Top 5 Substack alternatives in 2025

What is Substack?

Substack is a platform that allows independent writers and creators to publish and monetize their content. They take a 10% cut of the revenue generated by creators, in addition to credit card fees. Substack offers features such as subscription management, direct communication with readers through chat, and tools for content creation and distribution. The platform also provides analytics to help creators understand their audience and grow their subscriber base.

Reasons for considering Substack alternatives

• Substack only supports Stripe for payments, limiting availability in some regions.
• Integrations with tools like Notion and HubSpot are weak or non-existent.
• Analytics provided by Substack are limited and lack depth.
• Users have reported occasional bugs and inconsistent support.

A quick look

Here are the top 5 alternatives to Substack:

1. Flodesk
2. Sendpulse
3. Campaigner
4. Mailercloud
5. Mautic

Best alternatives to Substack

1. Flodesk

Flodesk offers the most intuitive email marketing tools for small businesses, helping you grow and monetize your email list effortlessly. With no need for coding or design skills, you can create, send, and automate emails that engage your audience and drive revenue. Trusted by over 100,000 businesses, Flodesk helps beginners and experts send beautiful, high-converting emails in a radically simple way. With the world’s most intuitive email builder, powerful automations, and beautiful forms, Flodesk gives you everything you need for brilliant email marketing—without the complexity. For more information, visit Flodesk.

Pros of using Flodesk

• Simple and Intuitive: Flodesk provides powerful features in a simple, easy-to-use interface without the complexity of outdated platforms.
• Beautiful Emails: Flodesk is the top choice for creating visually appealing emails that reflect a brand's unique style and identity.
• High Converting Ecommerce Blocks: Flodesk offers beautiful sales pages and online payment options, making it easy to turn any link into a sales funnel.

Cons of using Flodesk

• No SMS Notifications: Flodesk focuses solely on email marketing and does not offer SMS notifications, which can be a limitation for businesses looking to integrate multi-channel communication strategies.
• Not for All Enterprises: Flodesk does not offer API and web hooks for enterprises that might want to trigger automations from business logic, making it less suitable for larger organizations with complex automation needs.

Pricing

Pricing starts at $35 per month with plans designed to grow with your business. You’ll get access to stunning design-focused templates and easy automation built for small businesses, solopreneurs, and creative brands. With clear and predictable pricing, there are no confusing tiers or hidden fees.

Reviews

Flodesk reviews highlight the platform's exceptional ease of use and stunning templates, earning it a stellar 4.4 out of 5 stars. Users rave about its intuitive design and seamless integrations, with 77% awarding it a perfect 5-star rating.

Flodesk is incredibly intuitive and makes designing beautiful emails a breeze. The templates are stunning and easy to customize. - LucyParis P. (Rating: 5/5)

The simplicity and elegance of Flodesk's interface are unmatched. It has transformed the way I approach email marketing. - Sarah M. (Rating: 5/5)

2. Sendpulse

SendPulse provides marketing automation tools including email campaigns, SMS, web push notifications, and chatbots for platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Viber. The platform also offers lead generation tools such as landing pages and pop-ups, along with a CRM system and an online course builder.

Pros of using Sendpulse

• Multi-Channel Tools: SendPulse offers email campaigns, SMS, web push notifications, and chatbots.
• Free Plan: The free plan includes 15,000 emails, 3 chatbots, a CRM system, and a landing page builder.
• 24/7 Support: Customer support is available around the clock in multiple languages.

Cons of using Sendpulse

• Limited Advanced Features in Free Plan: While the free plan offers a substantial number of features, some advanced functionalities like SMS campaigns and additional automation options are only available in the paid plans. This limitation can be a drawback for users who need more comprehensive tools without upgrading.
• Potential Complexity for Beginners: The platform offers a wide range of tools and integrations, which can be overwhelming for new users or those without prior experience in digital marketing automation. The learning curve might be steep, requiring time and effort to fully understand and utilize all the features effectively.

Pricing

SendPulse offers various pricing plans based on the number of subscribers. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:

• 2,000 Subscribers: $25 per month
• 10,000 Subscribers: $65 per month

Reviews

Sendpulse reviews reveal that users appreciate its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options, earning it a high rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. However, some users find the platform's complexity overwhelming, especially for beginners, and note that advanced features are limited in the free plan.

"Sendpulse offers a decent range of features, but the interface can be a bit clunky at times." - Sarah K. (Rating: 3/5)

"The automation tools in Sendpulse are top-notch and have significantly improved our email campaigns." - Michael B. (Rating: 4.5/5)

3. Campaigner

Campaigner provides email marketing automation tools, including AI-driven insights, SMS marketing, and a visual builder for creating customer journeys. It also offers features like list health management, personalization, and a drag-and-drop interface for easy campaign creation.

Pros of using Campaigner

• AI Insight Builder: Provides valuable insights about contacts.
• Multi-Channel Support: Includes email and SMS marketing.
• Automation Workflows: Visual builder for creating customer journeys.

