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Substack VS WPMU DEV

Compare Substack VS WPMU DEV 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.

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0 reviews
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WPMU DEV

WPMU offers WordPress Plugins, WordPress Themes, WordPress Multisite and BuddyPress Plugins and Themes.

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0 reviews
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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 WPMU DEV. While we know about 109 links to Substack, we've tracked only 7 mentions of WPMU DEV.

social mentions
109 vs 7
Blogging popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 88

Base details

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

Substack
WPMU DEV
Website substack.com wpmudev.com
Pricing —
Official pricing
Company Startup from the United States —
Listed in
Creators Blogging Paid Newsletters CMS +1
WordPress Security & Privacy Productivity User Experience +1

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Substack 6 features
WPMU DEV 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.
  • Comprehensive Plugin Suite
    WPMU DEV provides a wide range of premium plugins that cover various aspects of website management, including SEO, security, performance optimization, and more. This can save users from having to purchase multiple separate plugins.
  • 24/7 Support
    Users have access to around-the-clock support from WordPress experts, which is extremely helpful for resolving issues quickly and effectively.
  • Managed Hosting
    WPMU DEV offers high-quality managed WordPress hosting that includes features like automated backups, security, and performance enhancements.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform is designed to be user-friendly, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced users. The dashboard is intuitive, and it simplifies the process of managing multiple WordPress sites.
  • Automatic Updates
    Plugins provided by WPMU DEV are regularly updated automatically, ensuring that users always have the latest features and security patches.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    The subscription fee can be relatively high compared to purchasing individual plugins elsewhere, which might be a concern for smaller businesses or individual site owners.
  • Overwhelming for Beginners
    The comprehensive nature of the platform can be overwhelming for beginners who may not need all the features provided. This could make the onboarding process longer and more complicated.
  • Limited Customization
    While the plugins and hosting solutions are robust, they may not be as customizable as some developers might like. Advanced users who require specific custom features might find the options limiting.
  • Dependency on Service
    Relying heavily on WPMU DEV means that if the service encounters issues or you decide to switch, migrating all your sites and dependencies can be challenging.

Analysis

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

Substack
WPMU DEV

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

  • WPMU DEV is a good choice for WordPress users who require a powerful all-in-one solution for their website management needs. Whether you are a developer, freelancer, or agency managing multiple sites, WPMU DEV provides robust functionality and excellent customer support.

Why this product is good

  • WPMU DEV is highly regarded for its comprehensive suite of WordPress tools, offering everything from hosting and site management to a variety of plugins. Users appreciate the reliable support, ease of use, and performance-enhancing features that help improve site speed and security. The platform is especially suited to those managing multiple WordPress sites, thanks to its streamlined dashboard and automated updates.

Recommended for

  • Web developers looking for a comprehensive suite of WordPress tools.
  • Agencies or freelancers managing multiple WordPress sites.
  • WordPress users seeking enhanced site performance and security features.
  • Individuals who value professional and responsive customer support.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Substack 5 videos + Add
WPMU DEV 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

WPMU Dev, Reviews and Having your Views Challenged

More videos

  • - SmartCrawl SEO Tool 2019 Review - Wordpress Plugin Walkthrough and Review WPMU Dev
  • - WPMU DEV Is Your All-In-One WordPress Platform

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
WPMU DEV
100% 100%
Blogging
0% 0%
0% 0%
Ad Servers
100% 100%
100% 100%
CMS
0% 0%
0% 0%
Ad Serving
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Substack and WPMU DEV. 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
WPMU DEV no reviews yet

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We have no reviews of WPMU DEV yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

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

Substack 109 mentions
WPMU DEV 7 mentions

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  • Cost effective SSO options for central management of users and 70+ sites
    Highly recommend https://wpmudev.com/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • New multilanguage web
    WPMUDEV is a plugin developer and hosting provider, you're probably thinking of WPML. Source: over 3 years ago
  • [Hiring Latin America] Support Superhero - PHP | CSS | MySQL | HTML | WordPress
    Stop dreaming about tomorrow; start making a difference today. Join our team at WPMU DEV and be the hero you’ve always known yourself to be! Source: over 4 years ago

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Alternatives to Substack and WPMU DEV

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

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