Aldus vs Substack
AI-automated newsletter vs writer-focused publishing platform
Quick Verdict
Substack popularised the independent newsletter movement with its simple publishing tools and built-in payment processing. Aldus approaches newsletters differently: instead of you writing everything, AI does the heavy lifting while you curate and edit.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Aldus | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| AI content generation | Full autonomous drafting | Not available |
| Paid subscriptions | Coming soon | Built-in (10% cut) |
| Discovery network | Coming soon | Substack Notes + Recommendations |
| Custom domains | From $39/mo | Available (all plans) |
| Analytics depth | Section-level click tracking | Basic open/click rates |
| A/B testing | Automatic | Not available |
| Image generation | AI-generated per section | Manual upload only |
| Podcast hosting | Not available | Built-in |
| Subscriber conversations | AI-powered | Comments/threads |
| Price | Free + from $19/mo (scales with subs) | Free (10% on paid subs) |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Aldus | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | $0 (2,500 subs) | $0 (unlimited subs) |
| Paid newsletters | No revenue share | 10% of subscriber revenue |
| Pro features | From $19/mo (scales with subs) | Substack Pro (invitation only) |
AI creation vs personal writing
This is the fundamental difference. Substack is built for writers who craft every word themselves. Aldus is built for people who want a newsletter but don't have time (or desire) to write it. The AI researches your topic, writes the content, generates images, and optimises everything. You review and publish.
Business model
Substack is free to use but takes 10% of any paid subscription revenue. Aldus charges a flat monthly fee (from $19/mo, scaling with subscriber count) with no revenue share. If you plan to monetise your newsletter, Aldus's flat pricing means you keep more as your audience grows.
Analytics and optimisation
Aldus provides section-level analytics showing which parts of your newsletter drive engagement, automatic A/B testing on subject lines, and AI-powered re-engagement campaigns. Substack offers basic open and click metrics.
Choose Aldus if you want...
- ✓ AI writes and researches content for you
- ✓ No revenue share on paid newsletters
- ✓ AI-generated images and design
- ✓ Section-level analytics
- ✓ Automated re-engagement campaigns
Best for: Creators who want a newsletter but don't want to spend hours writing every issue. Ideal for topic-based curation and AI-assisted publishing.
Choose Substack if you want...
- ✓ Built-in discovery network (Substack Notes)
- ✓ Native paid subscription support
- ✓ Podcast and video hosting
- ✓ Large existing reader community
Best for: Writers and journalists who want to monetise their personal writing with paid subscriptions and benefit from Substack's reader network.