes. If you only needed ARC tools for a single campaign, you can move to First-Time Author afterward. Be aware you will lose Certified Mail and drop to 500 downloads a month when you do.
Does the plan include access for my marketer?
Team member invites are separate from your plan tier. You can invite your marketer from your Account page on any plan; the plan level is about Certified Mail and your download capacity, not about who can access the account. See How to Add Your Marketer as a BookFunnel Team Member.
Is there a free BookFunnel plan?
No. BookFunnel is a paid service, and First-Time Author is the entry plan at $30 a year. For ARC work you will need Mid-List Author or higher.
Do I need a separate plan for each book?
No. One plan covers your account, and you can host multiple books and run multiple campaigns under it, within your plan’s download and pen name limits.
Frequently asked questions
How much does BookFunnel cost for ARCs?
The Mid-List Author plan, which is the tier that includes Certified Mail, is the one you need for ARC work. Check BookFunnel's pricing page for the current annual and monthly figures before you sign up.
Can I downgrade after my launch?
Yes. If you only needed ARC tools for a single campaign, you can move to the entry plan afterward. Be aware you will lose Certified Mail and drop to the entry plan's download cap when you do.
Does the plan include access for my marketer?
Team member invites are separate from your plan tier. You can invite your marketer from your Account page on any plan; the plan level is about Certified Mail and download capacity, not who can access the account.
Do I need a separate plan for each book?
No. One plan covers your account, and you can host multiple books and run multiple campaigns under it, within your plan's download and pen name limits.