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Etsy VS Substack

Compare Etsy VS Substack and see what are their differences

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Contents:
  1. ยป Base Details
  2. ยป Videos
  3. ยป Reviews
  4. ยป Alternatives

Etsy logo Etsy

Buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies on Etsy, the worlds most vibrant handmade...

Substack logo Substack

With Substack, anyone can start a publication that combines a personal website, blog, and email newsletter or podcast. It's quick and simple.
  • Etsy Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20
  • Substack Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-10-26

Etsy features and specs

  • Large Customer Base
    Etsy has a vast global audience that provides sellers with access to millions of potential buyers interested in unique and handmade goods.
  • Niche Market
    Etsy specializes in custom and handmade products, making it easier to target buyers specifically looking for unique and artisanal items.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform is user-friendly and designed specifically for selling handmade, vintage, and unique factory-manufactured items, simplifying the process for new sellers.
  • Built-in Marketing Tools
    Etsy offers a variety of marketing tools, including SEO guidance, promotional options, and sales insights to help sellers increase their visibility and sales.
  • Community and Support
    Sellers have access to an active community and support system, including forums, teams, and extensive help resources.

Possible disadvantages of Etsy

  • Fees
    Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees, which can add up and eat into profit margins.
  • High Competition
    The large number of sellers on the platform creates significant competition, making it harder to stand out without active marketing efforts.
  • Limited Customization
    The storefront customization options are limited compared to building a standalone website, restricting brand uniqueness.
  • Copycat Issues
    Popular products can attract copycats, leading to Intellectual Property issues and potential revenue loss for original creators.
  • Dependence on Platform
    Sellers are subject to Etsyโ€™s policies and any changes they make, which can impact a sellerโ€™s business adversely.

Substack features and specs

  • 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 of Substack

  • 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 of Etsy

Overall verdict

  • Etsy is generally considered good, especially for those interested in supporting small businesses and finding unique, handcrafted items. However, experiences can vary based on individual sellers, so it's advisable for buyers to review seller ratings and read product reviews.

Why this product is good

  • Etsy is known for its unique marketplace offering a wide array of handmade, vintage, and craft supply products. It provides a platform for independent artists and small businesses to sell their goods, allowing customers to find items that are often unavailable in mainstream retail. The sense of community, creative diversity, and personalization options are strong appeals for many buyers. Additionally, Etsy has a decent customer service and straightforward buying process, making it a user-friendly platform.

Recommended for

  • People looking for unique, handcrafted, or vintage items
  • Customers who want to support small businesses and independent creators
  • Gift shoppers looking for personalized or one-of-a-kind presents
  • Crafts enthusiasts seeking supplies or inspiration

Analysis of Substack

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

Etsy videos

+ Add

Is Etsy Safe?

More videos:

  • Review - Pros and Cons of Selling on Etsy
  • Review - Selling On Etsy: Etsy Shop Tips For Beginners (2020 Review)
  • Review - Is Etsy Still Worth it in 2023?
  • Review - Etsy Shop Reviews #86: Beginners Need to See This (NEW SHOP REVIEW)
  • Review - Is Etsy Worth It In 2023? ๐Ÿคจ | A BRUTALLY HONEST Review from a Top 1% Etsy Seller

Substack videos

+ Add

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

More videos:

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Etsy and Substack)

Etsy

Substack

eCommerce
100 100%
eCommerce
0% 0
Blogging
0 0%
Blogging
100% 100
Online Marketplace
100 100%
Online Marketplace
0% 0
CMS
0 0%
CMS
100% 100

User comments

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

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Etsy and Substack

Etsy Reviews

How to Sell Art Online and Make Money From Home
Most of us know the power of Etsy. Since its launch, Etsy has helped many artists and creatives go full-time with their art business. Yes, there are listing fees and a lot of competition, but there is also a massive, engaged audience on their platform. If you havenโ€™t considered selling your art on Etsy, you should check them out.
Source: www.theworkathomewoman.com
13 Best DeviantArt Alternatives & Similar Sites
The community is huge and has become quite popular lately. People come to this site to find vintage stuff and handmade goods. Thus, if you are working on that kind of thing then you should give Etsy a try. Some other interesting facts are such as:
Source: www.regendus.com
25 Best Sites Like eBay To Sell and Buy Stuff in 2022
When it comes to selling products online, you have many options. While Amazon and Etsy are famous and easier to sell on, thereโ€™s nothing wrong with opening your own eCommerce store.
Source: www.dollarfinancials.com
The best Etsy alternatives for selling your crafts
Selling through Etsy solves that problem for a lot of creators. It is a single source that a lot of people looking for crafty items can go to; it supplies a sales page, a way to interface with your customers, and other retail services. And since all transactions take place through the Etsy platform and checkout system, it provides additional privacy between buyer and seller....
Source: www.theverge.com
15 Best Etsy Alternatives for Crafty Entrepreneurs in 2022
Hereโ€™s an Etsy alternative that was purposefully made for people who look to sell on sites like Etsy, but not on Etsy itself.
Source: zyro.com

