KeystoneJS vs Substack
Please select two different options.
KeystoneJS and Substack are both popular platforms, but they serve different purposes. KeystoneJS is a versatile content management system that allows for easy customization and development of websites and applications. Substack, on the other hand, is a newsletter platform that simplifies the process of creating and distributing newsletters.
General information
KeystoneJS
Substack
Introduction :
KeystoneJS is a powerful open-source content management system and web application framework that was launched in 2013. It is popular for its flexibility, ease of use, and robust features such as database management, authentication, and dynamic routing. KeystoneJS is widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications, making it a popular choice among developers looking for a scalable and customizable platform.
KeystoneJS is a powerful open-source content management system and web application framework that was launched in 2013. It is popular for its flexibility, ease of use, and robust features such as database management, authentication, and dynamic routing. KeystoneJS is widely used for building dynamic websites and web applications, making it a popular choice among developers looking for a scalable and customizable platform.
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
- Built-in user authentication and access control
- Flexible content modeling with schemas
- Active community and support
- Scalable for large projects
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 theme options
- Steeper learning curve compared to some
- Less community support than WordPress
- Not as customizable as other platforms
- Limited plugins and extensions available
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
KeystoneJS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers for building dynamic web applications.
KeystoneJS is used by thousands of websites worldwide, making it a popular choice among developers for building dynamic web applications.
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.
KeystoneJS requires some familiarity with Node.js and MongoDB, making it average in terms of ease of getting started compared to other CMS platforms.
KeystoneJS requires some familiarity with Node.js and MongoDB, making it average in terms of ease of getting started compared to other CMS platforms.
🟢 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 : 2013
KeystoneJS was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
KeystoneJS was launched in 2013, positioning it as a relatively newer option compared to other content management systems.
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://keystonejs.com/
Official website :
https://substack.com/
Commercial details
KeystoneJS
Substack
🟢 Open source : Fully.
KeystoneJS is fully open source and written in JavaScript, allowing for complete customization and community contributions.
KeystoneJS is fully open source and written in JavaScript, allowing for complete customization and community contributions.
🟡 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 : Unknown.
KeystoneJS offers a free option, but the specifics regarding limitations or features of the free plan are unclear.
KeystoneJS offers a free option, but the specifics regarding limitations or features of the free plan are unclear.
🟢 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.
KeystoneJS offers a paid option for additional features, hosting, and support, providing users with more comprehensive and tailored solutions.
KeystoneJS offers a paid option for additional features, hosting, and support, providing users with more comprehensive and tailored solutions.
🟢 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
KeystoneJS
Substack
🟢 Hosted : Yes.
KeystoneJS offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services.
KeystoneJS offers a hosted option through various third-party vendors, providing users with the convenience of managed hosting services.
🟢 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.
KeystoneJS can be self-hosted on various 3rd party vendors, giving users flexibility and control over their hosting environment.
KeystoneJS 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.
KeystoneJS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development and content management capabilities.
KeystoneJS supports headless features via its API, allowing for decoupled front-end development and content management capabilities.
🟡 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 : Supported via plugin.
Static content generation is possible in KeystoneJS through plugins, offering flexibility for users to generate static content if needed.
Static content generation is possible in KeystoneJS through plugins, offering flexibility for users to generate static content if needed.
🟡 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
KeystoneJS
Substack
🟢 Content management : Support natively.
KeystoneJS excels in content management with its native capabilities, offering robust tools for creating, editing, and organizing content efficiently.
KeystoneJS excels in content management with its native capabilities, offering robust tools for creating, editing, and organizing content efficiently.
🟡 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.
KeystoneJS can be used for blogging with the help of plugins like keystone-blog, offering basic blogging functionality but may require additional customization.
KeystoneJS can be used for blogging with the help of plugins like keystone-blog, offering basic blogging functionality but may require additional customization.
🟢 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.
KeystoneJS is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for online stores. It may require extensive customization or integration with third-party plugins.
KeystoneJS is not specifically designed for e-commerce, lacking native features for online stores. It may require extensive customization or integration with third-party plugins.
🔴 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.
KeystoneJS can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options.
KeystoneJS can be used for a community/forum with the help of third-party plugins/extensions, offering flexibility and customization options.
🟡 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 using third-party plugins/extensions in KeystoneJS, enhancing its functionality in this area.
Content subscriptions/paywalls can be implemented using third-party plugins/extensions in KeystoneJS, enhancing its functionality in this area.
🟢 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
KeystoneJS
Substack
🟡 Multi-site : Supported via plugin.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved in KeystoneJS through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
Multi-site functionality can be achieved in KeystoneJS through the use of third-party plugins or extensions.
🟡 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.
Multilingual support can be achieved via plugins like keystone-multilingual or keystone-localisation, enhancing native capabilities.
Multilingual support can be achieved via plugins like keystone-multilingual or keystone-localisation, enhancing native capabilities.
🟡 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 sitemaps can be implemented through a popular 3rd party plugin or extension, enhancing the SEO capabilities of KeystoneJS.
XML sitemaps can be implemented through a popular 3rd party plugin or extension, enhancing the SEO capabilities of KeystoneJS.
⚪ 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 KeystoneJS and Substack, consider your specific needs. If you require a robust content management system for building websites and applications, KeystoneJS is a great choice. However, if you are focused on creating and distributing newsletters, Substack may be the better option. Ultimately, the right choice depends on the nature of your project and the features you prioritize.