Substack vs Patreon: Choosing your publishing platform

Deciding between Substack vs Patreon? Let us help you choose the best solution for your publishing platform, whether you're a creator, writer, podcaster or artist.

Joanna TaylorJoanna Taylor

By Joanna Taylor  •  Updated 28 October 2024

Substack vs PatreonSubstack vs Patreon

So you're ready to start publishing online, but you're stuck with the choice between Substack vs Patreon?

If you're a creator looking to monetize your content, these are two of the most popular platforms on the market today.

When you're choosing between Substack vs Patreon, you need to consider the best fit based on the type of content creation you are focusing on.

In this guide, we'll break down the features, pros and cons of each platform to give you the best chance of success when choosing your publishing platform.

TL:DR - Overview when choosing your publishing platform

Substack

  • Ideal if you're focused on newsletters and building a subscriber base for your writing.
  • All in one platform that manages content delivery, billing and membership tiers.
  • Good for text-based content and podcasts.

Patreon:

  • Suitable for various content types including podcasts, video and art.
  • Offers fans an interactive approach with tiered paid membership levels.
  • Dedicated partner managers available on premium plan for personalised support.

Substack vs Patreon - At a Glance

Substack primarily focuses on newsletter creation, both free and paid. It's great for writers and those wanting to build direct communication with their audience through substack publication.

Patreon offers a broader canvas, letting creators share video content, podcasts, art, and much more with fans. It's all about creating a variety of paid content tiers to engage your audience more deeply.

Substack vs Patreon - Features Comparison

A little about Substack

Substack launched in 2017 with a goal: empower writers to monetize their work directly through paid subscriptions. The platform offers tools to publish newsletters, build a subscriber base, and interact with your readers.

Substack Homepage - Substack vs Patreon

Substack Main Features Overview

Feature 1: Newsletter and Blog Publishing with Paid Subscriptions

Substack provides an easy-to-use platform to create and publish newsletters or blogs.

The interface is intuitive, allowing writers to focus on their content without dealing with technical complications.

You can decide whether your content is free or behind a paywall, which gives you the flexibility to grow both free subscribers and paid subscribers.

Substack’s publishing model makes it simple to connect directly with your readers via email, which is perfect for writers looking to build deep connections.

Readers can interact with Substack content through comments and discussions, similar to blog posts, fostering a community of engaged readers.

You can also include multimedia elements like images and embedded videos to make your newsletters more engaging. This focus on seamless publishing helps writers deliver their work consistently, without being bogged down by formatting issues.

Overall, Substack keeps the publishing process straightforward, making it accessible for both beginner and experienced writers.

Feature 2: Importing Existing Content

Substack makes it easy for creators to bring existing newsletters from other platforms like WordPress, Medium, or MailChimp.

This feature ensures continuity for creators switching platforms, allowing them to retain their subscriber list and keep their audience intact.

Importing your mailing list or past content is as simple as a few clicks, and Substack provides clear instructions to guide you through the process.

This migration tool is particularly valuable for creators who are ready to monetize their content after starting on other free platforms.

By importing content, creators can maintain their branding and messaging consistency, which helps retain reader trust.

Substack's focus is on making the transition smooth, ensuring there’s no drop in engagement or follower count during the switch.

Feature 3: Community Building

Subscribers can comment on posts, allowing you to nurture a direct relationship with your readers.

This community-building aspect is one of Substack's standout features, providing a way for readers to interact directly with authors and with each other.

The comments section works similarly to a blog, fostering discussion and feedback, which helps keep your audience engaged.

Substack also encourages creators to interact with readers through emails and responses, making it a two-way communication platform.

Building a community is important for long-term engagement, and Substack provides tools that make this feasible even for those just starting out.

Creators can build a loyal reader base by engaging with comments and sparking meaningful conversations.

Feature 4: Analytics Tools

Substack offers insights into subscriber growth, email open rates, and subscription conversions, making it easier to understand what content resonates best.

Analytics include metrics like open rates, read times, and engagement levels, which help creators understand what content works and what doesn’t.

For instance, tracking how many readers open a specific email can give insights into which topics generate the most interest.

Additionally, analytics can reveal which paid tiers are most popular, helping creators optimize their subscription models and offer various benefits or access levels to enhance monetization.

The metrics are presented in a simple format, allowing even those without technical knowledge to interpret data effectively.

Understanding your audience’s behavior is crucial to improving content quality, and Substack’s analytics makes it possible for creators to continuously refine their approach.

These insights help creators decide on content strategy, plan future posts, and identify what resonates most with their audience.

Feature 5: Currency Conversion & Localization

For creators with a global audience, Substack handles localized pricing and currency conversions, ensuring you and your subscribers always get the best deal without worrying about currency fees.

