Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS MyPaint

Compare Substack VS MyPaint 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
MyPaint

MyPaint is a fast, distraction-free, and easy painting tool for digital artists.

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 a lot more popular than MyPaint. While we know about 112 links to Substack, we've tracked only 6 mentions of MyPaint.

social mentions
112 vs 6
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
MyPaint
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
MyPaint 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
    MyPaint is open-source software, which means it is free to use, and the source code is accessible for anyone to inspect, modify, and distribute. This fosters community contributions and continuous improvements.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    MyPaint is available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux. This makes it accessible to a broad range of users.
  • Unlimited Canvas
    MyPaint offers an unlimited digital canvas, allowing artists to work without worrying about running out of space, which is especially useful for creating large artworks.
  • Focus on Digital Painting
    The software is specifically designed for digital painting, featuring a minimalistic interface and an array of advanced brushes and tools that mimic real-world art media.
  • High Performance
    MyPaint is optimized for performance, capable of handling complex brushes and large canvases without significant lag, which is crucial for a smooth workflow.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Image Editing Features
    Unlike some other graphic design software, MyPaint lacks comprehensive image editing tools, focusing primarily on digital painting. This might necessitate using additional software for certain tasks.
  • Intermediate Learning Curve
    While MyPaint is powerful, new users might find it somewhat challenging to learn due to its unique workflow and extensive feature set, requiring time to become proficient.
  • Occasional Stability Issues
    As with many open-source projects, users may encounter occasional bugs or crashes, which can disrupt the creative process, though these are often addressed by the community.
  • Sparse Documentation
    The documentation and tutorials available for MyPaint can be limited compared to more widely adopted software, potentially making it harder for new users to find help.

Analysis

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

Substack
MyPaint

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

  • MyPaint is considered a good digital painting application, especially for artists looking for a cost-effective, feature-rich tool that supports a natural painting workflow.

Why this product is good

  • Features
    It offers a variety of features such as an infinite canvas, support for pressure-sensitive graphics tablets, and a wide range of brushes. It is designed for digital artists who prefer a more natural painting process.
  • Community
    With an active community, MyPaint regularly receives updates and improvements, providing users with new tools and features.
  • Lightweight
    MyPaint is known for being lightweight and fast, which allows it to run smoothly on most systems without requiring significant resources.
  • Open source
    MyPaint is an open-source project, which means it is freely available and can be modified to fit specific needs.

Recommended for

    {"beginners" => "Beginners who are new to digital art can benefit from MyPaint's intuitive interface and ease of use.", "digital_artists" => "Artists who enjoy brush-based painting techniques will find MyPaint particularly useful due to its customizable brush engine.", "budget_conscious_creators" => "Those who are looking for a free and versatile painting tool without the need to commit to subscription models or licenses."}

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
MyPaint 4 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

MyPaint Review - App Reviews

More videos

  • - MyPaint Review
  • - MyPaint Sketches+ FAQ! PAINTING PROGRAM, TABLET, GIRLS
  • - MyPaint 2.0.1 simple drawing and painting program that works well with Wacom-style graphics tablets.

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
MyPaint
100% 100%
0% 0%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Substack and MyPaint. 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
MyPaint 5.0 · 1 review

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  • Affinity Alternative
    skylum.com · Apr 2022

    Another software for the digital painters among you is MyPaint. It supports Wacom tablets as well as other devices. MyPaint gives you access to a variety of brushes to really give your art the look you want.

  • A real winner for graphic tablets !
    SaaSHub review
    · Jan 2020

    I use Mypaint since many years, for graphic palets worskhops with children , and I have just positive feelings about it. Many tools, rather easy to use, and great compatibility with my Wacom. Recommanded.

  • 68 Best Painting Apps and Softwares
    www.mavenart.com · May 2019

    MyPaint is the software designed by artist Martin Renold, as a way to help users take matters into their own hands when it comes to digital painting and sketching. MyPaint is a open-sourcece software that many...

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 112 mentions
MyPaint 6 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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Alternatives to Substack and MyPaint

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