Cons of using Campaigner

• Complexity for Beginners: Campaigner offers a wide range of advanced features, which can be overwhelming for new users or those without prior experience in email marketing automation. The learning curve might be steep, requiring time and effort to fully understand and utilize all the functionalities effectively.
• Cost: While Campaigner provides a comprehensive set of tools, the pricing can be on the higher side compared to other email marketing platforms. This can be a drawback for small businesses or individuals with limited budgets who are looking for cost-effective solutions.

Pricing

Campaigner offers straightforward pricing plans for different subscriber levels. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:

• 2,000 Subscribers: $23.60 per month
• 10,000 Subscribers: $71.60 per month

Reviews

Campaigner reviews reveal that users appreciate its powerful email and SMS marketing automation features, but some find the platform complex and the pricing high. Overall, the sentiment is mixed, with a rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars based on 135 reviews.

"Campaigner offers a solid set of features, but the interface can be a bit clunky at times." - Sattwik M. (Rating: 3/5)

"Campaigner is a powerful tool for email marketing with excellent customer support." - Jane R. (Rating: 4.5/5)

4. Mailercloud

Mailercloud is an email marketing tool that enables users to create, send, and track email campaigns. It offers features such as a drag-and-drop email template builder, email automation, A/B testing, and advanced reporting to help manage and optimize email marketing efforts.

Pros of using Mailercloud

• Drag-and-Drop Builder: Allows users to create email templates without coding.
• Email Automation: Enables automated email campaigns based on user actions.
• Advanced Reporting: Provides detailed metrics to track email campaign performance.

Cons of using Mailercloud

• Limited Advanced Features: While Mailercloud offers a range of useful tools, it lacks some advanced features that more experienced marketers might need. This can be a drawback for users looking for more sophisticated functionalities.
• Learning Curve: Despite its user-friendly interface, new users may find it challenging to navigate and fully utilize all the features Mailercloud offers. This can result in a steeper learning curve compared to other platforms.

Pricing

Mailercloud offers straightforward pricing plans for different subscriber levels. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:

• 2,000 Subscribers: $16 per month
• 10,000 Subscribers: $50 per month

Reviews

Mailercloud reviews show a high rating of 4.5/5 based on 56 reviews, with users praising its intuitive drag-and-drop email builder and advanced features. However, some users find the platform's learning curve challenging.

"The customer support is excellent, and the email templates are very customizable." - Michael B. (Rating: 4.5/5)

"Mailercloud offers a straightforward interface, but it lacks some advanced features." - Sarah K. (Rating: 3/5)

5. Mautic

Mautic is an open-source marketing automation platform that allows organizations to manage and automate their marketing efforts. It offers features such as campaign building, email and page creation, lead management, and data privacy compliance, with the option for self-hosting to ensure data sovereignty and avoid vendor lock-in.

Pros of using Mautic

• No vendor lock-in: Mautic allows users to maintain control over their data without being tied to a specific vendor.
• True data sovereignty: Users can self-host Mautic, ensuring complete control over their data and compliance with privacy laws.
• Open-source and free to use: Mautic is available at no cost, providing a cost-effective solution for marketing automation.

Cons of using Mautic

• Steep Learning Curve: Mautic's extensive features and customization options can be overwhelming for new users, requiring significant time and effort to master.
• Technical Expertise Required: Setting up and maintaining a self-hosted Mautic instance demands a certain level of technical knowledge, which can be a barrier for non-technical users.

Pricing

Mautic offers pricing plans that require direct inquiry for specific details. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:

• 2,000 Subscribers: Price upon request
• 10,000 Subscribers: Price upon request

Reviews

Mautic reviews highlight the platform's robust open-source nature and powerful campaign management features, earning it a high rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. However, users have noted a steep learning curve and the need for technical expertise as potential drawbacks.

"Mautic offers a comprehensive suite of tools for marketing automation, but the learning curve can be steep." - Sarah K. (Rating: 3/5)

"The flexibility and customization options in Mautic are impressive, making it a powerful tool for experienced marketers." - David L. (Rating: 4.5/5)

What to consider when selecting a Substack alternative?

When selecting a Substack alternative, it's crucial to consider features that align with the needs of independent writers and creators. Here are the top five things to keep in mind:

1. Multi-Channel Marketing Tools: Look for platforms that offer more than just email marketing. Tools like SMS campaigns, web push notifications, and chatbots can enhance your reach and engagement.
2. Ease of Use: A user-friendly interface with drag-and-drop builders and customizable templates can save time and effort, especially for those without technical skills.
3. Automation and Personalization: Advanced automation workflows and personalization options can help tailor your content to individual subscribers, improving engagement and conversion rates.
4. Integration Capabilities: Ensure the platform integrates seamlessly with other tools you use, such as CRM systems, e-commerce platforms, and social media channels, to streamline your workflow.
5. Pricing and Scalability: Consider the cost and whether the pricing plans can scale with your growing subscriber base. Transparent pricing without hidden fees is essential for budgeting.

Which one should you go with?

Each of these Substack alternatives offers unique features and benefits, making them all worthy contenders. However, if you're looking for a platform that combines simplicity with stunning design, Flodesk stands out as an excellent choice. Its intuitive interface and beautiful templates make it easy to create high-converting emails, perfect for both beginners and seasoned marketers. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your specific needs, but Flodesk is a fantastic option to consider.