Substack vs Flodesk? Let’s be real – email marketing is one of the most powerful tools in your blogging toolbox. But picking the right platform? That’s where it gets tricky.
You’ve probably heard the whispers… “Substack is the new wave,” or “Flodesk is the queen of design.” And while both platforms have their perks, choosing the wrong one can mean low open rates, design headaches, or worse – an email list that just doesn’t grow.
I’ve tested both. I’ve obsessed over workflows, templates, deliverability, and what actually helps you build connections and convert readers into loyal fans. In this post, I’m pulling back the curtain on Flodesk vs. Substack – so you can skip the second-guessing and make the switch (or stay put) with confidence.
Table of Contents
The Real Difference Between Flodesk and Substack
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s be clear about what we’re comparing here. Flodesk is an email marketing platform designed for creators who want gorgeous emails without the headache. Substack is a newsletter platform that’s become the darling of writers who want to monetize their content directly.
Think of it this way: Flodesk is like having a full marketing department in your back pocket, while Substack is like having your own publishing house. Both have their place, but they serve different purposes in your email marketing strategy.
Flodesk: The Design-Forward Email Marketing Powerhouse
What Makes Flodesk Shine
Unlimited Everything for One Price. This is where Flodesk absolutely crushes the competition. For $38/month, you get unlimited subscribers and unlimited email sends. (The unlimited plan will fall away after 28 November 2025) No more sweating over subscriber counts or rationing your emails like they’re made of gold. As your list grows, your costs stay the same, which is basically unheard of in the email marketing world.
Templates That Actually Look Professional. Let’s be honest – most email templates look like they were designed in 2003. Flodesk’s drag-and-drop builder comes with templates that are actually Pinterest-worthy. You can customize everything to match your brand without needing a design degree or hiring a graphic designer.
Automation That Works While You Sleep. Want to set up email marketing campaigns that nurture subscribers automatically? Flodesk’s automation features let you create welcome email sequences, post-purchase workflows, easily share your freebie, and nurture campaigns that do the heavy lifting for you. It’s email list-building tips in action – set it up once, and it works for months.
Landing Pages Included: No website? No problem. Flodesk lets you create standalone landing pages that look professional and convert visitors into subscribers. Perfect for those just starting their email list-building journey.
Where Flodesk Falls Short
Learning Curve for Beginners. While Flodesk is user-friendly, it’s still a full email marketing platform. If you’re brand new to email marketing, you might feel overwhelmed by all the features and possibilities.
Limited Monetization Options. Flodesk recently added checkout features, but it’s not primarily built for direct monetization like subscriptions or paid newsletters.
Substack: The Writer’s Publishing Platform
What Makes Substack Appealing
Built for Monetization, Substack makes it stupid simple to charge for your newsletter. Set up paid subscriptions, offer free and premium tiers, and get paid directly through the platform. If your goal is to monetize your writing immediately, this is Substack’s biggest win.
Simple Publishing Interface: Writing and publishing on Substack feels more like blogging than email marketing. The interface is clean, distraction-free, and built for writers who want to focus on content creation.
Built-in Discovery Substack has its own ecosystem where readers discover new newsletters. This can help you grow your email list organically without relying solely on your own marketing efforts.
No Design Stress. If the thought of designing emails makes you break out in hives, Substack’s simple, text-focused format might be perfect. Your content is the star, not fancy graphics.
Where Substack Struggles
Limited Customization. Your newsletter will look like… a Substack newsletter. There’s not much room for brand customization or making your emails stand out visually.
Fewer Marketing Features Substack doesn’t have the robust automation, segmentation, or advanced email marketing campaign features that platforms like Flodesk offer. You’re essentially trading marketing power for simplicity.
Platform Dependency: Your entire email list lives on Substack. If something happens to the platform or they change their terms, you could be in trouble. It’s one of the biggest email marketing mistakes – putting all your eggs in someone else’s basket.
Smart Email Marketing Design: Which Platform Wins?
When it comes to smart email marketing design, Flodesk takes the crown.
Here’s why:
Your emails are an extension of your brand. They should look like they came from YOU, not from a generic newsletter platform. Flodesk gives you the tools to create emails that are unmistakably yours – from color schemes to fonts to layout.
Substack emails, while clean and readable, all have that same “Substack look.” For some creators, that’s fine. For others who want their emails to feel like a natural extension of their brand, it’s limiting.
The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
Choose Flodesk If:
- You want full control over your email marketing strategy
- Brand consistency across all touchpoints matters to you
- You plan to grow beyond just newsletters (think product launches, course promotions, etc.)
- You want advanced automation and segmentation features
- You’re serious about email list-building tips and long-term list growth
- You don’t mind paying for more features than you might initially use
Choose Substack If:
- Your primary goal is monetizing your writing through subscriptions
- You want the simplest possible setup with minimal tech headaches
- You’re comfortable with limited customization options
- You like the idea of built-in discoverability
- You’re just testing the waters with email marketing
The Real Talk: What I Recommend
Here’s my honest take after working with both platforms: if you’re building a business, go with Flodesk. If you’re building a writing career with direct monetization as the primary goal, Substack might be your answer.
Most bloggers and content creators benefit more from having full control over their email marketing campaigns. You want to be able to segment your list, create complex automation sequences, and integrate with other tools in your business. That’s where Flodesk shines.
But if you’re a writer who just wants to write, publish, and get paid directly by readers, without dealing with email marketing strategy complexity, Substack’s simplicity is appealing.
Don’t Make These Email Marketing Mistakes
Whatever platform you choose, avoid these common pitfalls:
- Platform hopping: Pick one and commit for at least 6 months
- Focusing on features over strategy: The best platform is useless without a solid content plan
- Ignoring your list: Whether it’s Flodesk or Substack, consistency beats perfection
- Not backing up your list: Always export your subscribers regularly
Ready to Grow Your Email List?
The platform debate matters, but here’s what matters more: actually starting. Too many creators spend months researching the “perfect” email marketing platform instead of just picking one and building their list.
Both Substack and Flodesk offer free trials. Pick the one that aligns with your goals, start building, and adjust as you grow. Your future self will thank you for starting today instead of waiting for the perfect setup.
Haven’t started building your email list yet?
Flodesk makes it beautifully easy – and right now, you can get 50% off your first year, plus a 14-day free trial to test it out for yourself. If you’re ready to finally grow your list with confidence (and style), now’s the time to dive in. Grab your Flodesk deal here
Which platform are you leaning toward? Comment below and let me know what’s holding you back from starting your email marketing journey!
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This is all such great information! I didn’t realize different social media can be so different when you post/pin/etc. Thanks for sharing!
All of these are fantastic tools to make money, Candice! I use many of them, but have always wanted to try BlogtoPin, I’m so intrigued by it, I always create my own pins in Canva but that would be so helpful if it did it for me!
Make Life Marvelous
That’s so true, BlogtoPin is a huge time-saver! It really speeds up the Pinterest process so you can focus on content creation.
Love all of these blog traffic tips for the holidays, Candice! It’s so hard to believe it’s almost holiday time and it’s always great to get ahead as much as possible with content.
Wishing you a wonderful rest of your week! 🙂
Make Life Marvelous