Beehiiv vs Substack 2026: Which Newsletter Platform is Right for You?

Choosing between Beehiiv and Substack is one of the most common decisions new newsletter creators face in 2026. Both platforms have millions of users, both are free to start, and both have passionate communities behind them. So how do you choose?

After spending 100+ hours researching, testing, and interviewing creators on both platforms, we’ve put together the most comprehensive comparison available. By the end of this guide, you’ll know exactly which platform is right for your specific situation.

The Short Answer

Factor	Winner	Why
Best for Writers	Substack	Simpler, more “just write” focus
Best for Growth	Beehiiv	Built-in referral programs, recommendation networks, pop-ups
Best for Monetization	Beehiiv	Native ad network, sponsorship tools, no revenue share
Best for Community	Substack	Notes, chat, live streaming, social discovery
Best for Customization	Beehiiv	Full design control, custom domains, website templates
Best for Beginners	Tie	Both have free tiers and easy setup

Quick Recommendation:

• Choose Substack if you want to focus purely on writing and let the platform handle discovery.
• Choose Beehiiv if you want to treat your newsletter like a business with growth tools, diversified monetization, and full brand control.

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Platform Overview

Beehiiv: The Growth Engine

Beehiiv launched in 2021 by former Morning Brew employees who wanted to build the platform they wished they had. In 2026, it has become the de facto choice for “business-minded” newsletter operators who prioritize:

• Scalable growth (referral programs, boosts, recommendations)
• Diversified monetization (ads, sponsorships, paid subscriptions, digital products)
• Full brand control (custom domains, website templates, no Beehiiv branding on paid plans)

Beehiiv positions itself as a “newsletter operating system” — not just an email sender, but a full suite for running a media business.

Substack: The Writer’s Platform

Substack launched in 2017 and popularized the modern newsletter renaissance. In 2026, it remains the go-to for:

• Writers who just want to write (minimalist editor, no design decisions needed)
• Community building (Notes, chat, recommendations, live events)
• Built-in discovery (The Substack app, network effects, reader leaderboards)

Substack positions itself less as a “tool” and more as a “home” — a place where writers and readers have direct, intimate relationships.

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Pricing Comparison (2026)

This is often the deciding factor for creators with large audiences.

Beehiiv Pricing

Plan	Price	Subscribers	Key Features
Launch	$0/mo	Up to 2,500	Unlimited sends, basic analytics, 1 publication
Scale	$49/mo	Up to 10,000	Monetization, automations, surveys, A/B testing, AI
Max	$99/mo	Up to 100,000	Remove branding, priority support, advanced APIs
Enterprise	Custom	Unlimited	Dedicated support, custom contracts

Key Point: Beehiiv does not take a cut of your revenue. You pay a flat monthly fee regardless of how much you earn.

Substack Pricing

Plan	Price	Revenue Share
Free	$0/mo	0% (no paid subscriptions)
Paid Subscriptions	$0/mo	10% of revenue + Stripe fees (~3%)

Key Point: Substack is completely free until you start charging for subscriptions. Once you do, they take 10% of every dollar you earn — forever.

The Math: When Beehiiv Becomes Cheaper

Let’s say you have 20,000 subscribers and charge $10/month for a paid tier with 500 paying members.

Platform	Monthly Cost
Substack	$500/mo (10% of $5,000 revenue) + ~$150 Stripe = $650
Beehiiv (Max)	$99/mo + ~$150 Stripe = $249

Savings with Beehiiv: $401/month ($4,812/year)

The break-even point is around $500/month in subscription revenue. Below that, Substack’s “free until you earn” model is cheaper. Above that, Beehiiv’s flat fee wins.

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Features Comparison

1. Email Editor & Writing Experience

Feature	Beehiiv	Substack
Editor Style	Block-based, flexible	Minimalist, Medium-like
Drag-and-Drop	✅ Yes	❌ No
Templates	✅ Yes (multiple)	❌ No (one default)
Embed Options	✅ Rich (videos, audio, products)	✅ Good (basic embeds)
Private Emails	✅ Yes (email-only, no public archive)	❌ No (all posts are public)

Winner: Beehiiv for flexibility, Substack for simplicity.

Substack wins if you want to “just write” without thinking about design. Beehiiv wins if you want newsletters that look distinctly “yours” with custom layouts.

2. Growth Tools

Feature	Beehiiv	Substack
Referral Program	✅ Built-in (customizable rewards)	❌ No native option
Recommendation Network	✅ Yes (Beehiiv Boosts)	✅ Yes (Substack Recommendations)
Pop-ups & Opt-in Forms	✅ Yes	❌ No
A/B Testing	✅ Subject lines, content, send times	❌ No
Landing Page Builder	✅ Yes (website-like)	✅ Yes (basic)
SEO Control	✅ Full (meta tags, URLs)	❌ Limited

Winner: Beehiiv — It was literally built by growth marketers for growth.

If growing your subscriber count is your #1 priority, Beehiiv provides far more native tools.

3. Monetization

Feature	Beehiiv	Substack
Paid Subscriptions	✅ Yes (0% platform fee)	✅ Yes (10% platform fee)
Native Ad Network	✅ Yes (Beehiiv Ad Network)	❌ No
Sponsorship Tools	✅ Yes (ad slots, calendars)	❌ No (manual outreach)
Digital Products	✅ (via integrations)	❌ Not native
Affiliate Tools	✅ Built-in tracking	❌ No

Winner: Beehiiv — Especially for creators who want to monetize beyond paid subscriptions.

Substack’s model assumes you’ll make money from reader subscriptions. Beehiiv assumes you might also want ads, sponsors, and products.

4. Analytics

Feature	Beehiiv	Substack
Open Rate Tracking	✅ Detailed	✅ Basic
Click-Through Rate	✅ Link-level	✅ Basic
Subscriber Segments	✅ Advanced	❌ Limited
Revenue Analytics	✅ Detailed	✅ Good
Geo & Device Data	✅ Yes	❌ No

Winner: Beehiiv — More granular data for optimization.

5. Community & Discovery

Feature	Beehiiv	Substack
In-App Discovery	❌ No native app	✅ Substack App (reader app)
Notes (Short Posts)	❌ No	✅ Yes (Twitter-like)
Chat	❌ No	✅ Yes (for paid subscribers)
Live Events	❌ No	✅ Yes (live video streaming)
Comments	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Winner: Substack — It’s building a social network, not just a newsletter tool.

If you want to foster a community around your writing (not just an audience), Substack’s ecosystem is more developed.

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Pros and Cons

Beehiiv Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ No revenue share — keep 100% of what you earn
• ✅ Best-in-class growth tools (referral programs, A/B testing, pop-ups)
• ✅ Native ad network for easy monetization
• ✅ Full design control and custom branding
• ✅ Website-like landing pages
• ✅ Advanced analytics and segmentation

Cons:

• ❌ Monthly fee required for advanced features
• ❌ No built-in social/discovery features
• ❌ Less “community” feel — more transactional
• ❌ Steeper learning curve for beginners

Substack Pros and Cons

Pros:

• ✅ Completely free until you monetize
• ✅ Built-in discovery and reader app
• ✅ Strong community features (Notes, chat, live)
• ✅ Extremely simple to use — just write
• ✅ Social proof from reader counts

Cons:

• ❌ 10% revenue share adds up quickly
• ❌ Limited customization — all Substacks look similar
• ❌ No native ad/sponsorship tools
• ❌ Limited growth features (no referral program, A/B testing)
• ❌ Posts must be public (no private emails)

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Who Should Choose Beehiiv?

Choose Beehiiv if you:

• Plan to earn $500+/month in subscription revenue
• Want to monetize via ads and sponsorships, not just subscriptions
• Care about brand control and unique design
• Are growth-focused and want referral programs, A/B testing
• Want to build a “media business,” not just a newsletter
• Are comfortable with a steeper learning curve

Ideal Beehiiv users:

• Professional newsletter operators
• Media companies and publications
• Marketers and growth hackers
• Creators building a long-term business asset

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Who Should Choose Substack?

Choose Substack if you:

• Want to start for free and test the waters
• Value simplicity over customization
• Want built-in discovery and a reader community
• Plan to monetize primarily through paid subscriptions
• Prefer a “just write” experience without marketing complexity
• Are a writer first, businessperson second

Ideal Substack users:

• Authors and journalists
• Essayists and opinion writers
• Hobbyist newsletter writers
• Creators who value community over revenue optimization

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I switch from Substack to Beehiiv (or vice versa)?

Yes. Both platforms allow you to export your subscriber list as a CSV file. Many creators have migrated successfully. The main challenge is redirecting your old URLs and notifying your audience.

Which platform has better deliverability?

Both platforms have excellent deliverability and high open rates. Neither is known for spam issues. The difference will come down to your own sending habits and engagement, not the platform.

Can I use both?

Yes, some creators publish on Substack for discovery and use Beehiiv as their “main” business platform. However, this adds complexity and may confuse your audience.

Does Substack really take 10% forever?

Yes. Unlike software subscriptions where you can cancel anytime, Substack’s 10% fee applies to all revenue as long as you’re on the platform. This is how they make money.

Is the Beehiiv Ad Network worth it?

For many creators, yes. The Beehiiv Ad Network matches you with advertisers automatically. Typical RPMs (revenue per 1,000 sends) range from $20-$100+ depending on niche and engagement. It’s “passive” income that Substack simply doesn’t offer.

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The Verdict: Beehiiv vs Substack in 2026

There is no universally “better” platform. The right choice depends on your goals:

Your Goal	Best Choice
Maximize revenue	Beehiiv (no revenue share, ad network)
Build a community	Substack (Notes, chat, live, app)
Grow fast	Beehiiv (referral program, A/B testing)
Keep it simple	Substack (minimal setup, just write)
Full brand control	Beehiiv (custom domains, templates)
Start for free	Tie (both have free tiers)

Our Final Recommendation:

If you’re treating your newsletter as a business — with a focus on growth, monetization diversification, and long-term scalability — Beehiiv is the clear winner in 2026.

If you’re treating your newsletter as a creative project — with a focus on writing, community, and reader relationships — Substack remains a fantastic, friction-free choice.

Both are excellent platforms. You can’t go wrong with either. But knowing why you’re choosing one over the other will set you up for success.

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Related Comparisons

• Substack vs Ghost (coming soon)
• ConvertKit vs Mailchimp (coming soon)
• MailerLite vs Mailchimp (coming soon)

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Last updated: February 2026