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Substack vs WordPress.com

Compare Substack and WordPress.com to find the best tool for your needs.

Substack

Publishing platform that combines newsletters, blogs, and podcasts with built-in monetization via paid subscriptions.

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VS
W

WordPress.com

Official hosted WordPress solution from Automattic offering an integrated platform for blogging without technical setup.

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Quick overview

Pricing

Free to use, 10% of subscription revenue + payment processing fees
Free plan available, Premium at $8/month, Business at $25/month, Commerce at $45/month

Pros & Cons

Substack

Pros

  • Integrated newsletter and blog
  • Simple paid subscription model
  • Full ownership of subscriber list
  • Easy to start and use

Cons

  • Limited design customization
  • 10% fee on all paid subscriptions
  • Basic analytics
  • Limited content organization options

WordPress.com

Pros

  • Zero technical setup required
  • Reliable WordPress-optimized infrastructure
  • Free plan available
  • Direct integration with WordPress ecosystem

Cons

  • Limited plugin installation on lower plans
  • Restrictions on monetization options on lower plans
  • Less control than self-hosted WordPress
  • Custom domain requires paid plan
Visit Substack website
Visit WordPress.com website