Beehiiv vs Substack (2026 Guide): Review, Fees, Uses, Features + Quiz

If you’re reading this, something pushed you here. Not curiosity. Not boredom. A deeper itch.

You want your newsletter to work.

To grow.

To pay off.

And somewhere between posting, tweaking, second-guessing, and wondering why other content creators surge while you grind… you hit a wall.

Maybe you joined for Substack because “everyone’s there,” but the fees stung. 

Maybe you tried Beehiiv because it looked fresh and full of promise, only to think, “Why does this still feel harder than it should?”

Or maybe you’re at the worst stage of all: 

Platform limbo.

You’re creating, but you’re not confident you’re building on the right ground.

Picking between Beehiiv vs Substack today decides whether you stay stuck at 500 subscribers… or scale to a level where your weekly email becomes a serious part of your business.

And you know it.

That’s why you’re here.

So let’s cut in and get you sorted.

By the end of this Substack vs Beehiiv guide, you’ll know exactly which newsletter platform is the best fit for your goals, your style, and the way you want your business to run today and a year from now.

Beehiiv vs Substack (Quiz: Which is Best For You?)

Not every newsletter needs the same tools or level of ease of use.

Answer these quick prompts about your goals, and see which newsletter platform lines up best with what you actually want to do.

☐ 1. I want to maximize my subscription revenue: Keep more of what you earn and have flexibility for pricing.
☐ 2. I want automated subscriber growth and referral rewards: Tools to turn subscribers into advocates without chasing them.
☐ 3. I want built-in community and discussion features: Forums, paid-only threads, or Notes that make readers feel closer to you.
☐ 4. I want full control over design and branding: Custom templates, blocks, and a homepage that feels like your own.
☐ 5. I want a simple, distraction-free writing experience: Publish quickly without fussing with tech.
☐ 6. I want detailed analytics: Track subscribers, revenue, engagement, and referral performance easily.
☐ 7. I want multiple monetization options: Subscriptions, one-off sales, or integrated paid options to monetize your newsletter
☐ 8. I want easy integrations with other tools: Zapier, email platforms, or CRMs for smoother workflows.
☐ 9. I want mobile-friendly content: Your readers can enjoy your newsletter anywhere, anytime.
☐ 10. I want strong deliverability and reliability: Emails land where they should, every time.
☐ 11. I want smart audience segmentation: Send the right content to the right readers, easily.
☐ 12. I want full audience ownership: Easily export your list and data whenever you want.

Scoring sheet:

• Mostly items 1, 2, 6, 7? Beehiiv matches your goals.
• Mostly items 3, 4, 5, 9-12? Substack will probably feel better.
• Mix of both? Think about your top priorities: revenue, automation, and integrations? Go Beehiiv. Simplicity, community, and ownership? Lean Substack.

Content creation: Beehiiv vs Substack

How you create and deliver content sets the tone for your newsletter and your audience’s experience.

Beehiiv offers you flexibility and advanced email marketing platform features, while Substack keeps your content strategy simple and distraction-free.

Beehiiv

• Editor and templates: Use custom templates to brand your newsletter and save time.
• Design options: Add images, tables, buttons, and adjust fonts to match your style.
• Workflow: Build automated sequences to nurture subscribers over time.
• Drafting and scheduling: Save drafts, schedule posts, and reuse templates easily.
• Audio and media: Upload audio or embed other media directly in emails.

Substack

• Editor: Clean, distraction-free interface for quick writing.
• Design options: Limited to logo and background color adjustments.
• Workflow: No automation when you use Substack because all emails are sent manually.
• Drafting and scheduling: Basic save and schedule; no advanced templates.
• Audio and media: Supports podcast episodes and audio versions of posts.

Best for: 

• Beehiiv is ideal for creators who want control, automation, and a polished look.
• Substack is perfect for writers focused purely on content and fast publishing without tech distractions.

Monetization: Beehiiv vs Substack

When it comes to making money, the difference between Beehiiv and Substack isn’t subtle. It’s built into their DNA. 

Substack makes it easy to start collecting paid subscriptions fast, but Beehiiv gives you more control over revenue streams and keeps more of your earnings in your pocket.

