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Substack VS MakerStack

Compare Substack VS MakerStack 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?
MakerStack

Curated SaaS reviews by real solopreneurs. Tell MakerStack your business type, team size, and budget to get a personalized tech stack built around your exact needs. Honest scores, real pricing, specific pros and cons for every tool.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
Zoviz
Zoviz: Professional Logos, Perfectly Personalized Your Brand. Your Story 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, Substack seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 109 times since March 2021.

social mentions
109 vs 0
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 5

Base details

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

Substack
MakerStack
Website substack.com makerstack.co
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in
Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1
Directory Software Directory Software Recommendations Software Reviews +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
MakerStack 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.
  • Focused on makers
    MakerStack appears to be tailored toward indie makers and solo entrepreneurs, offering tools and resources aligned with the needs of people building products independently.
  • Community-oriented
    Platforms like this often provide a community aspect where makers can share progress, get feedback, and network with other builders, which can be motivating and valuable.
  • Curated resources
    MakerStack may aggregate useful tools, templates, or a curated tech stack that helps makers get started faster without researching every option themselves.
  • Time-saving
    By providing ready-made stacks or workflows, it can reduce setup time and let makers focus on building rather than tooling decisions.
  • Inspiration and discovery
    Such platforms typically help users discover new tools, ideas, and approaches they might not have found on their own.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited public information
    There is not much widely available detail about MakerStack, making it hard to fully evaluate its features, reliability, and reputation before committing.
  • Potential niche audience
    Being tailored to makers may mean it lacks features or support relevant to larger teams, enterprises, or non-technical users.
  • Uncertain longevity
    Smaller indie platforms can face sustainability challenges, and there is a risk the service could change significantly or shut down over time.
  • Possible learning curve
    Depending on the complexity of the tools or stacks offered, new users may need time to understand and adopt the recommended workflows.
  • Pricing uncertainty
    Without clear, well-documented pricing details, it can be difficult to assess the cost-effectiveness of the platform for your specific needs.

Analysis

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

Substack
MakerStack

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

  • MakerStack appears to be a niche tool/platform aimed at makers, indie hackers, or builders looking to launch products quickly, though detailed independent reviews and widespread user feedback are limited, making it hard to fully verify its quality and reliability without firsthand testing.

Why this product is good

  • Positioned for indie makers and small teams wanting to ship products faster
  • Likely offers templates, tools, or resources to reduce setup time for new projects
  • May provide a community or ecosystem for makers to learn and share resources
  • Could offer competitive pricing compared to building custom solutions from scratch

Recommended for

  • Indie hackers launching MVPs quickly
  • Solo founders with limited technical resources
  • Small startups looking to validate ideas before heavy investment
  • Makers seeking pre-built templates or boilerplate solutions

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
MakerStack 0 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

No MakerStack videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

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
MakerStack
100% 100%
Blogging
0% 0%
0% 0%
Software Directory
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Software Recommendations
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Substack and MakerStack. 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
MakerStack no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of MakerStack yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 109 mentions
MakerStack 0 mentions

View more

Tracking MakerStack since Mar 2026.

Alternatives to Substack and MakerStack

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