Beehiiv vs Substack: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Beehiiv is built for newsletter operators, while Substack suits writers and independent journalists. For most users Substack is the stronger default, but Beehiiv can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Beehiiv versus Substack comes down to which trade-offs you can live with. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Beehiiv | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Newsletter Platform | Newsletter Platform |
| What it's known for | Newsletter platform built for growth and monetization (referral program, ad network, paid subscriptions). | Free newsletter and paid-subscription platform that monetizes via a revenue share on paid subscriptions. |
| Pricing | Free up to 2,500 subscribers; Scale and Max paid tiers scaling with subscribers and features. | Free to publish; Substack takes ~10% of paid-subscription revenue (plus payment processing). |
| Best audience | Newsletter operators and creators focused on subscriber growth and monetization rather than ecommerce automation. | Writers, journalists and independent creators who want simple paid newsletters without platform fees. |
| Best for | Newsletter operators, Newsletter monetization, Creators scaling subscribers | Writers and independent journalists, Paid newsletters, Simple subscription monetization |
| Entry price | Free | $0/mo |
| Biggest strength | Purpose-built for newsletter growth and monetization (referrals, ad network). | Free to publish with no monthly platform fee. |
| Main caveat | Headline price covers only up to ~1,000 subs; cost climbs with list size. | Takes 10% of paid-subscription revenue (plus Stripe fees). |
Features compared
The feature sets only partly overlap. Here is what each one actually gives you:
Beehiiv key features
- Newsletter + website builder with unlimited email sends on all plans
- Built-in referral program to drive subscriber growth
- beehiiv Ad Network for newsletter monetization
- Paid subscriptions and digital products (0% revenue cut)
Substack key features
- Free newsletter publishing with paid-subscription monetization
- Email delivery plus a web archive for every post
- Built-in payments (Stripe) for paid tiers
- Discovery network and recommendations to grow readership
Pricing tiers side by side
Beehiiv plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Launch (Free) | $0 | up to 2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends |
| Scale | $43/mo annual (~$49 monthly) | automations, ad network, paid subscriptions, up to 3 publications |
| Max | $96/mo annual (~$109 monthly) | removes branding, dynamic content, priority support, up to 10 publications |
| Enterprise | custom | for 100k+ subscribers |
Substack plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Free to publish | $0/mo | no platform subscription fee |
| Revenue share | 10% of paid-subscription revenue | plus Stripe ~2.9% + $0.30 and billing fee; ~13-16% effective |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Beehiiv wins
Built by ex-Morning Brew operators specifically to grow and monetize newsletters, with a referral engine and ad network baked in.
- Purpose-built for newsletter growth and monetization (referrals, ad network).
- Takes 0% of paid-subscription revenue (only Stripe fees apply).
That makes it the stronger pick for newsletter operators and creators focused on subscriber growth and monetization rather than ecommerce automation.
Where Substack wins
Turns writing into paid subscriptions with zero setup, monetizing via revenue share instead of monthly fees.
- Free to publish with no monthly platform fee.
- Built-in discovery network and recommendations drive growth.
That makes it the stronger pick for writers, journalists and independent creators who want simple paid newsletters without platform fees.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose Beehiiv if you fit its core audience — newsletter operators and creators focused on subscriber growth and monetization rather than ecommerce automation.
- Choose Substack if you fit its core audience — writers, journalists and independent creators who want simple paid newsletters without platform fees.
FAQ
Is Beehiiv better than Substack?
Substack is the stronger default for most users, but Beehiiv can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Beehiiv and Substack?
Beehiiv is built by ex-Morning Brew operators specifically to grow and monetize newsletters, with a referral engine and ad network baked in. Substack is turns writing into paid subscriptions with zero setup, monetizing via revenue share instead of monthly fees.
Which is cheaper, Beehiiv or Substack?
Entry pricing differs: Beehiiv offers a free tier, while Substack starts at $0/mo. Compare the tiers above against your usage.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Beehiiv and Substack: