ARC Reader Hub

ARC Reader Hub is ARC campaign software for indie authors. You upload an EPUB or PDF, screen the readers who apply, and send each approved reviewer a copy watermarked with their own email address. It launched in mid-2026 and is aimed at authors who want BookFunnel-style delivery and BookSprout-style reviewer tracking in one place, with a free tier that runs real campaigns.

What You Get#

• Per-reader watermarking: PDF downloads get a centred watermark and footer with the reader's email. EPUBs get a personalised title page and chapter footers. The in-browser reader shows a watermark overlay. Every download, Kindle send and browser view is logged.
• Send to Kindle: Watermarked EPUBs go straight to a reviewer's @kindle.com address, with a setup guide for whitelisting the sending address.
• Reviewer screening: Campaigns can auto-approve readers or require manual approval. Screening questionnaires can be reused across books, and applicants carry an on-platform reputation score.
• Campaign controls: You set start and end dates, a cap on reviewers, and a public or private-link listing. You also add review links for Amazon (ASIN), Goodreads and custom platforms such as BookBub, B&N or Kobo.
• Reading analytics: You can see which reviewers have started, how far they have read, and who has finished.
• Automatic cleanup: The manuscript file is deleted from storage when a campaign ends. Reviews and stats stay.

Who It's For#

• Authors with an existing ARC list: It works best as delivery and tracking software for readers you already have, such as your newsletter list or street team.
• Piracy-conscious authors: Watermarks tied to each reader are included on the free tier.

Pricing: The free Starter tier allows 5 lifetime book campaigns and includes watermarking, in-browser reading, Send to Kindle and applicant screening. Pro Growth lists at $12.99/month and was on sale at $7.99/month in September 2026. On annual billing it lists at $9.99/month and was on sale at $5.99/month. Pro adds unlimited campaigns, a custom watermark editor, automated review reminders, advanced analytics and a featured spot on the Discover page. New Pro subscriptions start with a 14-day free trial, and there is a 14-day money-back guarantee. Readers never pay.

Strengths#

• Free tier runs real campaigns: The free plan includes watermarking, Kindle delivery and screening, capped by number of campaigns rather than by features.
• Flat pricing: The vendor says it charges no per-reader or per-review fees.
• Clear policies: One-click cancellation, a published refund policy, and a statement that authors keep full ownership of uploaded manuscripts.

Limitations#

• Very new: The domain was registered in July 2026. The product carries a "Beta" label, and there are no independent reviews yet. Its Trustpilot profile had no reviews at the time of writing.
• Small reader pool: In late September 2026 the public Discover page listed 31 active campaigns, and most showed 0–4 readers. Don't count on the platform to find reviewers for you yet.
• Free cap is lifetime: Five campaigns in total, not five per month or year. The plans API also caps free accounts at 30 Kindle sends and 30 EPUB downloads, and the site does not say over what period.
• Anonymous operator: The site names no company, founders or address. The Terms of Service say they are governed by the laws of India, call the service "ARC Platform", and still contain a template drafting note.
• No review guarantee: Readers post reviews themselves on outside sites. Nothing is posted automatically.

Alternatives#

BookSprout and BookSirens have much larger, established reader pools. They are the better choice if you need the platform to supply reviewers. StoryOrigin offers ARC tracking plus newsletter swaps for $10/month. BookFunnel is the established choice for secure delivery alone.