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Substack alternatives: 8 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Substack: 10% cut of paid revenue gets costly for big publications, and limited control over design and site structure. We ranked 8 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Substack, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. beehiiv currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1beehiiv logobeehiivFree plan + paidNoWeb4 of 466.5
2Ghost logoGhostOpen sourceYesWeb, Self-hosted5 of 562.6
3Buttondown logoButtondownFree plan + paidNoWeb4 of 459.6
4Patreon logoPatreonFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android4 of 457.2
5Medium logoMediumFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android0 of 044.8
6MailerLite logoMailerLiteFree plan + paidNoWeb, iOS, Android3 of 338.6
7Bluesky logoBlueskyFreeYesWeb, iOS, Android5 of 538.6
  1. beehiiv logo

    1. beehiivTop pick

    Best for: Newsletter operators who want ads, referrals and growth tools without a revenue share

    Free plan + paidWeb

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    No cut of paid subscription revenue and far more growth and ad tools, for a monthly fee.

    Pros

    • No percentage taken from paid subscriptions
    • Built-in ad network and referral programme
    • Generous free plan for a new newsletter
    • Strong analytics, segmentation and A/B testing

    Cons

    • Monthly cost rises steeply with subscriber count
    • No reader app or network as strong as Substack's
    • Removing beehiiv branding requires the Pro plan
    Visit beehiiv Compare with SubstackDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is beehiiv a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Up to 2,500 subscribers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026beehiiv.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $49/month (Lite, billed yearly)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026beehiiv.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro plan
    $95/month, billed yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026beehiiv.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid subscription fee
    0% take rate
    Checked Oct 25, 2026beehiiv.com(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Ghost logo

    2. Ghost

    Best for: Independent publishers who want their own branded site, newsletter and memberships

    Open sourceSelf-hostableWeb, Self-hosted

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    Open-source, fully brandable site and newsletter with 0% payment fees from Ghost.

    Pros

    • No transaction fees from Ghost on paid memberships
    • Open source and self-hostable for full control
    • Custom themes and a large integration marketplace
    • Fast sites with strong SEO defaults

    Cons

    • No discovery network to bring in readers
    • Starter plan lacks custom themes and paid subscriptions
    • Self-hosting needs a server and some sysadmin work
    Visit Ghost Compare with SubstackDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Ghost a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Starting price
    $18/month (Starter, billed yearly)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ghost.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Publisher plan
    $29/month, billed yearly
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ghost.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Transaction fees
    0% from Ghost (processor fees apply)
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ghost.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Self-hosting
    Yes, Ubuntu or Docker
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ghost.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ghost.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Buttondown logo

    3. Buttondown

    Best for: Independent writers and developers who want a simple, affordable, privacy-first newsletter

    Free plan + paidWeb

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    Lean, privacy-minded newsletter tool that takes no extra cut of paid subscriptions.

    Pros

    • Markdown editor and a solid API
    • No extra fee on paid subscriptions beyond card processing
    • Pay only for the add-ons you need
    • Independent, profitable company with no investor pressure

    Cons

    • Many features are paid add-ons, which adds up
    • No discovery network or ad marketplace
    • Limited design control compared with Ghost or beehiiv
    Visit Buttondown Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Buttondown a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    First 100 subscribers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026buttondown.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid subscriptions add-on
    $9/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026buttondown.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Paid subscription fee
    None beyond card fees
    Checked Oct 25, 2026buttondown.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Founded
    2017
    Checked Oct 25, 2026buttondown.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Patreon logo

    4. Patreon

    Best for: Podcasters, video creators and artists who want paid memberships handled for them

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    Membership platform for creators who publish more than text, such as video and audio.

