Free vs Starter vs Pro vs Lifetime: which plan should you pick?
The numbers behind each Chiify plan, and at what revenue level each one starts paying for itself.
Last updated 2026-06-06
Chiify has four plans. The differences are simple — book count caps and commission rate.
| Free | Starter | Pro | Lifetime | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | $25/month | $100/year | $300 once |
| Active titles | 3 | 20 | 100 | 150 |
| Commission | 10% | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| Free EPUB conversion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| All 414+ retailers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Support | Priority | Priority | ||
| Pre-orders | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Where each plan starts paying for itself
Math: at what monthly net-sales level does the next-tier-up plan save you more than it costs?
Free → Starter ($25/month)
Starter saves 10% of every sale (vs Free's 10% commission). So Starter starts saving you money once your monthly NET sales (after retailer cuts) cross $250/month. Below that, stay on Free.
Starter → Pro ($100/year)
Pro is $100/year. Starter is $300/year ($25 × 12). Pro is cheaper as long as you have under 100 books AND you're not making more than what 100 books at 0% can earn. For 95%+ of authors, Pro beats Starter — switch as soon as you commit to 12 months on Chiify.
Pro → Lifetime ($300 once)
Lifetime pays back in 3 years vs Pro. After 3 years, Lifetime is free. Switch to Lifetime if you plan to publish for more than 3 years total — which virtually every committed author does.
Worked example
You're a mid-volume author: 10 books, $1,000/month in net sales after retailer cuts ($12,000/year).
| Plan | Annual cost | Annual commission | Annual total you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | $1,200 (10%) | $1,200 |
| Starter | $300 | $0 | $300 |
| Pro | $100 | $0 | $100 |
| Lifetime | (one-time $300) | $0 | $0 after Year 1 |
At $12,000/year in net sales, Pro saves you $1,100/year vs Free. Lifetime saves $1,200/year after Year 1.
Book-count limits explained
"Active titles" means books currently distributed. You can:
- Have unlimited drafts.
- Take a book down to free up a slot.
- Re-publish later if you have space.
If you publish under multiple pen names, every title still counts toward your single limit. To split pen-name limits, use the Imprints feature.
Upgrading and downgrading
- Upgrade any time. New plan applies immediately, prorated.
- Downgrade at end of billing period. If you have more books than the lower plan allows, you'll need to take some down before downgrading.
Special case — Authors
We sometimes run promotions on Pro or Lifetime — typically around launches (Black Friday, end of fiscal quarter). Watch your dashboard or our newsletter for offers.
Refunds
We offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on Starter and Pro. If you're not happy in the first 30 days, email [email protected] and we'll refund.
Lifetime has a 7-day money-back guarantee (the lower window reflects that it's a one-time commitment).
How to upgrade
From your dashboard, Settings → Billing. Pick the plan, enter a payment method, confirm. The new plan applies the same day.
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