Software Alternatives & Startups

Etsy VS Substack

Compare Etsy VS Substack and see what are their differences

Etsy

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

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, Etsy should be more popular than Substack. It has been mentioned 236 times since March 2021.

social mentions
236 vs 113
eCommerce popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Etsy
Substack
Website etsy.com substack.com
Pricing —
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Etsy 5 features
Substack 6 features
  • 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

  • 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 Etsy’s policies and any changes they make, which can impact a seller’s business adversely.
  • 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.

Etsy
Substack

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

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.

Etsy 6 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Is Etsy Safe?

More videos

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

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
Etsy
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 Etsy 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.

Etsy no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Etsy 236 mentions
Substack 113 mentions
  • 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,... Source: almost 3 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 ... Source: about 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... Source: over 3 years ago

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  • How to Get Substack Newsletter Data: Posts, Comments and Subscriber Counts
    a profile link: https://substack.com/@noahpinion. - Source: dev.to / 1 day ago
  • 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 / 5 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 / 24 days ago

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Alternatives to Etsy and Substack

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

    Compare eBay to Etsy or Substack:

  • 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.

    Compare Ghost to Etsy or Substack:

  • 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

    Compare Amazon to Etsy or Substack:

  • Medium

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

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  • 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.

    Compare Shopify to Etsy or Substack:

  • beehiiv

    beehiiv empowers people to create, monetize, and grow by providing the most powerful and robust newsletter platform, holistically under one roof.

    Compare beehiiv to Etsy or Substack: