Substack vs Mailchimp Reddit: Choosing the right email platform can feel overwhelming, but this beginner-friendly guide breaks down the key differences, pricing, and user experiences to help you decide. We’ll focus on what matters most for small businesses and creators.
Choosing the right email marketing tool can be tricky, especially when you see discussions on platforms like Reddit and feel unsure which path to take. Many small business owners and creators find themselves comparing platforms like Substack and Mailchimp, wondering which one truly fits their needs. It’s easy to get lost in feature lists and pricing tiers. But don’t worry! This guide is here to clear things up. We’ll compare Substack and Mailchimp side-by-side, looking at what they do best, what they cost, and what real users are saying. By the end, you’ll have a much clearer idea of which platform is the best choice for your goals.
Contents
What is Substack?
Substack is a platform designed primarily for writers and creators who want to build a paid subscription newsletter business. It simplifies the process of publishing content, managing subscribers, and collecting payments, all in one place. Think of it as a publishing house and payment processor rolled into one, with a focus on direct reader support through paid subscriptions.
What is Mailchimp?
Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing and automation platform. It’s widely used by businesses of all sizes to send newsletters, create marketing campaigns, manage customer lists, and automate email sequences. Mailchimp offers a broad range of tools for list building, segmentation, analytics, and e-commerce integration.
Key Differences at a Glance
Here’s a quick look at the core differences between Substack and Mailchimp:
- Focus: Substack is for paid newsletters and content creators; Mailchimp is for broader email marketing and business growth.
- Monetization: Substack is built around paid subscriptions; Mailchimp offers various ways to monetize, including e-commerce integrations.
- Features: Substack is simpler and focused on content publishing; Mailchimp offers a wider array of marketing automation and analytics tools.
- Audience: Substack is ideal for writers building a direct reader base; Mailchimp suits businesses needing to market to customers and leads.
Features Comparison
Let’s dive into the features that matter most for growing your audience and engaging them.
| Feature | Substack | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter Publishing | Yes, primary function. Easy to write and publish. | Yes, robust editor and scheduling options. |
| Paid Subscriptions | Yes, built-in system for paid newsletters. | No direct built-in paid subscription feature for newsletters. Primarily email marketing for sales. |
| Email Automation | Limited to welcome emails and post notifications. | Advanced automation workflows (welcome series, abandoned cart, etc.). |
| List Segmentation | Basic segmentation by free/paid subscribers. | Advanced segmentation based on engagement, demographics, purchase history. |
| Analytics | Basic open rates, subscriber growth, paid revenue. | Detailed analytics on opens, clicks, conversions, list health, campaign performance. (See Email Marketing Benchmarks) |
| E-commerce Integration | No direct integration for selling products outside of subscriptions. | Strong integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, and others for product sales and marketing. |
| Website/Landing Pages | Creates a simple profile page for your newsletter. | Builds dedicated landing pages for campaigns and lead generation. |
| Community Features | Built-in comment sections for paid subscribers. | Primarily focused on direct communication via email. |
Explanation: Substack shines if your main goal is to create a paid newsletter and build a community around your writing. Its simplicity is its strength here. Mailchimp, on the other hand, is a powerhouse for businesses that need to do more than just send out content. If you need to automate sales follow-ups, segment your audience deeply for targeted offers, or integrate with your online store, Mailchimp offers a much richer feature set.
Pricing Comparison
Understanding the costs involved is crucial for any small business. Both platforms have different pricing structures that cater to different needs.
| Plan Type | Substack | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Free to start. Substack takes 10% + 3% processing fee on paid subscriptions. | Free plan available for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month, with Mailchimp branding. |
| Paid Tiers | No monthly fees for the basic newsletter; revenue-share model applies to paid subscriptions. | Starts with Essentials ($13/month for 500 contacts), then Standard, Premium, and custom Enterprise plans with increasing features and contact limits. (See Mailchimp Pricing) |
| Transaction Fees | 10% + 3% processing fee on paid subscriptions. | No direct transaction fees for email marketing; e-commerce sales have standard payment processor fees. |
| Value Proposition | Easy monetization for creators without upfront costs, but a revenue share. | Scalable pricing based on contacts and features, offering more control and advanced tools. |
Explanation: For writers just starting a paid newsletter, Substack’s revenue-share model means no upfront cost, which is very attractive. You only pay when you earn money. Mailchimp’s free plan is great for building an email list initially, but as your list grows or you need more advanced features like automation, the costs increase. Mailchimp’s pricing is based on the number of contacts you have, so it scales with your growth but can become more expensive than Substack if you have a very large, engaged list for a paid newsletter.
Ease of Use & Customer Support
As a beginner, you want tools that are straightforward and offer help when you need it.
Substack: Many users praise Substack for its extreme simplicity. The publishing interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy to write and send out newsletters without a steep learning curve. Support is generally handled through a help center and email. It’s designed to get writers publishing quickly.
Mailchimp: Mailchimp has a reputation for being user-friendly, especially for those new to email marketing. It offers a visual drag-and-drop editor for emails and automations. However, with its vast array of features, there can be a slightly steeper learning curve than Substack. Mailchimp provides a comprehensive knowledge base, email support, and chat support for paid plans. Some users on Reddit have noted that while support is available, it can sometimes feel less personal on lower-tier plans.
User Reviews & Case Studies
Hearing from real users on platforms like Reddit can offer valuable insights.
Substack User Feedback
On Reddit discussions about Substack, common themes emerge:
“Substack is the easiest way to get a paid newsletter off the ground. I don’t have to worry about tech, just writing.”
