Kirkus Reviews
Depends
Confidence: Medium
Only worth it if you have a real marketing budget, need library/bookseller credibility, and can accept a possibly harsh verdict.
New check
Comparison
Kirkus Reviews vs NetGalley
Kirkus Reviews and NetGalley both land on Depends.
NetGalley
Depends
Confidence: Medium
The industry-standard ARC platform . worth it for publishers and established authors with real marketing budgets.
| Compare | ||
|---|---|---|
| Verdict | Depends | Depends |
| Best for | Authors with real marketing budgets | Traditional publishers running publicity campaigns |
| Who it's not for | First-time authors on tight budgets | Budget self-published authors needing guaranteed reviews |
| Privacy | No known public vulnerabilities found in the sources reviewed. | Disclosed December 2020 data breach; platform now publishes security updates. |
| Support quality | Trustpilot and BBB complaints about service | No evidence in sources |
| Public sentiment | Opinions split sharply: some authors prize the credibility and rave about their reviews, but many self-published authors call the paid service overpriced with poor return.² | Reviewers value the ARC access, while indie authors are split . many question the cost and complain of harsh or dishonest reviews.16 |
| Biggest gotcha | Paying does not guarantee a positive review; many indies got harsh verdicts | 2020 breach exposed passwords . use a unique credential here |
Pick Kirkus Reviews when
- Authors with real marketing budgets
- Self-pubs chasing library credibility
- Libraries and publishers curating titles
When Kirkus Reviews is not a fit
- First-time authors on tight budgets
- Anyone expecting reviews to drive sales
- Authors who cannot risk a harsh verdict
- Small presses wanting guaranteed coverage
Pick NetGalley when
- Traditional publishers running publicity campaigns
- Professional reviewers, librarians, booksellers
- Authors with dedicated ARC marketing budgets
- Co-op programs via SFWA or IBPA
When NetGalley is not a fit
- Budget self-published authors needing guaranteed reviews
- Anyone expecting reviews to drive direct sales
- Casual readers hunting free books
- Small presses wanting the cheapest ARC distribution
Sources
review
- Kirkus reviews are a really bad dealreddit.comreview
- Kirkus Reviews Trustpilot reviewstrustpilot.comreview
- Kirkus Reviews: Are they worth the $425?kboards.comreview
- I Wasted $8000 On Kirkus Review Display Advertisingselfpublishingadvice.orgreview
review
- Kirkus Indie paid book review, a horrible experiencekdpcommunity.comreview
- Kirkus Reviews official sitekirkusreviews.comofficial
- Kirkus Reviews FAQkirkusreviews.comofficial
- Kirkus Library Center case studieskirkusreviews.comofficial
- Is Kirkus Review Worth It for Self-Published Authors?brandmybook.careview
- Kirkus Reviews delivered a WONDERFUL reviewfacebook.comreview
- NetGalley Homenetgalley.comofficial
- How It Worksnetgalley.comofficial
- Plans and pricingnetgalley.comofficial
- Is NetGalley worth it? . r/selfpublishreddit.comreview