Beehiiv vs Substack
Side-by-side comparison to help you pick the right tool.
| Beehiiv | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Tagline | Newsletter platform built for growth with segmentation and ad network. | Newsletter platform where writers monetise directly with paid subscriptions. |
| Category | Writing Content | Writing Content |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| Skill Level | Beginner | Beginner |
| Platforms | Web, Browser | Web, Browser, Ios, Android |
| Use Cases | Content Creation, Solo Indie, Small Team | Content Creation, Solo Indie, Portfolio Showcase |
| Traits | Has Free Tier, Fast To Set Up, Active Development | Has Free Tier, Fast To Set Up |
| Best For | Best for newsletter operators who want advanced audience growth tools, segmentation, and direct advertising revenue without leaving their email platform. | Best for independent writers and journalists who want to build an audience and earn recurring revenue without running their own publishing stack. |
Beehiiv
Beehiiv was built by ex-Morning Brew engineers and focuses on newsletter growth. It includes audience segmentation, referral programmes, a built-in ad network for sponsorship revenue, web hosting for your archive, and A/B testing. The free tier supports up to 2 500 subscribers.
View detailsSubstack
Substack lets any writer launch a newsletter with free and paid tiers. It handles payments, subscriber management, a web reader, and a podcast feed — all in one place. Writers keep 90 % of paid subscription revenue. The platform also has a discovery network to grow your audience organically.
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