Instant Puzzle Generator vs Book Bolt (2026): The “Hidden Cost” Reality Check

Stop. Before you buy either of these tools, you need to know the deal-breaker that 99% of reviews are hiding from you.

The choice between Instant Puzzle Generator (IPG) and Book Bolt isn’t about “features” or “pricing.” It comes down to one simple, uncomfortable question:

Do you own a paid version of Microsoft PowerPoint?

• Instant Puzzle Generator is not standalone software. It is a plugin. If you don’t have the paid version of PowerPoint, IPG is a $47 paperweight.
• Book Bolt is a complete “Business in a Box” that runs in your browser. It handles everything, but it carries a monthly fee.

I have published over 500+ puzzle books using both. I’ve stress-tested the latest Book Bolt Studio (V2.5) against the Instant Puzzle Generator (2026 Update).

Here is the raw, ugly truth about which workflow will actually make you money this year—and which one is a money pit.

At A Glance: The “Cheat Sheet” for Busy Publishers

If you just want the answer, here is the breakdown

Feature	Book Bolt (Pro)	Instant Puzzle Generator
The Price	$19.99/mo (Subscription)	~$47 (One-Time Payment)
Hidden Requirement	None (Works in Browser)	Requires MS PowerPoint ($70/yr)
Puzzle Variety	50+ Types (Sudoku, Mazes, etc.)	1 Type (Word Search Only)
Keyword Research	Included (Spy on Amazon Data)	None (You fly blind)
Best For…	Beginners & Brand Builders	Volume Spammers

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The “PowerPoint Tax”: Why IPG is More Expensive Than You Think

The biggest selling point of Instant Puzzle Generator is the “One-Time Payment.”

But let’s do the real math.

IPG lives inside PowerPoint. It does not work with Google Slides. It does not work reliably with the free online version of Office. You need the desktop version.

• IPG Cost: ~$47.00
• Microsoft 365 License: ~$69.99/year
• Real Year 1 Cost: $116.99+

Suddenly, that “cheap” tool isn’t so cheap. And that is before we talk about the Upsell Trap.

The “Upsell Trap”

The base version of IPG only makes Word Search puzzles. That’s it.

• Want Sudoku? You pay extra.
• Want Crosswords? You pay extra.
• Want Cryptograms? You pay extra.

By the time you buy all the modules to match what Book Bolt gives you for free, you have spent over $200.

Book Bolt: The “Swiss Army Knife” (And How to Get It Cheap)

Book Bolt is different because it is an Ecosystem.

When you log in, you aren’t just getting a puzzle maker. You are getting:

1. Book Bolt Studio: A cover designer that rivals Canva.
2. KDP Spy: A tool that analyzes Amazon to tell you exactly which keywords are making money right now.
3. Variety: Sudoku, Mazes, Kakuro, Dot-to-Dot, Word Scramble… it’s all included.

The downside? It relies on your internet connection. I found that if I tried to generate a massive 300-page book on a slow Wi-Fi connection, Book Bolt would sometimes “lag” or take a few minutes to render. It is a cloud tool, so it will never be as snappy as a desktop app.

The Final Verdict: Which One Should You Buy?

I don’t believe in “ties.” Here is my specific recommendation based on who you are.

Buy [Instant Puzzle Generator] IF:

1. You are a “Volume Publisher”: You plan to upload 500+ Word Search books this year and need raw speed.
2. You own PowerPoint: You already pay for Microsoft 365, so the extra cost doesn’t matter.
3. You don’t care about research: You already know your niches and don’t need keyword tools.

Buy [Book Bolt Pro] IF:

1. You are building a Real Brand: You want to make high-quality “Activity Books” (mixing Mazes, Sudoku, and Coloring pages) which sell for higher prices.
2. You want to save money on tools: You don’t want to pay for Helium 10 (for keywords) + Canva (for covers) + a Puzzle maker. You want it all in one bill.
3. You are a Beginner: You want a simple “Drag and Drop” interface without learning technical software.