How Substack and Tertulia compare
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.
Tertulia for Authors is a website built around the books. Enter an ISBN or ASIN and it imports the covers, descriptions, reviews, and buy links, then adds a blog, an events calendar, and a mailing list. Pro adds direct sales and newsletters. That is real strength. If the site should come from the catalog instead of a blank page, Tertulia is built for exactly that.
Where they are different
Choose Substack when you want to write, get paid, and be discovered with the least possible setup.
Choose Tertulia when the center of the work is the book catalog: imported pages, retailer links, events, a reader magnet, and direct ebook, audiobook, print, and merchandise sales with no Tertulia commission.
Compare features
What's on Substack and Tertulia
A check means that capability is available. Substack and Tertulia are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
- Custom domainSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
- Theme and fontsSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
Public content
- BlogSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
- Reader engagementSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
- Showcase pagesSubstack: Not includedTertulia: Included
- Shop pagesSubstack: Not includedTertulia: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
- Marketing emailsSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Included
Messaging
- Built-in chatSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Not included
Commerce
- Shop paymentsSubstack: Not includedTertulia: Included
- Orders and fulfillmentSubstack: Not includedTertulia: Included
Team
- Admin usersSubstack: IncludedTertulia: Not included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Substack or Tertulia, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Substack or Tertulia may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Substack vs Tertulia pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Substack
Current plans and prices
See what Substack charges on their pricing page.
Tertulia
Current plans and prices
See what Tertulia charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Substack and Tertulia
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 Substack or Tertulia?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Substack or Tertulia when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Substack and Tertulia are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Substack or Tertulia?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Substack or Tertulia for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Substack and Tertulia?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Substack and Tertulia set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Substack or Tertulia 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.