Why should you consider using Substack alternatives in the first place? Well, Substack might be one of the most popular platforms that provide a newsletter writing service.
Its name is also huge, considering lots of people have used the services for a while now. However, your options now are not limited to only one platform.
There are a bunch of platforms you can take a look at – some of them offer affordable to free options without sacrificing the quality in the first place. And if you are looking for a place to write your newsletter marketing, you will find some gems below.
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The Best Substack Alternatives
If you check the Substack newsletter review, there might be tons of positive words for sure. This platform is undeniably robust and delivers excellent jobs when it comes to streamlined work experience.
Also, users get whatever solutions are in one place and upgrades are available for sophisticated features. More than anything, this platform is seamless and effortless even for bloggers who are just getting started.
Generally, Substack gets a lot of attention due to several things, including:
- User-friendly UI designs.
- Effortless set-up process.
- Various pricing options and no hidden costs.
- However, several other things could turn users to find alternatives to Substack in the first place. Here are those things that you need to be aware of:
- The price is a bit higher than other platforms on the list below.
- It comes with several options of customizations but you get limited items instead.
- This platform is specifically built for writers and bloggers only.
Other than those things mentioned above, Substack is not integrated with other third-party apps like Zapier. There is no referral software and API access, which could be a deal-breaker for some, however.
Thus, if you are looking for other platforms that deliver similar functions, you should check out the list below.
1. Patreon
Substack vs Patreon is quite a popular keyword on search engines. Also, Patreon succeeds in stealing its users’ hearts in many ways.
This platform offers a membership-based service for all creators around the world so that they can run a subscription service hassle-free. Creators can charge different subscription fees depending on bonuses they offer to their subscribers.
If Substack focuses a lot on writers and bloggers, Patreon offers all-in-one solutions for all creators regardless of their fields. You can build engagement with your audiences in various ways.
However, you have to be aware of hidden fees that may appear when you are using the features. And even though you can build a community through this platform, you have limitations to engaging with them through the platform directly.
Still, Patreon is an excellent platform for those who want to market their works.
2. Ghost
If you are a creator who wants to provide a membership service for your audience, Ghost can be an excellent choice. Also, the name is pretty cool, right?
This platform features a clean UI design without leaving the aesthetic side at bay. However, you get plenty of essential features needed to build a strong engagement with your audience.
Talking about Substack vs Ghost, both platforms feature a great job when it comes to publishing. There are no options like you will find on Patreon but could be what you need, especially if you love simplicity in the first place.
Ghost is an open-source platform, which means that you can customize the services and anything you need in the first place – as long as you know how it works.
3. Medium
How would it turn out if you put Substack vs Medium? Well, Medium is generally a platform that offers free services to users.
This place is suitable for newbies and writers who have just started their journey. The free account can be an excellent platform to showcase your work. Later, you can get paid for your content too!
However, as one of the free Substack alternatives, Medium is lacking in engagement. Thus, you better know what you need from the service before choosing one.
And if you want to monetize your work, there are a series of requirements you have to fulfill in the first place – one of them is 100 followers. It is not the most effortless platform to build a community. Still, it won’t hurt to give Medium a try.
4. MailerLite
Meanwhile, if you are looking for a more affordable platform to build your project, MailerLite can be an excellent choice. As its name suggests, it will be way much easier to manage the conversion from your emails.
Also, it is such a great tool to boost your emailing strategy in many ways, such as analytics, automation, pop-ups, and so on. This platform comes with a series of templates that help you style your landing page.
Even though the platform is not a free type, you won’t get disappointed with the services delivered by MailerLite. All you need to do is to invest in this platform and enjoy all the good things provided for your business.
In case you want to manage your subscription plans, this platform supports integrations with Pabbly Connect and Zapier.
5. ButtonDown
On the other hand, if all you need is the best alternative to Substack that offers a seamless experience to build a newsletter then ButtonDown is the name.
This platform comes with a minimalist UI design and sophisticated tools to build emails for your audiences. In case you want everything to be perfect before showing your newsletter to the world, ButtonDown provides editorial tools to check your writing in the first place.
You can install a widget on your website so that people can subscribe to your content effortlessly. Also, it offers free services until you reach your first 1000 subscribers – it is such a worth considering option.
Even though some limitations may appear here and there, ButtonDown is one of the best tools to create your newsletter.
6. HubSpot
HubSpot is not a stranger when it comes to sales and marketing programs. Talking about Substack vs website platforms or apps like HubSpot, plenty of things are exciting to be compared.
