There are many email newsletter software platforms on the market now and Mailchimp and Substack are two of the biggest. After trying many different ones, I settled on Beehiiv as it is easy to use and that is the most important thing for me. Beehiiv was created by the founder of the newsletter “Morning Brew”.
Let’s look at Mailchimp and Substack now.
Key Features of Mailchimp and Substack
Templates
When it comes to email templates, both Substack and Mailchimp offer a wide range of options to choose from. Substack provides basic templates that can be customized to match your branding. On the other hand, Mailchimp has a vast library of templates that can be customized using its drag-and-drop editor.
Pricing
Substack is free to use unless you create a premium email newsletter, in which case it takes 10% of your profits. Mailchimp, on the other hand, offers a free plan for users who have less than 2,000 subscribers and send less than 10,000 emails per month. For larger lists, Mailchimp charges a monthly fee based on your subscriber count.
Design
Substack allows users to customize their newsletter theme, including the appearance of their newsletters. Mailchimp offers more design options with its drag-and-drop editor, allowing users to create unique designs for their newsletters.
Tools
Substack offers a limited set of tools, focusing mainly on email marketing. Mailchimp, on the other hand, is a full-fledged marketing platform that offers a wide range of tools, including landing pages, automation, segmentation, and more.
A/B Testing
Both Substack and Mailchimp offer A/B testing, allowing users to test different versions of their campaigns to determine which one performs better.
Analytics
Both platforms offer email analytics, including open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth. Mailchimp offers more advanced analytics, including audience insights and behavioral targeting. In conclusion, Substack is a great option for content creators who want to focus solely on email marketing. It offers a simple interface and is free to use unless you create a premium email newsletter. Mailchimp, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive marketing platform that offers a wider range of tools and features. It is a better choice for businesses that want to create more complex campaigns and need more advanced analytics.
Comparison
When it comes to email newsletter software, Substack and Mailchimp are two of the most popular options available. Here, we will compare the two services, highlighting their main differences.
Main Differences
One of the most significant differences between Substack and Mailchimp is their pricing model. Substack is always free unless you create a premium email newsletter, whereas Mailchimp is free for users who have less than 2,000 subscribers and send less than 10,000 emails per month. If you exceed these limits, you will need to pay a monthly fee based on your subscriber count.
Another key difference is how the two services handle profits. Substack takes 10% of your profits, whereas Mailchimp does not take a percentage of your profits at all.
When it comes to templates, Mailchimp has a clear advantage. While Substack does not provide users with diverse templates for creating email newsletters, Mailchimp offers a wide range of templates to choose from. Additionally, Mailchimp’s automation process is more advanced, making it easier to create and send automated emails.
In terms of deliverability, both platforms perform well. However, Mailchimp offers more detailed analytics and reporting, making it easier to track your email campaigns’ success.
Overall, the choice between Substack and Mailchimp will depend on your specific needs and budget. If you are looking for a free service and do not need advanced automation or reporting features, Substack may be the better option. However, if you have a larger subscriber base and want access to more advanced features, Mailchimp may be the better choice.
Publishing and Audience
When it comes to publishing and audience, both Substack and Mailchimp offer a variety of features to help you reach your subscribers. Here are some of the key features to consider:
Subscription
Substack allows you to create both free and paid subscription tiers for your newsletter. You can set up a monthly or annual subscription fee, and Substack takes a 10% cut of your profits. Mailchimp also allows you to create paid subscriptions, but you will need to integrate with a third-party payment processor like Stripe or PayPal to handle payments.
Custom Domain
Both Substack and Mailchimp allow you to use a custom domain for your newsletter, which can help you establish your brand and make your newsletter look more professional. With Substack, you can set up a custom domain directly within the platform. With Mailchimp, you will need to set up a custom domain through your domain registrar and then connect it to your Mailchimp account.
Landing Page
A landing page can be a powerful tool for attracting new subscribers to your newsletter. Substack offers a built-in landing page feature that allows you to create a custom landing page with a unique URL. Mailchimp also offers a landing page builder, but you will need to upgrade to a paid plan to access this feature.
Marketing and Monetization
Charge Subscribers
With Substack, you can charge your subscribers for access to your newsletter. You can set your own subscription price, and Substack will take a 10% cut of your profits. Mailchimp, on the other hand, doesn’t offer a built-in subscription feature, so you’ll need to use a third-party service like Stripe to charge your subscribers.
Make Money
Substack offers a way for writers to monetize their newsletters by charging subscribers for access to premium content. With Mailchimp, you’ll need to find other ways to monetize your newsletter, such as sponsored content or affiliate marketing.
Branding
Both Substack and Mailchimp offer branding options for your newsletter. With Substack, you can customize the appearance of your newsletter to match your brand, including the color scheme and typography. Mailchimp also offers a range of templates and customization options to help you create a newsletter that reflects your brand. In summary, if you’re looking to charge your subscribers for access to your newsletter, Substack is the better option. However, if you’re looking for more ways to monetize your newsletter, Mailchimp may be a better fit. Both platforms offer branding options to help you create a newsletter that reflects your brand.
