Up to 4 at once.
| Criteria | Readz | Shorthand.com |
|---|---|---|
| Weighted Score | 3.1/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Pricing | Pro plan starts at $150/mo; Studio plan for teams is $300/mo; Enterprise is custom. Optional add-ons include InDesign import ($30/mo), paywall ($250/mo), SSO ($150/mo) and marketing automation ($50/mo). | Free to create; a paid plan is needed to publish. Plans are Core (12 stories a year), Unlimited, Enterprise and On Demand (one-off projects); prices are not published, so contact the vendor for a quote. Discounts for charities and NGOs; free plans for universities. |
| Platform Type | Digital publishing platform | Digital publishing platform |
| Print-to-digital conversion & layout | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Multi-channel distribution | 3.2/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Reader experience | 3.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Monetisation | 2.5/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Analytics & reporting | 3.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Integrations & API | 2.8/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Engagement tools | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Scalability & performance | 2.8/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Implementation & support | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Security & DRM | 2.0/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Strengths | ✓ Enhanced analytics and reporting ✓ Advanced SEO tools | ✓ Stunning visual storytelling without developer resources ✓ Stories hosted on publisher domain preserve SEO value |
| Limitations | ✗ Limited design customization options may not meet all users' needs ✗ HubSpot, Mailchimp and Marketo connections require a paid marketing automation add-on | ✗ Subscription cost significant for smaller publishers ✗ Not a traditional syndication network — distribution is manual |
Readz
3.1
Rating
★ 3.1/5
Pricing
Pro plan starts at $150/mo; Studio plan for teams is $300/mo; Enterprise is custom. Optional add-ons include InDesign import ($30/mo), paywall ($250/mo), SSO ($150/mo) and marketing automation ($50/mo).
Platform
Digital publishing platform
Scores
Print-to-digital conversion & layout
4.0
Multi-channel distribution
3.2
Reader experience
3.0
Monetisation
2.5
Analytics & reporting
3.2
Integrations & API
2.8
Engagement tools
3.5
Scalability & performance
2.8
Implementation & support
3.5
Security & DRM
2.0
Strengths
✓ Enhanced analytics and reporting
✓ Advanced SEO tools
Limitations
✗ Limited design customization options may not meet all users' needs
✗ HubSpot, Mailchimp and Marketo connections require a paid marketing automation add-on
Shorthand.com
3.9
Rating
★ 3.9/5
Pricing
Free to create; a paid plan is needed to publish. Plans are Core (12 stories a year), Unlimited, Enterprise and On Demand (one-off projects); prices are not published, so contact the vendor for a quote. Discounts for charities and NGOs; free plans for universities.
Platform
Digital publishing platform
Scores
Print-to-digital conversion & layout
4.5
Multi-channel distribution
2.5
Reader experience
4.5
Monetisation
1.0
Analytics & reporting
3.5
Integrations & API
4.0
Engagement tools
3.5
Scalability & performance
3.5
Implementation & support
3.5
Security & DRM
4.7
Strengths
✓ Stunning visual storytelling without developer resources
✓ Stories hosted on publisher domain preserve SEO value
Limitations
✗ Subscription cost significant for smaller publishers
✗ Not a traditional syndication network — distribution is manual
