Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Mercari

Compare Substack VS Mercari 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
Mercari

Mercari provides a hassle-free and secure way for anyone to buy and sell stuff straight from their mobile device. We provide a buyer protection guarantee so you can buy in confidence. About UsFurther Information.

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 Mercari. It has been mentioned 112 times since March 2021.

social mentions
112 vs 19
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 215

Base details

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

Substack
Mercari
Website substack.com mercari.com
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Mercari 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.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Mercari provides a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to list and purchase items quickly.
  • Wide Variety of Items
    Mercari offers a diverse range of products ranging from clothing to electronics, giving buyers plenty of options.
  • Simple Listing Process
    Sellers can list items using a straightforward process, including taking photos, writing descriptions, and setting prices.
  • No Listing Fees
    Mercari does not charge sellers to list an item, making it cost-effective to post multiple items.
  • Buyer Protection
    Mercari offers protection for buyers through their in-app communication and secure payment system, reducing the risk of scams.

Possible disadvantages

  • Seller Fees
    While there are no listing fees, Mercari charges a 10% seller fee on each completed sale, which can add up.
  • Shipping Costs
    Shipping is an additional cost that buyers and sellers must consider, and it can sometimes be expensive depending on the item’s size and weight.
  • Frequent Scams and Fraud
    Despite security measures, some users have experienced scams and fraudulent activity on the platform.
  • Customer Service Issues
    Some users have reported difficulties in getting timely responses and resolutions from Mercari's customer service.
  • Competition Among Sellers
    There is high competition among sellers, which can make it harder for new sellers to establish themselves and make sales.

Analysis

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

Substack
Mercari

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 Mercari yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Mercari 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

MERCARI REVIEW| PROS AND CONS

More videos

  • - Before You Start Selling On Mercari Watch This
  • - Mercari Tutorial: How To Sell Fast On Mercari (2020 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
Mercari
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 Mercari. 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
Mercari no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 112 mentions
Mercari 19 mentions
  • Ask HN: What are you working on? (November 2026)
    A free comedy newsletter that has nothing to do with technology yet mentions it from time to time. https://substack.com/@yelluwcomedy. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • 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 / 22 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 / 25 days ago

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  • Re: like Enell but cheaper? Or a Canadian source?
    Second-hand sites like poshmark.com, vinted.com, mercari.com, ebay.com, bratabase.com/listings, r/braswap, I even bought a NWT Panache Wired Sports bra for $20 off Facebook marketplace! LOL. Obvi, you can still find NWT from second-hand... Source: over 3 years ago
  • reasonable priced swimwear and bras?
    The final sale stuff on Breakout Bras website is best prices I've found for the U.S. (outside of second-hand sites like poshmark.com, ebay.com vinted.com, mercari.com, the usual suspects. You can still find NWT stuff on these sites. I... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Podcasters promoting hobby lobby
    I have also bought a lot of yarn on Mercari Lots of hand dyed yarn, name brands from individuals de-stash, estates. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Mercari

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

  • Ghost

    Ghost is a fully open source, adaptable platform for building and running a modern online publication. We power blogs, magazines and journalists from Zappos to Sky News.

    Compare Ghost to Substack or Mercari:

  • eBay

    Buy and sell electronics, cars, fashion apparel, collectibles, sporting goods, digital cameras, baby items, coupons, and everything else on eBay, the world's online marketplace

    Compare eBay to Substack or Mercari:

  • Medium

    Welcome to Medium, a place to read, write, and interact with the stories that matter most to you.

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  • Etsy

    Buy and sell handmade or vintage items, art and supplies on Etsy, the worlds most vibrant handmade...

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  • beehiiv

    beehiiv empowers people to create, monetize, and grow by providing the most powerful and robust newsletter platform, holistically under one roof.

    Compare beehiiv to Substack or Mercari:

  • Poshmark

    Poshmark is the #1 place to buy and sell fashion. Shop millions of closets–and sell yours too!

    Compare Poshmark to Substack or Mercari: