Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Molly

Compare Substack VS Molly 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
Molly

Change your new tab page, to an informal and great looking page.

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 seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 113 times since March 2021.

social mentions
113 vs 0
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 137

Base details

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

Substack
Molly
Website substack.com github.com
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Molly 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.
  • Open Source
    Molly is open-source software, which allows for community contributions, transparency, and free use.
  • Customization
    Users can customize and extend the functionality of Molly to suit their specific needs and preferences.
  • Community Support
    Being an open-source project, users can benefit from community support including forums, documentation, and shared experiences.
  • Transparency
    The source code is available for review, allowing users to verify what the software is doing and ensure there are no hidden malicious activities.
  • No Cost
    As an open-source project, Molly can be used without any licensing fees, making it an affordable option for individuals and organizations.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Official Support
    Official support might be limited compared to commercial software, meaning users may need to rely more on community support.
  • Potential for Bugs
    Open-source projects can sometimes have more bugs or less polished user experiences due to the nature of volunteer contribution.
  • Setup Complexity
    Setting up and customizing Molly might require more technical knowledge and effort compared to some commercial alternatives.
  • Documentation Variability
    The quality and completeness of the documentation can vary, potentially making it harder for new users to get started.
  • Maintenance Responsibility
    Users are responsible for maintaining their own installations, including applying updates and patches, which can be time-consuming.

Analysis

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

Substack
Molly

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

  • Molly, an open-source project on GitHub, is generally considered a reliable and efficient tool for its intended purpose.

Why this product is good

  • Molly is appreciated for its user-friendly interface and robust performance. It is actively maintained, with regular updates and improvements based on community feedback. Its open-source nature allows for transparency, customization, and a dedicated community that contributes to its development.

Recommended for

    Molly is recommended for developers and teams looking for a stable and flexible solution in its particular domain. It's ideal for those who value an active community and contributions to open-source projects, as well as teams that need a customizable tool that can adapt to specific workflows.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Molly 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

Substance Review: Molly

More videos

  • - How to Do Molly - A Beginner's Guide to MDMA

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
Molly
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 Molly. 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
Molly no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 113 mentions
Molly 0 mentions
  • How to Get Substack Newsletter Data: Posts, Comments and Subscriber Counts
    a profile link: https://substack.com/@noahpinion. - Source: dev.to / about 21 hours ago
  • 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 / 4 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 / 23 days ago

View more

Tracking Molly since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Substack and Molly

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