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