Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS TechCrunch

Compare Substack VS TechCrunch 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
TechCrunch

TechCrunch is a web publication that offers technology news and analysis, as well as profiling of...

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

social mentions
111 vs 48
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 175

Base details

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

Substack
TechCrunch
Website substack.com techcrunch.com
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
TechCrunch 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.
  • Up-to-date News
    TechCrunch provides timely and current updates on the latest trends and developments in the technology industry, ensuring readers are always informed.
  • Industry Insight
    TechCrunch offers in-depth articles and analysis on technology topics, which help readers gain a deeper understanding of industry dynamics.
  • Start-up Focus
    TechCrunch focuses heavily on start-ups and emerging companies, providing valuable exposure and resources for new ventures in the tech space.
  • Event Coverage
    TechCrunch organizes and reports on key technology events and conferences, offering summaries and insights from major gatherings like TechCrunch Disrupt.
  • Multimedia Content
    The platform includes a variety of content formats such as articles, videos, podcasts, and live streams, catering to different audience preferences.

Possible disadvantages

  • Ad-heavy Layout
    TechCrunch's website can be cluttered with advertisements, which may detract from the user experience and make it difficult to focus on the content.
  • Subscription Model
    Certain content on TechCrunch is behind a paywall, requiring a subscription for full access, which might be a barrier for some users.
  • US-centric Content
    The majority of TechCrunch's coverage focuses on the American tech industry, which may limit the relevance for international readers.
  • Bias Toward Big Tech
    There can be a perceived bias towards larger tech companies and high-profile startups, potentially overshadowing smaller players and lesser-known innovations.
  • Comment Moderation
    The platform's comment sections are not always well-moderated, leading to a mix of high-quality discussions and low-value or off-topic comments.

Analysis

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

Substack
TechCrunch

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

  • Yes, TechCrunch is generally considered a reputable source for technology news.

Why this product is good

  • TechCrunch is a well-established technology news website known for its comprehensive coverage of the tech industry, startups, gadgets, and major tech events. It has a dedicated team of journalists and contributors who provide timely news, in-depth articles, and insightful analysis. The site is widely respected in the tech community and often features exclusive stories and interviews with industry leaders.

Recommended for

  • Tech enthusiasts looking for the latest news and trends
  • Entrepreneurs and startup founders
  • Investors looking for insights into tech startups
  • Professionals in the technology industry

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
TechCrunch 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

comma.ai’s openpilot test drive experience | TryTech | TechCrunch

More videos

  • - TechCrunch Reviews Pelican Backpacks
  • - Able Planet Headsets Review | TechCrunch At CES 2013

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
TechCrunch
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Substack no reviews yet
TechCrunch no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of TechCrunch 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
TechCrunch 48 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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  • Google has joined Amazon in attacking Nvidia's stronghold with AI app developers
    Source: Google has joined Amazon in attacking Nvidia's stronghold with AI app developers. - Source: dev.to / 10 days ago
  • Shopify WebMCP Checkout: The Intent/Authorization/Settlement Split, Live in Production
    The context: Amazon and Adidas are blocking agents from purchasing (TechCrunch, Sept 28 — "and Adidas, apparently!"). Shopify bet the opposite way. Muse and Instinct already have direct Shopify partnerships. The platform war for agentic... - Source: dev.to / 30 days ago
  • CopilotKit's $27M, Karpathy's skills repo, Vibedock — the week AI agents stopped being chatbots
    Seattle-based CopilotKit raised a $27M Series A led by Glilot Capital, NFX, and SignalFire (TechCrunch, 2026-05-05, techcrunch.com). Their AG-UI is an open protocol that standardizes how AI agents and UIs exchange streaming chat,... - Source: dev.to / 5 months ago

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Alternatives to Substack and TechCrunch

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