beehiiv vs Substack
The two names every new newsletter writer weighs up: the growth platform built by newsletter operators against the network that made paid newsletters mainstream.
beehiiv
Built by newsletter people, with growth tools nobody else has.
Substack
Start publishing in five minutes; pay 10% if you charge.
Our verdict
beehiiv wins for anyone treating their newsletter as a business. You keep 100% of paid subscription revenue on paid plans, you own your audience data, and the referral program and ad network give you growth levers Substack simply does not offer. Substack remains the better choice for pure simplicity: publishing takes five minutes and the discovery network can kick-start an audience from nothing. Start on Substack if you want zero setup; choose beehiiv the moment real money is involved, because the 10% Substack fee grows with you.
“The platform that treats your newsletter as a business from day one. Free up to 2,500 subscribers, a referral program and ad network built in, and no cut taken from paid subscriptions. The strongest growth story in this lineup.”Editorial team, on beehiiv
“The fastest way from zero to a paid newsletter, with a real discovery network behind it. But the 10% cut of paid revenue stings once you grow, and the platform owns the relationship with your readers.”Editorial team, on Substack