    Pros

    • Handles payments, taxes, fraud and payouts for you
    • Supports video, audio, chats and a shop, not just text
    • Recognised brand that fans already trust with card details

    Cons

    • 10% platform fee plus processing and payout fees
    • Writing and email tools are basic for newsletter writers
    • Little control over page design
    Visit Patreon Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Patreon a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free to start
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026patreon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platform fee
    10% of income, plus processing fees
    Checked Oct 25, 2026patreon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Newsletters
    Email newsletters included
    Checked Oct 25, 2026patreon.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Currencies
    16+ for payouts and pay-ins
    Checked Oct 25, 2026patreon.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Medium logo

    5. Medium

    Best for: Writers who want an existing audience for essays without running their own site or list

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    44.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    Built-in readership for essays without having to run your own list.

    Pros

    • Large existing readership and topic-based discovery
    • Free to write, with a clean editor
    • Partner Program pays writers from member reading

    Cons

    • No direct paid subscriptions you control
    • Earnings and distribution depend on changing platform rules
    • Little control over design and branding
    Visit Medium Compare with SubstackDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1515
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Medium a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    0 of 0 verified

    No sourced facts yet.

  6. MailerLite logo

    6. MailerLite

    Best for: Small businesses and creators who want good design and automation at a low price

    Free plan + paidWeb, iOS, Android

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    Lets you own your list and design, with paid newsletters and low monthly pricing.

    Pros

    • Clean interface with three email editors
    • Automations, landing pages and websites included
    • Cheaper than Mailchimp at most list sizes

    Cons

    • Strict account approval process
    • Free plan is small
    • Reporting and automation less deep than premium tools
    Visit MailerLite Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is MailerLite a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Free plan
    250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mailerlite.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    14 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mailerlite.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Email editors
    Drag & drop, custom HTML, simple
    Checked Oct 25, 2026mailerlite.com(opens source in a new tab)
  7. Bluesky logo

    7. Bluesky

    Best for: People leaving X who want a familiar microblog with feed choice and more control

    FreeOpen sourceWeb, iOS, Android

    38.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Substack

    Build a public audience with short posts on an open network rather than Notes.

    Pros

    • Choose or build your own feeds and moderation lists
    • Use your own domain as a verified handle
    • Account portability on an open protocol

    Cons

    • Most users still rely on Bluesky's own servers
    • Smaller audience than X or Threads in many niches
    • Investor-funded, with monetisation still taking shape
    Visit Bluesky Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.37
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Bluesky a good Substack alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Protocol
    AT Protocol
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)
    Account portability
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)
    Custom domain handles
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)
    App license
    MIT
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Users
    Over 43 million
    Checked Oct 25, 2026bsky.social(opens source in a new tab)

The best Substack alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

beehiiv logo

Best Substack alternative for most people

beehiiv

No cut of paid subscription revenue and far more growth and ad tools, for a monthly fee.

Ghost logo

Best Substack alternative for a free option

Ghost

Open-source, fully brandable site and newsletter with 0% payment fees from Ghost.

Buttondown logo

Best Substack alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Buttondown

Lean, privacy-minded newsletter tool that takes no extra cut of paid subscriptions.

Bluesky logo

Best Substack alternative for open source

Bluesky

Build a public audience with short posts on an open network rather than Notes.

Ghost logo

Best Substack alternative for self-hosting

Ghost

Open-source, fully brandable site and newsletter with 0% payment fees from Ghost.

Patreon logo

Best Substack alternative for iPhone and Android

Patreon

Membership platform for creators who publish more than text, such as video and audio.

Write.as logo

Best Substack alternative for working in the browser

Write.as

Minimal, privacy-focused blogging with optional email subscribers and no social feed.

Substack alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Substack?

beehiiv ranks first right now. No cut of paid subscription revenue and far more growth and ad tools, for a monthly fee. Ghost and Buttondown follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Substack?

Yes. beehiiv (free plan + paid), Ghost (open source), Buttondown (free plan + paid) and Patreon (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Substack?

Yes: Ghost and Bluesky. Ghost can also be self-hosted.

Why do people switch from Substack?

The complaints we hear most: 10% cut of paid revenue gets costly for big publications; limited control over design and site structure; your publication sits inside Substack's brand and app.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Substack, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.