Substack review

Substack is the easiest way to start a newsletter without paying anything. Publishing is free, with no tiers or contracts, and Substack only earns when you do: writers keep 90% of paid subscription revenue minus credit card fees. The main reason to pick it is the network. Substack says it has 5 million paid subscriptions, that more than half of new subscribers come from its built-in network, and that 30% or more of paid subscriptions start inside that network, through recommendations, Notes and collaborations. It also hosts podcasts and live video, and Substack Defender offers legal support such as pre-publication review. The cost of that simplicity is control. You get fewer automation, segmentation and design options than on Kit, beehiiv or Ghost, and the 10% cut can exceed a flat monthly fee once paid revenue grows. A newsletter earning $5,000 a month hands $500 to Substack, more than beehiiv Pro costs.

Who it is for

Writers who want to start free and grow through a reader network

Price

Free to publish; writers keep 90% of paid subscription revenue minus card fees.

Writers keep 90% of their revenue minus credit card fees.
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 12, 2026.

Key features

• Free to start with no platform fees, tiers or contracts
• Paid subscriptions with writers keeping 90% of revenue minus card fees
• Built-in reader network with recommendations, Notes and collaborations
• Podcast hosting through the Substack Recording Studio and live video
• Substack Defender legal support for publishers

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: No cost until readers pay you
• Strength: Substack says more than half of new subscribers come from its built-in network
• Strength: Posts, podcasts and video publish from one account
• Weakness: Substack keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue, which adds up as income grows
• Weakness: Design control is limited compared with Ghost themes
• Weakness: Fewer automation and segmentation tools than Kit or beehiiv

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, free to publish
• Platform fee: 10% of paid revenue
• Paid subscriptions on Substack: 5 million and counting, per Substack
• Legal support: Substack Defender

Where it ranks

Substack is No. 3 in our Best Newsletter Platforms verdict.