Beehiiv

• Paid subscriptions: Keep nearly 100% of your revenue, aside from Stripe fees.
• Ads and sponsorships: Plug into a built-in Beehiiv ad network and sponsorship marketplace.
• Flexible subscriptions: Monthly, annual, lifetime, or pay-what-you-want models.
• Referral rewards: Automatically reward subscribers for bringing in new readers.
• Automations: Send welcome sequences, nurture flows, and targeted offers.

Substack

• Paid subscriptions: 10% cut of your revenue plus transaction fees.
• Ads and sponsorships: Must negotiate, insert, and track manually. 
• Subscription models: Monthly or yearly only.
• Community perks: Comments, likes, and Notes drive engagement, but don’t boost revenue directly.

Best for:

• Beehiiv is for creators focused on scalable revenue, multiple monetization streams, and automated growth. 
• Substack works if you want simple subscriptions and built-in discovery through its creator network.

Growth tools: Beehiiv vs Substack

How you grow your newsletter shapes your reach and your revenue. 

Beehiiv gives you tools to push growth on your terms. Substack leans on its creator network and community to pull readers in.

Beehiiv

• Referral programs: Reward subscribers for bringing in friends automatically.
• Segmentation: Send the right email to the right reader, every time.
• Cross-promotion: Boost your newsletter or partner with others directly in-platform.

Substack

• Network discovery: Recommendations from other writers and Notes help you get found.
• Community features: Comments, likes, and threads keep readers engaged and talking.

Best for: 

• Beehiiv is best for creators who want growth they can control and monetize their podcasts. 
• Substack also works if you want simple subscriptions and built-in discovery through its creator network.

Community and reader interaction: Beehiiv vs Substack

Readers don’t just consume. They react, debate, and share. How each platform handles interaction can make or break your growth and engagement.

Beehiiv

• Referral program: Reward subscribers automatically with free months or exclusive content when they bring in new readers.
• Boosts and cross-promotion: Promote your newsletter or partner with other creators directly on the platform.
• Comments and likes: Let readers react without flooding your inbox.
• Direct messaging: Manage Q&As, feedback, and conversations in one organized inbox.

Substack

• Discussion threads: Readers debate advice, share experiences, or ask questions. Paid-only threads give premium subscribers a private space to connect.
• Comments and likes: Keep engagement high with feedback and reader conversations on every post.
• Replies and DMs: Subscriber responses land in your inbox. Personal, but can get messy at scale.

Best for: 

• Beehiiv works if you want growth and engagement you can control. 
• Substack works if you rely on organic community interaction and reader-driven discussion.

Customization and branding: Beehiiv vs Substack

Your newsletter is a reflection of you. So how much control you get over design, branding, and presentation changes how readers experience your content.

Beehiiv

• Email templates: Choose from pre-made designs or save your own for repeat use.
• Design lab: Adjust fonts, colors, headers, and backgrounds to match your brand.
• Blocks and embeds: Add tables, buttons, images, and social links for more visual interest.
• Custom homepage: Free website included; tweak it to showcase your newsletter and brand.

Substack

• Classic editor: Simple, distraction-free writing. Everyone’s emails look similar.
• Logo + background color: Add some personality, but layout options are minimal.
• Archive-style homepage: Clean and functional, but little room for branding flair.

Best for: 

• Beehiiv gives creators more control over look and feel, perfect for brand-driven newsletters. 
• Substack keeps it simple and consistent, best for writers focused purely on content.

What Is Beehiiv?

Beehiiv is built for creators who want real growth and real revenue without the limits that slow newsletters down. 

It gives you the tools Substack should’ve had years ago and lets you run your publication like a serious part of your business.

