Best Substack Alternatives
Whether you have hit a wall with Substack or just want to weigh your options, these are the best-rated News apps with the fewest complaints. Every pick below is ranked by real user reviews, not marketing.
Ranked by lowest share of negative reviews among highly rated News apps. Based on public App Store data.
Top 8 apps like Substack
Why users look for Substack alternatives
Users complain about intrusive privacy practices, such as mandatory phone number collection and unwanted contact sharing. The app is criticized for its confusing user interface, poor navigation, and inability to handle multiple accounts or basic functions like deleting posts. Many find the app's design inconsistent and frustrating, with frequent redirects to the browser and unwanted content pushed into their feeds.
Summarized from 10 recent 1-3 star reviews of Substack.
Substack alternatives: frequently asked questions
What is the best alternative to Substack?
Based on our weekly store data, The Atlantic Magazine is the top-rated News app with the lowest share of negative reviews, making it the strongest Substack alternative right now. The full ranked list is above, so you can compare ratings and complaint volume before switching.
What are some apps like Substack?
Apps like Substack include The Atlantic Magazine, TrueShort - Stream True Crime, AJN LIVE and other top-rated News apps. They cover the same core use case, and the list above ranks them by how few complaints their users report.
Why do people look for Substack alternatives?
Users usually search for an alternative after hitting a recurring problem: billing surprises, missing features, crashes, or poor support. The negative-review summary below shows the specific complaints driving people away from Substack.
Are these Substack alternatives free?
Most News apps offer a free tier or trial, though many charge for full features or a subscription. Check each app's own page for its pricing and, more importantly, for the billing complaints users report before you commit.
How are these Substack alternatives ranked?
They are sorted by the lowest share of negative (1-3 star) reviews among highly rated News apps in our weekly store dataset. It rewards apps whose users are actually satisfied, not just the ones with the biggest marketing budget.