Head-to-head
beehiiv vs Substack: which one in 2026?
beehiiv is a newsletter platform from beehiiv Inc. with tiered plans and a built-in ad network, and Substack is a publishing network from Substack Inc. with no plan tiers that takes a share of paid subscriptions. The choice is a monthly fee scaling with list size against a revenue cut.
Verdict
beehiiv ranks above Substack on this site because its plans, limits and monetization tools are published, while Substack's fee pages could not be opened. Substack wins for a writer testing a paid idea with zero upfront cost. A newsletter with 10,000 paid subscribers would pay beehiiv a flat tier and Substack 10 percent of revenue, so run both numbers first.
beehiiv and Substack side by side
| beehiiv | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Price entry | $59 per month for Lite at 1,000 subscribers ($49 billed yearly) | Free to start, with 10 percent of paid revenue taken |
| Cost to start | Free plan at USD 0 for up to 2,500 subscribers, with unlimited sends and a custom domain. | Free to start, with no platform fees, no tiers and no contracts, according to the About page. |
| What happens as you grow | Lite from USD 49 monthly (annual) and Pro from USD 95 at the 1,000-subscriber tier, rising with list size. | No fee tiers; the About page says writers keep 90% of paid revenue minus card fees. |
| Cut of paid subscriptions | The homepage states a 0% take rate on paid subscriptions on the Lite and Pro plans. | Substack keeps 10% of paid revenue, per the About page; processing rates were not readable. |
| Advertising | Ad network, a sponsorship storefront on Pro, plus a referral program and a recommendations network. | No ad network was named on the pages read, so sponsorship income would come from your own deals. |
| Automation and API | Automations and webhooks from Lite, with the Send API and group subscriptions added on the Pro plan. | Subscriptions, Chat, Activity and Explore appear in the navigation; no API was named on the pages read. |
| AI features named | An AI writing assistant and AI website design tools are both named on the homepage. | None named on the pages read; its privacy policy lists generative AI services among providers. |
| Who owns the list | Not stated on the pages read, so check export and ownership terms before migrating a list; Pro removes beehiiv branding. | The homepage says creators own their intellectual property, mailing list and subscriber payments on the platform. |
| Tax on paid plans | Not stated on the pages read, so ask how tax is handled on paid plans before launching. | The terms page says taxes may be added from 1 December 2026 where its third-party provider can collect them. |
Where each one wins
beehiiv wins on
- Publishes a free tier of 2,500 subscribers and the limits of every paid plan tier
- Has a built-in ad network and a sponsorship storefront on the Pro plan
- Charges no cut on paid subscriptions on Lite and Pro
Substack wins on
- Costs nothing to publish, with fees only once a writer charges readers
- Leaves list and payment ownership with the creator, per the homepage
- Needs no plan choice, so a new writer has little to compare
Which to pick
Pick beehiiv if
You want to sell sponsorships, automate welcome series, use a website builder, and prefer a predictable fee to a share of revenue.
Pick Substack if
You plan to charge for posts, want no monthly bill while you grow, and are fine with Substack taking a share of paid revenue.
Each tool in context: beehiiv profile, Substack profile, and the full Best AI Newsletter Platforms in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is beehiiv free?
Yes, up to a point. The free plan costs USD 0 for up to 2,500 subscribers with one publication and one seat. Lite starts at USD 49 monthly on annual billing and Pro at USD 95, both for 1,000 subscribers.
How much does Substack take?
The About page says writers keep 90% of paid subscription revenue minus credit card fees, so Substack keeps 10%. The Substack pricing and fee support pages could not be opened, so processing rates are not stated here at all. Check current terms.
Does Substack have AI features?
None were named on the pages read. The privacy policy says generative AI services are among the providers receiving personal information, but it does not address training on user content. beehiiv names an AI writing assistant and AI website design tools.
Who owns the subscriber list?
Substack's homepage says creators own their mailing list and subscriber payments. The beehiiv pages read do not state list ownership, so confirm the export terms in writing before migrating, whichever direction you are moving your readers. Ask support for details.