Finding Your Newsletter’s Perfect Match: WordPress vs. Substack

Hey there! So, you’re thinking about starting a newsletter, huh? Awesome choice—newsletters are having a total moment right now. They’re this chill, personal way to connect with your people, spill your thoughts, and maybe even pocket some cash. But picking a platform? That’s where it gets tricky. Substack or WordPress? It’s like choosing between a quick coffee run or brewing your own fancy latte. Let’s dive in and figure this out together—no boring stuff, just the good vibes.

Why Are Newsletters So Cool?

Alright, what’s a newsletter anyway? Picture this: it’s your own little VIP email club. You get to share whatever’s on your mind—stories, hot tips, or random musings—straight to inboxes of folks who actually care. Here’s why they rock:

• Your crew, your rules: It’s a direct line to your fans, no middleman.

• No algorithm drama: Just you, your words, and your readers.

• Cash potential: Yep, you can turn your ramblings into a paycheck.

Whether you’re a writer, a side-hustler, or just bursting with ideas, newsletters are your ticket to shine.

The Main Players

So, Substack and WordPress are the big names in the newsletter game. They’re both dope, but they’re totally different vibes. Substack’s the laid-back newbie built for newsletters, while WordPress is the OG that can do it all. Let’s meet ‘em.

Substack: The Newsletter Game-Changer

Substack’s like that friend who makes everything effortless. It invented itself as a newsletter-first platform, launched in 2017, giving creators a no-fuss way to write, publish, and cash in on their content. Founded by Chris Best (CEO, ex-Kik Messenger co-founder), Jairaj Sethi (head of platform at Kik), and Hamish McKenzie (former PandoDaily reporter), it drew inspiration from Ben Thompson’s subscription-based Stratechery. It’s all about newsletters, with zero fluff, and has grown into a powerhouse for independent creators. Here’s the lowdown, packed with data and facts.

Substack’s a dream for creators who want to keep it simple and get paid fast, with over $40 million flowing to top creators in 2024 alone. But that 10% cut stings as you grow, and the lack of customization or product-selling tools can cap your hustle. It’s still the chillest way to start a newsletter, but if you’re dreaming bigger, you might outgrow it.

Substack’s Strengths

• Simple Setup: Launch a newsletter in ~5 minutes with no coding skills needed.

• Built-in Discovery: Substack’s recommendation system drives 40% of free subscriptions and 12% of paid ones, boosting visibility.

• Integrated Monetization: Set up paid subscriptions instantly, with 90% of revenue going to creators (after Stripe fees).

• Multi-Format Support: Supports text, podcasts, videos, and discussion threads since 2019; added Substack Chat in 2022.

• App Engagement: App users are 15x more likely to comment, 44x more likely to share, and 25% more likely to pay than non-app users.

Substack’s Limitations

• Platform Dependency: Your business lives on Substack’s ecosystem. Changes to pricing, features, or policies leave you with no control—adapt or rebuild elsewhere.

• Revenue Sharing: Substack takes 10% of subscription revenue indefinitely, plus Stripe’s 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. For $5,000 monthly earnings, you’d pay $500 to Substack and ~$175 to Stripe.

• Limited Customization: Minimal design options (fonts, colors only). Newsletters lack unique branding, blending into Substack’s uniform look.

• Growth Ceiling: Limited to newsletters, podcasts, and videos. No native support for selling products, courses, or memberships—requires third-party tools.

• Platform Evolution: Shift toward social features like Notes (short-form posts) and Chat prioritizes engagement over deep creator-audience connections, diluting the newsletter focus.

Financial Performance

• Subscribers: Over 4 million paid subscribers as of 2024; 35 million total active subscriptions, with 20 million monthly active readers.

• Revenue: Top 10 creators earned $40 million collectively in 2024; top 27 newsletters generated ~$22 million.

• Creator Earnings: 17,000+ writers earn via Substack; some hit six-figure incomes (e.g., Emily Atkin’s Heated in 2020).

• Platform Revenue: Substack’s 10% cut from paid subscriptions (plus Stripe fees) fuels its income. No public revenue figures, but estimated $2.5 million from top anti-vaccine authors alone in 2022.

