ConvertKit vs Substack

Detailed comparison to help you choose the right tool for your needs

C

ConvertKit

Email marketing for creators

4.4
Editorial Rating
S

Substack

Start a newsletter. Build a community.

4.3
Editorial Rating

Quick Comparison

Rating

4.4
vs
4.3

Starting Price

Free
vs
Free

Pricing Model

freemium
vs
free
Feature
ConvertKit
Substack
Email broadcasts
Visual automations
Landing pages
Subscriber tagging
Forms
Creator Network
Newsletter publishing
Paid subscriptions
Podcast hosting
Notes social feed
Discovery network
iOS/Android apps

ConvertKit Pros

  • Creator-focused
  • Visual automations
  • Good free tier
  • Growing network

ConvertKit Cons

  • Limited templates
  • Gets expensive at scale
  • Basic reporting on free

Substack Pros

  • Zero upfront cost — pay only when you earn
  • Large built-in discovery network
  • Extremely simple setup
  • Notes feed drives cross-promotion
  • Podcast hosting included

Substack Cons

  • 10% revenue cut becomes expensive at scale
  • Limited design and customization options
  • Less control over subscriber data
  • Can't easily move off platform

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