Substack vs. Patreon — What's the Difference?

Substack focuses on providing a platform for writers and journalists to create, distribute, and monetize newsletters. It offers a straightforward subscription model where readers pay to access premium content. Patreon, on the other hand, is a more versatile platform catering to a broader range of creators, including artists, podcasters, and musicians. It allows creators to offer various types of exclusive content, such as videos, podcasts, artwork, and more, in exchange for a monthly subscription fee from their patrons.

Substack’s simplicity is appealing to writers who want a no-fuss way to monetize their newsletters. The platform handles all the backend processes, such as payment processing and email distribution, allowing writers to focus on content creation. Whereas Patreon offers a more complex system with tiered membership options, enabling creators to offer different levels of access and rewards to their patrons.

Both platforms take a percentage of the subscription fees as their commission. Substack takes a 10% fee, while Patreon’s fee structure varies based on the chosen plan (Lite, Pro, or Premium), ranging from 5% to 12%. This fee structure can influence a creator’s choice between the two platforms depending on their revenue strategy and the type of content they produce.

Substack supports a more straightforward monetization strategy, attracting writers who primarily focus on text-based content. On the other hand, Patreon’s tiered rewards system and support for various content types make it a go-to platform for multimedia creators seeking to offer a richer, more interactive experience to their subscribers.