Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Tildes

Compare Substack VS Tildes 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
Tildes

A non-profit community site driven by its users' interests

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, Tildes should be more popular than Substack. It has been mentioned 246 times since March 2021.

social mentions
111 vs 246
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Tildes
Website substack.com tildes.net
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Tildes 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.
  • Privacy Focus
    Tildes is highly focused on user privacy, with no advertisements or trackers, enhancing user trust and experience.
  • Thoughtful Discussions
    The platform promotes in-depth and civil discussions, often attracting a quality audience interested in serious topics.
  • Non-Profit Model
    Being non-profit, Tildes is less driven by commercial interests, which often aligns the platform's goals with user benefits.
  • Transparent Moderation
    Moderation policies and actions are transparent, providing users with more clarity and trust in the management of the community.
  • User Control
    Users have more control over their content and interactions compared to many other social media platforms.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited User Base
    Tildes has a smaller user base compared to mainstream platforms, which can limit engagement and the diversity of viewpoints.
  • Niche Community
    The community might be niche and not cater to general or mainstream topics, making it less appealing to a broader audience.
  • Limited Features
    As a relatively new and developing platform, Tildes might lack some advanced features present in more established social media.
  • Less Entertainment Content
    The focus on thoughtful discussion means there is less entertainment or casual content, which might not attract those looking for light-hearted engagement.
  • Slower Growth
    The intentional slow growth strategy can mean fewer updates and slower improvements in platform capabilities and user base expansion.

Analysis

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

Substack
Tildes

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

  • Tildes can be considered a good platform for those looking for a more meaningful and distraction-free online discussion experience.

Why this product is good

  • Tildes is valued for its focus on deep, high-quality discussions and its commitment to user privacy. It has a small, tight-knit community that encourages thoughtful debate and exploration of topics without the clutter of ads or algorithms.

Recommended for

  • Individuals interested in sincere and in-depth discussions
  • Users who prioritize privacy and community over the typical social media experience
  • People who prefer an ad-free browsing environment

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Tildes 1 video + 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

How to Use Tildes (Accent Marks) in Spanish | The Language Tutor *Lesson 74*

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
Tildes
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 Tildes. 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
Tildes no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 111 mentions
Tildes 246 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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  • Old.reddit.com Gone
    May I introduce [tildes.net](https://tildes.net) Invite only, text based, smaller community, engaging discussions. And I guess hacker news and lobsters. Others can add more. (There was hesitation in adding this, you don’t want more... - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • Pixel 11 doesn't yet meet the GrapheneOS security standards and may be skipped
    This is just the Breaking Bad "He can't keep getting away with it" meme, for tech giants. Google has been ruling Android with an iron fist for over a decade, and they continue to do so. This came up in a different comment chain of mine... - Source: Hacker News / 26 days ago
  • Mullvad VPN co-founder donated ~500,000USD to Swedish far-right political party
    - https://tildes.net/~society/1ldg/proton_ceo_tweets_support_for_donald_trumps_department_of_justice_pick_and_the_us_republican_party. - Source: Hacker News / 4 months ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Tildes

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