Compare · Growth and marketing tools
Buttondown vs Substack
At the time of writing (September 2026), Buttondown is free for your first 100 subscribers, with a rich-text or markdown editor, sending from a custom domain and hosted archives. Features are add-ons: paid subscriptions, analytics, tagging and RSS-to-email at $9/mo each; automations, multiple newsletters and archives on a custom domain at $29/mo; teams and whitelabeling at $79/mo. It charges only for active subscribers and says it's self-funded and has run since 2017.
Substack is free with unlimited subscribers and takes 10% of paid subscriptions plus Stripe fees, in exchange for its app and network.
Buttondown 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 | Buttondown | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Free | First 100 subscribers | Unlimited subscribers |
| Paid subscriptions | +$9/mo add-on | 10% + Stripe fees |
| Editor | Rich text or markdown | Substack editor |
| Custom domain | Send from custom domain; archives on custom domain +$29/mo | Supported |
| Billing basis | Active subscribers only | Free; revenue share |
| Discovery | None built in | App, Notes, recommendations |
Which should you pick?
Pick Buttondown if…
- You write in markdown and want a developer-friendly tool.
- You want to pay only for features you use.
- You prefer an independent, self-funded company.
Pick Substack if…
- You want zero cost at any list size.
- You want Substack's network to help you grow.
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.
If your newsletter is a product, a launch on LaunchRanked gives it a permanent page and a followed link after review.
Frequently asked questions
Is Buttondown free?
Free for the first 100 subscribers, then priced by active subscribers, with optional add-ons.
Does Buttondown support paid newsletters?
Yes, as a $9/mo add-on.
Does Buttondown offer non-profit discounts?
Its FAQ offers 50% off for registered non-profits.
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.