Substack vs Mailchimp Reddit: Choosing the Right Email Tool for Your Business. Find out which platform is best for your needs with our clear, jargon-free comparison based on real user insights from Reddit.
Starting an email list can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with so many options. Two names that often pop up, especially in online discussions like those on Reddit, are Substack and Mailchimp. They both help you connect with your audience, but they do it in very different ways. This can make picking the right one confusing for beginners. We’re here to break down exactly what each platform offers, compare their features and costs, and help you make an informed decision without the marketing buzzwords.
Contents
What is Substack?
Substack is a platform designed for writers and creators to build and monetize their newsletters. Think of it as a publishing platform first, with email marketing built-in. It’s particularly popular among individuals who want to share their thoughts, stories, or expertise directly with a dedicated audience. Substack handles the technical side of sending emails and also offers built-in paid subscription options, allowing creators to earn money directly from their subscribers.
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing service provider. It’s a robust tool that helps businesses of all sizes design, send, and track email campaigns. Mailchimp offers a wide range of features, from simple newsletters to sophisticated automation, landing pages, and CRM capabilities. It’s designed to manage customer relationships and drive sales through email marketing efforts.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a quick look at the core differences between Substack and Mailchimp:
- Focus: Substack is for creators publishing newsletters; Mailchimp is for general email marketing and business growth.
- Monetization: Substack has built-in paid subscriptions; Mailchimp focuses on marketing to drive sales.
- Ease of Use: Substack is simpler for publishing; Mailchimp offers more advanced features which can have a steeper learning curve.
- Customization: Mailchimp offers much more design and branding control; Substack has a more standardized look and feel.
Features Comparison
Let’s dive into the specific features to see how Substack and Mailchimp stack up:
| Feature | Substack | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter Publishing | Excellent; core function. Easy to write and send. | Good; can send newsletters but requires more setup. |
| Paid Subscriptions | Built-in, easy to set up. | Requires integration with e-commerce or external tools. |
| Email Automation | Limited (e.g., welcome emails). | Advanced (welcome series, abandoned cart, etc.). |
| List Segmentation | Basic (paid vs. free subscribers). | Advanced; segment by behavior, demographics, etc. |
| Analytics & Reporting | Basic open rates, subscriber growth. | Detailed reports on opens, clicks, conversions, etc. |
| Website/Landing Pages | Simple hosted page for your newsletter. | Robust landing page builder. |
| E-commerce Integration | Limited; primarily for subscriptions. | Extensive integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, etc. |
| Design Customization | Minimal; templated. | High; drag-and-drop editor, custom HTML. |
| Integrations | Limited. | Extensive (CRM, social media, analytics, etc.). |
Explanation:
Substack shines when your primary goal is to publish a newsletter and potentially earn money from paid subscriptions. It’s incredibly straightforward for writers who want to focus on content. Mailchimp, on the other hand, is built for businesses that want to use email as a powerful marketing and sales tool. Its advanced automation, segmentation, and integration capabilities allow for much more sophisticated campaigns designed to nurture leads and drive conversions.
Pricing Comparison
Understanding the cost is crucial, especially for new businesses. Here’s a look at how their pricing generally works:
| Aspect | Substack | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Yes, but takes a 10% cut plus payment processing fees on paid subscriptions. Free newsletters have no fees. | Yes, for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month. Limited features. |
| Paid Subscriptions | Platform takes a 10% fee on revenue from paid subscribers. | Starts with a “Standard” plan around $13/month for 500 contacts, increasing with contact list size and features. |
| Transaction Fees | Payment processing fees apply to paid subscriptions (e.g., Stripe fees). | Transaction fees apply for e-commerce sales if integrated. |
| Scalability | Costs increase with paid subscribers and revenue. | Costs increase significantly with contact list size and the feature tier chosen. |
Explanation:
Substack’s pricing is revenue-share based for paid newsletters, meaning you only pay when you make money from subscriptions. For free newsletters, it’s essentially free to send. Mailchimp has a tiered pricing model that starts low but can quickly become more expensive as your contact list grows and you need more advanced features. For businesses focused purely on generating revenue through paid content, Substack can be very cost-effective. For broader marketing goals, Mailchimp’s pricing reflects its extensive feature set.
You can find Mailchimp’s current pricing details here: Mailchimp Pricing.
Ease of Use & Customer Support
Substack: Substack is renowned for its simplicity. The interface is clean and intuitive, making it very easy for anyone to start publishing immediately. You don’t need technical skills to set up a newsletter, write posts, or manage subscribers. Support is generally through email and a knowledge base, which is adequate for its straightforward functionality.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp has a more complex interface due to its vast array of features. While they’ve made strides in user-friendliness with their drag-and-drop editor, beginners might find it takes a bit longer to learn. Mailchimp offers more robust customer support options, including email, chat, and a comprehensive knowledge base, especially for their paid plans. Some users on Reddit mention that while the tool is powerful, mastering all its capabilities can be a learning curve.
User Reviews & Case Studies
Hearing from real users is invaluable. Here’s what people are saying on platforms like Reddit:
“Substack is perfect for me as a writer. I just want to focus on my content and have a simple way to get paid subscriptions. I don’t need fancy automation or complex segmentation.”
— Freelance Writer, Reddit
“Mailchimp’s automation saved my business. I was able to set up abandoned cart emails that actually converted, which Substack just can’t do.”
— E-commerce Owner, Reddit
“I found Substack too limiting for design and customization. Mailchimp gave me the creative freedom I needed to match my brand.”
