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Buttondown vs Substack
Both sit in newsletters & publishing. Here is how they differ on the things you can actually check.
Buttondown
buttondown.com
Markdown-first newsletters with a deliberately minimal interface, good API and a free tier for small lists.
Free planNewsletters & Publishing
Visit ButtondownSubstack
substack.com
Free to run; takes a percentage of paid subscriptions. Includes a discovery network, notes and podcast hosting.
Free planNewsletters & Publishing
Visit Substack| Buttondown | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry price | $9/mo | Custom / not published |
| Entry plan | — | — |
| Paid annually | — | — |
| Price checked | not verified | 28 Sept 2026 |
| Pricing model | Free plan | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Category | Newsletters & Publishing | Newsletters & Publishing |
| Around since | 2017 | 2017 |
These entry prices are indicative — none could be read automatically from the vendors' own pricing pages. Confirm before buying.
Buttondown vs Substack, answered
- Do Buttondown or Substack have a free plan?
- Both do. Buttondown and Substack each publish an ongoing free tier rather than a time-limited trial.
- What is the difference between Buttondown and Substack?
- Buttondown: Markdown-first newsletters with a deliberately minimal interface, good API and a free tier for small lists. Substack: Free to run; takes a percentage of paid subscriptions. Includes a discovery network, notes and podcast hosting.
