Software · head to head
Beehiiv vs Substack
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Beehiiv platform lacks native SMS support; requires third-party integrations via API or webhooks; Substack substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue (writers keep 90%), plus separate credit card processing fees
- They diverge on capability: Beehiiv covers Newsletter creation, Substack covers Newsletter publishing.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Beehiiv and Substack actually diverge.
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Beehiiv
- Newsletter creation
- Email automation
- Monetization tools
- Analytics dashboard
- Referral program
- A/B testing
- Spam checking
- Zapier
Only in Substack
- Newsletter publishing
- Paid subscriptions
- Email analytics
- Post scheduling
- Archive creation
- Free/paid tier split
- Comments & discussion
- Apple News
Both cover
- Subscriber management
- Stripe
- Web support
- Mobile support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Beehiiv
- Newsletter creation and hosting with monetizationnot Substack
- Content creator monetisation through ad networks and paid subscriptionsnot Substack
- Podcast hosting and distributionnot Substack
Substack
- Newsletter distributionnot Beehiiv
- Reader monetizationnot Beehiiv
- Community buildingnot Beehiiv
- Subscriber managementnot Beehiiv
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Beehiiv
- Platform lacks native SMS support; requires third-party integrations via API or webhooks
- Free Launch plan offers only read-only AI capabilities
Substack
- Substack takes a 10% cut of subscription revenue (writers keep 90%), plus separate credit card processing fees
Pricing, plan by plan
Beehiiv
FreeNo published plan breakdown. See the Beehiiv review.
Substack
Free- FreeFree
- Unlimited newsletters
- Basic design
- Archive access
- Pro$12/month
- Custom domain
- Advanced analytics
- Member chat
Which should you pick?
Choose Beehiiv if
- You need newsletter creation.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want email automation.
Choose Substack if
- You need newsletter publishing.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Web, Mobile.
- You also want paid subscriptions.
Questions people ask
- Is Beehiiv or Substack better?
- Neither clearly leads. Beehiiv starts at Free and Substack at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Beehiiv or Substack?
- Beehiiv starts at Free and Substack at Free.
- Does Beehiiv or Substack run on more platforms?
- Beehiiv runs on Web. Substack runs on Web, Mobile.
- Can I use Beehiiv for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Beehiiv best used for?
- Beehiiv is most often used for newsletter creation and hosting with monetization, content creator monetisation through ad networks and paid subscriptions, podcast hosting and distribution. Of those, newsletter creation and hosting with monetization and content creator monetisation through ad networks and paid subscriptions are not what Substack is typically brought in for.
- What can Beehiiv do that Substack cannot?
- Beehiiv covers Newsletter creation, Email automation, Monetization tools, Analytics dashboard. Substack covers Newsletter publishing, Paid subscriptions, Email analytics, Post scheduling. Both handle Subscriber management, Stripe, Twitter, Web support.