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Head-to-head · Newsletter Platforms

beehiiv vs Substack

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score beehiiv #2 in Newsletter Platforms 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit beehiiv
Substack #3 in Newsletter Platforms 8.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 5 features Visit Substack

beehiiv leads on 0 checks, Substack on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scorebeehiiv · 9.3/10
  • Free planboth

beehiiv scores higher on our rubric for newsletter platforms: 9.3 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #3.

beehiiv is the better fit for large newsletters focused on growth and monetization. Substack is the better fit for writers building subscription-based publications.

  • beehiiv fits best

    Large newsletters focused on growth and monetization

  • Substack fits best

    Writers building subscription-based publications

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature beehiiv 9.3/10 Visit ↗ Substack 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.8
Ranking #2 in Newsletter Platforms #3 in Newsletter Platforms
Best for Large newsletters focused on growth and monetization Writers building subscription-based publications
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $43/mo Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Tickets, Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 1,000+ integrations 10 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features beehiiv 0/5 · Substack 0/5
Newsletter website Not checked yet Not checked yet
Custom domain Not checked yet Not checked yet
Paid subscriptions Not checked yet Not checked yet
Sponsor marketplace Not checked yet Not checked yet
API access Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Free subscriber limit Not checked yet Not checked yet
Email send model Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Free Launch plan supports up to 100,000 subscribers
  • Combines automation, segmentation, A/B testing, and analytics
  • Supports paid subscriptions, advertising, and digital products
  • Combines newsletters, paid subscriptions, podcasts, and web publishing
  • Supports segmentation, lifecycle campaigns, and headline A/B testing
  • Adds audience discovery, community tools, and detailed analytics
Cons
  • Send API is excluded from the Launch plan
  • Digital products and email automations start on Scale
  • Removing beehiiv branding requires the Max plan
  • No fixed creator plan tiers
  • Paid subscriptions involve a revenue share
  • Broader publishing focus may exceed simple email needs
Our verdict

beehiiv is an email-focused publishing platform for creators, publishers, brands, and media teams. It combines newsletter creation and delivery with a no-code website and landing-page builder, audience segmentation, automated subscriber…

Read the review →

Substack is a publishing and email subscription platform for writers, podcasters, video creators, and media organizations. It supports free or paid publications across web, iOS, and Android, combining newsletter delivery, web publishing,…

Read the review →
  1. beehiivNewsletter Platforms 9.3Free plan
  2. SubstackNewsletter Platforms 8.8Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • beehiiv — where it wins

    • Free Launch plan supports up to 100,000 subscribers
    • Combines automation, segmentation, A/B testing, and analytics
    • Supports paid subscriptions, advertising, and digital products

    Where it doesn't

    • Send API is excluded from the Launch plan
    • Digital products and email automations start on Scale
    • Removing beehiiv branding requires the Max plan

  • Substack — where it wins

    • Combines newsletters, paid subscriptions, podcasts, and web publishing
    • Supports segmentation, lifecycle campaigns, and headline A/B testing
    • Adds audience discovery, community tools, and detailed analytics

    Where it doesn't

    • No fixed creator plan tiers
    • Paid subscriptions involve a revenue share
    • Broader publishing focus may exceed simple email needs

More comparisons

All newsletter platforms comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update