Software Alternatives & Startups

Reedsy VS Substack

Compare Reedsy VS Substack and see what are their differences

Reedsy

Reedsy is a complete book publishing platform with an elegant, collaborative online editor.

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, Substack should be more popular than Reedsy. It has been mentioned 111 times since March 2021.

social mentions
39 vs 111
Writing popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
178 vs 240+

Base details

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

Reedsy
Substack
Website reedsy.com substack.com
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Reedsy 5 features
Substack 6 features
  • Comprehensive Marketplace
    Reedsy offers a wide range of professional services for authors, including editing, design, marketing, and ghostwriting, allowing authors to find all the assistance they need in one place.
  • Vetted Professionals
    Reedsy carefully vets the professionals on its platform, ensuring that authors have access to highly qualified and experienced editors, designers, and other service providers.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The platform features a streamlined and intuitive interface that makes it easy for authors to connect with professionals and manage their projects.
  • Collaboration Tools
    Reedsy provides tools that facilitate collaboration between authors and their hired professionals, such as project management features and in-app messaging.
  • Free Resources
    Offers a variety of free resources for authors, including articles, webinars, and courses on writing and publishing, to help them improve their skills.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    The professionals on Reedsy tend to charge premium rates, which might be prohibitive for authors with limited budgets.
  • Limited to Certain Services
    While Reedsy offers a broad range of services, it may not cover every specific need an author might have, such as niche publishing advice.
  • Competitive Environment
    While the vetting process ensures quality, it also means that there is significant competition to get chosen by authors, which can be difficult for newer professionals breaking into the market.
  • Platform Fee
    Reedsy takes a commission from the services provided through its platform, which can affect the overall cost of hiring a professional.
  • Dependence on External Success
    Authors' success might heavily depend on the professionals they hire through the platform, potentially leading to varying experiences if the chosen service does not meet expectations.
  • 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.

Reedsy
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Reedsy is considered a reputable and reliable platform for authors seeking professional publishing services. The positive feedback from users highlights the quality of professionals available and the ease of use of the platform.

Why this product is good

  • Reedsy is a popular platform offering a marketplace for authors to connect with freelance publishing professionals, such as editors, designers, and marketers. It is particularly known for its curated selection of professionals, ensuring high-quality services for authors looking to self-publish. The platform also provides valuable resources such as writing guides, webinars, and community support.

Recommended for

    Reedsy is recommended for authors who are in the process of self-publishing and need access to experienced freelance professionals. It's also ideal for writers who want to enhance their skills through educational resources and connect with a community of like-minded individuals.

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.

Reedsy 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Reedsy Review [2020 Update!]

More videos

  • - Reedsy Review and How To Use
  • - How to Make a Book for Free with Reedsy

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
Reedsy
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 Reedsy 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.

Reedsy no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet
  • 11 Best Scrivener Alternatives
    rigorousthemes.com · Jul 2021

    There are also human editors available through Reedsy who offer professional feedback on your draft, a pair of extra eyes to check your manuscript, or experienced editors and writing coaches.

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Reedsy 39 mentions
Substack 111 mentions
  • Show HN: I Dedicated 4 Years to Mastering Offline Password Cracking
    Thank you so much. Yes, the book is self-published. For the typesetting, I used https://reedsy.com/ . I made all of the diagrams in PowerPoint myself, and just inserted them as high-quality images. - Source: Hacker News / 5 months ago
  • Does anyone have any advice on how to find and research an editor?
    If you're planning to self-publish and want to pay for an editor yourself, you might try somewhere like reedsy.com. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Back in the saddle.
    You could try reedsy.com , where you have a lot of flexibility in choosing who you work with. Source: over 3 years ago

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  • 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

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Alternatives to Reedsy and Substack

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