Software Alternatives & Startups

99designs VS Substack

Compare 99designs VS Substack and see what are their differences

99designs

The #1 marketplace for graphic design, including logo design, web design and other design contests. Start a contest now with 100% Money-Back Guarantee!

Rating
0 reviews
Substack

With Substack, anyone can start a publication that combines a personal website, blog, and email newsletter or podcast. It's quick and simple.

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Substack should be more popular than 99designs. It has been mentioned 111 times since March 2021.

social mentions
28 vs 111
Graphic Design popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

99designs
Substack
Website 99designs.com substack.com
Pricing —
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

99designs 6 features
Substack 6 features
  • Variety of Designs
    The platform provides access to a wide range of design concepts from multiple designers, increasing the likelihood of finding a design that best fits your needs.
  • Competitive Pricing
    Clients can choose from different pricing packages to fit their budget, with competitive pricing due to the large number of designers.
  • High-Quality Designers
    99designs has a rigorous vetting process, ensuring that many of the designers available on the platform are skilled and experienced.
  • Easy to Use
    The platform is user-friendly, making it easy for clients to post projects, communicate with designers, and review submissions.
  • Global Talent Pool
    Access to a global community of designers provides diverse perspectives and creativity, which can be advantageous for unconventional or unique projects.
  • Fast Turnaround Time
    Clients can receive multiple design submissions quickly, reducing the time it takes to finalize a design.

Possible disadvantages

  • Quality Control
    With a large number of submissions, there is a possibility of receiving a mix of high and low-quality designs, requiring more time for review.
  • Cost Can Add Up
    While there are various pricing packages, opting for a higher level of service or guaranteeing higher prizes can significantly increase costs.
  • Intellectual Property Concerns
    In some cases, there may be concerns about the originality of submitted designs, necessitating thorough checks to ensure designs are not plagiarized.
  • Communication Barriers
    Working with international designers can sometimes result in communication challenges, including language barriers and differing time zones.
  • Non-Refundable Fees
    Some fees, such as those for additional services or premium packages, are non-refundable, even if the design project does not meet expectations.
  • Limited Revisions
    Depending on the selected package, there may be a limit to the number of revisions allowed, which could be restrictive for clients requiring extensive changes.
  • Ease of Use
    Substack offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for writers to publish and monetize their newsletters.
  • Built-in Monetization
    Writers can easily charge readers for subscriptions, allowing for straightforward monetization.
  • Direct Audience Connection
    Substack allows writers to build a direct relationship with their audience via email, which can lead to a more engaged readership.
  • Discovery and Community
    Features like staff picks and recommendations help writers get discovered by new readers.
  • No Upfront Costs
    Substack does not charge upfront fees; instead, it takes a percentage of subscription revenues, making it easier to start.
  • Content Ownership
    Writers retain full ownership of their content, giving them more control over their work.

Possible disadvantages

  • Revenue Share
    Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenues, which can add up for writers with a large subscriber base.
  • Limited Customization
    The platform has limited customization options compared to building a custom website or using more flexible CMS options.
  • Dependency on Platform
    Relying on Substack means depending on its policies and infrastructure, which could pose risks if the platform changes its terms or features.
  • Competition
    As more writers join Substack, it can become challenging to stand out amidst the growing competition.
  • Email Deliverability
    Writers may face issues with email deliverability, as some newsletters may end up in spam folders.
  • Payment Processing Fees
    Besides Substack's fee, payment processors like Stripe also take a percentage, further reducing net earnings for writers.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

99designs
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Overall, 99designs is considered a good choice for both designers looking to find work and businesses or individuals seeking design services. It provides a straightforward process for both parties and generally results in creative and satisfying outcomes.

Why this product is good

  • 99designs is a popular platform for freelance designers and businesses to connect. It offers a wide range of design services, from logo and website design to packaging and book covers. Designers compete by submitting their work in response to a client's brief, allowing clients a variety of high-quality design options to choose from. The platform is known for its ease of use, diverse talent pool, and the ability to see multiple designs before making a selection.

Recommended for

    99designs is highly recommended for small to medium-sized businesses, startups, and individuals seeking quality design work and willing to invest in a competitive design process. It's also suitable for freelance designers looking for new opportunities and willing to participate in design contests to showcase their skills.

Overall verdict

  • Substack is a good choice for writers seeking autonomy and a straightforward way to monetize their content. However, it may not be the best fit for those who prefer working within the framework of a larger publication or those unfamiliar with the challenges of building and maintaining a subscriber base.

Why this product is good

  • Substack is a platform that allows writers, journalists, and content creators to publish and monetize their newsletters. It is praised for its ease of use, built-in subscription system, and direct-to-consumer model which enables writers to retain control over their audience and content. The platform has attracted both independent writers and established journalists seeking the freedom to monetize their work without traditional media constraints.

Recommended for

  • Independent writers and journalists
  • Content creators looking to monetize their work
  • Individuals seeking a direct relationship with their audience
  • Those who appreciate simplicity in publishing

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

99designs 2 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

99designs Review: Watch me get a new logo!

More videos

  • - 99Designs Review and Overview

Monetizing Podcasts and Newsletters - Chris Best of Substack and Jonathan Gill of Backtracks

More videos

  • - E1016 Substack CEO Chris Best empowers writers via email newsletter platform, raised $15M from a16z
  • - Why EVERYONE should be on Substack | What it is, How it Works, $$$
  • - Beehiiv vs Substack (2024) - Which is Better?
  • - My Experience with SUBSTACK: An Honest Review of Substack

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
99designs
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using 99designs and Substack. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

99designs no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet

View more

View more

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

99designs 28 mentions
Substack 111 mentions
  • Ask HN: Contest Website for Developers\Designers?
    Https://99designs.com has contest-like feature for designers. I was satisfied with the results when I used them 10 years ago. - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Hi everyone! Is this a good book cover?
    This company is cheaper, but also does good work: Https://99designs.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • How do you get a logo for your cool new beer league team?
    99Designs is the contest one I know about. Source: over 3 years ago

View more

  • UK Defence Startups Are Being Denied Banking Services Under ESG Rules
    Books have already been written on this, some as early as 1945 (That Hideous Strength, C.S. Lewis). Otherwise I can recommend basically everything by Curtis Yarvin and Kevin Dolan (https://substack.com/@exitgroup,... - Source: Hacker News / 18 days ago
  • Show HN: Sphinx – a hook that quizzes you on your AI agent's code before push
    We built something quite similar 6 months ago called PEAK (Proof of Effort And Knowledge). Blog post and YT video here: https://substack.com/@jeffksmithjr/p-195763168 Our version has its own TUI and was intended for semi-adversarial... - Source: Hacker News / 20 days ago
  • Why Isn't the Industry Freaking Out About DeepSeek 4.1 Flash?
    Https://substack.com/@rubenafo/note/c-332218129?r=26y5kn&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago

View more

Alternatives to 99designs and Substack

When comparing 99designs and Substack, you can also consider the following products.