• Funding: Raised $15.3 million in Series A (2019, Andreessen Horowitz) and seed funding (2018, The Chernin Group, Zhen Fund, Emmett Shear, Justin Waldron).

• Growth: Paid subscriptions grew from 25,000 (2018) to 500,000 (2021) to 2 million (2023).

WordPress: The Ultimate Creative Playground

WordPress is the Swiss Army knife of the internet, a content management system (CMS) that powers everything from blogs to full-blown websites—and yes, newsletters too. Launched in 2003, it’s the go-to for creators who crave control and endless possibilities. Founded by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little, it’s grown into a global powerhouse, running over 40% of the web. If you’re into building something uniquely yours and don’t mind a bit of DIY, WordPress is your vibe.

WordPress is a creator’s dream, with 60,000+ plugins and 455 million sites proving its flexibility. You can build a newsletter, a shop, or an empire, all tailored to your vision. But it’s not plug-and-play—expect to spend $100–$500/year and some time on setup and maintenance. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and make it yours, WordPress delivers like no other.

WordPress’s Strengths

• Endless Possibilities: Powers 43.4% of all websites (2025), from blogs to e-commerce stores to newsletters with plugins like MailPoet or Newsletter Glue.
• Customization Galore: Over 60,000 plugins and 12,000+ themes in the WordPress repository (2025) let you tweak every detail—design, functionality, everything.
• Newsletter Ready: Plugins like MailPoet (500,000+ active installs) or Newsletter Glue integrate email marketing with drag-and-drop editors and subscriber management.
• Ownership Control: Self-hosting means you own your data, free from platform policy changes or revenue cuts.
• Scalability: Supports complex setups—sell courses, memberships, or products via plugins like WooCommerce (6.8 million+ active installs).

WordPress’s Limitations

• Technical Learning Curve: Setup requires configuring hosting, domains, and plugins—can take hours for beginners.
• Maintenance Burden: You’re responsible for updates (core, themes, plugins), security, and backups. 62% of WordPress sites face security issues due to outdated software (2024 data).
• Cost Creep: Free core software, but hosting ($3–$10/month), domains ($10–$15/year), and premium plugins/themes ($50–$200+/year) add up.
• Plugin Overload: Too many plugins (average site uses 20–30) can slow performance; 50% of WordPress sites have load times over 2 seconds.
• Fragmented Newsletter Tools: No built-in newsletter system—requires third-party plugins, which may lack seamless integration.

Financial Performance

• Market Share: Powers 43.4% of all websites and 64.3% of CMS-based sites (2025, W3Techs).
• Users: Over 455 million websites use WordPress; 20 million+ on WordPress.com (Automattic’s hosted version).
• Revenue: Automattic valued at $7.5 billion (2020); raised $300 million in 2019 (Series D, Tiger Global). WordPress.com generates ~$200 million annually (est. 2024).
• Ecosystem Economy: WordPress economy (themes, plugins, hosting) worth $596 billion globally (2023, WP Engine).
• Top Plugins: Yoast SEO (14 million+ installs), WooCommerce (6.8 million+), Elementor (10 million+).
• Hosting Market: Major providers like Bluehost, SiteGround, and WP Engine serve millions; Bluehost alone hosts 2 million+ WordPress sites.

Substack vs. WordPress: The Ultimate Newsletter Showdown

Let’s put Substack and WordPress (including WordPress.com and self-hosted WordPress) in the ring for a head-to-head battle. Both are killer for newsletters, but they’re built for different vibes. Substack’s the sleek, no-fuss sprinter; WordPress is the customizable marathon runner. Below, we break down the key features with data and details to help you pick your champion.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Deep Dive: Key Differences

Setup and Ease of Use

• Substack: You’re live in minutes. Its interface is dead simple—write, hit send, done. Perfect for creators who want to focus on content, not tech. 4M+ paid subscribers show it’s a hit (2024).
• WordPress.com: Nearly as easy as Substack, with a drag-and-drop editor and managed hosting. No setup headaches, but deeper customization needs a paid plan ($4–$45/month).
• Self-Hosted WordPress: Takes more effort. You’ll need hosting ($3–$10/month), a domain ($10–$15/year), and plugins like MailPoet (500,000+ installs). Setup can take 1–2 hours for newbies.

