Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Brilliant.org

Compare Substack VS Brilliant.org and see what are their differences

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
Brilliant.org

Brilliant - Understand concepts and build your problem solving skills with thousands of free problems and examples in math, science, and engineering.

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?

Brilliant.org might be a bit more popular than Substack. We know about 161 links to it since March 2021 and only 108 links to Substack.

social mentions
108 vs 161
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 184

Base details

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

Substack
Brilliant.org
Website substack.com brilliant.org
Pricing —
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Brilliant.org 6 features
  • 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.
  • Interactive Learning
    Brilliant.org offers a hands-on approach to learning, with interactive problem-solving and visual explanations that help in understanding complex concepts more effectively.
  • Wide Range of Topics
    The platform covers a diverse set of subjects including math, science, engineering, and computer science, making it a one-stop resource for various academic interests.
  • Skill Levels
    Courses and problems are designed for multiple skill levels, from beginner to advanced, allowing users to start at their own level and progress at their own pace.
  • Gamified Experience
    The gamified aspects, such as earning points and badges, make learning on the platform more engaging and motivating.
  • Expertly Curated Content
    Content is created and reviewed by experts in the field, ensuring high-quality and reliable educational material.
  • Mobile App
    Brilliant.org offers a mobile app, providing flexibility to learn on the go.

Possible disadvantages

  • Subscription Cost
    Access to the complete range of courses and features requires a subscription, which might be expensive for some users.
  • Limited Free Content
    The free version of Brilliant.org offers limited access to content, which may not be sufficient for a thorough learning experience.
  • Lack of Traditional Courses
    Brilliant.org focuses more on problem-solving and interactive learning, which might not be suitable for users looking for traditional, lecture-based courses.
  • No Accreditation
    Courses on Brilliant.org do not provide any formal accreditation or certificates, which may be a drawback for those looking to add formal qualifications to their resume.
  • Internet Dependency
    Accessing course material requires a stable internet connection, which can be a limitation for users with restricted internet access.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Substack
Brilliant.org

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

No analysis of Brilliant.org yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Brilliant.org 1 video + Add

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

Brilliant.org – Cool App Review

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
Substack
Brilliant.org
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Substack and Brilliant.org. 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.

Substack no reviews yet
Brilliant.org no reviews yet

View more

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 108 mentions
Brilliant.org 161 mentions
  • Effective Altruism Conquered the World
    Https://substack.com/@gurwinder/posts. - Source: Hacker News / about 17 hours ago
  • Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (October 2026)
    Substack: https://substack.com/@friedkielbasa. - Source: Hacker News / 4 days ago
  • Sync any blog via API to Substack in one-click
    Name Type Required Description Cookie String Yes Substack.sid= (browser session cookie) Accept String Yes Application/json Origin String Yes Publication origin, e.g.... - Source: dev.to / 7 days ago

View more

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (May 2025)
    Brilliant.org | Software Engineer (Interactives) | Remote (North America), SF, NYC | Full-time | $145k — $220k | https://brilliant.org Brilliant is building world-class interactive learning experiences that combine challenging problems,... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • The Average American Spent 2.5 Months on Their Phone in 2024
    > There’s no “learn about the world” course you take when you have nothing else to do. I've been testing https://brilliant.org/ and like it so far. Its scope is limited to STEM topics, but the thing I like about it is you can set... - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago
  • Moon
    Brilliant.org[1] does a good job of using explorables in their learning materials, some of the best I’ve seen in that category. That said, Ciechanowski is on another level entirely. [1] https://brilliant.org/. - Source: Hacker News / almost 2 years ago

View more

Alternatives to Substack and Brilliant.org

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