Substack vs WordPress: Which is Better for Publishers?

Choosing the right platform to showcase your work can be nerve wracking, as it can have significant impacts on your reach, monetization potential, and overall success.

Substack and WordPress are prominent contenders, with each offering advantages for different types of publishers. Substack, a relatively new player, has gained significant traction as a newsletter-centric platform, while WordPress, a veteran in the field, continues to be a versatile and powerful content management system.

This article provides a comprehensive comparison between Substack and WordPress, exploring key features and suitability for various types of publishers.

Substack overview

Substack, launched in 2017, has transformed how independent writers and journalists distribute content, offering a streamlined way to publish and monetize their work.

By focusing on email-first publishing, Substack removes the complexity of managing a standalone website and allows writers to build direct relationships with their readers. The platform has been particularly influential in the rise of subscription-based journalism, giving individuals an alternative to ad-driven revenue models.

With a growing ecosystem of writers, thought leaders, and niche content creators, Substack fosters a sense of community where audiences actively seek and support content that resonates with them.

Key features of Substack

Pricing model

Substack operates on a free-to-use model for publishers, with monetization through revenue sharing. Basically this means that there are no  upfront costs to start publishing, but Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue, and an additional 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for payment processing.

Target audience

Substack primarily appeals to individual writers and journalists, niche content creators, and writers seeking to monetize their content directly from readers. Broadly speaking, Substack is for those looking for a simple, all-in-one newsletter solution. 

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WordPress overview

WordPress, first released in 2003, has evolved from a simple blogging tool into the world’s most powerful content management system (CMS), powering over 40% of all websites. Its open-source codebase has driven an expansive ecosystem of themes, plugins, and third-party integrations, enabling users to build anything from personal blogs to enterprise-level digital experiences.

Unlike platform-restricted solutions, WordPress offers complete ownership and flexibility, allowing publishers to fine-tune their sites for SEO, audience engagement, and monetization.

Whether you’re a solo creator, a growing business, or a large media outlet, WordPress provides you with a reliable publishing framework that can scale and adapt to changing needs.

Key features of WordPress

Pricing model

WordPress offers more flexibility in terms of pricing and hosting options. Long story short, you get to decide where you host your site. It’s entirely possible to set up and run your own server, but this can be technically challenging, especially if you’re just looking for a way to publish content. 

Managed hosting, on the other hand, can be specifically tuned and optimized for WordPress, and often includes features like automatic backups, staging environments, and specialized WordPress support.

WP Engine offers managed hosting plans tailored to different needs, with features like daily backups, staging environments, automated SSL certificates, and 24/7 expert support. One advantage of this type of hosting is that it can scale with you as you increase your audience and reach. WP Engine’s plans start out with all of the essentials, and you can always add on eCommerce packages, increased security, and so forth, scaling all the way up to full enterprise solutions. 

In brief, managed hosting lets you focus on content creation and growing your audience, while experts handle the technical optimizations needed to make sure that audience can always access your content. 

Target audience

WordPress caters to a broader range of users than Substack:

• Individual bloggers and small businesses
• Large enterprises and eCommerce sites
• Web developers and agencies
• Publishers requiring complex, custom solutions
• Those who prioritize full control and ownership of their content and data

While Substack offers a streamlined solution for newsletter-focused publishers, WordPress provides a more robust and versatile platform that can grow with your publishing needs. Its extensive ecosystem of themes and plugins allows for greater customization and functionality, making it suitable for a wider range of publishing projects and business models.

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Substack pros and cons

Simplicity is one of Substack’s biggest draws. If you’re a writer who just wants to get your words out there without fussing with technical details, Substack’s got your back.. Plus, Substack has a neat discovery feature that can help new readers find your work, which is pretty cool if you’re just starting out. Monetization is simple as well. It essentially comes down to turning on the option. 

Substack has its downsides too. If you’re the type who likes to tinker with design and really make your space your own, you might feel a bit constrained. Substack’s customization options are pretty limited, so your publication might end up looking a lot like everyone else’s.

There’s also the question of ownership. With Substack, it’s a bit like renting an apartment instead of owning a house. You’re living there, but you don’t have the final say on everything. This extends to your content and audience data, which ultimately live on Substack’s platform.

The fees can be another sticking point. If you’re doing well with paid subscriptions, seeing Substack take a 10% cut (plus payment processing fees) might start to sting a bit.

