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Substack VS TinyLetter

Compare Substack VS TinyLetter 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
Alternatives Is it good?
TinyLetter

Start writing your own newsletter instantly.

Rating
0 reviews
Alternatives Is it good?
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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 a lot more popular than TinyLetter. While we know about 109 links to Substack, we've tracked only 8 mentions of TinyLetter.

social mentions
109 vs 8
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 237

Base details

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

Substack
TinyLetter
Website substack.com tinyletter.com
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in
Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1
Email Marketing Newsletter Marketing Email Marketing Platforms Email Newsletters +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
TinyLetter 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.
  • Simplicity
    TinyLetter is very user-friendly and simple to use, making it ideal for beginners who are new to email marketing.
  • Free Service
    TinyLetter is free to use, which makes it an attractive option for individuals or small businesses that have a limited budget.
  • Personal Touch
    The platform allows for a more personal approach to email marketing, as it focuses on direct communication and has a more intimate feel.
  • No Ads
    Emails sent through TinyLetter are free of advertisements, providing a cleaner and more professional appearance.
  • Owned by Mailchimp
    Being owned by Mailchimp offers a guarantee of reliability and a quality backend infrastructure to handle email distributions.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Features
    TinyLetter lacks advanced features such as segmenting, automation, detailed analytics, and advanced integrations, which are available in other email marketing tools.
  • Basic Design Options
    TinyLetter provides limited design customization options, which might not be sufficient for users looking to create highly branded emails.
  • Subscriber Limit
    The service is not suitable for larger email lists as it primarily supports smaller subscriber bases—typically around 5,000 subscribers.
  • No A/B Testing
    TinyLetter does not offer A/B testing capabilities, which can be a significant drawback for those who wish to optimize their email content and send times.
  • No Phone Support
    Customer support is limited to email and articles, with no phone support available, which could be challenging for those needing immediate assistance.

Analysis

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

Substack
TinyLetter

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

  • If you are looking for a basic, no-frills email newsletter service and have a relatively small subscriber list, TinyLetter is a good option. Its simplicity and focus on content without unnecessary features make it an attractive choice for personal newsletters or small projects.

Why this product is good

  • TinyLetter is considered good because it offers a simple, user-friendly platform for sending newsletters. It is particularly favored for its minimalistic design and straightforward functionality, which makes it easy for users without technical expertise to create and share content with their subscribers. The platform is free to use, which is appealing for users who are just starting out or have modest needs.

Recommended for

  • Individuals or small organizations with a simple newsletter need
  • Users who prioritize ease of use and minimal setup
  • Content creators wanting a direct and personal touch with subscribers
  • People who prefer a free service for smaller-scale email campaigns

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
TinyLetter 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

REVIEW. Tinyletter (by Mailchimp)

More videos

  • - TinyLetter Review
  • - TinyLetter Tutorial Blog

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
TinyLetter
100% 100%
Blogging
0% 0%
0% 0%
Email Marketing
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Newsletter Marketing
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Substack and TinyLetter. 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
TinyLetter no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 109 mentions
TinyLetter 8 mentions

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  • Moving Away from Substack
    Https://tinyletter.com has worked well for me. - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • How I built ✨tinynews.ai a Bespoke Email Newsletter Service
    For those of you old enough to remember tinyletter.com, it was an extremely simplified newsletter creation tool that was eventually acquired by Mailchimp. I really appreciated the pure design and focus of this previous company that I... Source: over 3 years ago
  • Self-hosted newsletter tech stack for $0-7/mo
    Tinyletter - I only heard about this source later on, so it wasn’t relevant, but I might’ve used it (note: it is part of Mailchimp). - Source: dev.to / over 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and TinyLetter

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

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