Substack

Substack launched as a platform built from the ground up for writers to publish newsletters directly to subscribers. The service combines email delivery with a straightforward subscription model, letting publishers set monthly or annual pricing tiers. Substack handles payments, email infrastructure, and subscriber management, so writers focus entirely on content.

The platform works best for independent writers, journalists, and subject-matter experts who already have an audience or are building one through regular newsletters. Substack competes with traditional email services like ConvertKit by offering stronger writing tools and a built-in discovery network, though it lacks the automation and advanced segmentation features of dedicated marketing platforms.