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Substack VS Coursera

Compare Substack VS Coursera 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
Alternatives Is it good?
Coursera

Build skills with courses, certificates, and degrees online from world-class universities and companies

Rating
4.0 · 1 review
Alternatives Is it good?
FlexiQuiz
FlexiQuiz is a powerful online test generator that enables you to create engaging online quizzes, tests, or exams in minutes. Choose from 100's of features to create a customized quiz that meets your objectives for business, education, or fun. sponsored
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Which is more popular?

Coursera might be a bit more popular than Substack. We know about 116 links to it since March 2021 and only 105 links to Substack.

social mentions
105 vs 116
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Coursera
Website substack.com coursera.org
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States · 2012
Listed in
Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1
Education Online Courses Online Learning LMS +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Coursera 1 feature
  • 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.
  • Headquarters
    Mountain View, CA

Analysis

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

Substack
Coursera

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

Overall verdict

  • Overall, Coursera is considered a good platform for online learning, particularly for those seeking accredited courses and meaningful credentials. However, the effectiveness of Coursera can depend on individual learning preferences, goals, and the specific course or program chosen.

Why this product is good

  • Coursera is widely recognized for its diverse range of online courses, specializations, and degree programs offered in partnership with top universities and organizations worldwide. It provides learners with flexible learning options, allowing them to access high-quality education resources from anywhere. The platform is known for its rigorous content, interactive learning experiences, and opportunities for certification, making it a valuable resource for both personal and professional development.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking to advance their careers through continuing education.
  • Learners interested in earning certifications from reputable institutions.
  • Students preferring a flexible learning schedule.
  • Professionals looking to update their skills or pivot to new fields.
  • Anyone eager to explore a variety of topics and gain knowledge from experienced instructors.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Coursera 2 videos + 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

The Best Open Online Courses - Coursera, Udacity, edX Review

More videos

  • - Review: My Experience with Coursera

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
Coursera
100% 100%
Blogging
0% 0%
0% 0%
Education
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Online Learning
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Substack and Coursera. 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.

Substack no reviews yet
Coursera 4.0 · 1 review

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 105 mentions
Coursera 116 mentions
  • Benchmarking Qwen3.8 27B quantizations: 4-bit holds up, 1-bit collapses
    For anyone that would like to see more quantizations tested, I can highly recommend paying a few bucks for oobabooga's testing, which is published on his Substack: https://substack.com/@oobabooga. - Source: Hacker News / 14 days ago
  • Discovery of a new OpenAI agent message board
    Reminds me of this meme: https://substack.com/@tomasbjartur/note/c-323840878?r=6cjtqn. - Source: Hacker News / 18 days ago
  • How accurate have Ed Zitron's AI skeptic predictions been?
    Valid criticisms of AI - safety critics who think AI can take over the world like Yud (I find this the least credible but still valid) - Bernie type of critics who think AI can cause widespread job losses - Ruxandra Teslo who thinks AI... - Source: Hacker News / 21 days ago

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  • Getting Started with Blockchain: A Guide for Beginners
    Great starting points include free online courses on platforms like Coursera or books like Mastering Bitcoin by Andreas Antonopoulos. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Lost in life. Need to choose a career
    Anyway now go to coursera.org and for $49 a month get the Google IT Support Professional cert. That gives you a discount for the A+ exam. With a sob story Coursera may reduce the monthly fee as well. Anyway you are halfway to an IT... Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Did Cousera get hacked today?
    Instead of homepage link opening to coursera.org it redirects to https://www.coursera.org/programs/american-dream-academy-jzjjt?currentTab=CATALOG. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Coursera

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

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