• Custom website and branding: Build a clean, branded home for your newsletter without touching code. As Tina Survilla Lindell (HUG Marketing) put it, migrating “thousands of subscribers … all of our previous content in a few seconds with a few clicks” felt effortless.
• Modern editor: Write, format, and publish posts quickly with an interface that feels fast and familiar. Jon Kurtis (JP Taxman) says the editor “gives NotionHQ vibes,” perfect for long‑form newsletters.
• Advanced analytics: See what’s working, what isn’t, and where subscribers come from. Dianna Carney, a freelance writer, said beehiiv “helped make a complex process into an easy and fun one” so she could focus on writing, not coordination.
• Strong deliverability: Emails land where they’re meant to be, a.k.a. your readers’ inboxes. According to Christian Boyd (Please Consume), after switching, they hit nearly 40% open rate and 9% clicks in just 3 months.
• Built-in growth tools: Referrals, boosts, magic links, and features that help you grow faster than organic posting alone. Shaan Puri summarizes it well: “If you’re not embarrassed by V1 of your product, you’ve waited too long to launch.”
• Multiple ways to earn: Ads, paid subs, boosts, and digital products all in one place. Jason Barraza (COO, Security Token Market) says beehiiv’s Editor & Analytics let him “get creative” in ways his last provider didn’t.

Is Beehiiv legit?

Creators aren’t guessing here. 

Beehiiv has hundreds of high-volume publications that have already switched and stuck around. If you want a platform with a real product team and a roadmap driven by actual users, beehiiv delivers.

• Used by major writers: Names like Oliver Darcy and Ryan Broderick built full-scale media operations on beehiiv.
• No revenue cut: You keep your earnings instead of losing a slice forever. One creator, Brad Guernsey (Veteran/Entrepreneur), said his first payout covered the cost of the platform, straight up.
• Reliable support: Humans you can reach, not automated replies that leave you hanging. Henry Winslow praised the team’s responsiveness: “Tyler is responsive on social … now TG is reaching out by email. The support is next level.”
• Constant updates: New features ship regularly because the team actually ships. Marco (HYPES) mentions “constant development,” signalling that new features don’t just sit idle.
• Fast performance: The editor and dashboards load quickly so you can kiss lags and delays goodbye (forever!). Ryan Duffy says after migrating: “Intuitive UX … smooth text editing … responsive team that is shipping seemingly weekly.”

Is Beehiiv free?

Yes. And Beehiiv offers a free plan that’s strong enough to launch a real newsletter and test product-market fit without paying a cent or feeling boxed in.

You get everything you need to grow from zero to your first couple thousand readers.

• Up to 2,500 subscribers: Plenty of room to build early momentum.
• Unlimited sends: You don’t hit a hidden cap when you’re still getting going.
• Full website: Your newsletter gets a clean, functional home instantly.
• Custom domains: Use your own domain to build your brand as soon as you sign up.
• Analytics: Track open rates, engagement, and where your audience is coming from. Christian Boyd leaned on that as he scaled.
• Recommendation network: Bring in new readers without running ads.
• API access: Hook into your existing tools and workflows.

How much does Beehiiv cost?

Beehiiv’s pricing is simple and transparent. No surprises. And because there’s no platform revenue cut, you end up keeping more of what you make.

• Launch (Free): Great for new creators. Includes core features, a website, unlimited sends, and analytics.
• Scale ($49/month): Adds automations, Ad Network access, boosts, advanced analytics, and real human support. Dan Koe said he simplified his entire tool stack down to “Beehiiv for email list and newsletter … after 5 years and trying every software under the sun.”
• Max ($109/month): For publishers ready to step up: podcast support, audio newsletters, storefront for sponsors, and more seats.
• Enterprise (Custom): For large-volume senders requiring dedicated infrastructure, onboarding, and account management.

Beehiiv monetization options

Beehiiv gives you multiple income streams so you’re not dependent on one channel. You choose how you earn and how aggressive you want your revenue strategy to be.

• Paid subscriptions: Keep the full amount your readers pay. Alexander Graves says, “Through beehiiv I learned how easy it is to make landing pages and have more people join. Segmentation and paid growth is super powerful!”
• Ad Network: Plug into the biggest native ad network built for newsletters. Brooks Dyroff calls it, “The @beehiiv ad network is such an unreal win/win/win…This is a game changer for the email space.”
• Boosts: Earn per subscriber by recommending other newsletters. Simple, fast, and passive.
• Digital products: Sell guides, courses, templates, or appointments directly. Mike Gallardo says, “beehiiv made it super simple to create a beautiful looking newsletter and build a subscriber list fast.”
• Sponsorship storefront: Let advertisers book sponsorships without back-and-forth emails. Peter Cramer notes, “beehiiv’s design tools and engaging surveys enhance user interaction. Their tutorials are invaluable for a non-expert.”
• Multiple publication setup: Run different paid publications or product lines under one account.

