Newsletters were very common in ancient Rome. In the middle ages, people used to exchange news and letters among families and friends. This gave birth to newsletters that contain the news of the activities going around, whether business, trade, etc.
From the newsletters, only newspapers evolved. Newsletters can be printed, or they can be in electronic form. It is concerned with one topic at a time to interest the readers or recipients. Substack and Revue are two such newsletters.
Key Takeaways
- Substack and Revue are both platforms for creating and distributing newsletters.
- Substack offers features like paid subscriptions and a built-in audience, while Revue offers more newsletter customization options.
- Substack charges a commission on paid subscriptions, while Revue does not.
Substack vs Revue
The difference between Substack and Revue is that Revue doesn’t charge any fees for a custom domain for the publication of newsletters. In contrast, Substack charges one-time fees to enable a custom domain. Substack allows support on the comments addressing issues by taking it a step ahead, making it easier to use. In comparison, only the comment feature is available on Revue.
Substack was founded by Chris Best, Jayraj Sethi, and Hamish McKenzie in the year 2017. It is an online platform that provides payment, analytics, publishing, and design infrastructure.
It also supports the subscriptions of newsletters as well. Its users range from experts to journalists to media sites. It is strictly restricted to using newsletters only. It is a free provider, but its pricing is a little bit higher. Substack has also introduced a podcast feature in the year 2019.
Revue is a Dutch company started in the Netherlands. It was acquired by Twitter in the year 2021. It is an email newsletter service. Its main focus is to help writers and publishers to publish content.
It also has the power to deliver the content over email. Earlier, when the company was launched, it was a paid service, but it has become a free service with the acquisition. It offers users a custom domain for free, unlike Substack. It is very versatile and supports Zapier.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Substack | Revue |
|---|---|---|
| Custom Domain | It charges one-time fees. | It is free of cost. |
| Podcast | It supports podcasts. | It doesn’t have. |
| Pricing | It charges 10% fees per month. | It charges 5% fees per month. |
| Employees | It has 20-25 employees. | It has 3 employees. |
| Headquarters | It is situated in San Francisco. | It is situated in Utrecht, The Netherlands. |
What is Substack?
Substack is an online platform that supports subscription letters. It was started in the year 2017 by Chris Best, who is also the co-founder of Kik Messenger in San Francisco.
Substack is a friendly newsletter and is like home to journalists. Authors who publish newsletters can choose whether to provide them for free or paid. They can also make choices to post specific posts available for non-subscribers as well.
Substack is used by many high-profile writers, from experts to culture critics to food writers, etc. Besides charging fees for paid newsletters, Substack also charges 10% additional fees for subscription payments. In the year 2019, it launched podcasts allowing creators to monetize them.
From 11,000 subscribers, Substack has reached almost more than 1 lakh subscribers who pay for at least one newsletter. When it was started, it reached out to a small group of writers as their first creators.
Bill Bishop was the first person on Substack to publish his newsletter Sinocism, and now it has become the top paid newsletter in the service. In May 2021, Substack acquired People & Company, which was a Brooklyn-based startup.
In March 2021, Substack launched its pro version named Substack Pro, in which it pays writers in advance to create a publication for the platforms. Ghost, Lede, and TinyLetters are tough competitors of Substack.
What is Revue?
Revue is an editorial newsletter platform and is a Dutch startup. Revue is now focussing on monetising the newsletter. It allows and encourages publishers to run their newsletters for both paid and free.
Subscribers also get an option either to pay for it or to remain at the free version. Martijn de Kuijper is trhe CEO and co-founder of Revue. It was launched in the year 2015 as a one-stop solution for newsletters.
Its main goal is to focus on monetization and content of writers and publishers. It provides a controlled blogging environment, and it also has the power to deliver content on emails as well. However, it lacks certain features like custom themes and email marketing tool campaigns.
Revue can be considered one of the best choices to start a premium newsletter. It also integrates with Stripe, which helps writers charge from their subscribers.
It is a free service but charges a 5% cut from the users. Adding a custom domain is absolutely free on Revue. It gives users the luxury of choosing between their name or publication name as their respective domains.
It supports multiple integrations like Medium, Zapier, Twitter, LinkedIn, HTML, Iframe etc. You can even customize your signup form on Revue. It has a playful interface for editors to create texts, links, media, headings etc.
Main Differences Between Substack and Revue
- Substack charges one-time fees for a custom domain, and its custom email ids are also very complicated. Revue offers a custom domain for free, and its custom email ids are very easy and crucial.
- Substack supports podcasts for the monetisation of writers and publishers. Revue doesn’t have such an option available.
- Substack charges a 10% fee cut per month, and it is expensive. Revue charges a 5% fee cut per month, and it is cheaper.
- Substack has 20-25 employees in the company. Revue has three employees in the company.
- Substack is situated in San Francisco and was founded in 2017. Revue is situated in Utrecht, The Netherlands and was founded in 2015.
- https://search.proquest.com/openview/c9e3af8114a5d2d10d337cb126c0985c/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=4980129
- http://www.numdam.org/item/AIF_2013__63_6_2349_0/
Last Updated : 07 July, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
Revue’s transition from a paid service to a free platform provides an interesting insight into its business model and acquisition by Twitter.
Agreed, the shift in Revue’s pricing strategy and ownership adds a layer of complexity to its narrative in the article.
The article’s focus on the differences and unique features of Substack and Revue offers a comprehensive view of their capabilities.
The historical context and current status of Substack and Revue are well-explained, making it a thorough read.
Indeed, the article covers all aspects of these platforms from their origins to their functionality in the present day.
The details about Substack’s founding, growth, and features showcase its evolution as a platform tailored for writers and journalists.
Absolutely, the information makes it evident why Substack has become a preferred choice for many content creators.
The article’s comprehensive overview of Substack and Revue offers valuable information for those considering using these platforms for newsletters.
Absolutely, the depth of information provided makes it an insightful read for anyone interested in newsletter creation and distribution.
I agree, the article serves as an educational resource for understanding the nuances of Substack and Revue in the context of newsletter publication.
The in-depth details about Substack and Revue provide valuable insights into their respective functionalities and target users.
Absolutely, the article offers a nuanced understanding of these platforms for both creators and subscribers.
The development of newsletters from ancient Rome to modern-day electronic format is truly fascinating.
Yes, it’s interesting to see how the concept of newsletters has evolved over time.
The history and founding of Substack and Revue are presented in a clear and informative manner.
Absolutely, the background information on these platforms adds value to the article.
I appreciate the detailed comparison between Substack and Revue and their features and pricing.
Agreed, the information provided is very comprehensive and useful for those looking to choose a newsletter platform.
The comparison table and key takeaways make it easier to understand the differences between Substack and Revue.
I agree, the comparison table simplifies the complex features and pricing, making it accessible to readers.
Yes, the clear presentation of facts helps in making an informed decision about these platforms.