Substack
The publishing platform that turns writers into media businesses
Overview
Substack built its reputation on a simple promise: write, publish, and get paid - without algorithms or gatekeepers. The platform handles email delivery, web hosting, subscriber management, and payment processing, leaving writers free to focus on content.
The discovery network is Substack's unique advantage. When your readers share or recommend your work, Substack surfaces it to potential subscribers through recommendation algorithms, the Substack app, and the Notes social feature. This built-in distribution is something standalone newsletter tools cannot match.
The business model is straightforward: Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue. If you only publish free content, it costs nothing. This alignment of incentives means Substack is motivated to help you grow - your success is literally their revenue.
Key Features
Built-in Discovery
Recommendation network, app, and Notes for audience growth
Paid Subscriptions
Monetize with free and paid tiers using Stripe integration
Podcast & Video
Expand beyond text with integrated podcast and video hosting
Web Publishing
Every newsletter gets a SEO-friendly website automatically
Community Features
Comments, discussions, and the Notes social layer
Analytics
Subscriber growth, engagement rates, and revenue tracking
Why We Recommend Substack
If your primary goal is building an audience through writing, Substack's built-in discovery network gives you distribution advantages that no other newsletter platform can match.