Substack’s plug-and-play; WordPress.com is close but pricier for features; self-hosted WordPress is DIY central.

Ownership and Control

• Substack: You’re renting space. Substack owns the platform, and policy changes (e.g., feature updates or revenue cuts) can force you to adapt or leave. Exporting subscribers is possible, but rebuilding elsewhere is a hassle.
• WordPress (Both): You’re the boss. Full data ownership means no one can pull the rug out. WordPress.com and self-hosted versions let you export everything—posts, subscribers, the works.

WordPress hands you the keys; Substack’s a lease with strings attached.

Customization

• Substack: Minimal. You get basic font and color options, but every newsletter looks Substack-y. No unique branding unless you’re a design minimalist.
• WordPress.com: Tons of themes and block-based design, with CSS access on higher plans. You can make it yours, but advanced tweaks cost extra ($25+/month).
• Self-Hosted WordPress: Endless. With 60,000+ plugins and 12,000+ themes, you can craft a newsletter (and website) that’s 100% you. Plugins like Elementor (10M+ installs) make design a breeze.

WordPress is a canvas; Substack’s a template.

Monetization

• Substack: Seamless paid subscriptions—set a price, and you’re rolling. But the 10% cut (plus Stripe’s 2.9% + $0.30) bites. Earn $5,000/month? You’re paying $500 to Substack, $175 to Stripe.
• WordPress.com: Free plan takes 8% of payment revenue; Business plan ($25/month) drops it to 0%. Integrates with Stripe or PayPal for flexibility.
• Self-Hosted WordPress: No platform fees, but premium plugins (e.g., Paid Memberships Pro, $197/year) or hosting costs apply. You keep more as you scale.

Substack’s easy but expensive long-term; WordPress saves cash but needs setup.

Growth Potential

• Substack: Great for newsletters, podcasts, and videos, but that’s it. Want to sell courses or merch? You’ll need third-party tools like Gumroad or Teachable.
• WordPress (Both): Sky’s the limit. Plugins like WooCommerce (6.8M+ installs) or LearnDash let you sell anything—products, memberships, courses—while keeping newsletters tight.

Substack’s a one-trick pony; WordPress is a full toolbox.

Discovery

• Substack: Its network drives 40% of free and 12% of paid subscriptions via recommendations and leaderboards. But you’re limited to their ecosystem.
• WordPress.com: WordPress Reader (20M+ users) and built-in SEO tools (like Jetpack) boost visibility. Social sharing is seamless.
• Self-Hosted WordPress: Lean on SEO (Yoast, 14M+ installs) and social media. No built-in network, but you control your marketing destiny.

Substack hands you an audience; WordPress makes you hustle for it.

Substack is the fast track: dead simple, quick to launch, and monetization-ready with 4M+ paid subscribers loving it. But its 10% cut, limited customization, and platform lock-in can sting as you grow. WordPress.com balances ease and flexibility, with strong SEO and no long-term fees on paid plans. Self-Hosted WordPress is the ultimate power move—total control, endless potential, but you’ll need to handle the tech (and costs, ~$100–$500/year). If you want chill and quick, Substack’s your pick. If you’re building a brand or empire, WordPress is the way.

What’s It Gonna Cost? The Financial Breakdown

Money matters, so let’s lay out the costs with precision, including hidden fees, scaling expenses, and long-term implications.

Substack

• Free to Start: $0 upfront. Create and send newsletters to free subscribers with no cost.

• Revenue Share: If you enable paid subscriptions, Substack takes 10% of your revenue indefinitely, plus Stripe’s payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).

  • Example: Earn $5,000/month from subscriptions? Substack gets $500, and Stripe takes ~$175 ($145 for 2.9% + $30 for 100 transactions at $50 each). Total: $675/month in fees.

  • Scaling Impact: At $50,000/month, you’re paying $5,000 to Substack and ~$1,750 to Stripe. That’s $6,750/month—a hefty cut for larger creators.

