Hexo vs Substack
Please select two different options.
Hexo and Substack are both popular platforms for creating and publishing content online. Hexo is a static site generator that offers flexibility and control over website design, while Substack is a newsletter platform focused on simplicity and monetization. Let’s compare the key features of these two platforms to help you make an informed decision.
General information
Hexo
Substack
Introduction :
Hexo is a popular static site generator that was launched in 2012. It is an open-source platform that allows users to create fast and efficient websites with ease. Hexo is known for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for developers looking to build static websites quickly. With a growing community and extensive documentation, Hexo continues to gain popularity among users seeking a streamlined content management solution.
Hexo is a popular static site generator that was launched in 2012. It is an open-source platform that allows users to create fast and efficient websites with ease. Hexo is known for its simplicity and flexibility, making it a preferred choice for developers looking to build static websites quickly. With a growing community and extensive documentation, Hexo continues to gain popularity among users seeking a streamlined content management solution.
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 :
- Fast rendering speed
- Easy to use and set up
- Markdown support
- Customizable themes and plugins
- Active community and support
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 themes and plugins available
- Steeper learning curve for beginners
- Less community support compared to others
- Limited e-commerce functionality
- Customization options may be more limited
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 : 0.1% of websites
Hexo is used by a small fraction of websites compared to other platforms, with a niche user base.
Hexo is used by a small fraction of websites compared to other platforms, with a niche user base.
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 with Hexo requires some technical knowledge of Markdown and command line interface, making it average in terms of ease of use.
Getting started with Hexo requires some technical knowledge of Markdown and command line interface, making it average in terms of ease of use.
🟢 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 : 2012
Hexo was launched in 2012, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems on the market.
Hexo was launched in 2012, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems on the market.
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://hexo.io/
Official website :
https://substack.com/
Commercial details
Hexo
Substack
🟢 Open source : Fully.
Hexo is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The platform allows for complete customization and contributions from the community.
Hexo is fully open source and written in JavaScript. The platform allows for complete customization and contributions from the community.
🟡 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.
Hexo offers a free self-hosted option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users looking to build websites.
Hexo offers a free self-hosted option with no limitations on features, making it a cost-effective choice for users looking to build websites.
🟢 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 : Yes.
Hexo offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience compared to free alternatives.
Hexo offers a paid option for users looking for additional features and support, providing a more comprehensive experience compared to free alternatives.
🟢 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
Hexo
Substack
⚪ Hosted : Unknown.
Hosted options for Hexo are not clearly stated, further research or inquiries may be needed to determine availability.
Hosted options for Hexo are not clearly stated, further research or inquiries may be needed to determine availability.
🟢 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.
Hexo can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
Hexo can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
⚪ 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.
Hexo does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through plugins or APIs.
Hexo does not natively support headless systems but can be integrated with headless features through plugins or APIs.
🟡 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.
Hexo natively supports static content generation, making it efficient and reliable for generating static websites without the need for additional plugins.
Hexo natively supports static content generation, making it efficient and reliable for generating static websites 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
Hexo
Substack
🟡 Content management : Supported via plugin.
Hexo offers some content management capabilities, but primarily relies on plugins for more advanced features and functionality.
Hexo offers some content management capabilities, but primarily relies on plugins for more advanced features and functionality.
🟡 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.
Hexo is a good platform for blogging when enhanced by popular 3rd party plugins/extensions for added functionality and customization options.
Hexo is a good platform for blogging when enhanced by popular 3rd party plugins/extensions for added functionality and customization options.
🟢 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.
Hexo does not have native e-commerce capabilities but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for online store functionality.
Hexo does not have native e-commerce capabilities but can be enhanced by third-party plugins for online store functionality.
🔴 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.
Hexo does not natively support community/forum features but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
Hexo does not natively support community/forum features but can be enhanced by popular plugins/extensions for this functionality.
🟡 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.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options for users.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented through third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options for users.
🟢 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
Hexo
Substack
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Hexo does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with the Hexo Multi-Lingual plugin for multi-site functionality.
Hexo does not support multi-site natively but can be enhanced with the Hexo Multi-Lingual plugin for multi-site functionality.
🟡 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.
Hexo does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with plugins like hexo-generator-i18n for multi-language functionality.
Hexo does not natively support multi-language but can be enhanced with plugins like hexo-generator-i18n for multi-language functionality.
🟡 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.
XML sitemap functionality can be added to Hexo through third-party plugins, offering enhanced SEO capabilities for users.
XML sitemap functionality can be added to Hexo through third-party plugins, offering enhanced SEO capabilities for users.
⚪ 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 Hexo and Substack, consider your specific needs and goals. If you prioritize customization and design control, Hexo may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you are looking for a straightforward platform to create and monetize newsletters, Substack could be the right fit. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your content creation preferences and objectives.