beehiiv vs Substack (2026): Which Pays Better?
Both are popular newsletter platforms. Here is how beehiiv and Substack stack up on requirements, what you keep, payout terms, strengths and weaknesses, and which one we would pick.
beehiiv
Newsletter platform with paid subscriptions at 0% cut, a built-in ad network, referral program and boosts.
8.8 /10
Pricing: Free plan, paid from $39/mo
Pros
- Ad Network matches sponsors to your list automatically; Boosts pay you to recommend other newsletters
- Referral program, website, surveys and polls included
Cons
- Monthly fee rather than a revenue cut
- Younger platform; deliverability reputation still building
Substack
Free newsletter hosting with one-click paid subscriptions; Substack takes 10% of paid revenue.
8.5 /10
Pricing: Free
Pros
- Zero setup, the recommendation network brings subscribers, and paid tiers are one switch
- Podcasts, video, chat and Notes included
Cons
- 10% forever, and no ads or sponsorship tooling of its own
- Design control and custom domains are limited
beehiiv vs Substack at a glance
| beehiiv | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Editor score | 8.8 / 10 | 8.5 / 10 |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Starting price | $39/mo | Free |
| Web rank | #5.9k | #450 |
| Minimum traffic | None | None |
| Revenue share / fee | No cut of paid subscriptions; plans from $39/mo (free up to 2,500 subscribers) | 10% of paid subscription revenue plus Stripe fees |
| Commission | – | – |
| Payout | Via Stripe; ad network monthly | Via Stripe (2-7 days) |
| Methods served | paid newsletter, newsletter sponsorship, memberships subscriptions | paid newsletter, memberships subscriptions, podcast sponsorship |
| Niches accepted | General, Tech & SaaS, Finance & Insurance, Health & Supplements, Gaming & Esports, E-commerce & Retail | General, Tech & SaaS, Finance & Insurance, Health & Supplements, Gaming & Esports, E-commerce & Retail |
| Reader upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Best for | newsletter, ad network, referral program | newsletter, paid subscriptions, recommendations |
Our pick
beehiiv edges it with a score of 8.8 versus 8.5. beehiiv is the better fit if you value: ad network matches sponsors to your list automatically; boosts pay you to recommend other newsletters, referral program, website, surveys and polls included. Choose Substack instead if you need: zero setup, the recommendation network brings subscribers, and paid tiers are one switch, podcasts, video, chat and notes included.
Other newsletter platforms to consider
Full ranking →Ghost 🧰 PlatformOpen source
Open-source publishing with newsletters, memberships and paywalls built in; 0% platform fee, hosted from $9 a month.
Kit (ConvertKit) 🧰 PlatformFreemium
Email marketing for creators with paid newsletters, digital product checkout, tip jars and a sponsor network.
MailerLite 🧰 PlatformFreemium
Affordable email marketing with paid newsletter subscriptions and digital product sales via Stripe.