— Small Business Owner, Reddit
“Mailchimp’s free plan is a great starting point, but it gets pricey fast. Substack’s revenue share is better if you’re already making sales from your content.”
— Blogger, Reddit
Pros & Cons of Substack
👍 What Users Like
- Incredibly easy to use for writers and creators.
- Simple setup for paid subscriptions.
- Built-in audience discovery features (can help new writers).
- No upfront cost for sending free newsletters.
- Focuses on content, not complex marketing tech.
👎 Common Complaints
- Limited design customization and branding options.
- Basic automation and segmentation capabilities.
- 10% revenue share can be high for successful paid newsletters.
- Less integration with other marketing tools.
- Less control over the subscriber experience.
Pros & Cons of Mailchimp
👍 What Users Like
- Powerful automation features for targeted campaigns.
- Extensive list segmentation options.
- Wide range of integrations with other business tools.
- Highly customizable email templates and design.
- Robust analytics to track campaign performance.
- Generous free plan for very small lists.
👎 Common Complaints
- Can be expensive as your list grows.
- Steeper learning curve due to advanced features.
- Interface can feel cluttered at times.
- Deliverability can sometimes be an issue if not managed carefully.
- Free plan has significant limitations.
Case Study: Growing a Local Bakery with Mailchimp
A small local bakery, “Sweet Delights,” wanted to increase foot traffic and online orders. They used Mailchimp’s free plan to start. They created a simple signup form on their website and in-store, offering a 10% discount for new subscribers. Using Mailchimp’s automation, they set up a welcome email with the discount code and a follow-up email featuring their best-selling products. They also send out a weekly newsletter showcasing new pastries and special offers. This has helped them build a loyal customer base and increase repeat business.
— Based on common small business use cases. For specific examples, search G2 Reviews or Capterra Reviews.
Case Study: A Writer’s Success with Substack
“The Daily Grind,” a newsletter by an independent journalist covering the coffee industry, found its home on Substack. The writer wanted to focus on in-depth articles and build a community around their passion. Substack’s ease of use allowed them to publish regularly without technical hassle. They offered a free tier for most content and a paid tier for exclusive interviews and early access. Within a year, they gained 5,000 free subscribers and 500 paid subscribers, generating a steady income directly from their readership, a feat they felt would have been more complex to manage on a traditional email marketing platform.
— Based on common creator use cases. For specific examples, search Trustpilot Reviews or Reddit Discussions.
Which One Should You Choose?
The “ultimate choice” between Substack and Mailchimp really depends on your specific goals and business model. Think about what you want to achieve with your email list.
- Choose Substack if:
- You are a writer, creator, or journalist.
- Your primary goal is to publish content (articles, essays, stories) and build a community around it.
- You want a simple way to offer paid subscriptions directly to your audience.
- You prefer to focus on writing and not on marketing technology.
- You don’t need complex automation or advanced segmentation.
- Choose Mailchimp if:
- You are a small business owner, e-commerce store, or service provider.
- Your goal is to grow your business through email marketing, lead generation, and sales.
- You need advanced features like automation (welcome series, abandoned carts), segmentation, and A/B testing.
- You want to integrate your email marketing with other business tools and e-commerce platforms.
- You need full control over branding and design.
FAQ Section
- Is Mailchimp free?
- Yes, Mailchimp offers a free plan for users with up to 500 contacts and 1,000 email sends per month. However, this plan has limited features compared to their paid plans.
- Does Substack support automation?
- Substack has very basic automation, mainly for sending welcome emails to new subscribers. It does not offer the advanced automation sequences that platforms like Mailchimp provide.
- Which is better for small businesses?
- For most small businesses focused on marketing and sales, Mailchimp is generally better due to its robust features, integrations, and automation capabilities. If your “small business” is a content creator selling subscriptions, Substack might be a better fit.
- Can I switch from Mailchimp to Substack?
- Yes, you can import your email list from Mailchimp to Substack. However, Substack is designed for newsletter publishing and paid subscriptions, so you’d be moving away from Mailchimp’s broader marketing functionalities.
- Is Substack worth it for Shopify stores?
- Generally, no. Substack is not designed for e-commerce businesses like Shopify stores. Mailchimp or other dedicated e-commerce email marketing platforms (like Klaviyo) are much better suited for integrating with Shopify to manage customer data and drive sales.
- Does Mailchimp offer better deliverability than Substack?
- Mailchimp, as a dedicated email marketing service provider with advanced infrastructure and reputation management, generally offers strong deliverability. Substack focuses on content delivery for newsletters, and while generally good, its deliverability is tied to its platform’s overall health rather than granular user control.
- What are the Reddit communities saying about Substack vs Mailchimp?
- Reddit discussions often highlight Substack’s ease of use for writers and its direct monetization for paid newsletters. Mailchimp is frequently praised for its powerful marketing automation and integrations, though users sometimes note its cost can increase rapidly.
Conclusion
When it comes to Substack vs Mailchimp Reddit discussions, the core takeaway is that these platforms serve different primary purposes. Substack is a publishing platform for creators looking to build an audience and monetize their content directly through paid subscriptions. It’s simple, focused, and ideal for writers and journalists.
Mailchimp is a powerful, all-in-one email marketing service provider designed to help businesses grow. It offers extensive features for automation, segmentation, design, and integration, making it a versatile tool for sales, marketing, and customer relationship management.
Here’s a final recommendation framework:
- Choose Substack