Substack

Substack Inc.

About this app

Substack is a new media app that connects you with the creators, ideas, and communities you care about most.

+ Support the creators you love: Subscribe for free or upgrade to view original work and connect directly with your favorite writers, artists, and podcasters.

+ Enjoy ad-free videos and podcasts: Access short-form clips, video episodes, and read-aloud articles without interruptions.

+ Connect in real time: Join livestreams and live group chats, where top creators bring their biggest supporters into their world.

+ Explore independent ideas: Discover bold opinions and engaging views across food, sports, politics, fashion, comedy, finance, and more.

How it works:
1. Download the Substack app.
2. Claim your handle.
3. Explore the feed to enjoy notes, videos, and clips from creators.
4. Subscribe to your favorites for free, tune into their livestreams and join private group chats.

Ratings and reviews

Does most of what I need, but doesn't always work as intended. For example, when I send out a test version of a newsletter, I get a notification via the app saying I can read it there. This function has never worked. Additionally, not being able to edit newsletters from the app is super unhelpful. Overall, both the app and the web version could be more user friendly. The taxonomy needs a lot of work. Aside from that, I like the app and the Substack platform.

While full of amazing content, the app is ephemeral when one switches away to another app. Substack disappears from the app switcher, even losing one's place in the current article. If you don't immediately like an article there is no history to help you find the same article, leaving you lost from something you might want to continue reading. It's almost better to open an article in a browser tab to make sure the article doesn't get lost forever.

Not worth the trouble. Since this app was first introduced, it's gone from bad to worse. It doesn't update activity reliable, and posts I've already read remain as unread for days. As often as not, the list of Notes cycles through the same 4 or 5 notes repeatedly, instead of continuing down the list. It regularly recommends new writers to me that write on subjects that are practically the antithesis of the stuff I tend to read, and it's not possible to edit a comment like you can in the browser.

What’s new

- Various fixes and improvements