Substack
A publishing network where writers send newsletters, run paid subscriptions and get discovered through a shared app.
- Verified facts
- 4 of 4
- Alternatives ranked
- 8
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Substack
Substack combines a newsletter tool, a website for each publication and a reader app with its own social feed, called Notes. Writers can start for free, publish posts by email and on the web, host podcasts and video, and turn on paid subscriptions when they are ready. Its biggest draw is the network: readers who already use the Substack app can find and subscribe to a new publication through recommendations, which helps new writers grow faster than they would on a standalone tool. The trade-offs are control and cost at scale. Design options are limited compared with Ghost or beehiiv, and the platform keeps a 10% share of paid subscription revenue on top of card fees, which becomes expensive for large paid publications. There is no fee for free newsletters. It runs in the browser, with iOS and Android apps for both writers and readers. It suits writers who value audience growth and simplicity over branding and ownership of the stack.
Best for: Writers who want built-in discovery and paid subscriptions without running any tech themselves.
Pros and cons
What works
- Built-in reader network and recommendations help new writers grow
- Free to start, with paid subscriptions switched on in minutes
- Podcasts, video and chat live alongside the newsletter
- Easy imports from Mailchimp, Ghost, WordPress and others
Why people leave
- 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
Top Substack alternatives
See all 8- 1
beehiiv66.5No cut of paid subscription revenue and far more growth and ad tools, for a monthly fee.
- 2
Ghost62.6Open-source, fully brandable site and newsletter with 0% payment fees from Ghost.
- 3
Buttondown59.6Lean, privacy-minded newsletter tool that takes no extra cut of paid subscriptions.
- 4
Patreon57.2Membership platform for creators who publish more than text, such as video and audio.
- 5
Write.as53.6Minimal, privacy-focused blogging with optional email subscribers and no social feed.
Why people left Substack
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
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Substack: common questions
Is Substack free?
Substack has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Yes, free to start (checked on Substack's own site).
Is Substack open source?
No, Substack is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Ghost and Bluesky.
What platforms does Substack run on?
Substack is available for Web, iOS and Android.
What are the best alternatives to Substack?
The highest-ranked Substack alternatives right now are beehiiv, Ghost and Buttondown. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.