Summary: VitalSource provides instant access to over one million e-Textbooks and a full suite of study tools on any device—both online and offline. You can save up to 80% on your textbook costs using VitalSource. VitalSource offers books through subscriptions, and there is no evidence that VitalSource is executing any scam.
VitalSource is a company that offers various digital education technologies. The homepage displays an image of two college students joyfully sharing a laptop. Superimposed on the image is a message that states a student can “Save up to 80% with eTextbooks from VitalSource.”
Textbook prices are the cherry on top when it comes to college expenses. Saving up to eighty percent off books is also tough competition for the textbook publishers that charge hundreds of dollars for their books and services. But how can Vitalsource do this? The hardcover for a popular math textbook, Calculus 8th Edition by James Stewart, goes for $299.95, but students can buy it for $46.99 – $81.99 at VitalSource.
The website is very professional and looks pretty transparent, featuring many links to other services or partners. At first glance, it seems trustworthy. Let’s research further.
Table of Contents
- VitalSource Company Information
- What is VitalSource?
- Is VitalSource legal and safe or a scam?
- Is Vitalsource reliable and trustworthy?
- VitalSource Shipping info
- Does VitalSource have good customer service?
- How to cancel an order on VitalSource?
- Does VitalSource have Promo/ Discount Codes?
- Does VitalSource have a return policy?
- VitalSource payment methods
- The pros and cons of VitalSource
- VitalSource Careers
- Best VitalSource Alternatives
- Additional FAQs
VitalSource Company Information
| Official Website: | https://www.vitalsource.com/ |
| Founded: | 1994 |
| Industry: | EBooks, Education, Software |
| Founder: | R. Todd Watkins, Jr, Rick Johnson |
| Location: | 227 Fayetteville Street Suite 400 Raleigh, NC 27601 |
| Contact: | +44 800 802 1506, 1-855-200-4146, support@vitalsource.com |
| Social Media: | Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Youtube, Pinterest |
What is VitalSource?
VitalSource is a company that provides various digital educational technologies. The primary technology they provide is inexpensive digital textbooks and courseware. VitalSource offers books through subscriptions. They partner with prominent education companies such as Pearson, Cengage, McGraw Hill, and MacMillan learning.
VitalSource also provides their textbook reader called Bookshelf. Bookshelf allows students to carry their books by syncing between devices digitally. Bookshelf can also read textbooks out loud to the student. Regarding the courseware bought through VitalSource, the courseware belongs to the publisher of the text; as such, students can only use the courseware through the publisher’s website.
VitalSource is a one-stop solution for students to access all of their textbooks. Otherwise, a student would have to use different software for every other book publisher throughout their college career. Over 8,000 school institutions use VitalSource.
Is VitalSource legal and safe or a scam?
VitalSource is entirely legal and safe. There is no evidence that VitalSource is executing any scam. For over 28 years, VitalSource has been helping students by providing an ever-growing catalog of 1.5 million eTextbooks through its partnership with publishers and resellers. Their list of partners is extensive. VitalSource claims they have partnerships with over 1100 publishers and resellers and 8000 institutions.
It is worth mentioning that some textbooks, depending on the edition, do not have the option to own. Some students want to keep digital or physical books as sources of reference after a course ends. Thus, it is not ideal for a student to spend money on a 4-year subscription to later have to buy the book.
Is Vitalsource reliable and trustworthy?
VitalSource is reliable and trustworthy. VitalSource has overwhelmingly positive reviews across many review sites. On Reseller Ratings, VitalSource has a whopping 4.8 out of 5 stars rating from 70,872 reviews. Similarly, on Appgrooves, customers rated Bookshelf by VitalSource 4.4/5 from over 69k reviews. Even Reddit users are delighted with VitalSource.
However, on BBB, VitalSource has a BBB rating of C+, which is not that great. At first, this seems terrible, but BBB doesn’t consider how VitalSource resolved the complaints. Most complaints were due to miscommunications between the publisher and VitalSource, and VitalSource refunded the money for those customers. It is impossible to have a perfect company or technology, but taking into account the mass satisfaction of VitalSource, their complaints are few and far between.
Now reliability might be more subjective when it relates to the text medium. Not all students benefit from digital text. A student will benefit from the reliability of the price and technology, but some students don’t like studying off a screen.
VitalSource Shipping info
Average Shipping Time
All of the products VitalSource provides are digital, so orders are received instantly. Students would have instant access to the product from the computer it was purchased from. A student would have to download the Bookshelf app for access from additional devices.
Cost of Shipping
Due to VitalSource’s products being digital, there is no shipping cost.
