Newsletter platform for writers
Visit WebsiteThe Bottom Line
Entry price
Free plan available, paid tiers above
Biggest pro
Completely free to start
Biggest con
10% revenue cut
TL;DR - Substack
- Simple newsletter platform with payments
- Built-in paid subscription model
- Home to many popular writers
What is Substack?
Available on: Web
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Completely free to start
- Built-in payments
- Simple to use
- Large network
Cons
- 10% revenue cut
- Limited customization
- Basic features
Ratings Across the Web
Substack holds an aggregate rating of 4.4 out of 5 from 13 reviews across G2, last checked March 18, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
Pricing Plans
Pricing checked Aug 26, 2026
Free
Free newsletters
- Unlimited subscribers
- Unlimited posts
- Custom domain
- Basic analytics
Paid newsletters
10%
Monetization
- Paid subscriptions
- Payment processing
- Subscriber management
- Community features
Is Substack worth the price?
Substack's pricing is incredibly generous, offering a full-featured free tier and only taking a 10% cut of revenue for paid newsletters.
This model is highly fair, as creators only pay when they earn. It's best for individual writers and small media companies looking to monetize their content with minimal upfront risk.
Hidden Costs & Gotchas
Stripe payment processing fees (approx. 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction)
No bulk discounts for high-volume creators
Limited advanced analytics without third-party tools
How Substack Compares to Competitors
Compared to platforms like Ghost, which charges a monthly fee starting around $9 for basic hosting, Substack's 10% revenue share is more creator-friendly, especially for those just starting out. Patreon also takes a percentage (5-12%), but Substack is specifically tailored for newsletter publishing, offering a more integrated experience.
How Substack's pricing compares
At $10/mo, Substack is mid-range of its 5 direct competitors ($5 to $199/mo across the set).
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Aug 26, 2026.
Reviews
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Across 13 verified user reviews on G2
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Best Substack Alternatives
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Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
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Substack FAQ
How does Substack support writers in building an audience?
What kind of user benefits most from Substack?
How is Substack priced?
Can Substack be used to create a membership site?
What are the primary limitations of using Substack?
How does Substack compare to Ghost for writers?
Source: substack.com