19 Beehiiv Alternatives

If Beehiiv feels close but not quite your fit, you’re not stuck. 

There are platforms built for faster growth, bigger sales, simpler publishing, or more complex setups. Whatever gap you’re trying to close, there’s something that matches it.

Here are the strongest alternatives, grouped by what creators actually need.

Beehiiv alternatives for fast audience growth

Want reach, discovery, and the newsletter tools that actually help you get more readers without making things complicated? 

Check out these Substack and Beehiiv alternatives:

1. SparkLoop: Referral tools that let your subscribers bring in more subscribers. Starts around $39/month.
2. Mailchimp: Simple templates, audience-building features, and reliable delivery. Free tier; paid from $13/month.
3. MailerLite: Clean, easy, fast, and automation-friendly. Free tier; paid from $10/month.
4. Kit: Minimalist newsletter creation with everything in one view. Free plan available; paid plan from $679/month.
5. Campaign Monitor: Straightforward UI, clean segmentation, and analytics. Starts at $11/month.

Beehiiv alternatives built for selling (courses, coaching, digital products)

Need payments, memberships, or course delivery? These platforms keep it all under one roof so you’re not juggling multiple tools in one go.

1. Kajabi: Courses, memberships, email, web pages, and payments in one place. Starts at $119/month.
2. HighLevel: Funnels, SMS, email, and CRM designed for coaches and agencies. Starts at $97/month.
3. Squarespace: Simple site builder with e-commerce, templates, and basic email campaigns. Starts at $50/month.
4. GetResponse: Email, SMS, landing pages, simple funnels, and webinars. Starts at $114/month.
5. Drip: E-commerce-friendly workflows and smart automation. Starts at $154/month.

Beehiiv alternatives built for publishing + long-form content

These are for when your focus is content, storytelling, and keeping your readers hooked.

1. Medium: Built-in readership makes it easier to get discovered. $5/month or $50/year.
2. Ghost: Fast, flexible CMS with newsletters, memberships, and SEO control. From $99/month.

Beehiiv alternatives built for scale + complex teams

When your email newsletter lists get big or your team needs collaboration, these Beehiiv and Substack alternatives help creators like you handle it without breaking a sweat.

1. Mailjet: Lean email creation, automation, and team-friendly features. Starts at $109/month.
2. AWeber: Classic list-based email with templates and automations. Free tier; paid from $112.50/month.
3. Constant Contact: Straightforward email marketing with strong deliverability. From $120/month.
4. ActiveCampaign: Advanced automations, segmentation, and conditional content for big teams. From $149/month.
5. Klaviyo: Smart e-commerce automation and predictive segmentation. Free tier; paid from $150/month.
6. HubSpot: CRM plus email, forms, and automation for teams. Free tier; paid from $380/month.
7. Braze: Enterprise-level multi-channel campaigns and analytics. Custom pricing.

Looking for more alternatives and podcast hosting platforms to grow your podcast like RedCircle?

Check out my full breakdown on Zencastr vs Riverside, Rephonic alternatives, and Patreon alternatives.

What Is Substack?

Substack is where writers, journalists, and creators turn their ideas into a real audience, a real community, and most importantly, a real income. 

You’re not just sending emails; you’re building something that belongs to you.

From newsletters to good podcast topics to paid posts, Substack lets you own your content, reach readers directly, and get paid for doing what you love.

What Substack users get:

• Custom newsletter home: Build a clean, branded space for your paid newsletter. Tony Mecia (The Charlotte Ledger) started with 300 Twitter followers and is now on pace for $175,000/year.
• Revenue tools built in: Subscriptions, paid posts, and premium content handled seamlessly. Emily Atkin (Heated) went full-time six months after launching.
• Growth features: Recommendations, referrals, and integrations to help your audience grow organically. Lenny Rachitsky (Lenny’s Newsletter) says 78% of his new subscribers come from other Substack newsletters.
• Direct reader relationships: Communicate with your audience without algorithms getting in the way. Hunter Harris (Hung Up) calls it “the closest I’ve had to one-to-one connection with readers.”
• Flexible content formats: Newsletters, podcasts, reports. You decide. Bari Weiss (The Free Press) grew to over a million subscribers and built a 50-person team.

