WordPress vs. Substack: Which Platform Holds the Secret to Exploding Your Newsletter’s Growth?
- Discovery ecosystem: While WordPress.com offers the Reader and other discovery features, it isn’t as strong as Substack’s recommendation system. Building your initial audience may require more active promotion and SEO efforts.
Head-to-Head comparison
| Feature | WordPress.com Newsletter | WordPress | Substack |
| Setup Difficulty | Easy | Moderate | Very easy |
| Ownership | Complete | Complete | Limited |
| Customization | Extensive | Extensive | Limited |
| SEO Capabilities | Strong built-in SEO | Strong built-in SEO | Limited |
| Monetization Fees | 0-10% (decreases with paid plan) | Depends on plugin | 10% of everything |
| Growth Potential | Unlimited | Unlimited | Communication mediums only |
| Technical Requirements | None | Hosting, plugins | None |
| Content Portability | Complete | Complete | Can export, will need new platform |
| Discovery Options | WordPress Reader, SEO, social | SEO, social | Substack network only |
When to choose each platform
Choose Substack if:
