Nest.js VS Substack

• Modular Architecture
  Nest.js uses a modular architecture which is highly organized and maintainable. This allows for better separation of concerns and makes it easier to manage large-scale applications by dividing them into smaller, reusable modules.
• TypeScript Support
  Nest.js is built with TypeScript, providing strong typing and compile-time checks. This leads to fewer runtime errors and improved code readability and maintainability.
• Dependency Injection
  The framework includes a powerful dependency injection system, which enables better testability and easier management of application components.
• Built-in Middleware
  Nest.js supports middleware out of the box, allowing developers to easily add additional request-processing logic at different points in the request lifecycle.
• Extensive Documentation
  Nest.js offers comprehensive and detailed documentation, which helps developers quickly get up to speed and resolve issues more efficiently.
• Scalability
  The framework is designed to be scalable, making it suitable for projects of varying sizes—from small applications to large enterprise-level systems.
• Integration with Modern Libraries
  Nest.js seamlessly integrates with modern libraries and frameworks such as GraphQL, WebSockets, and TypeORM, extending its capabilities and allowing for versatile development options.
• Active Community
  An active and growing community around Nest.js means there are plenty of resources, tutorials, and third-party tools available to assist with development.

Possible disadvantages

• Learning Curve
  Due to its rich feature set and use of TypeScript, Nest.js can have a steep learning curve for developers who are not familiar with these technologies.
• Overhead
  The reliance on the decorators and classes can introduce additional overhead, potentially making simple projects more complex than necessary.
• Limited Flexibility
  Nest.js follows an opinionated architecture pattern, which can be restrictive for developers who prefer a more flexible or unstructured approach.
• Performance
  While Nest.js is generally performant, the abstraction layers and TypeScript compile steps can introduce slight performance overhead compared to more lightweight alternatives.
• Dependency on TypeScript
  The heavy reliance on TypeScript can be a drawback for developers who prefer to use plain JavaScript, or who are not familiar with TypeScript.
• Community Compared to Mainstream Frameworks
  Although the Nest.js community is active and growing, it is still smaller compared to more established frameworks like Express.js or Koa, potentially limiting the amount of shared knowledge and third-party packages available.

• 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.

Why I chose Nest.js over Express.js in 2020

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

More videos

• Top JavaScript Frameworks in 2025
  solguruz.com · Nov 2024

  Nest (NestJS) is a framework for building efficient and scalable server-side backend applications using Node.Js. Internally, it actually makes use of JavaScript Back-end frameworks like Express (which is the default,...

• 10 Best Next.js Alternatives to Consider Today
  www.saffrontech.net · Jan 2024

  For TypeScript aficionados seeking a framework with a modular, scalable architecture, NestJS stands out. Built on top of Node.js, NestJS offers a powerful set of abstractions for building server-side applications. Its...

• The 20 Best Laravel Alternatives for Web Development
  tms-outsource.com · Jan 2024

  NestJS is a Node.js framework that’s inspired by Angular, and guess what? It’s written in TypeScript. Building with Typescript is like you’re navigating with the stars. It’s all about sturdy architecture, a...

View more

• 25+ Medium Alternative Platforms for Publishing Articles
  forgefusion.io · Dec 2023

  Substack offers writers of all experience levels the ability to write an email newsletter that’s profitable through subscriptions. Substack provides purpose-built web and newsletter publishing tools to enable writers...

• 10 Best Medium Alternatives for Reading and Publishing
  www.geeksforgeeks.org · Nov 2023

  What sеts Substack apart is its sеamlеss intеgration of contеnt crеation and subscription-basеd monеtization. Substack’s usеr-friеndly intеrfacе, distribution tools, and support for various contеnt formats make it a...

• 9 Best Medium Alternatives for Making Money With Your Writing in 2023
  www.authorityhacker.com · Sep 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....

View more

• You might not need… the repository pattern

  If you follow a strict domain model, and propagate changes to other aggregates through events, you can adhere to the above criteria. You're probably writing Java, C#, or JS with Nest (which really, really wants to be Java). - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago

• Inside a 3-app Turborepo monorepo: parallelism, caching, and CI that stays fast

  Apps/api — NestJS backend, ingests GitHub webhooks, hosts auth endpoints Each app runs on a different port in dev, deploys to a different platform, and has its own scaling profile. - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago

• TypeScript for Backend Development — When It Makes Sense

  NestJS is the closest thing to Spring Boot in the TypeScript world. Dependency injection, decorators, modules, guards, pipes — it gives you strong opinions about architecture. - Source: dev.to / 7 months ago

View more

• 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 / 6 days ago

• Effective Altruism Conquered the World

  Https://substack.com/@gurwinder/posts. - Source: Hacker News / 10 days ago

• Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (October 2026)

  Substack: https://substack.com/@friedkielbasa. - Source: Hacker News / 13 days ago

View more