Loops vs Substack — Which One Wins?
A detailed, side-by-side comparison of Loops and Substack to help you pick the right tool for your workflow.
Quick Verdict
Loops takes the lead with a 4.3 rating and is best for product-led saas companies who want email automation triggered by product events.. Substack (4.2) is the better pick if you need writers who want the simplest path to publishing a newsletter with paid subscriptions..
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Criteria | Loops | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ★★★★ 4.3(45) | ★★★★ 4.2(312) |
| Pricing Model | freemium | free |
| Starter Price | $49/mo (Starter, 5K contacts) | N/A |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | web | web, ios, android |
| Learning Curve | medium | easy |
| API Available | Yes | No |
| Best For | Product-led SaaS companies who want email automation triggered by product events. | Writers who want the simplest path to publishing a newsletter with paid subscriptions. |
| Verdict | situational | situational |
Feature Checklist
| Feature | Loops | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Product event-based automation | — | |
| User profile management | — | |
| Modern email editor | — | |
| Event tracking API | — | |
| Transactional emails | — | |
| A/B testing | — | |
| Clean writing editor | — | |
| Paid subscriptions built in | — | |
| Web archive for every post | — | |
| Podcast hosting | — | |
| Substack Notes (social) | — | |
| Network discovery | — |
Loops
Pros
- ✓Product event-based automation is natural for SaaS
- ✓Modern, beautiful email editor
- ✓Free tier supports 1,000 contacts
Cons
- ✕Young product still adding core features
- ✕Only makes sense for SaaS companies
- ✕Pricing jumps significantly from free to Starter
Substack
Pros
- ✓Zero monthly cost — only pay when you earn
- ✓Simplest writing and publishing experience available
- ✓Built-in paid subscriptions with no setup
Cons
- ✕10% revenue cut is expensive at scale
- ✕Virtually no email marketing or automation features
- ✕Zero customization — every Substack looks the same
The Bottom Line
Both Loops and Substack are solid tools in the Email Marketing space. Loops edges ahead with a stronger overall rating (4.3 vs 4.2) and is the better choice for product-led saas companies who want email automation triggered by product events.. However, if you prioritize writers who want the simplest path to publishing a newsletter with paid subscriptions., Substack is worth serious consideration. We recommend trying the free tier or trial of each before committing.