This platform comes confidently with a nice-looking UI design and intuitive features. It provides full support for marketing and sales, regardless of your field.
More than anything, this place is an excellent spot to start, especially if you are used to CMS codes in the first place. Everything is also accessible through one platform – there is no need to switch from one software to another.
As long as you know how to retrieve the benefits, HubSpot will be the most powerful marketing tool you have ever used. Compared to other names on the list, this platform might require you to learn how it works before enjoying all features.
7. Mighty Networks
Talking about the competitors of Substack, Mighty Networks is one of them that stands out in the crowd pretty robustly. It can do more than build a newsletter, such as creating and growing a community, various tools to monetize your content, a bunch of marketing analytic options, and many more.
This platform also provides several online courses so that you can expand your business around the world. In case you need to meet your audiences, you can use a tool to hold virtual events.
More than anything, those features are available on one platform. Just like any other platforms on this list, Mighty Networks may have a few flaws – for now, there is nothing to worry about. All in all, this platform is what every creator needs to expand the business.
8. Revue
Let’s put Revue vs Substack and find out which one provides better services. Generally, Revue is designed for writers to provide digital subscription options to their audiences.
You will have access to editorial features that allow you to gather more subscribers. Also, you can personalize your newsletter without sacrificing the marketing tone in the first place.
Revue comes up with a neat yet satisfying UI design. However, since this platform is dedicated to writers, it will be a bit tricky for other creators to widen their community.
Of course, you should give Revue a try and see whether this one is for you or vice versa.
9. WordPress
It is safe for you to say that WordPress is similar to Substack in a way. Besides, WordPress is undeniably one of the most popular platforms to create a website, build a community, market your business and many more.
There is no need to master a specific skill set to run this platform – as long as you are familiar with blogging then you can go with this website.
All you need to do is to purchase plugins that suit your needs and install them on your WordPress page. Once everything is set, you can monetize your content and build your audience.
10. Letterdrop
For small businesses out there, Letterdrop is not a stranger at all. Besides providing a blog publishing platform, it also provides a roof for those who need to build a newsletter for their audiences.
This platform is one of the freshest names on the market, which also explains why there are rooms of improvements Letterdrop could take advantage of. One of the best things offered by this platform is that you can operate anything effortlessly if you’re familiar with Substack.
So, it will be a great time to explore a new tool for marketing your content, after all.
11. Moosend
You might already know that Substack features various tools to build emails, boost your marketing campaigns, and do other interesting things through a few taps. What if you can get those similar things from a different platform?
Well, Moosend will take your newsletter campaign to the next level. It offers robust services and worth considering pricing plans.
Users can personalize the newsletter as they like. Other than that, there is a free plan that supports your campaign until you reach your first 1000 subscribers.
12. MailChimp
The Substack app might be popular already but MailChimp will help all beginners out there to make their dreams come true. However, this option is not the most affordable solution on the list.
Despite its various features and tools, the learning curve is pretty steep. Other than that, you have to pay USD 53 per month for 5000 subscribers – that is the basic plan.
Also, you need to utilize other tools – paid ones – to sell subscriptions through the newsletter. As long as you don’t mind the money and would love to learn in the first place, MailChimp could be an okay option.
13. Upscribe
Compared to other Substack competitors on the list, Upscribe is one of the most versatile options you have. Once you sign up and pick a service, this platform will help you to segment and market your content – it leads to subscriptions, right?
Every email you send to audiences can be personalized so that no senders are attached to your mail in the first place. It is quite effortless to create an eye-catchy, neat, and interactive newsletter with Upscribe.
If you are not sure about your choice, feel free to use its 14-days free trial first. The basic plan costs USD 5 per month, which is upgradeable in case you want something more.
Conclusion
What is Substack anyway? Is it the best newsletter creator platform for all creators out there? What things should you consider before choosing a platform?
Substack, more than anything, is a miraculous platform that delivers excellent work in the field of digital publishing. If you are a writer or blogger, this platform will do lots of amazing things to support your work.
However, this platform charges a higher fee than its alternatives – it is also the reason why consider giving other platforms a try in the first place. So, you can say that Medium is the best alternative you should take a look at, especially if you are looking for something free.
All in all, you better consider your needs before moving on to the new platform. Other than that, be sure to read the reviews and ratings from other users before picking from the Substack alternatives in the first place.
