Software Alternatives & Startups

Udemy VS Substack

Compare Udemy VS Substack and see what are their differences

Udemy

Online Courses - Learn Anything, On Your Schedule

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
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, Udemy should be more popular than Substack. It has been mentioned 264 times since March 2021.

social mentions
264 vs 111
Education popularity
100% vs 0%

Base details

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

Udemy
Substack
Website udemy.com substack.com
Company Startup from the United States · 2010 Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Udemy 1 feature
Substack 6 features
  • Headquarters
    San Francisco, CA
  • 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.

Analysis

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

Udemy
Substack

Overall verdict

  • Udemy is generally considered a good platform for casual learners and professionals looking to gain new skills or knowledge at their own pace. However, course quality can vary since anyone can create a course, so it's important to read reviews and check instructor credentials before enrolling.

Why this product is good

  • Udemy offers a wide range of courses across various subjects at affordable prices. It provides lifetime access to purchased courses, allowing for flexible learning. The platform includes features like progress tracking, quizzes, and certificates of completion. Many courses are taught by industry professionals, providing practical and up-to-date knowledge.

Recommended for

  • Individuals seeking affordable and diverse educational opportunities
  • Professionals looking to learn new skills or upgrade existing ones
  • Students who need supplementary material for their studies
  • Hobbyists interested in exploring new topics

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

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Udemy 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Are Udemy Courses Worth It?

More videos

  • - Udemy Scam! Watch Before You Make A Udemy Course
  • - Udemy Review 2018

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

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
Udemy
Substack
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
CMS
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Udemy and Substack. 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.

Udemy 5.0 · 1 review
Substack no reviews yet

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Udemy 264 mentions
Substack 111 mentions
  • AI and the Full Stack Developer in 2025
    Enroll in online courses, attend workshops, and participate in hackathons to stay updated on AI advancements. Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Kaggle offer excellent resources. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • Day 1: Introduction to Terraform and Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
    Exploring Infrastructure as Code (IaC) We also had a coupon code reducing the price of a course on Terraform on Udemy by Bryan Krausen and Gabe Maentz on Udemy, I gained insights into the core concepts of Infrastructure as Code. The key... - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago
  • 🏅 Valuable IT Certificates And How To Achieve Them 🏆
    Affordable Options: Udemy often runs sales, making their AWS courses available for under $20. Other affordable platforms include Tutorials Dojo and Whizlabs, which have practice exams and simulations for around $10-$30. - Source: dev.to / almost 2 years ago

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  • 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 Udemy and Substack

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

  • Coursera

    Build skills with courses, certificates, and degrees online from world-class universities and companies

    Compare Coursera to Udemy or Substack:

  • 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 Udemy or Substack:

  • Khan Academy

    Khan Academy offers online tools to help students learn about a variety of important school subjects. Tools include videos, practice exercises, and materials for instructors. Read more about Khan Academy.

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  • Medium

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

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  • Pluralsight

    Pluralsight is a learning management system (LMS) that helps aspiring tech professionals learn the basics of the trade and lets established professionals expand their skill sets.

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  • 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 Udemy or Substack: