Frequently Asked Questions

GradeFocus is a free textbook price comparison website that helps students find the best deals on academic textbooks. We compare prices from major retailers like VitalSource and Amazon, and provide expert reviews to help you make informed purchasing decisions.

We automatically collect and update textbook prices from multiple retailers including VitalSource and Amazon. When you view a book on our site, we display the current prices from each retailer so you can quickly see which offers the best value. Prices are updated regularly, but we recommend verifying the final price on the retailer's website before purchasing.

Yes, GradeFocus is completely free for students and educators. We earn revenue through affiliate commissions when users click links to retailers and make purchases. This doesn't affect the prices you pay—you get the same price whether you visit the retailer directly or through our links.

We strive to display accurate, up-to-date prices. However, textbook prices can change frequently due to promotions, stock levels, or retailer policies. There may occasionally be a delay between when a price changes and when our system reflects that update. Always verify the final price directly with the retailer before completing your purchase.

Our textbooks are reviewed by expert reviewers who evaluate content quality, pedagogical approach, and value for money. Users can also submit their own reviews to share their experiences with fellow students. All user-submitted reviews are moderated to ensure quality and helpfulness.

Yes! We welcome reviews from students who have used the textbooks. Simply navigate to any book page and scroll down to the reviews section. You'll need to provide a display name, rating, and your review content. Please note that reviews are moderated and may take some time to appear.

No, GradeFocus is an independent website. We are not affiliated with any textbook publishers, educational institutions, or retailers. Our goal is to provide unbiased price comparisons and honest reviews to help students save money on their educational materials.

We participate in affiliate programs with retailers like Amazon and VitalSource. When you click a link on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission. This commission comes from the retailer, not from you—you pay the same price as if you had visited the retailer directly.

No, we do not sell textbooks. GradeFocus is a comparison and review platform only. When you decide to purchase a book, you'll be directed to the retailer's website (like VitalSource or Amazon) to complete your transaction.

You can reach us through our Contact page or by emailing [email protected]. We welcome feedback, suggestions, and questions from our users. For legal inquiries, please email [email protected].