Software Alternatives & Startups

Google Sites VS Substack

Compare Google Sites VS Substack and see what are their differences

Google Sites

Access Google Sites with a free Google account (for personal use) or G Suite account (for business use).

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

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Substack seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 112 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 112
Website Builder popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Google Sites
Substack
Website sites.google.com substack.com
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Google Sites 6 features
Substack 6 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Google Sites offers a simple and intuitive drag-and-drop interface, making it easy for users with no technical skills to create and manage websites.
  • Integration with Google Services
    It seamlessly integrates with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Analytics, and Google Calendar, enhancing productivity and collaboration.
  • Free to Use
    Google Sites is available for free with a Google account, making it an affordable option for individuals and small businesses.
  • Responsive Design
    Websites created with Google Sites are automatically responsive, ensuring they look good on any device, including tablets and smartphones.
  • Collaboration Features
    Multiple users can collaborate in real-time on the same site, which is particularly beneficial for teams working on shared projects.
  • Secure Hosting
    Google Sites is hosted on Google's secure servers, providing strong security and reliability without the need for additional hosting services.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Customization
    Google Sites offers fewer customization options compared to other website builders, which can be restrictive for advanced users seeking unique designs.
  • Basic Features
    While it covers essential functions, Google Sites lacks some advanced features found in other website-building platforms, such as extensive e-commerce tools or plugins.
  • Inconsistent Browser Support
    Certain features may not work consistently across all browsers, which can affect the user experience and functionality of the site.
  • Limited Template Options
    The number of available templates is limited, which might not be sufficient for users looking for specific styles or thematic flexibility.
  • SEO Limitations
    Google Sites has basic SEO capabilities, making it challenging to fully optimize sites for search engine performance compared to other platforms.
  • No Custom Domain for Free Plan
    Users on the free plan cannot use a custom domain, which can make the site appear less professional.
  • 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.

Google Sites
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Google Sites is a solid option for those in need of a straightforward and cost-effective solution for building simple websites. However, it may not be suitable for complex or highly customized projects due to its limited customization options compared to other website builders.

Why this product is good

  • Google Sites is a good choice for individuals or small businesses looking for a simple and free platform to create basic websites. It is part of the Google Workspace suite, which integrates smoothly with other Google services like Google Drive, Google Docs, and Google Calendar, making it easy to incorporate these elements into your site. The platform is user-friendly, allowing users with no coding skills to create websites through its drag-and-drop interface. It also offers responsive design, automatically adjusting your site to look good on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices.

Recommended for

  • Individuals and small businesses who need a basic web presence
  • Educators and students for creating class projects or sharing resources
  • Teams needing internal sites for sharing information within organizations
  • Users already familiar with and using other Google Workspace applications

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.

Google Sites 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Google Sites Pros and Cons of this Excellent FREE Website Builder

More videos

  • - Future of Google Sites (Cloud Next '19)
  • - How to Use the New Google Sites

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
Google Sites
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
66% 66%
CMS
34% 34%
100% 100%
0% 0%

User comments

Share your experience with using Google Sites 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.

Google Sites no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet
  • 19 Best WordPress Alternatives in 2025
    www.pixpa.com · Oct 2024

    Google Sites is a free website builder that allows anyone with a Google account to create and publish a website. It offers a user-friendly interface, pre-built templates, and basic tools for creating webpages.

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Google Sites 0 mentions
Substack 112 mentions

Tracking Google Sites since Mar 2021.

  • 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 / 1 day 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 / 23 days ago

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Alternatives to Google Sites and Substack

When comparing Google Sites and Substack, you can also consider the following products.

  • WiX

    Create a free website with Wix.com. Customize with Wix' website builder, no coding skills needed. Choose a design, begin customizing and be online today

    Compare WiX to Google Sites 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 Google Sites or Substack:

  • SquareSpace

    Squarespace is the easiest way for anyone to create an exceptional website. Pages, galleries, blogs, e-commerce, domains, hosting, analytics, 24/7 support - all included.

    Compare SquareSpace to Google Sites or Substack:

  • Medium

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

    Compare Medium to Google Sites or Substack:

  • Webflow

    Build dynamic, responsive websites in your browser. Launch with a click. Or export your squeaky-clean code to host wherever you'd like. Discover the professional website builder made for designers.

    Compare Webflow to Google Sites 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 Google Sites or Substack: