beehiiv vs Substack
Substack costs less at 5 of the 8 list sizes we priced.
At 5,000 subscribers
SubstackCheaper
$0/mo
Free plan at 5,000 subscribers.
Free planYes
Paid newsletters10% of revenue
At every list size
✓ marks the lower monthly price.
| Your newsletter | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| 1,000 subscribers | $0 | $0 |
| 5,000 subscribers | $109 | $0 |
| 10,000 subscribers | $139 | $0 |
| 25,000 subscribers | $199 | $0 |
| 50,000 subscribers | $299 | $0 |
| 100,000 subscribers | $469 | $0 |
| 5,000 subscribers · 250 paying $8/mo | $109 | $200 |
| 25,000 subscribers · 1,500 paying $8/mo | $199 | $1,200 |
Free newsletter rows assume no paid subscribers. Paid rows add each platform's fee on paid revenue; card processing fees are excluded.
Which one to pick
Choose beehiiv if
Free up to 2,500 subscribers and 0% fee on paid subscriptions, but paid plans climb fast with list size.
Choose Substack if
Free at any list size; you pay only when you earn, but 10% of paid revenue becomes expensive as a paid newsletter grows.
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, beehiiv or Substack?
Substack costs less at 5 of the 8 list sizes we priced.
Does beehiiv have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0: up to 2,500 subscribers; unlimited sends; no paid subscriptions.
Does Substack have a free plan?
Yes. The Free plan costs $0: free to publish at any size; Substack keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue.