Book Bolt vs. Publisher Rocket: Which One to Choose for KPD 2025?

Choosing the Right Niche Research Tool for Amazon KDP

A key factor for success in self-publishing. Book Bolt and Publisher Rocket are two of the most popular solutions on the market, but they differ dramatically in functionality, pricing model, and target audience. In this article, we'll discuss which tool is best for analyzing KDP keywords and creating profitable books.

What are Book Bolt and Publisher Rocket?

Book Bolt: Platform Overview

Book Bolt is a comprehensive platform for creating and publishing low-content books on Amazon KDP. The tool combines keyword research, cover and interior design, puzzle generation, and listing optimization.

The platform was created specifically for publishers who work with planners and diaries, coloring books for adults and children, activity books and puzzles, gratitude journals, and workbooks.

Publisher Rocket: Tool Review

Publisher Rocket (formerly known as KDP Rocket) is a specialized tool for Amazon keyword research and category analysis. Developed by Dave Chesson, founder of Kindlepreneur, it is aimed at authors of all types of books.

Publisher Rocket helps you find profitable keywords with high search volume, analyze niche competition, choose optimal book categories, and create effective Amazon Ads campaigns.

Comparison of key features

Keyword Research (KDP)

Book Bolt provides three key metrics for each keyword: Amazon Search Volume (AMZ SV), competition level, and Google search volume. Ideal keywords have high search volume and low competition.

Publisher Rocket uses a unique Competitive Score system from 1 to 100, indicating how difficult it will be to rank for a given keyword. Color coding (green = easy, red = difficult) makes the analysis intuitive.

Comparison table:

• Amazon Search Volume - Both tools support

• Google Search Volume - Both tools support

• Competition Score - Book Bolt shows Low/High, Publisher Rocket uses a 1-100 scale

• Average income by niche - both tools support

• Color coding - Publisher Rocket only

• Export to Excel - both tools support


Reverse ASIN Tool

Publisher Rocket has a powerful Reverse ASIN feature that lets you see the keywords for which any book ranks on Amazon. Simply enter the ASIN or ISBN-10 of a competitor's book to see all the search queries used to find it.

Book Bolt offers a similar tool to KDP Spy for competitor analysis, but it focuses more on visual analysis of book covers and features.

Amazon Category Research

The category search feature is what makes Publisher Rocket truly unique. It provides a complete list of all Amazon categories, along with data on the number of books in each category, the minimum BSR required to reach the top 10, and the difficulty of earning the bestseller badge. This is crucial for earning the orange bestseller badge.

Book Bolt does not have a separate tool for deep category analysis.

Design tools.

Here, Book Bolt significantly outperforms Publisher Rocket. Book Bolt offers a drag-and-drop cover editor, interior templates, the PuzzleWizz puzzle generator, and an interior design wizard. Publisher Rocket lacks design tools—it's purely an analytical tool.

Amazon Ads Tools

Publisher Rocket includes a dedicated module for creating Amazon Ads campaigns. Book Bolt doesn't have dedicated Amazon Ads tools.

Price Comparison: Book Bolt vs. Publisher Rocket

Book Bolt Pricing Model

Book Bolt operates on a subscription model:

• Newbie Plan (Standard): $9.99 per month or $89.99 per year

• Pro Plan: $19.99 per month or $199.99 per year

Both plans include a 3-day free trial.

Publisher Rocket Pricing Model

Publisher Rocket uses a one-time purchase model:
• Cost: $199 (one-time, no subscription)

• All future updates included free of charge

• 30-day money-back guarantee

• No free trial

Which option is more profitable?

Estimated for 2 years of use:

• Book Bolt Newbie (annual): $179.98

• Book Bolt Pro (annual): $399.98

• Publisher Rocket: $199

For long-term use, Publisher Rocket is more cost-effective than Book Bolt Pro. However, Book Bolt Newbie is cheaper for the first two years.

Who is each tool suitable for?
Choose Book Bolt if you:

• Create low-content and no-content books (planners, coloring books, magazines)

• New to Amazon KDP and need a comprehensive solution

• Want to generate puzzles and activity books

• You don’t have skills in Photoshop or InDesign

• Plan to publish many books monthly

Choose Publisher Rocket if you:

• Publish standard books (novels, non-fiction, textbooks)

• Need deep analysis of Amazon categories

• Are you planning to launch Amazon Ads advertising campaigns?

• Prefer a one-time payment instead of a subscription

• Want to analyze competitor keywords through Reverse ASIN


Combined approach

Many successful publishers use both tools simultaneously: Publisher Rocket for in-depth research and Book Bolt for design and creating interiors for low-content books. This is especially relevant for those scaling their businesses.

Pros and cons of each tool

Book Bolt: Pros and Cons

Pros: Complete solution, great design tools, puzzle generator, regular updates, 24/7 support, trial period.

Cons: Subscription model, confusing interface, limited customization options, not suitable for standard books.

Publisher Rocket: Pros and Cons

Pros: One-time payment, intuitive interface, superior category analysis, Reverse ASIN, Amazon Ads tools, free updates, color coding.

Cons: No design tools, no trial, only listings for Amazon US, UK, and DE, only works on Windows and macOS, not suitable for platforms outside of Amazon.


Alternative tools for KDP niche research

Besides Book Bolt and Publisher Rocket, there are other tools:

• BookBeam: For keyword research with revenue data.

• Titans Pro (Self Publishing Titans): Chrome extension for niche analysis across all Amazon marketplaces.

• Helium 10: Advanced keyword and trend analysis (originally for Amazon FBA).

Conclusion: Which tool to choose in 2025

The choice depends on the type of books:

• For low-content books (planners, coloring books) - Book Bolt

• For standard books (novels, non-fiction) - Publisher Rocket

• To analyze categories and get the bestseller badge - Publisher Rocket

• For generating puzzles - Book Bolt

• To launch Amazon Ads - Publisher Rocket

• For a complete solution for beginners - Book Bolt

• For maximum long-term savings - Publisher Rocket

If you are serious about business, consider using both tools.