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Substack vs WriteFreely
Compare Substack and WriteFreely 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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WriteFreely
An open-source, minimalist blogging platform focused on simplicity and federation with the Fediverse.
See all detailsQuick overview
Pricing
Free to use, 10% of subscription revenue + payment processing fees
Free (self-hosted), or Write.as Pro hosting from $6/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
WriteFreely
Pros
- Open-source and self-hostable
- Federated with Mastodon and ActivityPub
- Clean, distraction-free writing
- Multiple blogs under one account
Cons
- Limited styling and customization
- Fewer features than major platforms
- Self-hosting requires technical skills
- Small developer community