beehiiv vs Substack: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between beehiiv and Substack comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: beehiiv wins this matchup. Our overall Newsletter Tools pick is Constant Contact. Our free Newsletter Tools pick is Zetik. Pick Substack if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
beehiiv
Newsletter platform for growth
Best for you if:
- • You want generous free tier
- • You want great growth features
Substack
Newsletter platform for writers
Best for you if:
- • You want completely free to start
- • You want built-in payments
| At a Glance | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Newsletter Tools | Newsletter Tools |
Rating | 4.5/5 | 2.4/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose beehiiv or Substack?
Choose beehiiv if
Newsletter platform for growth
- You want generous free tier
- You want great growth features
Choose Substack if
Newsletter platform for writers
- You want completely free to start
- You want built-in payments
| Feature | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.5/5 56 reviews | ★2.4/5 179 reviews |
| Categories | Newsletter ToolsEmail Marketing | Newsletter ToolsWriting & Content |
In-Depth Analysis
beehiiv
Newsletter platform for growth
beehiiv's pricing is quite generous, especially with its robust free 'Launch' tier supporting up to 2,500 subscribers.
Strengths
- +Generous free tier
- +Great growth features
- +Built-in monetization
- +Modern interface
Weaknesses
- -Learning curve
- -Some features need higher tiers
- -Limited customization on free
Key features
Substack
Newsletter platform for writers
Substack's pricing is incredibly generous, offering a full-featured free tier and only taking a 10% cut of revenue for paid newsletters.
Watch out
Stripe payment processing fees (approx. 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
Strengths
- +Completely free to start
- +Built-in payments
- +Simple to use
- +Large network
Weaknesses
- -10% revenue cut
- -Limited customization
- -Basic features
Key features
Pricing: beehiiv vs Substack
| Plan | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0 Launch | 0 forever Free |
| Tier 2 | $43 Scale | 10% of revenue Paid newsletters |
| Tier 3 | $96 Max | N/A |
| Tier 4 | Custom Enterprise | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on beehiiv pricing and Substack pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: beehiiv
Want the highest-rated option?
beehiiv: 4.5/5 (56 reviews). Substack: 2.4/5 (179 reviews).
Go with: beehiiv
Value user reviews?
beehiiv: 56 reviews (4.5/5). Substack: 179 reviews (2.4/5).
Go with: Substack
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are newsletter tools tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
beehiiv is rated higher: 4.5/5 vs 2.4/5.
Key Takeaways
beehiiv
- Higher user rating: 4.5/5 vs 2.4/5
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Substack
- Larger review base (179 reviews)
The Bottom Line
beehiiv wins this matchup. Our overall Newsletter Tools pick is Constant Contact. Our free Newsletter Tools pick is Zetik.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is beehiiv or Substack better?
beehiiv is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are beehiiv and Substack used for?
beehiiv: Newsletter platform for growth. Substack: Newsletter platform for writers.
What does beehiiv cost vs Substack?
beehiiv is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Substack is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.