Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Dillinger

Compare Substack VS Dillinger 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
Dillinger

joemccann has 95 repositories available. Follow their code on GitHub.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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 Dillinger. It has been mentioned 111 times since March 2021.

social mentions
111 vs 27
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 236

Base details

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

Substack
Dillinger
Website substack.com dillinger.io
Pricing —
Open source
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Dillinger 5 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.
  • Real-time Markdown Rendering
    Dillinger provides live rendering of Markdown text, allowing users to see a side-by-side preview of their formatted text.
  • Cloud Integration
    It offers integration with cloud services like Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive, and GitHub, making it easy to save and manage documents.
  • User-friendly Interface
    The platform boasts an intuitive and clean interface, which makes it easy for both beginners and experienced users to navigate and use effectively.
  • Export Options
    Dillinger supports exporting documents in multiple formats, including Markdown, HTML, and PDF, providing flexibility in how users can use their content.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source platform, Dillinger allows developers to contribute to the project or customize the tool for their specific needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Offline Support
    Dillinger is primarily a web-based application and requires an internet connection for full functionality, limiting its usability offline.
  • Basic Markdown Features
    While it covers the basics well, advanced Markdown features or plugins might be missing compared to more comprehensive editors.
  • Dependency on External Services
    Heavy reliance on third-party cloud services may be a drawback for users who prefer to keep their data localized or have privacy concerns.
  • No Native Desktop Application
    Dillinger does not offer a native desktop application, which might be a disadvantage for users who prefer or require desktop-based tools.
  • Limited Customization
    While the interface is user-friendly, it offers limited customization options in terms of themes and editor settings compared to some other Markdown editors.

Analysis

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

Substack
Dillinger

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

  • Dillinger is considered a good Markdown editor, especially for users who need a straightforward tool with cloud integration capabilities. Its user-friendly design and ability to handle Markdown documents effectively make it a reliable choice.

Why this product is good

  • Dillinger is a cloud-enabled, mobile-ready, offline-storage compatible, Markdown editor. It is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and ability to integrate with cloud storage services such as Dropbox, Google Drive, and GitHub. Users appreciate its clean interface and the ability to preview Markdown files in real-time. It also supports exporting documents in formats like HTML and PDF.

Recommended for

    Dillinger is recommended for developers, writers, and anyone who frequently works with Markdown documentation. It's particularly useful for those who need access to their documents across different devices or want to store them in the cloud.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Dillinger 3 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 Dillinger Escape Plan - Dissociation ALBUM REVIEW

More videos

  • - The Dillinger Escape Plan - One Of Us Is The Killer ALBUM REVIEW
  • - DILLINGER ESCAPE PLAN Dissociation Album Review | Overkill Reviews

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
Dillinger
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

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

Substack no reviews yet
Dillinger no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 111 mentions
Dillinger 27 mentions
  • 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 Substack and Dillinger

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