Substack is a creator-focused newsletter platform that prioritizes writer revenue sharing and simplicity, while Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing suite designed for businesses with automation, segmentation, and advanced analytics capabilities.
Substack vs Mailchimp — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose Substack if you're an independent writer, journalist, or podcaster wanting to monetize a newsletter with minimal setup and maximum revenue retention. Choose Mailchimp if you're a business needing sophisticated automation, detailed audience segmentation, e-commerce integration, and advanced analytics for email marketing campaigns.
Creator-focused newsletter platform with built-in subscription monetization.
All-in-one marketing platform offering email campaigns, automation, landing pages, and CRM features.
Structured comparison data for Substack vs Mailchimp with 217 attributes.
Platform Commission on Paid Subscriptions
Contact List Size Limit (Standard Pricing)
Price Scaling Factor at 5,000 Subscribers
Starter Tier Monthly Cost (50k contacts)
Automation Workflow Steps (Free/Starter Tier)
Substack vs Mailchimp — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Substack vs Mailchimp.
Can I use Substack to send marketing emails to my business customers?
Substack is optimized for creator newsletters, not business marketing. It lacks automation, segmentation, and e-commerce integration. While you can use it to email a list, Mailchimp is significantly better for business campaigns with triggered workflows, behavioral targeting, and Shopify sync.
Does Mailchimp offer revenue sharing for content creators?
No. Mailchimp uses a SaaS pricing model where you pay monthly fees (starting at $20) regardless of revenue generated. Substack's 90% creator revenue share is exclusive to Substack and designed specifically for individual writers monetizing subscriptions.
Which platform is better for someone just starting an email list?
Substack is better for beginners due to its 5-minute setup, unlimited free subscribers, and no learning curve. Mailchimp has a steeper learning curve (2-4 hours) and limits free users to 500 contacts, but it scales better once you need automation and segmentation.
Can I migrate my subscribers from one platform to another?
Yes. Both platforms allow CSV export of your subscriber list, so you can switch platforms. However, migration does not transfer email history, open rates, or click data. If you've built automation workflows in Mailchimp, you'll need to recreate them manually in Substack.
Which platform integrates with my e-commerce store?
Mailchimp integrates natively with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and 300+ apps. Substack does not integrate with e-commerce platforms; it only supports direct subscription payments. If you need to sync customer purchase data with email marketing, Mailchimp is required.