//Honest comparison
How Empirq stacks up.
Other platforms are good products — they're just not built for technical writing. Self-hosting is also a great option if you want to spend your weekends on infrastructure. Here's the actual line-by-line difference.
| Empirq | Other Platforms | Self-Hosted | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technical writing | |||
| Inline LaTeX math | ✓native | ○block-only or image-based | ✓if you build it |
| Block LaTeX math | ✓KaTeX, server-rendered | ○limited or image-based | ✓if you build it |
| Code syntax highlighting | ✓Shiki, 35+ languages | ○basic | ✓if you build it |
| Server-side code rendering | ✓no client JS | ✗ | ✓if you build it |
| Outline / minimap for long posts | ✓ | ✗ | ○theme-dependent |
| Discovery | |||
| Curated subfield taxonomy | ✓25+ AI/ML subfields | ○uncurated tags, if any | ✗ |
| Subscribe to a topic, not just writers | ✓ | ○tag follows at best | ✗ |
| Algorithmic ranking | ✓opt-in, transparent | ○platform-driven curation | — |
| Monetization | |||
| Writer revenue share | ✓90% (100% founding) | ~90% (varies by platform) | 100% (you keep all) |
| Direct Stripe Connect (you own the account) | ✓ | ○varies (some pay you, some flow through) | ✓if you build it |
| Multiple subscription value tiers | ○on roadmap | ✓common on most | ✓if you build it |
| Annual pricing (writer-set discount) | ✓ | ○varies | ✓if you build it |
| Ownership | |||
| Subscriber export (CSV, anytime) | ✓ | ○varies | ✓ |
| Content export (Markdown + assets) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom domain | ○on roadmap | ✓on most (often paid add-on) | ✓if you set it up |
| Infrastructure (handled for you) | |||
| Hosting + SSL + CDN | ✓ | ✓ | ✗DIY |
| Email deliverability (SPF/DKIM/DMARC) | ✓Resend | ○varies | ✗DIY (and hard) |
| Image optimization + CDN | ✓R2 + Workers | ✓ | ✗DIY |
| Spam + abuse protection | ✓ | ✓ | ✗DIY |
| What we don't have (yet) | |||
| Native podcast hosting | ○on roadmap | ✓on some platforms | ✓if you build it |
| Native video hosting | ○embed YouTube / Vimeo | ○embeds; native on some | ✓if you build it |
| Mobile reader apps | ○on roadmap | ✓ | ✗ |
| Comments / community | ○on roadmap | ✓ | ✗DIY |
// The honest summary
When each one wins.
Choose Empirq if
- You write about AI/ML and the rendering of math + code matters.
- You want subfield-based discovery (your readers searching for "diffusion models," not "tech").
- You want a 90/10 split (or 100/0 as a founding writer) without giving up the platform conveniences.
- You don't want to maintain Hugo themes on the weekend.
Choose another platform if
- You write across many topics (politics, food, finance) and want broad network effects.
- You need bundled podcast hosting and don't want to glue it in.
- You're optimizing for broad-audience algorithmic discovery on a general-purpose platform.
- You don't need math rendering or sophisticated code presentation.
Self-host if
- You want 100% revenue and complete control.
- You enjoy (or don't mind) the operational work — DNS, SSL, CDN, email deliverability, spam handling.
- You have specific requirements no platform supports.
- You already have a personal brand strong enough to drive traffic without platform discovery.
Made up your mind?
Founding writer applications are open until the first 20 spots fill.