Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Revolt.chat

Compare Substack VS Revolt.chat 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
Revolt.chat

Don't bother with chat apps that don't respect your privacy. Revolt is a brand new chat platform designed around you.

Rating
0 reviews
Pricing
Open source
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?

Substack might be a bit more popular than Revolt.chat. We know about 112 links to it since March 2021 and only 93 links to Revolt.chat.

social mentions
112 vs 93
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 75

Base details

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

Substack
Revolt.chat
Website substack.com revolt.chat
Pricing —
Open source
Company Startup from the United States Startup from Open Source
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Revolt.chat 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.
  • Privacy-Focused
    Revolt.chat emphasizes user privacy with features like end-to-end encryption, ensuring that user messages are secure and cannot be accessed by third parties.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source platform, Revolt.chat allows users and developers to inspect the code, contribute to its development, and ensure transparency in its operations.
  • Customization
    Users have the ability to customize the look and feel of the application to a greater extent than many other chat platforms, enhancing their personal user experience.
  • Community-Controlled
    Being community-focused, Revolt.chat allows users to have a say in the direction and features of the platform through community contributions and feedback.
  • No Ads
    Revolt.chat does not include advertisements, providing an uninterrupted and cleaner user experience compared to some other chat services.

Possible disadvantages

  • Smaller User Base
    Revolt.chat currently has a smaller user base compared to more established platforms like Discord and Slack, which may limit the number of available contacts and communities.
  • Limited Third-Party Integrations
    Revolt.chat does not yet support as many third-party integrations as some of its competitors, which can be a drawback for users who rely on these integrations for work or personal use.
  • Feature Maturity
    As a relatively new platform, some features may not be as mature or robust as those found in more established chat applications. Users may experience occasional bugs or missing functionality.
  • Learning Curve
    Users transitioning from other chat platforms might find a learning curve when adapting to Revolt.chat's unique interface and feature set.
  • Server Hosting Requirements
    If users choose to self-host the application, they must manage their own server infrastructure, which requires technical knowledge and resources.

Analysis

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

Substack
Revolt.chat

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

  • Revolt.chat is generally considered a good option for users seeking an open-source and privacy-oriented chat application. However, as with any platform, its suitability depends on individual needs. While it is praised for its transparency and customization options, it might not have the same level of polish or user-base as more established platforms like Discord or Slack. It can be an excellent choice for those who value these specific features over mainstream conveniences.

Why this product is good

  • Revolt.chat is a platform that aims to offer a more privacy-focused alternative to mainstream chat applications. It is designed to be open-source, highly customizable, and free from many of the restrictions that can be found on other platforms. Users who prioritize privacy, data security, and the ability to modify or self-host their chat environment may find Revolt.chat particularly appealing.

Recommended for

    Individuals and groups looking for a self-hosted chat solution, communities that prioritize open-source software, privacy advocates, and developers who appreciate the opportunity to contribute to or customize their chat platform.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Revolt.chat 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 Revolt.chat 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
Revolt.chat
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 Revolt.chat. 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
Revolt.chat 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
Revolt.chat 93 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 / 2 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 / 24 days ago

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  • Slack is extorting us with a $195k/yr bill increase
    I would recommend that people stop taking this kind of bait, especially as an organization. Discord is free for now but that's bound to change and you can't have any expectation of privacy there. In my eyes they're practically the poster... - Source: Hacker News / about 1 year ago
  • Path to a free self-taught education in Computer Science
    I like Matrix but unfortunately it has major stability issues. The GrapheneOS project moved most of their chat over to Discord after their Matrix community got nuked twice. They still maintain a Matrix community which is bridged to their... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Mark Zuckerberg Says Social Media Is Over
    Really makes you wonder if/when Discord goes IPO, that Meta would buy a controlling stake in it? Fortunately there are open source alternatives even if they aren't as popular as Discord at the moment, such as Revolt Chat:... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Revolt.chat

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