beehiiv as a Substack alternative
Where the two differ on fees, design and discovery.
- 20% off your first 3 months of a paid plan
- Free plan up to 2,500 subscribers
- 0% cut of paid subscription revenue
Both platforms let you write, send and charge for a newsletter, so the choice comes down to cost, control and where readers find you. Neither is right for everyone.
On cost, beehiiv's own comparison page puts Substack's take at 10% of paid subscription revenue, against 0% on beehiiv's Lite and Pro plans. Both routes still pay Stripe's processing fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction. beehiiv's Free plan has no paid subscriptions, so charging readers needs Lite.
On design and tooling, beehiiv offers a template editor, custom code, automations, segmentation and A/B testing. Substack keeps its layout choices narrower, which some writers see as a plus.
Discovery is the real trade-off. Substack brings its own built-in network of readers, while beehiiv leans on its recommendation network and the ad network. The comparison page itself names this as discovery versus margin and control.
If you decide to try beehiiv, its Free plan lets you set up and test with up to 2,500 subscribers. A first paid plan then comes with 20% off for three months.
Deals you can use now
| Deal | Code | Conditions |
|---|---|---|
| 20%20% off the first 3 months of a paid plan | — | For new paid plans only. The Free plan, with up to 2,500 subscribers, costs nothing. |
See beehiiv in detailNewsletter editor, site and monetization in oneWrite with a slash menu · Match the design to your brand · Grow your list from any page · Charge for premium issuesFAQ
Does beehiiv charge a revenue share?
No. Its pricing page lists a 0% take rate on paid subscriptions and digital products, with Stripe's fee charged separately.
Can I keep both while I decide?
Nothing prevents running a test publication on beehiiv's Free plan while your current newsletter stays where it is.
Which gives better discovery?
It depends on your audience. Substack offers an in-platform network, and beehiiv offers recommendations and an ad network that can pay you.
Is the comparison from an independent source?
The figures above come from beehiiv's own comparison page, so treat them as beehiiv's claims and check Substack's current terms.
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