Listmonk vs Writefreely
Self-host pick — both replace Substack (Newsletter publishing + paid subscriptions).
Both Listmonk and Writefreely self-host as a replacement for Substack (Newsletter publishing + paid subscriptions). Pick Listmonk if you want high-volume free newsletters (1M+ subscribers) where Listmonk's send-throughput shines; pick Writefreely if you want writers who want a minimalist public archive + Fediverse reach and don't need paid subscriptions. Both are AGPL-family licensed and similar to set up.
| Listmonkopen-source | Writefreelyopen-source | |
|---|---|---|
| License | AGPL-3.0 | AGPL-3.0 |
| Setup time | 15min docker-compose (Go binary + Postgres) | 15min single-binary or docker-compose |
| Monthly cost | $5 VPS for the app; SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend) is the variable cost — SES at $0.10/1000 sends. | $5 VPS for the app; ActivityPub-federated so no separate email cost line. |
| GitHub | knadh/listmonk | writefreely/writefreely |
| Replaces | Substack + 3 other | Substack |
Good fit for
Listmonk
High-volume free newsletters (1M+ subscribers) where Listmonk's send-throughput shines.
Weak at:No content editor or paid-subscription rails — bring your own publishing surface and payments.
Writefreely
Writers who want a minimalist public archive + Fediverse reach and don't need paid subscriptions.
Weak at:No paid-subscriber rails — strictly free publishing; no email-newsletter loop without bolting on Listmonk.
In a terminal? npx -y github:SolvoHQ/os-alt-cli substack prints Substack's self-host options including both —
how the CLI works →
FAQ
Which is easier to self-host, Listmonk or Writefreely?
Listmonk: 15min docker-compose (Go binary + Postgres). Writefreely: 15min single-binary or docker-compose.
What does each cost to run?
Listmonk: $5 VPS for the app; SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend) is the variable cost — SES at $0.10/1000 sends.. Writefreely: $5 VPS for the app; ActivityPub-federated so no separate email cost line.. Both projects are free and open source.
Do Listmonk and Writefreely replace the same SaaS?
Yes — both are open-source alternatives to Substack.