Substack vs Dawan
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Substack
Discover and connect with creators through videos, writing, and podcasts. Subscribe to support your favorites, enjoy ad-free content, and engage in live discussions. Explore independent ideas across various topics.
- Subscribe to creators
- Ad-free videos and podcasts
- Livestreams and live chats
- Explore independent ideas
- Connect with communities
- Read-aloud articles
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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.
Dawan
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Stay informed with Dawan, your destination for the latest Somali news, analysis, and digital media. Read breaking news and in-depth stories covering politics, society, sports, business, and more. Watch the latest videos and reports, listen to podcasts, search for stories, save your favorite content, and receive important breaking-news notifications. Dawan delivers reliable information through a simple, fast, and accessible experience. Download the app and stay connected to the stories shaping Somalia and the wider region.
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is in-app purchases: Dawan at none against Substack's 24. Dawan also leads on iOS requirement (15.1 vs 17.0). Substack's advantage is chart position (#4 vs unranked). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Substack sells 18 in-app purchases, starting at $4.99 per month. Dawan asks for nothing beyond the download.
| Parameter | Substack | Dawan |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.9 (563K ratings) — better | — |
| Positive reviews | 72.7% of reviews | — |
| Number of ratings | 563K — better | — |
| Update frequency | Weekly | — |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | Yes | No — better |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | — |
| Best chart rank | #4 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, Apple TV | iPhone, iPad, iPod |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | 15.1 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 239 MB | 45 MB |
| Age rating | 17+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Substack, Inc. | Kulmi Digital Agency Limited |
Bugs and requests
Substack
Reported bugs
4 issues- Login issues and inability to sign in
- Inconsistent behavior when archiving/deleting posts
- Playback issues with audio content
- Incompatibility with older devices or operating systems
Requested features
5 requests- Add search functionality within app
- Improve notification management
- Allow customization of font size and style
- Implement ability to mark articles as read/unread
- Add option to collapse/expand comment threads
Dawan
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Substack
- Hung Up (Monthly)$4.991 Month
- The Dworkin Report (Monthly)$4.991 Month
- Popular Information (Monthly)$5.991 Month
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- Monthly$5.991 Month
- Isolation Journals (Monthly)$5.991 Month
- Ettingermentum (monthly)$5.991 Month
- What To Cook (Monthly)$5.991 Month
- The Present Age (Monthly)$6.991 Month
- The Message Box (Monthly)$7.991 Month
- House Inhabit (Monthly)$8.991 Month
- Noahpinion (Monthly)$9.991 Month
- Slow Boring (Monthly)$9.991 Month
- Razib Khan (Monthly)$10.991 Month
- House of Strauss (Monthly)$11.991 Month
- The Dworkin Report (Annual)$49.991 Year
- Annual$59.991 Year
- Isolation Journals (Annual)$59.991 Year
- Slow Boring (Annual)$99.991 Year
Dawan
No in-app purchases









