blogger vs Substack
Please select two different options.
Blogger and Substack are both popular platforms for creating and publishing online content. Blogger, owned by Google, offers a user-friendly interface and integration with other Google services. Substack, on the other hand, is known for its simplicity and focus on email newsletters.
General information
blogger
Substack
Introduction :
This platform is a versatile and user-friendly content management system that was launched in 2003. It is open source, making it highly customizable and accessible to a wide range of users. With a large community of developers and users, this platform is known for its extensive plugin library, themes, and robust features, making it one of the most popular choices for bloggers and businesses alike.
This platform is a versatile and user-friendly content management system that was launched in 2003. It is open source, making it highly customizable and accessible to a wide range of users. With a large community of developers and users, this platform is known for its extensive plugin library, themes, and robust features, making it one of the most popular choices for bloggers and businesses alike.
Introduction :
Substack is a popular newsletter platform known for its simplicity and ease of use. Launched in 2017, it has gained traction among writers and creators looking to monetize their content through subscription-based newsletters. Substack offers a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and tools for managing subscribers and payments. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and customization, making it a preferred choice for many content creators.
Substack is a popular newsletter platform known for its simplicity and ease of use. Launched in 2017, it has gained traction among writers and creators looking to monetize their content through subscription-based newsletters. Substack offers a user-friendly interface, customizable templates, and tools for managing subscribers and payments. Its open-source nature allows for flexibility and customization, making it a preferred choice for many content creators.
Advantages :
- Easy to use and customize
- Wide range of themes and plugins
- Strong SEO capabilities
- Large community for support
- Regular updates and security patches
Advantages :
- Easy to use for beginners
- Built-in email newsletter functionality
- Ability to monetize content through subscriptions
- Customizable design and branding options
- Strong community support and resources
Disadvantages :
- Limited customization options
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Lack of built-in features
- Limited SEO capabilities
- Limited scalability and flexibility
Disadvantages :
- Limited customization options
- Lack of built-in SEO features
- Dependency on email for audience reach
- No built-in monetization options
- Limited analytics and reporting capabilities
Website users : Over 40%
This platform is used by over 40% of websites on the internet, making it one of the most popular choices for online content management.
This platform is used by over 40% of websites on the internet, making it one of the most popular choices for online content management.
Website users : Thousands
Substack is used by thousands of websites for newsletter and content distribution, making it a popular choice among independent writers and creators.
Substack is used by thousands of websites for newsletter and content distribution, making it a popular choice among independent writers and creators.
🟡 Difficulty : Average.
Getting started may require some technical knowledge and learning curve, but there are resources available to help beginners navigate the process.
Getting started may require some technical knowledge and learning curve, but there are resources available to help beginners navigate the process.
🟢 Difficulty : Easy.
Getting started on Substack is straightforward with user-friendly tools and minimal technical skills required, making it accessible for beginners.
Getting started on Substack is straightforward with user-friendly tools and minimal technical skills required, making it accessible for beginners.
Year launched : 2009
Launched in 2009, this platform has established itself as a reliable choice for bloggers seeking a user-friendly and customizable content management system.
Launched in 2009, this platform has established itself as a reliable choice for bloggers seeking a user-friendly and customizable content management system.
Year launched : 2017
Substack was launched in 2017, making it a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
Substack was launched in 2017, making it a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
Official website :
https://www.blogger.com/
Official website :
https://substack.com/
Commercial details
blogger
Substack
🟡 Open source : Partially.
The platform is partially open source, with certain limitations on code access and customization. It is written in PHP.
The platform is partially open source, with certain limitations on code access and customization. It is written in PHP.
🟡 Open source : Partially.
Substack's platform is not fully open source, but they do provide some level of access to their codebase for customization.
Substack's platform is not fully open source, but they do provide some level of access to their codebase for customization.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
There are free options available with limited features, such as basic themes and storage restrictions. Hosting is typically included.
There are free options available with limited features, such as basic themes and storage restrictions. Hosting is typically included.
🟢 Free option : Yes.
Substack offers a free option with limited features, making it a good choice for those looking to start a newsletter without upfront costs.
Substack offers a free option with limited features, making it a good choice for those looking to start a newsletter without upfront costs.
⚪ Paid option : Unknown.
The availability of a paid option is not clearly specified in comparison to other platforms in the same category.
The availability of a paid option is not clearly specified in comparison to other platforms in the same category.
🟢 Paid option : Yes.
Substack offers a paid option for additional features and customization, providing users with more control over their content and audience engagement.
Substack offers a paid option for additional features and customization, providing users with more control over their content and audience engagement.
