Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS StackEdit

Compare Substack VS StackEdit 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
StackEdit

Full-featured, open-source Markdown editor based on PageDown, the Markdown library used by Stack Overflow and the other Stack Exchange sites.

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?

Based on our record, Substack should be more popular than StackEdit. It has been mentioned 111 times since March 2021.

social mentions
111 vs 52
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
StackEdit
Website substack.com stackedit.io
Pricing —
Open source
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
StackEdit 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.
  • Markdown Support
    StackEdit offers robust support for Markdown, allowing for efficient and straightforward text formatting and editing.
  • Offline Access
    Users can work on their documents offline, making it convenient for use in areas with limited or no internet connectivity.
  • Synchronization
    StackEdit can be synchronized with various cloud storage services like Google Drive and Dropbox, enabling easy access and backup.
  • Collaboration
    The platform supports real-time collaboration, which is useful for teams working on a document simultaneously.
  • Integrated Editor
    It includes a feature-rich Markdown editor with a live preview, which helps users see the formatted version of their text as they type.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Users unfamiliar with Markdown may find it initially challenging to use all of StackEdit's features effectively.
  • Limited Export Options
    While it does support exporting to HTML, PDF, and a few other formats, the export options may be limited compared to other markdown editors.
  • Performance
    Some users might experience performance issues with large documents or when using the application for extended periods.
  • Requires Signup for Full Features
    To access all features, such as cloud synchronization and import/export options, users need to sign up for an account.
  • Dependency on Internet for Sync
    While offline editing is a plus, syncing documents still requires an internet connection, which may be inconvenient for some users.

Analysis

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

Substack
StackEdit

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

  • StackEdit is generally considered a good tool for those who need a reliable markdown editor with advanced features, especially for users who value cloud integration and offline functionality.

Why this product is good

  • StackEdit is a versatile, in-browser markdown editor that offers a variety of features, such as real-time collaboration, seamless synchronization with cloud services like Google Drive and Dropbox, and offline editing capabilities. It supports a wide range of markdown variations and extensions, making it suitable for different types of documentation and note-taking needs.

Recommended for

    StackEdit is highly recommended for writers, bloggers, developers, and students who frequently work with markdown files and need a powerful editor that can integrate with cloud storage services while providing collaboration features.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
StackEdit 2 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

StackEdit - Write Markdown on Google Drive

More videos

  • - StackEdit éditeur puissant de Markdown en ligne 💪

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
StackEdit
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 StackEdit. 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
StackEdit no reviews yet

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

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 111 mentions
StackEdit 52 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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  • Show HN: MarkNote – Local-First Wysiwyg Markdown Editor (Tauri/Rust)
    - Not sure if I want auto-save (see above) This is another local-first editor I would prefer using (no install required): https://stackedit.io --- I also prefer installing via brew. Otherwise macOS doesn't allow you to run the app... - Source: Hacker News / 8 months ago
  • If it is worth keeping, save it in Markdown
    Https://daringfireball.net/projects/markdown/syntax#philosophy "Markdown-formatted document should be publishable as-is, as plain text, without looking like it’s been marked up with tags or formatting instructions." Any text editor... - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • 100+ Must-Have Web Development Resources
    StackEdit: An open-source, free Markdown editor based on PageDown. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and StackEdit

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