Software Alternatives & Startups

Cold Turkey VS Substack

Compare Cold Turkey VS Substack and see what are their differences

Cold Turkey

Cold Turkey is a free productivity program that you can use to temporarily block distractions so that you can get your work done!

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, Cold Turkey should be more popular than Substack. It has been mentioned 208 times since March 2021.

social mentions
208 vs 112
Time Tracking popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Cold Turkey
Substack
Website getcoldturkey.com substack.com
Pricing —
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Cold Turkey 5 features
Substack 6 features
  • Comprehensive Blocking
    Cold Turkey can block a wide range of websites and applications, making it highly effective for focused work sessions.
  • Schedule Blocks
    Users can schedule blocking sessions in advance, allowing for better time management and structured work periods.
  • Customization
    The tool offers extensive customization options, including different block lists and password protection for changes.
  • Forest App Integration
    Cold Turkey often integrates with productivity apps like the Forest app, providing a more holistic approach to staying focused.
  • Ease of Use
    The software has an intuitive interface, making it easy for new users to set up and start using quickly.

Possible disadvantages

  • Rigidity
    Once a block session starts, it cannot be easily turned off, which can be overly restrictive for some users who encounter urgent tasks.
  • Resource Intensive
    The software can be resource-intensive, potentially slowing down system performance.
  • Learning Curve
    While generally easy to use, some users might find the extensive customization options overwhelming at first.
  • Cost
    The premium features come at a cost, which might not be suitable for all budgets.
  • Compatibility Issues
    There can sometimes be compatibility issues with certain websites or updates to operating systems, affecting the reliability of blocking.
  • 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.

Cold Turkey
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Cold Turkey is considered to be a good tool for those looking to enhance productivity, particularly due to its robust features and ease of use. However, its effectiveness ultimately depends on personal discipline and how well the user configures the settings to suit their needs.

Why this product is good

  • Cold Turkey is a popular productivity tool designed to help individuals minimize distractions by blocking websites and applications. It offers customizable blocking features, scheduling options, and detailed reports to track productivity. Users find it useful for maintaining focus and managing their time effectively.

Recommended for

    Cold Turkey is recommended for students, freelancers, remote workers, and anyone who struggles with staying focused due to online distractions. It's particularly beneficial for those seeking to limit time spent on social media or other non-productive websites.

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.

Cold Turkey 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

How to Stop Distractions & Temptations (Cold Turkey Blocker)

More videos

  • - Cold Turkey Review: Getting Things Done FINALLY By Stopping Those Distractions FOR GOOD!
  • - Tech Tuesday #61 - Cold Turkey

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
Cold Turkey
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 Cold Turkey and Substack. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

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

Cold Turkey no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet

We have no reviews of Cold Turkey yet. Be the first one to post

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Cold Turkey 208 mentions
Substack 112 mentions
  • A Cold Turkey alternative for Linux
    Cold Turkey is usually the first name that comes up when people ask about website blockers, and on Windows or macOS it's a reasonable place to start. There is no Linux version. Its guide says that supporting two platforms is hard enough... - Source: dev.to / 6 days ago
  • Kiki – The accountability monster for people who are easily distracted
    Https://getcoldturkey.com Same functions, costs less than one year of Kiki for life, and multiplatform. - Source: Hacker News / 9 months ago
  • Blocking LLM crawlers, without JavaScript
    For those that don't want to build their own addon, Cold turkey Blocker works quite well. It supports multiple browsers and can block apps too. I'm not affiliated with them, but it has helped me when I really need to focus.... - Source: Hacker News / 12 months ago

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  • Ask HN: What are you working on? (November 2026)
    A free comedy newsletter that has nothing to do with technology yet mentions it from time to time. https://substack.com/@yelluwcomedy. - Source: Hacker News / 2 days ago
  • 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 / 21 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 / 24 days ago

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Alternatives to Cold Turkey and Substack

When comparing Cold Turkey and Substack, you can also consider the following products.