beehiiv vs Substack (2026): Fees, Free Plans and Monetization Compared
TL;DR
Substack is free to publish at any list size but keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue. beehiiv's Free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers, and its paid plans take 0% of paid subscription revenue (Stripe fees apply on both) while adding an ad network, automations and A/B testing. If you expect meaningful paid-subscription revenue, beehiiv's 0% cut usually costs less once your monthly revenue is higher than the plan price; if you want $0 fixed cost, Substack is simpler.
How this article was made: This is a research-based comparison. It uses official beehiiv and Substack pages, checked on October 12, 2026 (sources are at the end). We have not tested either platform hands-on yet. Screenshots will be added after testing.
Substack and beehiiv are both popular homes for newsletters. The real difference is how they make money from you: Substack takes a percentage of what you earn, while beehiiv charges a plan fee and takes no cut of your paid subscriptions.
At a glance
| beehiiv | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Free to start | Yes, Free plan up to 2,500 subscribers | Yes, free at any subscriber count |
| Platform cut of paid subscriptions | 0% (Lite and up) | 10% |
| Payment processing | Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 | Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 (US cards) plus Stripe Billing fee |
| Paid plan prices | Lite $49, Pro $95 (shown for 1,000 subscribers, yearly billing) | None; fees only |
| Ad network | Yes, on paid plans | Not covered in Substack's fee page |
| Website, podcast, community | Included on every plan | Not verified for this article |
| Custom domain | Website builder on every plan | Optional one-time $50 |
Sources: beehiiv pricing, Substack: How much does Substack cost?
The fee math, simply
Substack's 10% cut grows as your income grows. beehiiv's cost is a plan price. That means:
- Not charging readers yet? Substack costs $0. beehiiv Free also costs $0 up to 2,500 subscribers.
- Earning from paid subscriptions? Compare 10% of your monthly revenue with the beehiiv plan price for your list size. Once that 10% is bigger than the plan price, beehiiv is cheaper on paper. Stripe fees apply on both platforms.
Example (illustration only, not a quote): if paid subscribers bring in $1,000 a month, Substack's 10% is $100 a month before Stripe fees. Check beehiiv's slider to see what the plan you'd need costs at your list size.
Try beehiiv free (affiliate link)
Where beehiiv is stronger
- 0% take rate on paid subscriptions and digital products
- Ad network and the recommendation network, with recommendations available on every plan
- Automations, A/B testing and polls on Lite and up
- Website, podcast and community included on every plan, Free included
Where Substack is stronger
- No plan fees at all. You pay only when you earn.
- No subscriber cap on free publishing
- Simple setup. Connect Stripe and set monthly and annual prices. Substack's FAQ says every publication must offer both a monthly and an annual plan.
Who should choose which
- Choose Substack if you want zero fixed costs and are mainly writing.
- Choose beehiiv if you plan to earn seriously from paid subscriptions or ads, or you want a website and podcast in the same place. See our beehiiv review and beehiiv free plan explained.
Start beehiiv free (affiliate link)
Exploring more options? Read Substack alternatives and best newsletter platforms for creators.
Sources (checked October 12, 2026)
- https://www.beehiiv.com/pricing
- https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/360037607131-How-much-does-Substack-cost
- https://faq.substack.com/p/how-do-paid-subscriptions-on-substack
FAQ
Does Substack charge a monthly fee?
No. Substack says publishing is free no matter how many subscribers you have. If you turn on paid subscriptions, it keeps 10% of subscription revenue, and Stripe charges its own fees.
Does beehiiv take a percentage of paid subscriptions?
No. beehiiv says it takes 0% of paid subscription and digital product revenue; Stripe's 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee still applies. Paid subscriptions are available on Lite and higher plans.
When is beehiiv cheaper than Substack?
Roughly when 10% of your monthly paid-subscription revenue exceeds the cost of the beehiiv plan you need. Check beehiiv's pricing slider for your own list size.
Can I use a custom domain?
Substack lists a custom domain as an optional one-time $50 fee. beehiiv includes a website builder on every plan; check its pricing page for custom-domain details.