Automation and Integration
When it comes to email marketing, automation and integration are two crucial factors to consider. Here’s how Substack and Mailchimp compare in these areas:
Automation
Mailchimp offers a robust automation process, allowing you to create complex email campaigns that are triggered by user behavior or other events. With Mailchimp, you can set up automated welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and more. Substack, on the other hand, doesn’t offer as many automation options. While you can automate the delivery of your newsletter, you won’t find the same level of complexity that Mailchimp offers.
Integrations
Both Substack and Mailchimp offer a variety of integrations with other tools and platforms. Mailchimp has over 300 integrations available, including popular services like Salesforce, Shopify, and WordPress. Substack, on the other hand, has a smaller selection of integrations, but still includes popular options like Stripe and Google Analytics.
It’s worth noting that Substack’s integrations are focused on creating a seamless experience for writers and publishers, while Mailchimp’s integrations are geared more towards businesses and marketers. For example, Substack offers integrations with tools like Patreon and Memberful, which allow writers to monetize their newsletters. Mailchimp, on the other hand, offers integrations with e-commerce platforms like BigCommerce and WooCommerce.
Overall, Mailchimp offers more robust automation and integration options than Substack. However, if you’re a writer or publisher looking to monetize your newsletter, Substack’s integrations may be more relevant to your needs.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
User Interface
When it comes to user interface, both Substack and Mailchimp offer user-friendly platforms that are easy to navigate. Substack has a simple and intuitive interface that is perfect for beginners. It offers a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to create and customize email templates. On the other hand, Mailchimp offers a more complex interface that can be overwhelming for beginners. However, it offers a wide range of customization options and features that can be useful for advanced users.
Customer Service
When it comes to customer support, both Substack and Mailchimp offer excellent resources to help users. Substack offers a comprehensive knowledge base that includes articles, tutorials, and FAQs. It also offers email support for premium users. Mailchimp offers a similar knowledge base that includes articles, tutorials, and FAQs. In addition, it offers 24/7 email and chat support for all users. In terms of ease of use, Substack is the winner for beginners. However, Mailchimp offers a more comprehensive set of features for advanced users. When it comes to customer support, both platforms offer excellent resources, but Mailchimp offers 24/7 support for all users. Ultimately, the choice between Substack and Mailchimp will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Pros and Cons
Pros
Substack and Mailchimp both have their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some pros of each platform:
- Substack: Substack is an excellent platform for writers who want to create a premium newsletter. It is easy to use, and the interface is simple and minimalistic. Substack also offers a robust set of features that allow writers to monetize their content, including the ability to offer paid subscriptions, run ads, and sell merchandise.
- Mailchimp: Mailchimp is a traditional email marketing software that offers a wide range of features. It is an excellent platform for businesses that want to create email marketing campaigns. Mailchimp offers a drag-and-drop editor that makes it easy to create professional-looking emails. It also offers powerful analytics tools that allow you to track the performance of your campaigns.
Cons
While both Substack and Mailchimp have their advantages, they also have some disadvantages. Here are some cons of each platform:
- Substack: Substack charges a relatively high 10% fee on paid subscriptions, which can eat into your earnings. Additionally, while Substack is excellent for writers, it may not be the best platform for businesses that want to create email marketing campaigns.
- Mailchimp: While Mailchimp is an excellent platform for email marketing campaigns, it may not be the best platform for writers who want to create a premium newsletter. Mailchimp’s interface can be overwhelming for beginners, and it can be challenging to navigate the platform’s many features.
Conclusion
When it comes to choosing between Substack and Mailchimp for your email newsletter needs, there are a few key factors to consider. Both platforms have their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately, the choice comes down to your specific needs and preferences.
If you are looking for a platform that offers a user-friendly interface, responsive email templates, and email marketing automation, Mailchimp may be the better choice for you. It also offers more bells and whistles, which can be useful if you have an ecommerce business or want to increase engagement with your followers.
On the other hand, if you are looking for a platform that is always free (unless you create a premium email newsletter), Substack may be the better choice for you. It also offers unlimited emails and a focus on delivering your content to your subscribers. However, it may not have as many features as Mailchimp, and its deliverability may not be as strong.
It is important to note that both platforms have had their fair share of controversies and criticisms, such as Substack’s handling of harassment and Mailchimp’s changes to its pricing and policies during the pandemic. It is up to you to decide whether these issues are deal-breakers for you.
In the end, the best way to determine which platform is right for you is to try them out for yourself. Both Substack and Mailchimp offer free trials, so you can test out their features and see which one fits your needs and preferences best.
Overall, whether you choose Substack or Mailchimp, both platforms offer powerful email marketing tools that can help you grow your business and engage with your subscribers. It is up to you to decide which one is the best fit for you and your goals.
My platform of choice at the moment is called Beehiiv as it is easy to use for me to write my newsletters and doesn’t charge 10% of earnings.
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