Substack Reviews

25+ Medium Alternative Platforms for Publishing Articles
Substack offers writers of all experience levels the ability to write an email newsletter thatโ€™s profitable through subscriptions. Substack provides purpose-built web and newsletter publishing tools to enable writers to monetize their newsletters. It is a service often favoured by readers because itโ€™s a convenient all-in-one solution for writing a successful podcast that...
Source: forgefusion.io
10 Best Medium Alternatives for Reading and Publishing
What sะตts Substack apart is its sะตamlะตss intะตgration of contะตnt crะตation and subscription-basะตd monะตtization. Substackโ€™s usะตr-friะตndly intะตrfacะต, distribution tools, and support for various contะตnt formats make it a popular choice for indะตpะตndะตnt crะตators looking to connะตct dirะตctly with thะตir audiะตncะต and turn thะตir passion into a sustainablะต incomะต strะตam.
Source: www.geeksforgeeks.org
9 Best Medium Alternatives for Making Money With Your Writing in 2023
Substack and Medium differ primarily in their monetization methods. Medium pays creators based on reader engagement, while Substack enables writers to monetize directly through paid subscriptions to their newsletters. This business model allows Substack users to build a direct relationship with their readers via their email inboxes, whereas Medium interactions primarily...
Source: www.authorityhacker.com
11 Patreon Alternatives for Audience Monetization in 2023
Like a few of the other platforms weโ€™ve looked at, Substack takes a cut of your earnings rather than charging a 10% platform fee.
Source: www.uscreen.tv
Any good Mailchimp alternatives?
My question for you is, what is keeping you from making $31 per month from your list? Are you using any feature that Substack (free until you get paid) can't handle?
Source: www.indiehackers.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Etsy should be more popular than Substack. It has been mentiond 236 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Etsy mentions (236)

  • Gift ideas for my wife that loves to crochet?
    If you shop online, check etsy.com and type in crochet project bag. There are some that have witty crochet sayings, like this. Or it could just be a bag with a pattern/color she would like. I just use any bag-reusable shopping bags, book bags, totes. I have a bag stash just like I have a yarn stash. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Why wont doordash load in firefox anymore? Is there a way to fix this?
    The message says "HMMM! THE PAGE YOU'RE LOOKING FOR MUST BE HERE SOMEWHERE... error code: 404 -- ERR 004 Maybe you'd like to go back home (underlined)" This is what the home page looks like and it is the home page - www.doordash.com -- At first the website looks like its going to load normally but then it flips to the error screen and no matter how many times I try to reload it or clear the cache it refuses... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Help me where etsy.com is located to fill my invoice - or how to do it.
    Hey guys! Im about the launch my first Etsy shop, but my accountant said - im from hungary - that I need to know the location or address of etsy.com so I can fill my invoice. I look everywhere but I wasnt sure about the answer. Can you help me with this? Thank you. Source: about 3 years ago
  • My Chuck Box
    I bet you could make some good cash if you made these and sold them on Etsy or something. Source: about 3 years ago
  • New app SUCKKSSS
    For any tasks you cannot complete on the app, you can access etsy.com in your mobile browser and complete them there. Source: about 3 years ago
View more

Substack mentions (101)

  • Ask HN: What are your favorite blogs not about AI?
    Https://substack.com/@yelluwcomedy. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • Kids (With Phones) Are Alright
    Sure there was basically a cartel in social media. You saw coordinated censorship campaigns to ban the former president of the United States for example. But I wouldn't discount the amount of political interference there as well. The last administration admitted to flagging individual posts for the social media companies. But it's also true there is a lot of coordinated censorship even without state interference.... - Source: Hacker News / 12 days ago
  • Financing the AI boom: from cash flows to debt [pdf]
    Manhattan Project: $36B, 5 years โ–ซ Apollo Program: $257B, 14 years โ–ซ Interstate Highway System: $620B, 37 years โ–ซ AI data centers: $930B, 6 years and still accelerating From: https://substack.com/@rubendominguez/note/c-244929068. - Source: Hacker News / 8 days ago
  • SpaceX to buy Cursor AI coding agent operator Anysphere for $60B
    The thing is, even the center of the road academics who refrain from such comparisons are noting the similarity. The MAGA movement meets the traditional defining characteristics of fascio. We can be rigid and say that only Mussoliniโ€˜s political movement can be properly be called fascist. But if we call Hitler and the Nazis fascists as well, then we open the door to any movement that meets the criteria. And Trump... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
  • AMA: I'm Eric Ries (The Lean Startup) & Author of New Bestseller Incorruptible
    Yes, it's much different in other countries. See https://substack.com/@doks/p-198191751. - Source: Hacker News / about 1 month ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Etsy and Substack, you can also consider the following products

eBay - Buy and sell electronics, cars, fashion apparel, collectibles, sporting goods, digital cameras, baby items, coupons, and everything else on eBay, the world's online marketplace

Ghost - Ghost is a fully open source, adaptable platform for building and running a modern online publication. We power blogs, magazines and journalists from Zappos to Sky News.

Amazon - Online shopping from the earth's biggest selection of books, magazines, music, DVDs, videos, electronics, computers, software, apparel & accessories, shoes, jewelry, tools & hardware, housewares, furniture, sporting goods, beauty & much more

Medium - Welcome to Medium, a place to read, write, and interact with the stories that matter most to you.

Shopify - Shopify is a powerful ecommerce platform that includes everything you need to create an online store and sell online. Try it free for 14 days.

MailChimp - MailChimp is the best way to design, send, and share email newsletters.

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