In 2025, creators, journalists, and brands face more choices than ever when it comes to reaching their audiences. Social platforms are still powerful, but they’re also increasingly fragmented, crowded, and subject to algorithmic shifts that make visibility unpredictable. In contrast, email remains one of the most reliable channels for building a loyal audience.
Within this space, two primary paths dominate: Substack and traditional email newsletters. Both approaches can help you grow your brand, monetize your content, and connect directly with readers—but they serve slightly different purposes. Choosing between them depends on your goals, resources, and the kind of relationship you want to build with your audience.
5 Reasons to Start a Substack in 2025
1. Built-In Discovery and Community
Benefit: Substack gives you access to a network of readers already seeking newsletters.
With its platform-driven discovery features—recommendations, categories, and cross-promotion—Substack helps new writers find an audience faster. Think of it like social media for newsletters, where readers are primed to subscribe.
2. Simple Monetization Tools
Benefit: Subscription payments and paywalls are integrated seamlessly.
You don’t need to set up third-party services to charge for premium content. From day one, you can experiment with free vs. paid models, offering bonus issues, archives, or exclusive podcasts. Writers like Casey Newton (Platformer) have turned this into sustainable businesses.
3. Multimedia Flexibility
Benefit: Substack has evolved beyond text into podcasts, video, and discussion threads.
In 2025, the platform supports creators who want to diversify content formats without juggling multiple tools. This is especially valuable for writers who want to add audio episodes or community discussions alongside their newsletters.
4. Credibility and Ease of Use
Benefit: Professional templates and hosting make it quick to launch.
Even if you have no technical background, Substack provides a polished, easy-to-use interface. This lowers barriers for writers, academics, and creators who want to publish without worrying about design or backend management.
5. Network Effects for Growth
Benefit: Cross-promotion within Substack creates organic growth opportunities.
If you collaborate with other writers in your niche, Substack’s recommendation system can funnel their readers to you. This network effect is difficult to replicate with standalone newsletters.
Part 2: 5 Reasons to Start a Traditional Newsletter in 2025
1. Full Ownership and Control
Benefit: With a traditional newsletter, you own your list, branding, and infrastructure.
Using platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or Beehiiv, you control the subscriber database, design, and integrations. This independence means you aren’t tied to the business fortunes or policies of a single platform.
2. Customization and Branding
Benefit: Traditional newsletters allow deeper design and branding control.
From custom domains to brand colors and tailored templates, you can craft a newsletter that feels like a true extension of your brand identity. This matters for businesses or creators who want email to match their broader presence.
3. Advanced Analytics and Segmentation
Benefit: Sophisticated targeting tools enable smarter campaigns.
Platforms outside Substack often offer advanced features like A/B testing, list segmentation, and automation workflows. This makes them ideal for marketers running multi-channel campaigns or creators aiming to refine messaging for different audience segments.
4. Integration with Other Tools
Benefit: Seamless connections with CRMs, e-commerce, and marketing software.
For businesses, integration is crucial. Traditional newsletter platforms connect with Shopify, Salesforce, or analytics dashboards, allowing you to measure ROI and streamline operations. Substack remains limited in this regard.
5. Scalability and Flexibility
Benefit: Traditional tools can adapt as your audience grows and needs change.
Whether you want to run a small side project or manage a database of hundreds of thousands, traditional platforms scale more predictably. You’re free to experiment with different content strategies without platform restrictions.
Conclusion: Which Path Should You Choose?
In 2025, the choice between Substack and a traditional newsletter isn’t about one being better than the other—it’s about alignment with your goals.
- Choose Substack if you’re an independent creator seeking fast setup, built-in discovery, and straightforward monetization. It’s perfect for writers who want to focus on publishing without dealing with complex technical systems.
- Choose a traditional newsletter if you need long-term ownership, branding control, and integration with broader marketing strategies. This is the better route for businesses, startups, and creators looking for flexibility and scalability.
Ultimately, the smartest strategy may even combine both: using Substack for discovery and community building, while maintaining a traditional newsletter list for owned audience control. In 2025’s shifting content landscape, the key is to invest in channels that let you build authentic, lasting connections with your readers.