Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Strava

Compare Substack VS Strava 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
Strava

The #1 app for runners and cyclists

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 Strava. It has been mentioned 113 times since March 2021.

social mentions
113 vs 21
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Strava
Website substack.com strava.com
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States · 250 - 499 employees · 2009
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Strava 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.
  • Community Engagement
    Strava offers a strong community aspect where users can join clubs, partake in challenges, and interact with friends, fostering motivation and camaraderie.
  • Detailed Analytics
    The platform provides in-depth analytics and statistics about your workouts, including pace, distance, elevation, and heart rate, which can help users track progress effectively.
  • Route Discovery
    Strava enables users to discover new routes and explore different paths through its route-building and heatmap features, enhancing the outdoor exercise experience.
  • Third-Party Integrations
    It offers seamless integration with various devices and apps such as Garmin, Fitbit, and Apple Health, allowing for easy data synchronization across platforms.
  • Segment Competition
    Strava features segments on routes where users can compete for the fastest time, which adds a competitive element and can be highly motivating.

Possible disadvantages

  • Privacy Concerns
    Strava has faced issues regarding user privacy, as detailed workout data can sometimes inadvertently reveal sensitive information about users’ habits and locations.
  • Subscription Cost
    Many of Strava’s more advanced features and analytics require a paid subscription, which can be a deterrent for some users who prefer free services.
  • Overemphasis on Performance
    The platform’s competitive nature and extensive data tracking can sometimes place too much focus on performance metrics, potentially leading to stress or burnout.
  • Cluttered Interface
    Some users feel that the Strava app interface can be cluttered and overwhelming, making it harder to navigate and find specific features or information.
  • Battery Drain
    Using Strava to track long workouts can be taxing on a smartphone’s battery life, which might be a concern for users engaging in extended outdoor activities.

Analysis

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

Substack
Strava

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

  • Overall, Strava is considered a beneficial tool for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who are seeking to track their performance and engage with a like-minded community. With its robust features and user-friendly design, it is well-suited to both casual exercisers and serious athletes.

Why this product is good

  • Strava is widely regarded as a good platform for several reasons. It offers an intuitive interface for tracking and analyzing a wide range of physical activities, primarily running and cycling. The platform provides detailed metrics and analytics that help users understand their performance and progress over time. Strava also has a strong community aspect, allowing users to connect with friends, join clubs, participate in challenges, and share their activities with a global community. Additionally, the ability to create and find new routes further enhances its utility for athletes looking to explore new training grounds.

Recommended for

  • Runners who want to track their distances, pace, and performance over time.
  • Cyclists looking to analyze their rides and connect with other cyclists.
  • Fitness enthusiasts who appreciate social engagement and community challenges.
  • Individuals interested in discovering new routes and challenges.
  • Athletes who want to integrate their training data with other fitness apps or devices.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Strava 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

Getting Started with Strava - Top 5 Features

More videos

  • - What Is Strava Summit? The Top Features Explained
  • - Beginners Guide - What Is STRAVA And How To Use It? Basic Features.

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
Strava
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 Strava. 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
Strava no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 113 mentions
Strava 21 mentions
  • How to Get Substack Newsletter Data: Posts, Comments and Subscriber Counts
    a profile link: https://substack.com/@noahpinion. - Source: dev.to / about 4 hours ago
  • 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 / 3 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 / 23 days ago

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  • F45 Broke My Beloved Strava Integration So I Wrote My Own
    I've been going to F45 for over a year now, and it has completely changed my workout routine. I go almost every day, and I love it. I also love data and tracking my progression, so when they announced a Strava integration in 2024, I was... - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • What is up with my estimated best efforts?
    Just go to strava.com (it can't be done from the app), go to the run, and click "correct distance". Source: over 3 years ago
  • Uploaded activity does not show up on my "My Activities" list
    I downloaded the data for this one ride from Garmin Connect and uploaded it to Strava via the "Upload Activity" page on strava.com. The upload seemed to go just fine, but the ride STILL doesn't show up on my Strava dashboard. Source: over 3 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Strava

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

  • Ghost

    Ghost is a fully open source, adaptable platform for building and running a modern online publication. We power blogs, magazines and journalists from Zappos to Sky News.

    Compare Ghost to Substack or Strava:

  • MyFitnessPal

    Track the number of calories that you consume each day with MyFitnessPal. The app also lets you create a diet and track the exercise that you complete each day whether it's walking, running or some other type of program.

    Compare MyFitnessPal to Substack or Strava:

  • Medium

    Welcome to Medium, a place to read, write, and interact with the stories that matter most to you.

    Compare Medium to Substack or Strava:

  • Runtastic

    Runtastic offers a series of fitness apps that can be used to track your running, walking, hiking, and cycling, as well as many other fitness routines. Read more about Runtastic.

    Compare Runtastic to Substack or Strava:

  • beehiiv

    beehiiv empowers people to create, monetize, and grow by providing the most powerful and robust newsletter platform, holistically under one roof.

    Compare beehiiv to Substack or Strava:

  • RunKeeper

    Join the community of over 45 million runners who make every run amazing with Runkeeper. Track your workouts and reach your fitness goals!

    Compare RunKeeper to Substack or Strava: