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Readwise Reader vs Substack

Readwise Reader logo

Readwise Reader

Software

The read-it-later app for power readers

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Substack logo

Substack

Software

The newsletter platform for writers and publishers

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Substack has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Readwise Reader there is no free tier, only a 30 day trial; Substack substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue (writers keep 90%), plus separate credit card processing fees
  • They diverge on capability: Readwise Reader covers Read-it-later, Substack covers Newsletter publishing.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Readwise Reader and Substack differ
AttributeReadwise ReaderSubstack
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsIos, Android, WebWeb, Mobile

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown), 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

  • Saving and reading articles, PDFs and newsletters in one placenot Substack
  • Reviewing highlights from books and articles over timenot 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 takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue (writers keep 90%), plus separate credit card processing fees

Pricing, plan by plan

Readwise Reader

On request
  • Reader Lite$8.99/month
    • Unlimited articles
    • Highlighting
    • RSS feeds
  • Full$12.99/month
    • Everything in Lite
    • Readwise integration
    • Spaced repetition

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 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 On request 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?
Substack has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Readwise Reader and Free for Substack.
Does Readwise Reader or Substack run on more platforms?
Readwise Reader runs on Ios, Android, Web. Substack runs on Web, Mobile.
Can I use Substack for free?
Yes. Substack has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Readwise Reader starts at On request.
What is Readwise Reader best used for?
Readwise Reader is most often used for saving and reading articles, pdfs and newsletters in one place, reviewing highlights from books and articles over time. Of those, saving and reading articles, pdfs and newsletters in one place and reviewing highlights from books and articles over time 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.
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Related pages

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