Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Teachable

Compare Substack VS Teachable 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
Teachable

Create and sell beautiful online courses with the platform used by the best online entrepreneurs to sell $100m+ to over 4 million students worldwide.

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 more popular. It has been mentioned 105 times since March 2021.

social mentions
105 vs 0
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Teachable
Website substack.com teachable.com
Pricing
Company Startup from the United States Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Teachable 7 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
    Teachable offers a user-friendly interface that allows users to create and manage online courses without needing any technical knowledge.
  • Customization
    Teachable provides a variety of customization options for course creators to tailor the look and feel of their courses and sales pages.
  • Integrated Payment Processing
    Teachable simplifies the process of monetizing courses by offering integrated payment processing with support for multiple currencies.
  • Analytics and Reporting
    Users have access to comprehensive analytics and reporting tools to track student engagement, sales, and overall course performance.
  • Marketing Tools
    Teachable includes built-in marketing tools such as affiliate programs, coupon codes, and email marketing integrations to help creators promote their courses.
  • Security and Hosting
    Teachable handles the hosting and security of online courses, ensuring that content is protected and accessible to students 24/7.
  • Multiple Content Formats
    Users can incorporate various types of content into their courses, including videos, quizzes, assignments, and downloadable resources.

Possible disadvantages

  • Pricing
    Teachable's pricing plans can be expensive, especially for smaller course creators or those just starting out.
  • Transaction Fees
    Lower-tier plans come with transaction fees, which can cut into the earnings of course creators.
  • Limited Advanced Customization
    While Teachable offers some customization options, advanced users may find the customization capabilities limited compared to self-hosted platforms.
  • Email Support
    Customer support is primarily provided via email, which can result in slower response times compared to live chat or phone support.
  • Lack of Community Features
    Teachable does not offer robust community features, such as forums or social media-like interaction, which can enhance student engagement.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    Although the platform is user-friendly, some advanced features may have a steeper learning curve for users who are not tech-savvy.
  • Dependence on Platform
    Course creators are dependent on Teachable for hosting and managing their content, meaning any issues with the platform can affect their courses.

Analysis

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

Substack
Teachable

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, Teachable is a strong choice for individuals or businesses looking to create and sell online courses. It balances user-friendliness with powerful features, making it suitable for both beginners and more seasoned creators. While it may not be the best fit for everyone, particularly those seeking certain advanced e-learning functionalities like in-depth interactive elements, its overall offerings present high value.

Why this product is good

  • Teachable is considered a good platform for several reasons. It offers an easy-to-use interface that allows creators to launch their online courses without needing advanced technical skills. The platform provides robust features like customizable templates, marketing tools, course completion certificates, and flexible pricing options. Additionally, it integrates with third-party applications that enable creators to manage email marketing, analytics, and more effectively.

Recommended for

  • Instructors and educators looking to monetize their knowledge through online courses.
  • Entrepreneurs and businesses who want to expand their digital product offerings.
  • Coaches and consultants who wish to scale their services by offering self-paced learning options.
  • Individuals or organizations seeking a platform with comprehensive marketing and sales tools for online courses.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Teachable 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

Why I Love Using Teachable 🎓 Best Online Course Platform? (TEACHABLE REVIEW)

More videos

  • - Thinkific vs Teachable: Which is Course Builder is Better?
  • - 🦋Teachable Review Online Course Builder Honest Opinion

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
Teachable
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 Teachable. 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
Teachable no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 105 mentions
Teachable 0 mentions
  • Benchmarking Qwen3.8 27B quantizations: 4-bit holds up, 1-bit collapses
    For anyone that would like to see more quantizations tested, I can highly recommend paying a few bucks for oobabooga's testing, which is published on his Substack: https://substack.com/@oobabooga. - Source: Hacker News / 15 days ago
  • Discovery of a new OpenAI agent message board
    Reminds me of this meme: https://substack.com/@tomasbjartur/note/c-323840878?r=6cjtqn. - Source: Hacker News / 19 days ago
  • How accurate have Ed Zitron's AI skeptic predictions been?
    Valid criticisms of AI - safety critics who think AI can take over the world like Yud (I find this the least credible but still valid) - Bernie type of critics who think AI can cause widespread job losses - Ruxandra Teslo who thinks AI... - Source: Hacker News / 21 days ago

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Tracking Teachable since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Substack and Teachable

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