Substack vs Buttondown
A detailed comparison of Substack and Buttondown to help you choose the right tool for your needs.
Substack
Platform for independent writers to publish and monetize newsletters.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Substack | Buttondown |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | ✓ Free (10% of paid subs) | ✓ Up to 100 subscribers |
| Lowest Paid | Free (10% cut) | $9/mo |
| Enterprise | N/A | Custom pricing |
⚡ Feature Comparison
| Feature | Substack | Buttondown |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter publishing | ✓ | — |
| Paid subscriptions | ✓ | — |
| Podcast hosting | ✓ | — |
| Community features | ✓ | — |
| Custom domains | ✓ | ✓ |
| Analytics | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recommendations | ✓ | — |
| Notes | ✓ | — |
| Mobile app | ✓ | — |
| Archive | ✓ | — |
| Markdown support | — | ✓ |
| Automation | — | ✓ |
| API | — | ✓ |
| Custom CSS | — | ✓ |
| Paid newsletters | — | ✓ |
| RSS to email | — | ✓ |
| Webhooks | — | ✓ |
| Subscriber management | — | ✓ |
| Open Source | ✗ | ✗ |
| Rating | ⭐ 4.3 | ⭐ 4.3 |
Pros & Cons
Substack
Pros
- ✓ Free to start
- ✓ Built-in monetization
- ✓ Growing network
- ✓ Simple to use
Cons
- ✗ 10% revenue cut
- ✗ Limited customization
- ✗ No advanced automation
- ✗ Lock-in concerns
Buttondown
Pros
- ✓ Simple and clean
- ✓ Markdown support
- ✓ Indie-built
- ✓ Great API
Cons
- ✗ Limited free tier
- ✗ Basic templates
- ✗ Small team
- ✗ Limited design options
🏆 The Verdict
Choose Substack if: You need writers wanting to monetize a newsletter. Substack excels with its free to start and built-in monetization.
Choose Buttondown if: You need technical writers and developers. Buttondown stands out with its simple and clean and markdown support.
Best free option: Both Substack and Buttondown offer free tiers. Substack offers "Free (10% of paid subs)" while Buttondown offers "Up to 100 subscribers".
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Substack better than Buttondown?
It depends on your needs. Substack is better for writers wanting to monetize a newsletter, while Buttondown is better for technical writers and developers. Both are excellent tools rated 4.3 and 4.3 respectively.
Which is cheaper, Substack or Buttondown?
Substack starts at Free (10% cut) while Buttondown starts at $9/mo. Both offer free tiers.
Can I switch from Substack to Buttondown?
Most tools offer import/export features to help you migrate. We recommend trying Buttondown's free tier before fully committing to a switch.
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