Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS SheetBest

Compare Substack VS SheetBest 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
SheetBest

Turn a Google SpreadSheet into a JSON Database API

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 a lot more popular than SheetBest. While we know about 110 links to Substack, we've tracked only 3 mentions of SheetBest.

social mentions
110 vs 3
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 141

Base details

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

Substack
SheetBest
Website substack.com sheetbest.com
Pricing —
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
SheetBest 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.
  • Ease of Use
    SheetBest provides a simple and intuitive interface to convert Google Sheets into APIs, making it accessible for users with minimal technical knowledge.
  • No-Code Solution
    It enables non-developers to create APIs without having to write any code, which can save time and reduce complexity.
  • Speed of Setup
    Allows for rapid deployment of APIs from Google Sheets, enabling quicker integration and faster project delivery.
  • Cost-Effective
    Offers a cost-effective solution for small to medium-sized projects that might not need a full-fledged backend.
  • Customization Options
    Provides options to customize the API endpoints based on specific needs, offering flexibility in data handling.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Functionality
    While it covers basic needs, it might lack advanced features and capabilities compared to full-fledged API management tools and services.
  • Performance
    Performance might be limited by the constraints of Google Sheets as a data source, potentially impacting scalability.
  • Data Sensitivity
    Using Google Sheets as a backend for sensitive data could raise security and compliance concerns, as Sheets are not designed to be a secure database.
  • Dependency on Google Sheets
    Relies heavily on Google Sheets, so any issues or limitations with Sheets (such as API rate limits) directly affect the service.
  • Not Suitable for Complex Applications
    May not be adequate for complex applications that require robust data manipulation, high concurrency, or extensive relational data operations.

Analysis

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

Substack
SheetBest

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

  • SheetBest is a good choice for developers and non-developers alike who are looking for a quick and uncomplicated way to turn spreadsheets into RESTful APIs. It is particularly useful for small projects or prototyping, where a full-fledged database might be overkill.

Why this product is good

  • SheetBest is a tool that simplifies the process of using Google Sheets as a makeshift database. It allows users to easily convert Google Sheets into JSON API endpoints without requiring complex setup, making data accessible and manipulable programmatically.

Recommended for

  • Developers seeking a simple database solution for web or mobile apps.
  • Anyone looking for an easy way to expose spreadsheet data as an API.
  • Small businesses or startups that need lightweight data management solutions.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
SheetBest 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 SheetBest 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
SheetBest
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 SheetBest. 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
SheetBest no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 110 mentions
SheetBest 3 mentions
  • 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 / 1 day 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 / 12 days ago
  • Effective Altruism Conquered the World
    Https://substack.com/@gurwinder/posts. - Source: Hacker News / 15 days ago

View more

  • Google sheets API.
    Have you considered using a tool to turn your Spreadsheet into API like restsheet.com, sheet2api.com, sheetson.com, or sheet.best? Source: over 3 years ago
  • How to add data to Google sheet with help of API?
    Use a paid wrapper like sheet.best or sheety.co. Much easier and robust from my experience and the free plans might be enough anyways. Source: almost 5 years ago
  • How to Turn Google Sheets into a REST API and Use it with a React Application
    // Submit Handler Function SubmitHandler = e => { e.preventDefault(); console.log(this.state); http://axios.post('https://sheet.best/api/sheets/a6e67deb-2f00-43c3-89d3-b331341d53ed', this.state) .then(response => { ... - Source: dev.to / almost 5 years ago

Alternatives to Substack and SheetBest

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