How Gumroad and Substack compare
Gumroad is selling without ceremony. Upload a file, set a price, share a link, and Gumroad handles checkout, delivery, VAT, memberships, pay-what-you-want, discount codes, and customer emails, taking a cut only when you sell. For creators who want to sell today and not think about infrastructure, it remains the easy answer.
Substack made paid newsletters normal. You write, it sends, and readers can subscribe or pay in one click. The network effects are real: recommendations, Notes, the app, and discovery bring new readers you did not have to find. There is no monthly fee, and for a writer who wants to write rather than run software, that is a gift.
Where they are different
Gumroad
- Gumroad is a storefront with a profile.
- Gumroad emails customers about products.
- Gumroad has no inbox or bookings.
Substack
- Substack is a network you publish into.
- Substack takes a percentage of paid subscriptions.
- Substack chat and comments live in its app.
Choose Gumroad when you sell downloads or memberships and want zero setup and no monthly fee.
Choose Substack when you want to write, get paid, and be discovered with the least possible setup.
Compare features
What's on Gumroad and Substack
A check means that capability is available. Gumroad and Substack are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Custom domainGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Theme and fontsGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Included
Public content
- BlogGumroad: Not includedSubstack: Included
- Reader engagementGumroad: Not includedSubstack: Included
- Shop pagesGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Audience and email
- AudienceGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Marketing emailsGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Campaign workflowsGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Messaging
- Built-in chatGumroad: Not includedSubstack: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Not included
- Orders and fulfillmentGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Team
- Admin usersGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Included
- AI AssistantGumroad: IncludedSubstack: Not included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Gumroad or Substack, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Gumroad or Substack may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Gumroad vs Substack pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Gumroad
Current plans and prices
See what Gumroad charges on their pricing page.
Substack
Current plans and prices
See what Substack charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Gumroad and Substack
You don't pay until you publish.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to Gumroad or Substack?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Gumroad or Substack when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Gumroad and Substack are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Gumroad or Substack?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Gumroad or Substack for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Gumroad and Substack?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Gumroad and Substack set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Gumroad or Substack to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.