Substack automatically adjusts the pricing based on the reader’s location, providing a seamless experience for international audiences.

This localization ensures that subscription costs are equitable, no matter where your readers are located, which can help increase conversion rates.

Stripe, Substack's payment processor partner, also plays a role in managing currency conversions, with fees ranging from 1% to 2%, depending on the location.

Substack rounds the local prices to ensure consistency, so creators don’t need to worry about getting paid less due to currency fluctuations.

This feature is beneficial for writers who want to reach a global audience without the headache of managing different currencies and exchange rates.

Substack Pros

Simple Newsletter Setup: Easy to start a paid or free newsletter without technical hassles.
Direct Ownership of Subscribers: You have more control over your audience and data.
Transparent Fee Structure: 10% platform fee with no hidden charges.
Flexible Publishing Options: Create both free and paid content easily.
Reader-Focused Platform: Built to focus on newsletters and engaging an audience that wants written content.
Seamless Integration: Easy import from other platforms like WordPress or Medium.

Substack Cons

Limited Content Types: Primarily focused on text-based content; lacks tools for diverse content like video content or music.
Limited Customization: Lacks advanced subscription tiers for more custom audience perks.
Higher Fees with Stripe: Stripe adds additional fees for transactions, which can add up.
No Merchandise Support: Doesn't support direct sales of physical or digital products beyond newsletters.
Basic Analytics: Analytics tools are not as advanced as other platforms.
Less Discoverability: Content discoverability features are limited compared to platforms like Patreon.

A little about Patreon 

Patreon was founded in 2013 to help creators monetize their content by offering fans a way to financially support their work through memberships.

Patreon - Substack vs Patreon

It supports a variety of content types, making it an attractive choice for artists, podcasters, and more.

Patreon Main Features Overview

Feature 1: Membership and Subscription Tiers

Creators can set up multiple membership tiers, each offering different benefits, allowing fans to choose how much they want to contribute and receive in return.

This feature is particularly useful for creators who want to offer varied perks based on fan support.

For instance, fans who pay more can get access to exclusive content such as behind-the-scenes videos, special Q&A sessions, or even physical rewards.

Membership tiers make it easy for creators to cater to different levels of engagement, ensuring that everyone—from casual supporters to superfans—feels valued.

Creators can create as many tiers as they want, providing a high level of customization.

This flexibility allows you to reward your biggest supporters with special perks, while also offering low-cost options for those just getting started.

Feature 2: Creator Page Customization

Each creator gets a customizable Patreon page where they can share their work, communicate with patrons, and showcase their unique content.

Your creator page acts as your hub on Patreon—customizing it helps to communicate your brand and personality to potential supporters.

You can add banners, images, and even descriptions to better convey your message and showcase your content in the best light.

This level of personalization helps you stand out and make a great first impression when fans land on your page. A well-designed page can boost trust and engagement, encouraging fans to subscribe to support your work.

You can also decide how much information to display, such as how many patrons you have or your total earnings, which gives you control over what others see.

Feature 3: Diverse and Exclusive Content Types

Patreon supports everything from video content, audio, images, and even written posts.

This versatility makes Patreon ideal for creators who want to offer a mix of content—whether it’s a podcast, a series of drawings, or exclusive content like blog posts.

Unlike Substack, which focuses mainly on newsletters, Patreon supports creators from a wide range of fields, including musicians, artists, podcasters, and more.

Additionally, Patreon allows creators to sell digital downloads directly to users without requiring a subscription, enhancing monetization options by blending traditional subscriptions with a more accessible digital storefront model.

The platform allows for posting exclusive content that is only accessible to patrons, creating a sense of exclusivity and value for your supporters.

Whether you want to share a new song, a behind-the-scenes video, or a special blog post, Patreon allows you to easily do that in one place.

This diversity in content helps keep your audience engaged and provides more ways to monetize your creative output.

Feature 4: Merchandise Integration

Patreon offers the option to create and distribute merchandise to patrons, making it easier to reward fans with physical rewards and manage fulfillment through the Patreon site.

This feature can be a huge benefit for creators with a dedicated fanbase who want to offer more tangible rewards.

You can create branded merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and stickers, which helps in strengthening fan loyalty.

Patreon takes care of the logistics involved in the production and distribution of merchandise, freeing creators from the headache of managing inventory or shipping.

This is especially useful for creators who want to focus on their craft rather than logistics.

Offering merchandise is a great way to turn casual fans into more committed supporters, as they now have a physical item to connect them to the content they love.

Feature 5: Community and Engagement Tools

Creators can interact directly with their patrons via messages, posts, and community feeds, which helps deepen connections with their supporters.