(Bonus: Get your answers on whether the Blue Yeti mic is worth it and do podcast guests get paid before kicking off your podcast.)

Is Substack a reliable source?

Short answer: yes BUT with a caveat.

Substack isn’t a traditional media outlet with editors, fact-checkers, and a head of standards breathing down everyone’s neck. You are the editorial team. That’s the appeal and the risk.

What Substack does well:

• Gives writers full control over their work.
• Makes it easy for readers to subscribe and follow trusted voices.
• Acts more like a content platform than a “news source.”

If your audience wants direct, unfiltered access to you, Substack is one of the safest, easiest places to build that connection. Just don’t expect it to read like the BBC. 

Credibility comes from the writer, not the platform.

Proof from creators:

• Mario Gabriele, The Generalist: “Substack isn’t just a place to publish or read. It’s an ecosystem for writers and creators to collaborate and contribute to one another’s growth.” Over 100,000 subscribers.
• Ted Gioia, The Honest Broker: “I’ve never been involved in any media project like Substack. Something is changing in media, and I’m fortunate to be part of it.”
• Conor Mac, Investment Talk: First $1 earned from Substack in March 2020 turned into a full-time job a year later.
• Emily Nunn, The Department of Salad: “Substack allowed me to continue being a writer. It gave me back my career, and I got to be the writer I wanted to be.”

Substack is used by journalists, bloggers, and creators of all kinds, from finance and politics to food and culture, turning their ideas into real income.

Substack free vs paid

Here’s the simplest breakdown you’ll ever read about this:

• Free: Substack is free. You publish. People subscribe. No fees. No pressure. Great if you’re building from scratch.
• Paid: You lock certain posts behind a paywall or pricing model, usually $5-$10/month. Substack takes 10%, Stripe takes its fee, and you keep the rest.
• Hybrid (most creators): Some posts free. Some posts paid. You warm people up with value, then give them a reason to upgrade.

When should you go paid?

Once you’ve proven two things: you can show up consistently, and your audience trusts your perspective.

Until then, use free for its simplicity and ease of use, to build momentum, and learn what your readers actually want more of.

Bonus: For a one-time $50 fee, you can publish at yourname.com instead of yourname.substack.com. Simple credibility boost.

How often to post on Substack

There’s no official rule, but here’s what works for real creators:

• Weekly: The sweet spot. Reliable without overwhelming people.
• Twice weekly: Great if you’re growing fast or have a lot to say.
• Daily: Only works if you’re writing short, punchy pieces.
• Monthly: Better than nothing… but won’t build audience loyalty.

What matters isn’t frequency; it’s consistency. People subscribe because they want to trust your rhythm. 

Don’t promise daily if you’re a once-a-week human. Start small and expand when you’ve built the habit.

Is Substack worth it?

If you want a platform that’s simple, clean, audience-first, and built for actual connection, then yes, it’s absolutely worth it.

Here’s what creators love most:

• You own your list
• Your blog + newsletter live in one place
• You don’t need a designer, tech stack, or complicated setup
• Built-in discovery (Notes, recommendations, referrals) gives small creators a fighting chance
• Paid subscriptions = predictable recurring revenue

Here’s what might annoy you:

• Minimal customization
• No complex automations
• You’re responsible for your own credibility (no built-in editorial safety net)

But if you want to publish quickly, grow steadily, and earn directly from your work, Substack is one of the easiest ways to start (especially for coaches, experts, and creators who want to get visible fast without duct-taping six platforms together).

Let Your Words Speak Louder with Podcasts

You’ve seen the pros and cons of Beehiiv vs Substack and you know which platform fits your style. 

Now it’s time to actually get in front of your audience because tools are nice, but results come from showing up where your people already are.

Podcast guesting is one of the fastest ways to land clients, build credibility, and get your message heard even if your email list is small. 

Talks does all the heavy lifting for you: we match you with the right hosts, help you send the right message, and get you booked without all that nonstop email tennis.

Set up your free Talks profile today. Just fill in your bio, share your topics, and start connecting with podcasts that line up perfectly with your expertise. 

No network? Small following? Doesn’t matter. 

Start landing interviews and turning them into clients fast.

YES! Sign Me Up for Talks Right Now.