WordPress Blog vs Substack – How Do They Compare?

In recent years, blogging has become a popular way for individuals and businesses to share their thoughts, ideas, and stories online. Two popular blogging platforms for writers today are the WordPress blog and the Substack blog, each offering different benefits for creators. 

Let’s take a closer look at what these two platforms have to offer and how a WordPress blog vs Substack setup compares, so you can choose the one that fits your needs. That way, you can choose the one that best fits your needs.

WordPress is a self-hosted platform that offers greater customization options, while Substack is a subscription-based platform that provides a simple and streamlined experience for writers who want to monetize their content easily.

WordPress blog vs Substack comparison

Here’s a brief overview of the main WordPress and Substack blog features so you can compare the two blog platforms and decide which one is a better fit for you.

	WordPress	Substack
General use	Designed for blogs, business sites, online stores, etc.	Designed for newsletter publishing
Customization	Themes, templates, and plugins available	Templates and basic customization features available
Ease of use	Has a steeper learning curve	Perfect for beginners
Cost	Free	Subscription-based
Data portability	Flexible data portability options	Limited data portability options
Setting up	Tricky to set up hosting and domain	Easy and fast to set up
Scalability	Extremely scalable	Limited scalability

Who Is WordPress Best For?

WordPress is a strong choice for bloggers, business owners, and small businesses that want more than a simple newsletter. It works well for anyone who needs a flexible content management system that can grow into a full website, online store, or brand presence.

It’s also ideal for creators who focus on traditional blogging, publish regular blog content, or want tools that support building an audience within your niche. Because WordPress integrates with thousands of plugins, it’s an excellent platform for creators who plan to use affiliate marketing, long-form posts, tutorials, or guides as part of their strategy.

If you prefer full ownership and the ability to expand later, WordPress is one of the best free blogging platforms for long-term growth.

Who Is Substack Best For?

Substack is designed for content creators, writers, and new writers who want something simple and writing-focused. It’s a great option if you want a platform like Substack where the main goal is to write consistently and send updates directly to readers.

It’s also ideal for creators who want to use Substack to build a tight-knit audience without dealing with technical setup, plugins, or website management. Because Substack emphasizes writing over design, it naturally allows writers to publish quickly, grow steadily, and participate in popular blogging niches where community matters more than customization.

General uses

First things first, WordPress and Substack don’t have the same general use. That means they’re ultimately designed for different purposes.

What are they?

Let’s say something more about the platforms. While both are designed for publishing content, they have some unique differences.

Customization options

Different customization options allow users to make their content more unique and give it a personal touch. Not all platforms offer the same number of customization options, which is why it’s important to take this feature into account.

Ease of use

Some platforms are easier to use than others. While the ease of use doesn’t play a big role for advanced experts, it certainly means a lot to beginners.

Costs

Cost is another crucial factor that can play an important role when choosing between WordPress and Substack.

Monetization Options: How Each Platform Helps You Earn

Monetizing a WordPress Blog

A WordPress blog gives creators the freedom to earn in many different ways. You can sell digital products, create courses, offer products or services, or work with brands on sponsored content. You also have the option to run ads, use affiliate links, and build long-term revenue streams.

Because WordPress integrates with SEO and marketing tools, it helps you drive traffic, grow your social media presence, and create content to engage readers at every stage. It’s a powerful option for creators who want to make money using a long-term marketing strategy or who want the flexibility to reach a wider audience and promote your blog across multiple channels.

Monetizing on Substack

Substack focuses on a simple but effective approach: earning from paid subscribers through a paid newsletter. Instead of managing a full website, creators earn directly from the audience they build. This makes Substack appealing to writers who prefer straightforward, subscription-based income without selling digital products or managing complex funnels.

Data portability

At some point, you might want to move your data from one place to another. That’s when data portability becomes handy.

Setting up

If you’re in a hurry, you might want to go with a platform that allows you to set up your domain quickly and easily.

Scalability

If you’re planning to grow your business, scalability is an important feature. Scalable solutions can handle more traffic and content.

SEO & Marketing Tools

WordPress SEO Advantages

WordPress offers full control over search engine optimization (SEO), making it easier to appear in search results and attract new readers. You can customize metadata, add schema, and install plugins that provide detailed analytics so you always know what your blog requires to perform better.

WordPress also supports your broader online presence, letting you build your main website and publish social media posts, landing pages, and long-form articles. With thousands of features like caching, design tools, and marketing extensions, WordPress is one of the most effective ways to build traffic over time.

Substack SEO + Marketing

Substack’s SEO tools are basic, but the platform is excellent for simple content creation and direct audience connection. It’s super easy to use, making it a good option for writers who want to publish quickly and rely on email rather than search engines. Substack helps readers discover your work through recommendations, internal discovery feeds, and the content you share across social channels.

Conclusion

When comparing a WordPress blog vs Substack, WordPress is the better choice if you want full customization, plugins, analytics, content marketing, and room to scale. However, a Substack blog may be ideal if you prefer simplicity, email-first publishing, and earning through paid subscriptions. Nevertheless, Substack might be a better fit if you’re looking for an easy-to-use platform.