Software Alternatives & Startups

Whatnot VS Substack

Compare Whatnot VS Substack and see what are their differences

Whatnot

The safest place to buy & sell collectibles

Rating
0 reviews
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, Substack seems to be a lot more popular than Whatnot. While we know about 112 links to Substack, we've tracked only 4 mentions of Whatnot.

social mentions
4 vs 112
Online Marketplace popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
131 vs 240+

Base details

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

Whatnot
Substack
Website whatnot.com substack.com
Company — Startup from the United States
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Whatnot 5 features
Substack 6 features
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Whatnot offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy for users to navigate the platform and engage in live auctions seamlessly.
  • Live Auction Features
    Whatnot provides a live auction platform that allows for real-time bidding and selling, enhancing the buying and selling experience for both parties.
  • Community Engagement
    The platform fosters a sense of community through interactive live streams, enabling sellers and buyers to connect and build relationships.
  • Diverse Product Categories
    Whatnot supports a wide range of product categories, from collectibles to fashion items, offering something for various interests.
  • Safety and Security
    Whatnot has measures in place to ensure safe transactions and protect user data, enhancing trust in the platform.

Possible disadvantages

  • Limited Seller Tools
    Some sellers might find Whatnot's tools limited compared to other e-commerce platforms, potentially impacting their selling experience.
  • Niche Market Focus
    Whatnot's focus on collectibles and niche markets may not appeal to users looking for a broader range of products.
  • Variable Auction Success
    The success of live auctions can be variable, with some items attracting less interest and lower bids than anticipated.
  • Competitive Fees
    The platform charges competitive fees for listing and selling items, which might be a concern for some sellers looking to maximize their earnings.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    Since Whatnot is an online platform, both sellers and buyers are heavily dependent on a stable internet connection for optimal experience.
  • 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.

Whatnot
Substack

No analysis of Whatnot yet.

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.

Whatnot 3 videos + Add
Substack 5 videos + Add

Whatnot Review: What Not To Do.

More videos

  • - What is Whatnot?
  • - This is Why I QUIT Whatnot!!

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
Whatnot
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 Whatnot 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.

Whatnot no reviews yet
Substack no reviews yet

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

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Social recommendations and mentions

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

Whatnot 4 mentions
Substack 112 mentions
  • Marvel returns to NYCC with a bang!
    Livestream shopping platform Whatnot is giving one lucky fan the opportunity to be in a custom one-shot comic featuring the Avengers. Fans can enter the Whatnot sweepstakes for the opportunity to win between now and 10/15 by downloading... Source: about 3 years ago
  • Trying something a bit different - mods please remove if this breaks the rules.
    I'm hiring someone to run streetwear for Whatnot. We're a live shopping platform (think ebay meets twitch) and we're about to make a serious investment in launching streetwear. I'd really like to hire someone from inside the community,... Source: over 4 years ago
  • Are trading card games still games?
    I've been seeing the collector's craze in sports cards right alongside pokemon and others. For example https://whatnot.com/. Source: over 4 years ago

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  • Ask HN: What are you working on? (November 2026)
    A free comedy newsletter that has nothing to do with technology yet mentions it from time to time. https://substack.com/@yelluwcomedy. - Source: Hacker News / 3 days ago
  • 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 / 22 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 / 24 days ago

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Alternatives to Whatnot and Substack

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