It’s finally out. Jonathan Leger’s Instant Article Wizard Pro (IAW Pro) is here, just weeks after the basic version was released. It’s got all the bells and whistles with even more features to come. However, if you already purchased the basic version not too long ago and it’s working just fine, is it really necessary to upgrade to the pro version?

Let’s take a look at what IAW Pro has to offer and its differences to the basic version that is IAW. First, IAW Pro is now a server-side application. This means, unlike IAW, you don’t install it on your computer. Is that good or bad? Well, that depends on how you look at it. However, it’s important to note that IAW Pro resides on its own server, not yours. That’s why the fee is yearly (I know… we’ll get to pricing later).

Other than the recurring pricing structure, keeping IAW Pro on their server allows them to control the access to the 250,000+ article database (currently growing). This is the reason why IAW Pro works faster than IAW. The basic version performs an open search of sorts on the internet for the keywords in question. So comparing both search methods, it’s only natural that the one searching thousands will finish first than the one searching millions.

Not only that, but IAW Pro is searching in only one place — the article database. IAW basic goes through hundreds if not thousands of sites (possibly millions). I don’t know the actual algorithm that either version uses, so this is merely speculation (yet a logical one at that). At the time of this writing, I don’t know if IAW Pro has a feature to allow the user to broaden the scope of the search. This is important since your research is tied to information residing in the article database. If it’s not there, it’s simply not there.

The nice feature that IAW Pro has that IAW basic doesn’t is the ‘context link’. Each snippet of information has a link that allows the user to show the article from which the snippet was pulled. This allows you to further understand the context in which the snippet was used. Having used IAW before, this is a good step forward (although not something you can’t live without).

Finally, the pricing structure. It’s gone from a low one-shot fee of $67 to an astounding yearly fee of $197. Now, keep in mind that IAW basic launched just at the beginning of this month. Additionally, if you purchased the basic version, you don’t get a free upgrade. Not even for the first year. Instead, due to the disappointment of some IAW owners (see the IAW Pro blog), Jonathan decided to provide a one-time lifetime upgrade to IAW Pro.

At the time of the announcement, it seemed to have appeased most of the crowd. I even thought that it was fair, since the new version will require Jonathan to host the IAW Pro on his own dedicated server and pay for monthly bandwidth costs. Understandable I guess. However, upon reading the launch notice and the “special” upgrade price of $97, I was surprised and a tad bit disappointed.

The original version, which still works by the way, was only $67. Granted, the one-shot fee of $97 gave us a $100 off the yearly fee and the bonus of not having to pay again for subsequent years. Definitely more than just giving $67 off the retail price. If you count it that way, then I can see how it would look like a good deal. However, the reality of it is actually paying a total of $164 instead and chucking the basic version in the garbage. In effect, this only nets existing customers a $33 discount on the full price. The fact of the matter is that you’re really paying for the lifetime option at a discounted rate.

Finally, the “special” customer upgrade is only available until Monday, December 4. So much for those folks who left for a long weekend. What’s with the countdown?!? We’re supposed to be existing customers. Doesn’t this upgrade pricing structure make the whole thing like any other pre-launch? “A $33 discount on the lifetime deal. After December 4, the doors close and the fee becomes yearly.” Sounds like one to me. Not only that, but the only time one can get this deal is to “pre-pay” $67 for a desktop version to try out for a while until the pro version is complete.

I don’t want to sound too pessimistic, but it just doesn’t add up to me. At least, not at this point. I’m sure that Jonathan’s got a great product here, but I’m really hesitant on this upgrade.

There are probably some that will make this upgrade in a heartbeat and enjoy the wonders of the pro version, but I’m happy with the existing version. I even found a new way of using it on articles I don’t intend on submitting. I take some of the snippets and insert them in existing PLR content. This currently works for me. The upgrade doesn’t.

EDIT: If you have BANS, I suggest you take a look at a different tool instead. It’s called Niche Store Writer. Read my in-depth review here.

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