— A Reddit User on r/writing
“The 10% fee stings a bit as you grow, but for starting out and focusing on content, it’s hard to beat.”
— Another Reddit User on r/blogging
“I love the built-in community with comments. It feels more like a direct connection than just sending emails into an inbox.”
— A Substack Creator on r/substack
👍 What Users Like
- Simplicity and ease of use (Reddit)
- Built-in monetization for paid content (Reddit)
- Focus on writing and content creation (Reddit)
- Integrated community features (Reddit)
👎 Common Complaints
- Revenue share fee can be high for successful newsletters (Reddit)
- Limited customization options for branding and website (Reddit)
- Less robust marketing automation compared to dedicated platforms (Reddit)
Mailchimp User Feedback
Users on Reddit often discuss Mailchimp in the context of growing businesses:
“Mailchimp is great for e-commerce. The abandoned cart emails alone are worth it if you sell products.”
— A Reddit User on r/ecommerce
“I found the automation builder a bit complex at first, but once I got the hang of it, it’s incredibly powerful.”
— Another Reddit User on r/marketing
“Their free plan is good for getting started, but you’ll hit limits fast if you want to do serious segmentation or automation.”
— A Small Business Owner on r/smallbusiness
👍 What Users Like
- Powerful automation and segmentation tools (Reddit)
- Strong e-commerce integrations (Reddit)
- Detailed analytics for campaign tracking (Reddit)
- User-friendly interface for email creation (Reddit)
👎 Common Complaints
- Pricing can become expensive as your list grows (Reddit)
- Customer support can be hit-or-miss on lower tiers (Reddit)
- Interface can feel overwhelming with so many features (Reddit)
Case Studies
Substack Example: Many independent journalists and authors have found success using Substack to build a direct relationship with their readers and earn a living from their writing. For instance, many writers have transitioned from traditional media to Substack, creating lucrative paid newsletters covering niche topics, leading to a stable income stream independent of advertising or paywalls. (Read about Substack’s success)
Mailchimp Example: A small e-commerce business selling handmade jewelry used Mailchimp to set up automated welcome emails for new subscribers and abandoned cart recovery emails. By segmenting their audience based on past purchases, they sent targeted promotions, leading to a 20% increase in repeat customer sales within six months. (Explore Mailchimp customer stories)
Which One Should You Choose?
The “best” choice really depends on your primary goals:
- Choose Substack if:
- Your main goal is to write and publish a newsletter that readers pay for.
- You want a simple, all-in-one platform focused on content and subscriptions.
- You’re a writer, journalist, artist, or creator looking to build a direct audience and income stream.
- You don’t need complex marketing automations or deep e-commerce integrations.
- Choose Mailchimp if:
- You need a versatile email marketing tool to grow your business beyond just a newsletter.
- You want to send marketing campaigns, promotions, and automated sequences to leads and customers.
- You have an e-commerce store and need integrations for sales, abandoned carts, etc.
- You need advanced segmentation, analytics, and the ability to create dedicated landing pages.
- You are willing to invest in a platform that scales with more advanced marketing needs.
FAQ Section
Q1: Is Mailchimp free?
A1: Yes, Mailchimp offers a free plan for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 email sends per month. It’s a great way to start building your email list, though it has limitations on features and branding.
Q2: Does Substack support automation?
A2: Substack’s automation capabilities are quite basic. It primarily focuses on automated welcome emails for new subscribers and notifications for new posts. It doesn’t offer the complex marketing automation workflows that platforms like Mailchimp do.
Q3: Which is better for small businesses?
A3: For small businesses focused on general marketing, customer engagement, and e-commerce, Mailchimp is generally a better choice due to its robust features. For small businesses that are essentially content creators looking for paid subscriptions (like niche newsletters), Substack might be more suitable.
Q4: Can I switch from Mailchimp to Substack?
A4: Yes, you can export your subscriber list from Mailchimp and import it into Substack. However, you’ll need to consider how you’ll handle paid subscriptions if you move to Substack, as Mailchimp doesn’t directly manage paid newsletter subscriptions.
Q5: Is Substack worth it for a free newsletter?
A5: If you’re only planning to offer a free newsletter and don’t need advanced marketing tools, Substack can work, but it’s not its primary strength. Mailchimp’s free plan or lower-tier paid plans might offer more flexibility and features for a free newsletter, especially if you want to grow your list for future monetization through other means.
Q6: Which is better for building an audience from scratch?
A6: Both can help, but they do it differently. Substack is excellent if your audience is specifically looking for paid, premium content from writers. Mailchimp is better if you’re building an audience for a broader business, offering lead magnets, and engaging them with varied marketing campaigns.
Conclusion
When you’re weighing “Substack vs Mailchimp Reddit” discussions, remember that the best platform aligns with your specific goals. Substack is a streamlined solution for creators who want to publish and monetize paid newsletters with minimal fuss. Its strength lies in its simplicity and direct-to-reader subscription model.
Mailchimp, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive email marketing platform. It’s the superior choice if you need advanced automation, robust analytics, extensive list segmentation, and e-commerce integrations to grow a wider business. Its scalable pricing means you can start free and upgrade as your needs and list grow.
Who should choose Substack? Writers, journalists, podcasters, and creators who want to build a paid subscription community around their content and prefer a simple, focused publishing experience.
Who should choose Mailchimp? Small businesses, e-commerce stores, bloggers, and marketers who need a full suite of email marketing tools to engage customers, drive sales, and grow their brand.
Ultimately, the best way to decide is to try them out. Both platforms offer free options or trials. Take advantage of them to see which interface feels more intuitive and which features best support your vision. Happy marketing!