Software Alternatives & Startups

Lenns.io VS Substack

Compare Lenns.io VS Substack and see what are their differences

Lenns.io

The feed reader for people that want to be in control

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Free
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 seems to be a lot more popular than Lenns.io. While we know about 111 links to Substack, we've tracked only 11 mentions of Lenns.io.

social mentions
11 vs 111
RSS Reader popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
34 vs 240+

Base details

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

Lenns.io
Substack
Website lenns.io substack.com
Pricing
Free
—
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Lenns.io 4 features
Substack 6 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Lenns.io offers a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to navigate and utilize its features efficiently.
  • Wide Range of Features
    The platform provides a comprehensive set of tools and functionalities, catering to various user needs and enhancing the overall user experience.
  • Security Measures
    Lenns.io implements robust security protocols to protect user data and privacy, ensuring a safe online environment.
  • Responsive Customer Support
    The platform is known for its prompt and helpful customer service, assisting users with their inquiries and resolving issues quickly.

Possible disadvantages

  • Subscription Cost
    Some users may find the subscription fees to be on the higher side, which could be a barrier for individuals or organizations with limited budgets.
  • Feature Overlap
    Certain tools and functionalities may overlap, potentially causing confusion for users trying to navigate the platform effectively.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its user-friendly interface, new users might require some time to fully understand and utilize all the available features efficiently.
  • Limited Customization
    The platform offers limited options for customization, which might not meet the specific needs of some users looking for tailored solutions.
  • 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.

Lenns.io
Substack

No analysis of Lenns.io yet.

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.

Lenns.io 0 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

No Lenns.io videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
Lenns.io
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
RSS
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Lenns.io and Substack.

Which are the primary technologies used for building your product?

Lenns.io's answer

Ruby on Rails, Postgres, Sidekiq.

User comments

Share your experience with using Lenns.io 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.

Lenns.io 5.0 · 1 review
Substack no reviews yet
  • The unique RSS/website reader
    SaaSHub review
    · May 2023

    Lenns.io is more than a RSS reader. It's a website reader as it can follow posts by titles in cases when there isn't an exposed RSS feed. My favourite part is setting priorities per source and category as well as...

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Lenns.io 11 mentions
Substack 111 mentions
  • Time spent programming is often time well spent
    "p.s. I will be building an RSS reader/platform in the coming weeks" - the RSS reader was actually built. And it's been actively used and public since then: https://lenns.io/. - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Show me your half baked project
    Https://lenns.io/ - it may not be exactly ready for prime time (lacking communication & marketing); however, it's been fully functional and my RSS reader of choice for the last 2 years. Why - a single source cannot overwhelm my feed; I... - Source: Hacker News / about 3 years ago
  • Vore: A new RSS feed reader
    For those interested in new(opinionated) RSS readers, I'd like to know what you guys think about https://lenns.io/? - Source: Hacker News / 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 / 11 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 / 13 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 / 23 days ago

View more

Alternatives to Lenns.io and Substack

When comparing Lenns.io and Substack, you can also consider the following products.