Compare · Growth and marketing tools
beehiiv vs Substack
The core difference is how you pay. At the time of writing (September 2026), beehiiv's Launch plan is free up to 2,500 subscribers; Scale is $43/mo billed annually (at 1,000 subscribers) with a 0% take rate on paid subscriptions, the beehiiv Ad Network, automations and 3 seats; Max is $96/mo billed annually. Substack is free to use with no subscriber limits, and takes 10% of paid subscription revenue, plus Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction and 0.5% for recurring billing.
If you'll never charge, Substack costs nothing at any size. If you'll earn meaningfully from paid subscriptions, beehiiv's flat fee can be much cheaper than 10%.
beehiiv vs Substack side by side
From each product’s own site or our research, at the time of writing (September 2026). Prices and terms change, so check before you decide.
| Feature | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Launch: up to 2,500 subscribers | Free, no subscriber limit |
| Paid plans | Scale $43/mo, Max $96/mo (annual, at 1,000 subs); scale with list size | None |
| Cut of paid subscriptions | 0% on Scale | 10% + Stripe fees |
| Custom domain | All plans | Supported |
| Growth | Recommendation network, referral program, Ad Network (Scale) | Substack app, Notes, recommendations |
| Automations | Scale and up | Not a focus |
| API | All plans (Send API on Max) | Not listed |
Which should you pick?
Pick beehiiv if…
- You'll run paid subscriptions or ads and want to keep the revenue.
- You want automations, segmentation and an API.
- Your newsletter is part of a business, with its own website.
Pick Substack if…
- You want zero cost until you earn.
- You want discovery through Substack's app and network.
- You're a writer first and want simplicity.
Where LaunchRanked fits
Disclosure: LaunchRanked is our product. Where we list it, we say so, and we place it under the use case it fits rather than at the top by default. Everything else here is from the vendors’ own sites or our research, and we say where they’re better.
This one is outside what we do: LaunchRanked doesn't make newsletter software. We compared them because founders ask us, and we'd rather give a straight answer than a sales pitch.
Where we connect: if your newsletter is a product, you can launch it on LaunchRanked for a permanent product page and a followed link after review.
Frequently asked questions
When does beehiiv become cheaper than Substack?
Roughly when 10% of your paid subscription revenue exceeds beehiiv's plan price for your list size. On Scale at $43/mo, that's around $430 a month in paid revenue, before Stripe fees (which apply on both).
Does Substack charge for custom domains?
Substack supports custom domains. Third-party sources report a one-time $50 fee; we couldn't confirm it on Substack's own pages.
Can I move from Substack to beehiiv?
beehiiv publishes a migration guide and comparison pages for Substack, and you own your list on both.
Sources we checked
Checked on their own sites on 23 September 2026. Prices and terms change, so check before you buy. Domain ratings are approximate third-party estimates.
Substack's custom domain fee is a third-party figure; its support article returned an error when we tried to open it.