# Substack review, pricing and alternatives

Source: https://listme.name/software/substack
Website: https://substack.com/

Newsletter publishing platform with free and paid subscriptions

Substack is a newsletter platform where writers publish free posts and can offer paid subscriptions. Writers keep their mailing list and intellectual property, according to the site. Readers can subscribe to a publication for free, and paid subscriptions are optional for writers.

Substack hosts newsletters for independent writers. Each publication sends posts by email and on the web, and readers can subscribe for free or pay for paid tiers. The homepage says writers own their intellectual property and mailing list, and describes the app as a home for independent voices.

It suits writers and small publications that want a newsletter with built-in reader payments and do not need a full email marketing suite. Check the fee terms for paid subscriptions before setting a price, because the homepage does not describe them. Its design and automation options are simpler than full email marketing platforms, which makes it easier to start.

- Free plan, paid upgrades | Web, iOS, Android
- Price: Free to publish; paid subscriptions are optional
- Checked: 2026-10-10

## Strengths

- Free to publish and to subscribe
- Writers keep their mailing list

## Limits

- Fee terms apply to paid subscriptions
- Less suited to general email marketing

## Rankings

- #9 of 11 in [best Email marketing software](https://listme.name/best/email-marketing-software), score 80.0: A newsletter platform where writers publish for free and can add paid subscriptions, with the mailing list kept by the writer. Its automation and design options are simpler than full email tools, so it suits publishing more than marketing.

## Alternatives

- [Mailchimp](https://listme.name/software/mailchimp), score 91.5
- [Klaviyo](https://listme.name/software/klaviyo), score 90.5
- [Brevo](https://listme.name/software/brevo), score 89.0
- [ActiveCampaign](https://listme.name/software/activecampaign), score 88.0
- [Omnisend](https://listme.name/software/omnisend), score 86.5
- [Kit](https://listme.name/software/kit), score 85.5
- [beehiiv](https://listme.name/software/beehiiv), score 84.0
- [GetResponse](https://listme.name/software/getresponse), score 82.5