Gridsome vs Substack

Gridsome is a static site generator that allows for fast and efficient website creation, while Substack is a platform for writers to easily create and monetize newsletters. Gridsome offers more flexibility in design and functionality, while Substack focuses on simplifying the process of newsletter creation and distribution.

General information

Gridsome
Substack
Introduction :
Gridsome is a modern website development framework for creating fast, secure, and dynamic websites using Vue.js. Launched in 2017, Gridsome is open-source and gaining popularity for its simplicity, performance, and flexibility. It allows developers to build static websites with dynamic capabilities, making it a popular choice for those looking to create high-performing websites with modern technologies.
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.
Advantages :
  • Fast static site generation
  • GraphQL data layer for efficient data fetching
  • Extensive plugin ecosystem
  • SEO-friendly with built-in optimizations
  • Easy integration with headless CMS platforms
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 plugin ecosystem
  • Steeper learning curve compared to WordPress
  • Less community support and resources
  • Limited built-in features compared to Shopify
  • Less flexibility for complex website designs
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 : Thousands
Gridsome is used by thousands of websites, making it a popular choice for developers looking for a modern and efficient static site generator.
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.
๐ŸŸก Difficulty : Average.
Getting started with Gridsome may require some familiarity with Vue.js and GraphQL, but the documentation and community support can help navigate the learning curve.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
Getting started on Substack is straightforward with user-friendly tools and minimal technical skills required, making it accessible for beginners.
Year launched : 2017
Gridsome was launched in 2017, making it a relatively new player in the CMS market compared to more established platforms.
Year launched : 2017
Substack was launched in 2017, making it a relatively newer platform compared to others in the content management space.
Official website : https://gridsome.org/
Official website : https://substack.com/


Commercial details

Gridsome
Substack
๐ŸŸข Open source : Fully.
Gridsome is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The entire platform is available for modification and contribution by the community.
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Substack's platform is not fully open source, but they do provide some level of access to their codebase for customization.
๐ŸŸข Free option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a free option with basic features, making it a cost-effective choice for those on a budget or looking to test the platform.
๐ŸŸข 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.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Gridsome offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience.
๐ŸŸข Paid option : Yes.
Substack offers a paid option for additional features and customization, providing users with more control over their content and audience engagement.


Platform details

Gridsome
Substack
โšช Hosted : Unknown.
Gridsome does not offer a directly hosted option, but users may find third-party vendors providing hosting services for Gridsome sites.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Substack offers a hosted option for users to easily create and manage their newsletters without the need for technical expertise.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
Gridsome can be self-hosted, but details on self-hosting options are not clearly specified. Third-party vendors may offer hosting services.
โšช Self host : Unknown.
Self-hosting options may be available through third-party vendors, but direct self-hosting by Substack is unclear.
๐ŸŸก Headless CMS : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome is not inherently headless but can be used as a headless system with plugins and API integrations for decoupled architecture.
๐ŸŸก 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.
๐ŸŸข Static content generation : Support natively.
Gridsome natively supports static content generation, allowing for fast and efficient website performance without the need for additional plugins.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve this functionality via a popular plugin.


Key features

Gridsome
Substack
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome offers content management capabilities through plugins, making it a good platform for managing content with additional customization options.
๐ŸŸก 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.
๐ŸŸก Blogging : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome can be enhanced for blogging with plugins like Gridsome Source Filesystem for markdown files, but it's not native to the platform.
๐ŸŸข Blogging : Support natively.
Substack is a native platform for blogging, offering a streamlined experience for writers to create and distribute content easily.
๐Ÿ”ด E-commerce : Not supported.
Gridsome is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native e-commerce features. However, it can potentially be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions.
๐Ÿ”ด 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.
๐ŸŸก Community forum : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native support for community/forum features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
๐ŸŸก 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.
โšช Content subscription : Unknown.
Support for content subscriptions/paywalls is not a native feature of Gridsome and availability of third-party plugins/extensions is uncertain.
๐ŸŸข Content subscription : Support natively.
Substack natively supports content subscriptions and paywalls, making it easy for creators to monetize their content directly on the platform.


Other features

Gridsome
Substack
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support multi-site natively but can be achieved through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Substack does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for multi-site functionality.
๐ŸŸก Multi-language : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not have native multi-language support but can be enhanced with plugins like @gridsome/plugin-i18n for multi-language functionality.
๐ŸŸก 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.
๐ŸŸก XML Sitemaps : Supported via plugin.
Gridsome does not support XML sitemaps natively but can be enhanced with popular third-party plugins/extensions for this functionality.
โšช XML Sitemaps : Unknown.
Substack's support for XML sitemaps is not well-documented. It may be available through native features or third-party tools.


When deciding between Gridsome and Substack, consider your specific needs - if you require a highly customizable website with advanced features, Gridsome may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you are primarily focused on creating and monetizing newsletters without the need for extensive design customization, Substack could be the more suitable option.