WordPress pros and cons

If Substack is a cozy apartment, WordPress is like a plot of land where you can build whatever you want. The possibilities are endless, and that’s what many publishers love about it. You’re in the driver’s seat, with full control over your content, data, and audience.

Want to change how your site looks? WordPress has got you covered with thousands of themes. Need a specific feature? There’s probably a plugin for that. It’s like having a massive toolbox at your disposal, allowing you to build anything from a simple blog to a complex web application.

All this flexibility and power comes with some challenges. WordPress can feel a bit overwhelming at first, especially if you’re new to web publishing. It’s like being handed the keys to a sports car when you’ve just learned to drive – exciting, but potentially daunting.

You’ll also need to keep an eye on maintenance tasks like updates and backups. Think of it like owning a house – you need to do some upkeep to keep everything running smoothly. And just like a house can be a target for burglars if you don’t lock your doors, WordPress sites can be vulnerable to hackers if not properly secured. This is part of why managed hosting plans, like those offered by WP Engine, are so popular. They take most of that off your back and handle it on their end. 

When to choose Substack

Substack shines in certain scenarios, particularly for writers who want a straightforward, no-fuss platform to share their work. You might consider Substack if:

• You’re primarily focused on written content and newsletters. Substack’s design caters beautifully to long-form writing and email distribution. If your main goal is to get your words directly to your readers’ inboxes, Substack makes this process seamless.
• You’re just starting out and want to build an audience. Substack’s discovery features can help new writers find readers within the platform. It’s like a cozy community where readers are actively looking for interesting content to subscribe to.
• You want a simple monetization model. If you’re looking to turn your writing into income without dealing with complex eCommerce setups, Substack’s straightforward subscription model could be ideal.
• You prefer to focus on writing rather than technical details. Substack takes care of the backend, allowing you to pour your energy into creating content rather than managing a website.

When to choose WordPress

WordPress, on the other hand, offers a more robust and flexible solution that’s suitable for a wider range of publishing needs. WordPress might be the better choice if:

• You want full control and ownership of your content and data. With WordPress, you have complete control over your site, content, and audience data. It’s like owning your own home instead of renting.
• You need extensive customization options. If you want your site to have a unique look and feel, or if you need specific functionalities, WordPress’s vast ecosystem of themes and plugins gives you nearly limitless possibilities.
• You’re planning to scale or diversify your content. WordPress can grow with you, whether you want to add eCommerce, forums, or even turn your site into a social network. It’s like having a Swiss Army knife for web publishing.
• You’re looking to implement diverse monetization strategies. While Substack focuses on subscriptions, WordPress allows you to explore various revenue streams such as advertising, eCommerce, and affiliate marketing.
• You need advanced features for audience engagement. If you want to create a membership site, host online courses, or build a community forum, WordPress offers the flexibility to implement these features.

In essence, Substack is great for writers who want a simple, focused platform for newsletter publishing and subscription-based monetization. WordPress, especially when paired with managed hosting, is ideal for publishers who need more control, customization, and scalability in their digital presence. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific needs, goals, and how much time you’re willing to invest in managing your publishing platform.

Conclusion

Both Substack and WordPress offer unique advantages for digital publishers, but WordPress emerges as the more versatile and future-proof choice for most publishers.

Substack shines in its simplicity and focus on newsletter-based publishing. It’s an excellent platform for writers who want to dive straight into content creation without worrying about technical details. Its built-in monetization through subscriptions is straightforward and can be appealing for those just starting their publishing journey.

However, WordPress offers a level of flexibility, control, and scalability that’s hard to match. With WordPress, you’re not just getting a publishing platform; you’re investing in a robust ecosystem that can grow and adapt with your needs. From full content ownership to endless customization options, WordPress provides the tools to create a truly unique and powerful online presence.

The ability to implement diverse monetization strategies, from subscriptions to e-commerce and beyond, gives WordPress users more options to generate revenue. Additionally, WordPress’s superior SEO capabilities can significantly boost your content’s visibility and help grow your audience organically.

However, this doesn’t mean you can’t combine the two. There’s nothing stopping you from creating a WordPress site to publish your content, conduct eCommerce, and so on, while leveraging Substack to stay in touch with your audience. 

WordPress may have a steeper learning curve initially, although the long-term benefits far outweigh this temporary challenge. Moreover, with managed WordPress hosting solutions like WP Engine, many of the technical complexities are handled for you, allowing you to focus on what matters most—creating great content.