Head to head · Best Digital Publishing Platforms
Issuu vs Shorthand.com
Shorthand.com scores higher overall (4.1 vs 3.4), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you.
| Criterion | IssuuFair Fit | Shorthand.comStrong Choice |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.4 | 4.1— higher score for Shorthand.com |
| Capability45% of composite | 3.6— higher score for Issuu | 3.5 |
| Publisher fit40% of composite | 3.0 | 5.0— higher score for Shorthand.com |
| Total cost of ownership15% of composite | 4.0— higher score for Issuu | 3.7 |
| Best for | Small, Mid-Market | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Pricing | Free Basic tier available; paid plans include Starter at $19/mo and Unlimited at $188/mo when billed annually ($31/mo and $269/mo respectively if monthly). | Free trial available; paid plans include Starter at $50/mo, Team at $875/mo, and Business at $1,750/mo, plus custom Enterprise tiers. |
Issuu
- Easy content transformation tools
- Easy audience behavior monitoring
- Issuu's free plan has limited features
Shorthand.com
- Stunning visual storytelling without developer resources
- Stories hosted on publisher domain preserve SEO value
- Used by major newsrooms (BBC, Reuters) — proven editorial tool
- Subscription cost significant for smaller publishers
- Not a traditional syndication network — distribution is manual
- Best for occasional premium pieces, not high-frequency publishing
Common questions
Is Issuu or Shorthand.com better?
Shorthand.com scores higher overall (4.1 vs 3.4), but the right pick depends on which dimension matters most to you. Issuu scores 3.4/5 and Shorthand.com scores 4.1/5 on Benchmark Grid's independent assessment. Scores are set editorially by SODP against published criteria and cannot be purchased.
Which is cheaper, Issuu or Shorthand.com?
On total cost of ownership — which covers pricing transparency, entry cost, implementation, hidden-fee risk and ongoing cost — Issuu scores 4.0/5 and Shorthand.com scores 3.7/5. A higher score means better value, not a lower sticker price.
How are these scores calculated?
Each tool is assessed across 12 criteria grouped into Capability (45% of the composite), Publisher Fit (40%) and Total Cost of Ownership (15%). Assessment is carried out by SODP's editorial team against a published methodology. Vendors cannot pay for inclusion, scores or rankings.
Still deciding?
Answer four questions about your publication and we'll recommend a full stack — with the reasoning for each pick and what it will cost.
Both tools are scored in Best Digital Publishing Platforms. See alternatives to Issuu or alternatives to Shorthand.com.