Patreon allows creators to send direct messages to individual patrons or entire groups, making communication more personal. This direct engagement is great for building relationships and making supporters feel valued.

The community feed serves as a social space where patrons can interact not just with the creator but also with each other.

This creates a sense of belonging, and helps in building a tight-knit community around your content.

By fostering a community, Patreon helps creators maintain long-term engagement, ensuring fans are more likely to stick around.

Patreon Pros

Versatile Content Support: Allows you to share everything from music to art to videos.
Flexible Membership Tiers: Fans can choose from multiple tiers, helping to engage at different levels.
Merchandise Options: Option to sell and distribute merchandise directly to patrons.
Advanced Analytics: More detailed statistics and insights on subscriber engagement.
Community Building Features: In-built tools for interacting directly with patrons.
Support for Multiple Creators: Great for teams looking to collaborate and share a single page.

Patreon Cons

Complex Fee Structure: Patreon charges platform fees that range from 5% to 12%, depending on the plan, plus payment processing fees.
Limited Discovery for New Creators: Mainly promotes established creators, making it harder for new ones to get noticed.
Higher Fees for Higher Earnings: The more you earn, the more you pay in fees.
Less Ideal for Writing: Unlike Substack, it doesn't naturally cater to long-form written content.
Platform Reliant: Patreon maintains more control over your subscribers compared to Substack.
Limited Content Ownership: Content ownership can feel limited compared to a platform like Substack, where you retain direct audience control.

Substack vs Patreon - Monetization Models

Both Substack and Patreon offer robust monetization models that enable creators to earn revenue from their content. Substack’s approach is straightforward, allowing writers to set up paid subscriptions for their newsletters and other content.

This model is particularly effective for those who produce regular, high-quality written content and want to monetize their readership directly.

On the other hand, Patreon employs a tiered support model, which provides creators with the flexibility to set multiple subscription tiers.

Each tier can offer different levels of benefits, allowing fans to choose how much they want to contribute each month.

Higher-paying subscribers can access more exclusive content, such as special updates, early releases, and personalized interactions.

This tiered system not only maximizes revenue potential but also fosters a deeper connection between creators and their most dedicated fans.

Substack vs Patreon - Monthly Fee and Pricing Overview

Substack Pricing Summary

Substack pricing - Substack vs Patreon
  • 10% Platform Fee: Substack takes 10% of all paid subscription revenue.
  • No Monthly Fee: You only pay when you earn.
  • Stripe Payment Fees: Additional transaction fees of about 8.6% apply, including card processing and recurring fees.

Patreon Pricing Summary

  • Multiple Plans: Pro plan at 8%, Pro + Merch at 11%, Premium at 12%.

  • No Monthly Fee: Fees are collected based on earnings, with different rates depending on chosen plans.

  • Additional Fees: Transaction fees depend on currency and membership plan, often totaling 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction.

Patreon Pricing

The key difference in pricing is that Patreon offers various plans for creators to choose from, while Substack maintains a flat fee rate, which can be simpler but may lack the flexibility Patreon offers.

Substack vs Patreon - Key Differences

  • Content Type: Substack is best for newsletters and writing; Patreon supports diverse content types including video content and art.

  • Fee Structure: Substack takes a flat 10% of earnings; Patreon’s fees vary by plan and can go up to 12%.]

  • Audience Engagement: Patreon offers multiple membership tiers to engage differently; Substack has simpler subscriber options.

  • Merchandise Support: Patreon includes tools for selling physical rewards; Substack does not.

  • Discoverability: Substack has some features to promote new creators; Patreon primarily promotes well-established creators.

  • Customization: Patreon allows for more customization options in memberships and benefits; Substack is simpler and more streamlined.

  • Customer Support and Platform Customization: When comparing patreon substack, Substack offers superior tools for creators transitioning from Patreon, with better customer support and platform customization that facilitates strong community engagement and streamlined management for both paid and free subscriptions.

Substack vs Patreon - Choosing the Right Platform for You

If you're primarily a writer, blogger, or journalist who wants to focus on newsletters, Substack is likely the better choice. Its platform is simple, and its tools cater to written content and reader engagement.

However, if you're a podcaster, musician, visual artist, or create multiple types of content, Patreon offers more flexibility and features to help grow your fan base and provide different levels of content through subscription options.

For beginners, Substack offers an easier setup and management experience. For those with an existing fan base, Patreon may allow for deeper engagement and monetization options.

Summary

Both platforms have their unique strengths and cater to different types of creators. Substack excels in simplicity, direct ownership, and a focus on newsletters, while Patreon provides a robust toolkit for multimedia content and deeper audience interaction.

Consider your needs: writing-focused and streamlined income? Go with Substack. Multimedia content and interactive community? Patreon could be your best bet.

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