Hashnode vs Substack

Hashnode and Substack are both popular platforms for creating and publishing content online. Hashnode is a community-driven blogging platform focused on developers, while Substack is a newsletter platform that enables writers to monetize their content. Both offer unique features and benefits for content creators looking to reach their audience.

General information

Hashnode
Substack
Introduction :
Hashnode is a modern blogging platform that was launched in 2016. It is known for its user-friendly interface, robust community, and focus on developer-centric content. Hashnode allows users to create and customize their blogs easily, with features like code syntax highlighting and integration with popular developer tools. It is gaining popularity among tech enthusiasts and developers for its simplicity and support for Markdown formatting.
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 :
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Strong community support and resources
  • Customization options for unique websites
  • SEO-friendly features for better visibility
  • Regular updates and improvements for security
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
  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Less plugins and extensions available
  • Limited SEO capabilities
  • Smaller community support compared to others
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
Hashnode is used by thousands of websites as a blogging platform, offering a user-friendly experience and community engagement features.
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.
๐ŸŸข Difficulty : Easy.
Hashnode offers a user-friendly interface and extensive documentation, making it easy for beginners to get started with minimal technical skills required.
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 : 2018
Hashnode was launched in 2018, making it a relatively newer platform compared to other content management systems and online 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://hashnode.com/
Official website : https://substack.com/


Commercial details

Hashnode
Substack
๐ŸŸก Open source : Partially.
Hashnode's codebase is not fully open source. Some parts are open, but others are proprietary. It is written in JavaScript.
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.
Hashnode offers a free option with limited features such as a custom domain and analytics. It is a hosted platform for bloggers and developers.
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.
Hashnode offers a paid option for additional features and customization, providing more value for users looking for advanced capabilities.
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

Hashnode
Substack
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Hashnode offers a hosted option for users looking for a convenient and hassle-free way to set up and manage their content.
๐ŸŸข Hosted : Yes.
Substack offers a hosted option for users to easily create and manage their newsletters without the need for technical expertise.
๐ŸŸข Self host : Yes.
Self-hosting is possible with Hashnode through a number of 3rd party vendors, offering flexibility and control over hosting environment.
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.
Hashnode does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features via its API.
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.
๐ŸŸก Static content generation : Supported via plugin.
Hashnode does not natively support static content generation but can potentially achieve it via a popular plugin.
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

Hashnode
Substack
๐ŸŸก Content management : Supported via plugin.
Hashnode offers basic content management features but may require additional plugins for more advanced content management capabilities.
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.
Hashnode offers basic blogging features but can be enhanced with third-party plugins for more advanced functionality.
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.
Hashnode is primarily a blogging platform and may not have all the necessary features and integrations required for e-commerce functionality.
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.
Hashnode offers community features through plugins like Disqus, providing a solid forum experience when enhanced with third-party tools.
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.
๐ŸŸก Content subscription : Supported via plugin.
Supports content subscriptions and paywalls through third-party plugins, offering enhanced functionality for monetizing content on the platform.
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

Hashnode
Substack
๐ŸŸก Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved through third-party plugins, offering flexibility and customization options for managing multiple sites.
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.
Hashnode does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with third-party plugins or extensions 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.
XML sitemaps can be generated using third-party plugins on Hashnode, enhancing SEO capabilities for users who require this feature.
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 choosing between Hashnode and Substack, consider your content goals and audience. Hashnode is ideal for developers looking to connect with a tech-savvy community, while Substack is great for writers seeking to monetize their newsletters. Ultimately, the right choice depends on your content strategy and target audience.