• Additional Costs: None for core features. Optional Substack Legal Defense Fund donations or custom domain setup (~$10–$15/year) are minimal.

• Data Point: Top 10 Substack creators earned $40M in 2024, meaning Substack collected ~$4M from them alone at 10%.

WordPress.com

• Free Plan: $0, but limited newsletter features (basic email sends) and 8% fee on payments (e.g., $80 on $1,000 revenue).

• Paid Plans:

  • Personal Plan: $4/month ($48/year) for custom domain, no ads, but limited newsletter tools.

  • Premium Plan: $8/month ($96/year) for advanced design and monetization, with 2% payment fee.

  • Business Plan: $25/month ($300/year) for full plugins, 0% payment fee, and robust newsletter integrations (e.g., Jetpack).

  • Commerce Plan: $45/month ($540/year) for e-commerce alongside newsletters.

• Domain: ~$10–$15/year (free with annual plans).

• Example: Business Plan ($300/year) + domain ($15/year) = $315/year for a full-featured newsletter with no revenue cut.

• Scaling Impact: Fixed costs don’t rise with revenue. Earn $50,000/month? You’re still at ~$315/year, saving thousands compared to Substack’s $81,000/year in fees (10% + Stripe).

• Data Point: WordPress.com hosts 20M+ sites, with 60% of users on paid plans (2024 estimate).

Self-Hosted WordPress

• Core Software: Free (open-source).

• Hosting: $3–$10/month ($36–$120/year) for shared hosting (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround). Premium hosts like WP Engine cost $20–$50/month ($240–$600/year).

• Domain: $10–$15/year.

• Plugins:

  • Free options: MailPoet (500,000+ installs), Newsletter (400,000+ installs).

  • Premium options: MailPoet Premium ($99/year for 1,000 subscribers), Paid Memberships Pro ($197/year for monetization).

• Themes: Free (12,000+ available) or premium ($50–$100 one-time).

• Example: Shared hosting ($60/year) + domain ($15/year) + MailPoet Premium ($99/year) + premium theme ($75 one-time, amortized over 3 years at $25/year) = $199/year for a solid setup.

• Scaling Impact: Hosting may upgrade to $20–$50/month for high traffic (100,000+ monthly visits). Plugin costs rise with subscribers (e.g., MailPoet: $250/year for 10,000 subscribers). Total at scale: ~$500–$1,000/year.

• Data Point: WordPress powers 43.4% of the web (455M+ sites), with 2M+ hosted by Bluehost alone (2025).

Substack’s $0 startup cost is unbeatable for beginners, but its 10% cut (plus Stripe’s ~3%) becomes brutal at scale—$6,750/month at $50,000 revenue. WordPress.com’s fixed $315/year (Business Plan) or self-hosted’s $199–$1,000/year offer flexibility and savings for growing creators, but upfront costs hit harder if you’re not monetizing yet.

Who’s Handling the Tech? Maintenance Demands

Tech upkeep can make or break your workflow. Here’s how Substack and WordPress stack up on maintenance, with data to show the effort required.

Substack

• Hands-Off: Substack manages everything—server updates, security patches, backups, and uptime (99.9% reported in 2024). You focus solely on writing and sending.

• Zero Admin: No plugin conflicts or manual configurations. The platform’s 35M active subscriptions run smoothly without user intervention.

• Downside: Dependency means you’re at Substack’s mercy for feature updates or outages (rare, but reported in 2022 during high-traffic events).

• Time Estimate: ~0 hours/month on maintenance; all time goes to content creation.

WordPress.com

• Managed Hosting: Automattic handles core updates, security, and backups. Uptime averages 99.95% (2024, Jetpack data).

• Minimal Effort: No server management or plugin updates (plugins limited to Business Plan, auto-managed). Basic theme tweaks need ~1–2 hours/month for new users.

• Downside: Advanced customization (e.g., custom code) requires technical know-how or developer help ($50–$100/hour).

• Time Estimate: 1–3 hours/month for design tweaks or subscriber management; 0 for core maintenance.

