Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Sendy

Compare Substack VS Sendy 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
Sendy

Sendy is a self hosted newsletter app that sends emails 100x cheaper via Amazon SES

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 Sendy. It has been mentioned 111 times since March 2021.

social mentions
111 vs 45
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Sendy
Website substack.com sendy.co
Company Startup from the United States Startup from Singapore
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Sendy 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.
  • Cost-effective
    Sendy provides a cost-effective solution for email marketing by allowing users to send emails via Amazon SES, which is significantly cheaper than other email marketing services.
  • Self-hosted
    Since Sendy is a self-hosted application, users have full control over their data and server environment, providing better privacy and customizability.
  • High Deliverability
    By leveraging Amazon SES, Sendy offers high deliverability rates, ensuring that emails land in recipients' inboxes rather than spam folders.
  • One-time Payment
    Sendy requires a one-time payment for the license, making it a more affordable option in the long run compared to recurring subscription models.
  • Rich Features
    Sendy includes many features such as campaign tracking, list segmentation, autoresponders, and integration with other applications, making it a comprehensive email marketing solution.

Possible disadvantages

  • Technical Setup
    As a self-hosted application, setting up Sendy requires some technical knowledge and can be challenging for users who are not familiar with server management and configuration.
  • Limited Integrations
    Unlike cloud-based email marketing services, Sendy offers fewer integrations with other third-party applications and services, which may limit its usability for some users.
  • No Built-in Customer Support
    Sendy does not offer dedicated customer support; users must rely on the community forum and documentation for troubleshooting and assistance.
  • Dependence on AWS
    Sendy specifically relies on Amazon SES for email delivery. If AWS services experience downtime or issues, Sendy's email delivery could be affected.
  • Initial Cost
    While Sendy is generally cost-effective in the long term, the initial license purchase might be a barrier for individuals or small businesses with very limited budgets.

Analysis

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

Substack
Sendy

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

  • Sendy is a solid option for businesses looking to save on email marketing costs and have the capability to manage their own hosting. It offers a good balance of features and simplicity for those who can handle a little technical setup.

Why this product is good

  • Sendy is often praised for its cost-effectiveness and simplicity, especially for small to medium-sized businesses looking to manage email campaigns. It integrates with Amazon SES, allowing users to send bulk emails at a reduced cost. Users appreciate its straightforward interface, performance reports, and the ability to manage multiple brands under one account. However, it requires you to have your own hosting, which could be a limitation for some.

Recommended for

    Sendy is particularly recommended for small to medium-sized businesses that have a tech-savvy team capable of handling hosting requirements, as well as those who are looking for a low-cost solution to send bulk emails efficiently.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Sendy 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

Email Marketing With Sendy - Review & Tutorial

More videos

  • - Why I Decided To Get Rid Of Get Sendy.co & What I Use Now
  • - Sendy Review - Self Hosted Autoresponder, Affordable Alternative

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
Sendy
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 Sendy. 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
Sendy no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 111 mentions
Sendy 45 mentions
  • 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 / 11 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 / 13 days ago
  • Why Isn't the Industry Freaking Out About DeepSeek 4.1 Flash?
    Https://substack.com/@rubenafo/note/c-332218129?r=26y5kn&utm_source=notes-share-action&utm_medium=web. - Source: Hacker News / 23 days ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Sendy

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