Platform details
blogger
Substack
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options may vary depending on third-party vendors or integrations, with unclear information available for direct hosting by the platform.
Hosted options may vary depending on third-party vendors or integrations, with unclear information available for direct hosting by the platform.
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
Substack offers a hosted option for users to easily create and manage their newsletters without the need for technical expertise.
Substack offers a hosted option for users to easily create and manage their newsletters without the need for technical expertise.
🟢 Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with various third-party vendors offering hosting services for the platform.
Self-hosting is possible with various third-party vendors offering hosting services for the platform.
⚪ Self host : Unknown.
Self-hosting options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct self-hosting by Substack is unclear.
Self-hosting options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct self-hosting by Substack is unclear.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
It supports headless features through plugins or integrations, allowing for headless functionality with additional setup and customization.
It supports headless features through plugins or integrations, allowing for headless functionality with additional setup and customization.
🟡 Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features via its API for content delivery.
Substack does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features via its API for content delivery.
🟢 Static content generation : Support natively.
Supports static content generation out of the box, making it efficient for creating and serving static pages without the need for additional plugins.
Supports static content generation out of the box, making it efficient for creating and serving static pages without the need for additional plugins.
🟡 Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
Substack does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.
Key features
blogger
Substack
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Blogger offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features, making it suitable for simple content management needs.
Blogger offers basic content management capabilities but may require plugins for more advanced features, making it suitable for simple content management needs.
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Substack is primarily focused on email newsletters, making it a good platform for managing content in that specific format with additional plugins available.
Substack is primarily focused on email newsletters, making it a good platform for managing content in that specific format with additional plugins available.
🟡 Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Blogger is a good platform for basic blogging needs, but lacks advanced features compared to platforms like WordPress or Squarespace.
Blogger is a good platform for basic blogging needs, but lacks advanced features compared to platforms like WordPress or Squarespace.
🟢 Blogging : Support natively.
Substack is a native platform for blogging, offering a streamlined experience for writers to create and distribute content easily.
Substack is a native platform for blogging, offering a streamlined experience for writers to create and distribute content easily.
🔴 E-commerce : Not supported.
E-commerce functionality on Blogger is limited and not as robust as other platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce for online selling.
E-commerce functionality on Blogger is limited and not as robust as other platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce for online selling.
🔴 E-commerce : Not supported.
Substack is primarily focused on email newsletters and lacks native e-commerce functionality. It may require integration with third-party platforms for e-commerce capabilities.
Substack is primarily focused on email newsletters and lacks native e-commerce functionality. It may require integration with third-party platforms for e-commerce capabilities.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Blogger can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, but it may not have as many features or customization options as other platforms.
Blogger can support a community/forum with third-party plugins, but it may not have as many features or customization options as other platforms.
🟡 Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not natively support community forums but can be enhanced by integrating with third-party plugins like Circle or Tribe.so.
Substack does not natively support community forums but can be enhanced by integrating with third-party plugins like Circle or Tribe.so.
🟡 Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through various plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for monetizing content.
Supports content subscriptions/paywalls through various plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for monetizing content.
🟢 Content subscription : Support natively.
Substack natively supports content subscriptions and paywalls, making it easy for creators to monetize their content directly on the platform.
Substack natively supports content subscriptions and paywalls, making it easy for creators to monetize their content directly on the platform.
Other features
blogger
Substack
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Supports multi-site via a popular third-party plugin. While not native, the plugin offers robust functionality for managing multiple sites.
Supports multi-site via a popular third-party plugin. While not native, the plugin offers robust functionality for managing multiple sites.
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for multi-site functionality.
Substack does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for multi-site functionality.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Support for multi-language is typically achieved through plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for different language requirements.
Support for multi-language is typically achieved through plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for different language requirements.
🟡 Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not support multi-language natively but can be enhanced by third-party plugins or extensions for multi-language functionality.
Substack does not support multi-language natively but can be enhanced by third-party plugins or extensions for multi-language functionality.
🟡 XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.
Supports XML sitemaps through popular third-party plugins, enhancing SEO capabilities for better search engine visibility.
⚪ XML Sitemaps : Unknown.
Substack's support for XML sitemaps is not well-documented. It may be available through native features or third-party tools.
Substack's support for XML sitemaps is not well-documented. It may be available through native features or third-party tools.
When choosing between Blogger and Substack, consider your content creation needs. If you prefer a more traditional blog format with potential for monetization through ads, Blogger may be the better choice. However, if you prioritize building a loyal subscriber base through email newsletters, Substack could be the ideal platform for you.