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Substack VS Pilot

Compare Substack VS Pilot 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?
Pilot

Focus on your business, knowing that our expert bookkeepers, aided by software superpowers, are taking care of your books.

Rating
5.0 · 1 review
Alternatives Is it good?
Finblick
Salesforce-native accounting software for quotes, invoices, e-invoices (XRechnung, ZUGFeRD), DATEV integration, bank sync, and SEPA payments – no external tools needed. 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 a lot more popular than Pilot. While we know about 108 links to Substack, we've tracked only 9 mentions of Pilot.

social mentions
108 vs 9
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Pilot
Website substack.com pilot.com
Pricing —
Official pricing
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States · 100 - 249 employees · 2016
Listed in
Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1
Accounting Bookkeeping Accounting & Finance Office & Productivity +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Pilot 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.
  • Comprehensive Bookkeeping
    Pilot offers comprehensive bookkeeping services managed by a team of experts, making it suitable for businesses that require accurate and up-to-date financial records.
  • Scalability
    The service can scale with your business as it grows, offering a flexible solution for startups and expanding companies alike.
  • Tax Services
    Pilot also provides tax preparation and advisory services, which helps to streamline financial management and tax compliance.
  • Integration with Tools
    Pilot integrates seamlessly with a variety of business tools like QuickBooks, Gusto, Stripe, and more, ensuring a unified financial ecosystem.
  • Dedicated Support
    Each client has a dedicated account manager for personalized support, ensuring specialized attention to each business’s financial needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    Pilot's services can be pricey, particularly for smaller businesses or startups operating on tight budgets.
  • Complexity of Setup
    Initial setup can be complicated and may require significant time and effort to fully integrate Pilot with existing business systems.
  • Limited Customization
    The services may not offer the level of customization some businesses require, as they follow standardized procedures.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Software
    Pilot relies heavily on connecting with third-party software, which might be limiting or problematic if you use niche or specialized tools.
  • Potential Over-Reliance
    Businesses might become overly reliant on Pilot's services, potentially neglecting internal financial expertise and controls.

Analysis

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

Substack
Pilot

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

  • Pilot is generally considered a good choice for startups and growing businesses that need reliable financial services without the overhead of building an in-house finance team. Their focus on transparency, use of advanced technology, and startup-friendly approach make them a suitable partner for many young companies.

Why this product is good

  • Pilot (pilot.com) is a financial services firm that specializes in providing bookkeeping, tax, and CFO services primarily for startups and small businesses. Their services are appreciated for being tech-enabled, efficient, and tailored to the specific needs of fast-growing companies. By leveraging technology to automate routine tasks, Pilot aims to provide more accurate and timely financial data. This approach helps businesses make informed decisions based on up-to-date financial insights.

Recommended for

  • Startups looking to outsource their bookkeeping and financial needs.
  • Small to medium-sized businesses in need of CFO services.
  • Tech-savvy companies that value data-driven insights and automated solutions.
  • Businesses seeking to streamline their financial operations without the complexities of traditional accounting firms.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Pilot 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 Pilot 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
Pilot
100% 100%
Blogging
0% 0%
0% 0%
Accounting
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Bookkeeping
100% 100%

User comments

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

View more

  • it is a good accounting software
    SaaSHub review
    · Mar 2025

    Smart Accounting for Growing Business is a user-friendly and efficient accounting solution designed to streamline financial management for expanding businesses. It offers features like automated bookkeeping, expense...

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 108 mentions
Pilot 9 mentions
  • Effective Altruism Conquered the World
    Https://substack.com/@gurwinder/posts. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (October 2026)
    Substack: https://substack.com/@friedkielbasa. - Source: Hacker News / 6 days ago
  • Sync any blog via API to Substack in one-click
    Name Type Required Description Cookie String Yes Substack.sid= (browser session cookie) Accept String Yes Application/json Origin String Yes Publication origin, e.g.... - Source: dev.to / 9 days ago

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  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (October 2024)
    Pilot.com | San Francisco | Senior Software Engineers, Staff Software Engineers, Engineering Managers | https://pilot.com | Hybrid/SF & Remote Pilot runs your business’s financial back office so you don’t have to: our aim is to provide... - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (April 2024)
    * Senior Software Engineer, Infrastructure ( All of our teams have unique charters to collectively build the software, services and systems that enable Pilot to deliver a high-quality experience, profitably, at scale. From the Banking... - Source: Hacker News / over 2 years ago
  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (December 2023)
    Pilot (https://pilot.com/) | Full-time | Onsite (SF) | Sr Software Engineer (Backend or Full-Stack) Pilot is a Series-C funded, 7-year-old successful startup that partners with other companies to run their financial back office. We let... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Pilot

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

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