How to track orders on VitalSource?
There is no shipping order that needs to be tracked. However, with digital orders, you can keep track of what you ordered after you receive your receipt. You will want to keep your receipt in your records just in case there are any issues with your order.
To which countries does VitalSource ship?
VitalSource is a digital product and can be accessed by devices that can connect to the internet. VitalSource serves over 240 countries and territories, including the United States and the UK.
Does VitalSource have good customer service?
Yes, VitalSource has good customer service. To check the quality of their customer service, we will review what previous customers have said and how their website presents its customer service.
When checking over 5 of the top review sites, VitalSource has an average of 4.5/5.0 stars with over 20,000 reviews. Several of these reviews include that customer service was helpful. Even in some bad reviews, customers who had a terrible experience later edited their reviews to share that VitalSource took care of them. Another review site gave VitalSource 8 out of 10 for their customer service.
On the VitalSource website, every page has a “help” pop-up in the lower right corner. Pop-ups like this are a good sign that VitalSource wants to help its customers. VitalSource has a few different ways through which you can get help as well. Customers can fill out a form, call their number, or use their 24/7 instant chat for customer service.
How to cancel an order on VitalSource?
The text is received instantly when purchasing a textbook on VitalSource; thus, customers can’t cancel orders. But VitalSource does have a good return policy if you want to fix a mistake quickly. You can request a refund on your own from their transaction menu, but you must complete it within 14 days.
Does VitalSource have Promo/ Discount Codes?
VitalSource does not have any promotional or discount codes. Discount codes are most likely not offered due to the type of products they offer. Their digital textbooks are already offered at lowered prices and are appropriately valued.
Does VitalSource have a return policy?
VitalSource’s return policy states that customers can receive a refund if they viewed 20% or less of the text and the refund request is made within 14 days of the purchase. Also, you cannot return a book from any of the publishers in their Return Policy Exceptions. Other requirements are that you must not have:
- Used any included access codes for any online resource that came with your eTextbook purchase.
- returned a total of 3 or more eTextbooks in the past 90 days across all of your VitalSource Accounts.
- Previously returned the same eTextbook from a prior purchase.
VitalSource payment methods
You may see all payment options available for each region by scrolling to the bottom of the page and looking at the bottom right corner of each regional homepage. Payment methods include:
- Credit card (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)
- Debit card
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
The pros and cons of VitalSource
Pros
- Wide range of subjects
- Affordable digital textbooks
- Instant Access
- All texts can be viewed on one app
- Syncing with other devices
- Education assisting tools
- Offline reading
Cons
- No physical books
- The app can be glitchy
VitalSource Careers
VitalSource has good job benefits, including great Health Insurance and a 401K Plan. These benefits are a trade-off for the long hours reported by employees. Reviews by past employees report that VitalSource is inclusive, offers great benefits, and allows for a work-life balance.
Best VitalSource Alternatives
These are the top alternatives and competitors of VitalSource:
- Ecampus.com
- Thecampusbookstore.com
- Campus Book Rentals
- Renttext.com
- Textbookx
- Biggerbooks.com
- Bookrun.com
Additional FAQs
What is Bookshelf?
Bookshelf is a text reader app offered by VitalSource. It acts as a digital bookshelf that organizes a student’s textbooks. A student can access Bookshelf on multiple devices for quick access.
What devices can Bookshelf be used on?
Bookshelf can be downloaded on any computer and mobile device, such as a smartphone or tablet. The app can only be logged in from 2 computers and 2 mobile devices.
Can I print from Vitalsource?
The publishers of the text regulate what can be printed from their books. VitalSource does, however, allow pages to be printed, but a few pages at a time.
Do I have to be connected to the internet to read my textbook?
VitalSource allows offline access via the Bookshelf app
Do I have to create a VitalSource account to make purchases?
Yes, a VitalSource account is required to purchase a digital textbook.
Can I purchase textbooks in bulk?
Yes, textbooks can be purchased in bulk here: https://bulk-store.vitalsource.com/
Can I purchase a textbook as a gift?
Yes. To purchase a textbook as a gift, you must go to the bulk store webpage to purchase it. VitalSource will send you redemption codes that the recipient must redeem to access their book. Just follow this link: https://bulk-store.vitalsource.com/.
How do I redeem my VitalSource Access Code?
When you log on to your Bookshelf account, go to tools and select Redeem Code. Then just enter your access code and click redeem. Go to your library, and your book will be available.
How to remove books from Bookshelf library?
On the Bookshelf app, Click “Book Details,” then select “Remove from Device.”