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Readwise Reader vs Substack

Readwise Reader logo

Readwise Reader

News

The read-it-later app for power readers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substack logo

Substack

News

The newsletter platform for writers and publishers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Readwise Reader there is no free tier, only a 30 day trial; Substack substack does not publish pricing on its public pricing page
  • They diverge on capability: Readwise Reader covers Read-it-later, Substack covers Newsletter publishing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Readwise Reader and Substack actually diverge.

Attributes where Readwise Reader and Substack differ
AttributeReadwise ReaderSubstack
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWeb, Mobile

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (News), founded (2017).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Readwise Reader

  • Read-it-later
  • RSS aggregation
  • Newsletter inbox
  • PDF support
  • Highlighting
  • Notion
  • Obsidian
  • Roam Research

Only in Substack

  • Newsletter publishing
  • Subscriber management
  • Paid subscriptions
  • Email analytics
  • Post scheduling
  • Archive creation
  • Free/paid tier split
  • Comments & discussion

Both cover

  • Web support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Readwise Reader

  • Reading and note-takingnot Substack
  • Highlight managementnot Substack
  • Learning and studynot Substack
  • Content curationnot Substack

Substack

  • Newsletter distributionnot Readwise Reader
  • Reader monetizationnot Readwise Reader
  • Community buildingnot Readwise Reader
  • Subscriber managementnot Readwise Reader

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Readwise Reader

  • There is no free tier, only a 30 day trial
  • Reader is bundled into the full plan rather than sold separately, so it cannot be had at the cheaper Lite price
  • The Lite plan at $5.59 a month billed annually is daily email review only, without the web app or tagging
  • Paying monthly rather than annually raises the full plan from $9.99 to $12.99

Substack

  • Substack does not publish pricing on its public pricing page

Pricing, plan by plan

Readwise Reader

Free
  • Free TrialFree
    • 30 days free
    • No credit card required
  • Readwise Annual$9.99/month
    • Full Readwise and Reader access
    • Billed annually
    • Includes unified reading platform
  • Readwise Monthly$12.99/month
    • Full Readwise and Reader access
    • Billed monthly
    • Includes unified reading platform

Substack

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited newsletters
    • Basic design
    • Archive access
  • Pro$12/month
    • Custom domain
    • Advanced analytics
    • Member chat

Which should you pick?

Choose Readwise Reader if

  • You need read-it-later.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Ios, Android, Web.
  • You also want rss aggregation.
Readwise Reader review

Choose Substack if

  • You need newsletter publishing.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Mobile.
  • You also want subscriber management.
Substack review

Questions people ask

Is Readwise Reader or Substack better?
Neither clearly leads. Readwise Reader starts at Free and Substack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Readwise Reader or Substack?
Readwise Reader starts at Free and Substack at Free.
Does Readwise Reader or Substack run on more platforms?
Readwise Reader runs on Ios, Android, Web. Substack runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Readwise Reader for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Readwise Reader best used for?
Readwise Reader is most often used for reading and note-taking, highlight management, learning and study, content curation. Of those, reading and note-taking and highlight management are not what Substack is typically brought in for.
What can Readwise Reader do that Substack cannot?
Readwise Reader covers Read-it-later, RSS aggregation, Newsletter inbox, PDF support. Substack covers Newsletter publishing, Subscriber management, Paid subscriptions, Email analytics. Both handle Web support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Readwise Reader: How much does Readwise Reader cost?

Readwise (including Reader) costs $9.99 per month when billed annually or $12.99 per month when billed monthly USD. Readers can access articles, PDFs, newsletters, RSS feeds, and YouTube videos across web and mobile.

Source
Substack: How much does Substack cost?

Substack does not publish rates on its pricing page. The site emphasizes earning potential for writers with the tagline Make money doing the work you believe in.

Source
Readwise Reader: Is there a free trial for Readwise Reader?

Yes, Readwise offers a 30-day free trial with no credit card required. Some users who let their trials expire may qualify for an additional extended trial.

Source
Readwise Reader: How much can students save on Readwise?

Readwise offers 50% discounts to verified students, educators, non-profits, military, first responders, and individuals in countries where US pricing is unaffordable. Interested users should contact [email protected] to request eligibility.

Source
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