Software Alternatives & Startups
Register | Login

Plausible.io VS Substack

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

Plausible.io

Plausible Analytics is a simple, open-source, lightweight (< 1 KB) and privacy-friendly web analytics alternative to Google Analytics. Made and hosted in the EU, powered by European-owned cloud infrastructure 🇪🇺

Rating
5.0 · 3 reviews
Pricing
Open source Paid Free trial $9 / Monthly (10,000 pageviews)
Alternatives Is it good?
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
Alternatives Is it good?
PrivacyNotes
Zero-knowledge encrypted notes, tasks, journals, files, and passwords in one app. Your keys never leave your device. One-time price, no subscription. Hosted in Switzerland. sponsored
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, Plausible.io should be more popular than Substack. It has been mentioned 218 times since March 2021.

social mentions
218 vs 109
Analytics popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Plausible.io
Substack
Website plausible.io substack.com
Pricing
Open source Paid Free trial $9 / Monthly (10,000 pageviews) Official pricing
—
Platforms
Web Browser Google Chrome Firefox Safari Wordpress +3
—
Company Startup from Estonia · 2019 Startup from the United States
Listed in
Analytics Web Analytics Privacy Open Source +1
Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1

About Plausible.io and Substack

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Plausible.io
Substack

Plausible Analytics is not designed to be a clone of Google Analytics. It is meant as a simple-to-use replacement and a privacy-friendly alternative that can help many site owners. It's quick, simple to use and understand with all the metrics displayed on one page. Doesn't track hundreds of...

Read more about Plausible.io

No description of Substack yet.

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Plausible.io 6 features
Substack 6 features
  • Privacy-focused
    Plausible does not collect personal data about your visitors and is fully compliant with GDPR, CCPA, and PECR.
  • Simple to Use
    The user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users without technical expertise.
  • Lightweight
    Plausible's script is under 1 KB in size, making it fast to load and reducing the impact on site speed.
  • Open-Source
    The platform is open-source, which allows for community contributions and transparency in how data is handled.
  • Real-Time Data
    Plausible provides real-time analytics, which can be useful for monitoring live events and activities on your site.
  • Affordable Pricing
    Offers competitive pricing models that can be more budget-friendly for small to medium-sized businesses compared to other analytics platforms.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Features
    Lacks some advanced features found in more comprehensive analytics tools like Google Analytics, such as multi-channel funnels and detailed demographic information.
  • No Free Tier
    Plausible does not offer a free tier, which could be an obstacle for very small websites or individual users on a tight budget.
  • Basic Reporting
    The reporting may be too basic for larger enterprises that require more granular and customizable analytics.
  • No App Integration
    Currently, Plausible does not offer integrations with mobile app analytics, limiting its use to web applications.
  • Smaller User Base
    As a relatively new and smaller player in the market, it may not have the extensive user community or third-party support seen with more established platforms.
  • 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.

Plausible.io
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Plausible.io is generally considered to be a good web analytics tool, especially for those who prioritize privacy and simplicity.

Why this product is good

  • Plausible.io is designed with simplicity and privacy at its core, offering a clean and user-friendly interface without tracking personal data or using cookies. It provides essential analytics without overwhelming users with too much information. This focus on privacy can be particularly appealing in a landscape where data concerns are significant. It is also easy to integrate, offers real-time data, and is open source, allowing for more transparency compared to some competitors.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized website owners
  • Bloggers and content creators
  • Businesses and startups focused on privacy
  • Developers who value open source solutions
  • Users looking for an alternative to Google Analytics with a straightforward setup

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.

Plausible.io 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Cardano Blackboard Series #5: What is plausible deniability?

More videos

  • - How Plausible is the Balkanized America from Crimson Skies? (A Map Analysis)
  • - Movie Review - How Plausible is The Martian?

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
Plausible.io
Substack
100% 100%
Analytics
0% 0%
0% 0%
Blogging
100% 100%
100% 100%
Web Analytics
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

User comments

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

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Plausible.io 5.0 · 3 reviews
Substack no reviews yet

View more

View more

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Plausible.io 218 mentions
Substack 109 mentions
  • Free monitoring and analytics for vibe coding (2026)
    Self-host Plausible or Umami if you do not want Google. Plausible Cloud is a paid product. If you already have GA4, do not add these “for comparison” on production. - Source: dev.to / 2 days ago
  • Google Maps results to emails: add contacts to a Maps Scraper dataset, one row per place
    { "place": { "title": "TEST FIXTURE place A: plausible.io (first place on this domain)", "placeId": "hiver-fixture-place-a", "address": "1 Fixture Street, Testville, TS 00001", "phone": "+1 555-0101" }, "website":... - Source: dev.to / 3 days ago
  • Kill The Cookie Banner
    Side note: there’s plenty of Analytics tools that don’t require cookies. Plausible (https://plausible.io) is one of them, there are many others. - Source: Hacker News / 3 months ago

View more

View more

Alternatives to Plausible.io and Substack

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

Loading...