Substack lets you publish a newsletter and blog, and charge for subscriptions, without paying anything up front. It's for writers, experts and founders who want to build an audience through writing. Publishing is free at any list size. If you turn on paid subscriptions, Substack keeps 10% of subscription revenue, and Stripe charges its own processing fees on top. A custom domain is an optional one-time $50.
What it can do for you
Start writing today, send each post by email, and add a paid tier when readers want more. Substack's app, Notes feed and recommendations from other writers can send you new subscribers without ad spend, which is rare. Podcasts and video can live on the same publication.
What people like
Reviewers agree it's the simplest way to start, and that its discovery network is a genuine advantage that rivals struggle to match. You pay nothing until you earn.
The honest downsides
- The cut never stops. 10% of revenue, forever. Reviewers note that with Stripe fees, the real cost is closer to 13%, and it outgrows flat-fee platforms as revenue rises.
- Little automation. Reviewers report almost no segmentation, sequences or tag-based sends.
- Your publication looks like Substack. Design control is limited, and reviewers say SEO control is weaker than Ghost.
- Hard to leave. You can export your list, but one review notes paying subscribers have to re-subscribe on a new platform.
Skip it if
- you're running a business newsletter with funnels and segments
- your brand needs its own look
- you already earn enough that 10% would buy a flat-fee platform several times over
Alternatives
There's nothing we list that's better for a writer starting from zero who wants discovery.
- beehiiv for a business newsletter with growth tools and a website.
- Ghost for full control of your brand and a flat fee.
- Kit if email automation matters more than discovery.
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