Inspired by Substack

Build a Substack Clone MVP

Create a newsletter platform for writers to publish and monetize their content.

3-5 months

Development Time

$20,000 - $45,000

Estimated Cost

Problem Solved

Enabling writers to easily publish, grow, and monetize their audience through paid newsletters.

Target Audience

Writers and journalists

Niche content creators

Industry publications

Creator economy startups

Core MVP Features

Newsletter editor

Publication pages

Free and paid subscription tiers

Email delivery

Subscriber management

Payment processing

Analytics (opens, clicks)

Archive of past issues

How to Differentiate

Lower platform fees
Better discovery features
Specific niche focus
Additional monetization options
Community features

Revenue Models

Percentage of paid subscriptions (5-10%)Platform subscription feePremium features (custom domains, analytics)Advertising revenue shareEnterprise/white-label

Technical Requirements

Rich text editor for newsletters

Email delivery (SendGrid, Postmark)

Subscription/payment processing

Email list management

Analytics tracking

Custom domain support

Key Success Metrics

Publications createdSubscriber growthPaid subscription rateEmail deliverabilityWriter retention

Success Stories

Ghost

Open-source publishing platform

Non-profit, sustainable

Beehiiv

Newsletter platform for growth

$42M raised

ConvertKit

Email marketing for creators

Bootstrapped to $30M+ ARR

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you handle email deliverability?

Use reputable ESPs (SendGrid, Postmark). Implement proper SPF/DKIM. Monitor bounce rates. Warm up sending domains. Its harder than it looks.

What fee structure works?

Substack takes 10%. Lower fees attract writers but need volume. Consider tiered pricing or flat monthly fees for predictability.

How do you differentiate?

Niche focus (local news, specific industry), better discovery, community features, additional monetization (tips, courses), or lower fees.

Ready to Build Your Substack Clone?

We'll help you launch an MVP in 21 days for $3,999. Get a production-ready product, not just a prototype.

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