Self-Hosted WordPress

• Full Responsibility: You manage updates (core, themes, plugins), security, and backups. 62% of WordPress sites face vulnerabilities from outdated software (2024, Wordfence).

• Plugin Management: Average site uses 20–30 plugins; updates take ~1–2 hours/month. Conflicts occur in 15% of sites with 10+ plugins (2023, WPBeginner).

• Security: Requires plugins like Wordfence (4M+ installs) or iThemes Security. Malware affects 1.3% of WordPress sites annually (2024, Sucuri).

• Backups: Manual or via plugins like UpdraftPlus (3M+ installs). Setup takes ~30 minutes; monthly checks ~15 minutes.

• Hosting Uptime: Varies by provider (Bluehost: 99.9%; WP Engine: 99.99%). Downtime risks increase with cheap hosts ($3–$5/month).

• Time Estimate: 3–5 hours/month for updates, security, and backups; more during setup or troubleshooting.

Substack’s zero-maintenance approach saves you hours, ideal for non-techies. WordPress.com is low-effort with managed hosting, needing ~1–3 hours/month. Self-hosted WordPress demands 3–5 hours/month and technical chops, but gives unmatched control. If time’s tight, Substack or WordPress.com wins; if you’re hands-on, self-hosted WordPress shines.

Which Platform’s Your Match?

Here’s the data-driven vibe check to help you choose, tailored to your goals, skills, and budget.

Substack’s Your Pick If:

• Speed’s Your Thing: 5-minute setup and zero maintenance let you launch fast. 4M+ paid subscribers prove it’s creator-friendly (2024).

• Tech Isn’t Your Jam: No coding or server skills needed—Substack’s 99.9% uptime handles the heavy lifting.

• Monetization’s the Goal: Instant paid subscriptions with 12% of paid subs from Substack’s network. Top creators earned $40M in 2024.

• Trade-Offs: Accept the 10% revenue cut ($500/month at $5,000 revenue) and limited customization. You’re locked into their ecosystem, with 35M subscriptions but no native product-selling tools.

WordPress.com’s Your Pick If:

• You Want Easy with Growth: Managed hosting (20M+ sites) and Business Plan ($300/year) offer newsletter tools, SEO, and 0% payment fees.

• Customization Matters: 12,000+ themes and block editor let you brand your newsletter, with WordPress Reader (20M+ users) for discovery.

• Monetization Flexibility: Sell courses or merch via integrations, keeping more revenue than Substack’s 10% cut.

• Trade-Offs: Upfront costs ($315/year for Business Plan) and limited plugin access compared to self-hosted. Setup’s easy but not as fast as Substack.

Self-Hosted WordPress’s Your Pick If:

• Control’s Non-Negotiable: Own your data, with 455M+ sites proving WordPress’s dominance (43.4% of web, 2025).

• You’re Building Big: 60,000+ plugins (e.g., WooCommerce, 6.8M+ installs) support newsletters, shops, or courses—unlimited potential.

• You’re Tech-Savvy: Handle hosting ($60–$600/year), updates, and security (3–5 hours/month). Plugins like MailPoet scale with 500,000+ installs.

• Trade-Offs: Upfront costs ($199–$1,000/year) and maintenance time. 62% of sites risk security issues if neglected (2024).

Your Next Step

Substack and WordPress are both heavyweights, but the choice boils down to your priorities. Substack is the no-brainer for quick, low-effort newsletters with monetization—4M+ paid subscribers and $40M in top creator earnings in 2024 back its appeal. But its 10% cut ($6,750/month at $50,000 revenue) and platform lock-in limit long-term growth. WordPress.com offers a middle ground: $315/year for managed hosting, strong SEO, and flexibility, with 20M+ sites on its platform. Self-Hosted WordPress is the ultimate power move—$199–$1,000/year for total control and scalability, powering 43.4% of the web.

Weigh your budget (Substack’s $0 vs. WordPress’s $199–$315+), time (0 hours vs. 3–5 hours/month), and vision (newsletter-only vs. full brand). Want fast cash with minimal hassle? Substack’s got you. Ready to build a custom empire? WordPress is calling. Pick your path and start creating—you’re ready to crush it!

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