How Podia and Substack compare
Podia is the all-in-one that stays friendly. Courses with drip and quizzes, digital downloads delivered the second someone pays, coaching products, events, a community with paid plans, a website with a real blog, and Podia Email with broadcasts and campaigns, all under one login and one bill. Sales tax across 230 jurisdictions, 20 plus currencies, coupons, bundles, and payment plans come standard, and Shaker and Earthquaker drop the transaction fee to zero. For a creator selling digital products, Podia removes a lot of glue.
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
Podia
- Podia's coaching product takes payment and then hands booking to Calendly, SavvyCal, Acuity, or YouCanBookMe.
- Podia Email sends from Podia and includes 100 to 1,000 subscribers by plan.
- Podia's chat inbox gathers chat.
- Podia gives one assistant on Shaker with full access.
Substack
- Substack is a network you publish into.
- Substack takes a percentage of paid subscriptions.
- Substack chat and comments live in its app.
Choose Podia when courses, downloads, and paid memberships are what you sell and you want checkout, tax, and delivery handled for you.
Choose Substack when you want to write, get paid, and be discovered with the least possible setup.
Compare features
What's on Podia and Substack
A check means that capability is available. Podia and Substack are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace sitePodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Custom domainPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Theme and fontsPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
Public content
- BlogPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Reader engagementPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Showcase pagesPodia: IncludedSubstack: Not included
- Shop pagesPodia: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Reach and quality
- SEOPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
Audience and email
- AudiencePodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Marketing emailsPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Bulk email workflowsPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Campaign workflowsPodia: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Messaging
- Built-in chatPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsPodia: IncludedSubstack: Not included
- Orders and fulfillmentPodia: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Team
- Admin usersPodia: IncludedSubstack: Included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Podia or Substack, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Podia or Substack may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Podia vs Substack pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Podia
Current plans and prices
See what Podia charges on their pricing page.
Substack
Current plans and prices
See what Substack charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Podia 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 Podia 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 Podia or Substack when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Podia and Substack are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Podia or Substack?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Podia or Substack for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Podia and Substack?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Podia and Substack set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Podia 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.
Compare Cardel, Podia, and Substack
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