Software Alternatives & Startups

Substack VS Todoist

Compare Substack VS Todoist 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
Todoist

Todoist is a to-do list that helps you get organized, at work and in life.

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?

Todoist might be a bit more popular than Substack. We know about 134 links to it since March 2021 and only 111 links to Substack.

social mentions
111 vs 134
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Substack
Todoist
Website substack.com todoist.com
Pricing —
Company Startup from the United States Startup from Poland
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
Todoist 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.
  • Cross-Platform Availability
    Todoist is available on multiple platforms, including web, iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows, ensuring that you can access your tasks from virtually any device.
  • Collaboration Features
    Allows users to share projects, assign tasks, and add comments, making it ideal for team collaboration.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Offers a clean and intuitive design that is easy to navigate, making task management straightforward.
  • Advanced Task Management
    Supports advanced features such as recurring tasks, labels, filters, and priorities, allowing for detailed and structured task organization.
  • Integration with Other Apps
    Integrates seamlessly with a variety of other productivity tools like Google Calendar, Slack, and Dropbox to enhance workflow.
  • Karma System
    Incorporates a gamification aspect where users earn points (Karma) for completing tasks, helping to boost motivation and productivity.
  • Offline Mode
    Offers offline access, allowing users to manage their tasks even without an internet connection.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Free Version
    The free version has limited features and storage, which might hinder full utilization for more complex task management.
  • Subscription Costs
    The premium and business plans can be relatively expensive compared to some alternatives, potentially being a barrier for budget-conscious users.
  • Steep Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic features are user-friendly, mastering the more advanced functions can take some time.
  • Lack of Native Time Tracking
    Todoist does not have built-in time tracking features, which might be a drawback for users looking to log the time spent on tasks.
  • Dependence on Third-Party Integrations
    Many advanced functionalities rely heavily on third-party integrations, which may require additional subscriptions and complicate the setup.
  • Notification Overload
    Users may find themselves overwhelmed with notifications, particularly in collaborative projects with many updates.

Analysis

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

Substack
Todoist

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

  • Todoist is a strong choice for individuals and teams looking for a reliable and user-friendly task management solution. Its blend of simplicity and powerful features provides a flexible environment that caters to both casual users and productivity enthusiasts.

Why this product is good

  • Todoist is considered a good task management tool by many users due to its intuitive design, cross-platform availability, and effective features such as task prioritization, project organization with labels and filters, and collaboration capabilities. It integrates well with various apps and services like Google Calendar, Slack, and Dropbox, enhancing its utility for personal productivity and team projects.

Recommended for

  • Individuals who want a simple yet effective task manager
  • Professionals who need to organize projects and collaborate with teams
  • Users seeking a cross-platform solution available on desktop, mobile, and web
  • People integrating productivity tools with other services like calendars and communication apps
  • Anyone looking to enhance their personal and work productivity systematically

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
Todoist 2 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

Todoist Productivity App Review

More videos

  • - Why I'm Back with Todoist

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
Todoist
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 Todoist. 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
Todoist 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
Todoist 134 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 / 13 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 / 15 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 / 25 days ago

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Alternatives to Substack and Todoist

When comparing Substack and Todoist, 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 Todoist:

  • Trello

    Infinitely flexible. Incredibly easy to use. Great mobile apps. It's free. Trello keeps track of everything, from the big picture to the minute details.

    Compare Trello to Substack or Todoist:

  • Medium

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

    Compare Medium to Substack or Todoist:

  • TickTick

    TickTickis a cross-platform to-do list app & task manager helps you to get all things done and make life well organized.

    Compare TickTick to Substack or Todoist:

  • 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 Todoist:

  • Asana

    Asana project management is an effort to re-imagine how we work together, through modern productivity software. Fast and versatile, Asana helps individuals and groups get more done.

    Compare Asana to Substack or Todoist: