- Choose Substack for simplicity and its built-in reader network.
- Choose Beehiiv for growth tools, ad monetization, design control and an API.
- Substack takes a cut of paid subscription revenue; Beehiiv charges for its plans instead.
- Either way, you can build sponsorship operations around it, and move later if you outgrow it.
At a glance
| Topic | Substack | Beehiiv |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Writers who want to start fast and grow inside a reader network | Publishers running a newsletter as a growth and revenue business |
| How you pay | Free to start; takes a percentage of paid subscription revenue | Paid plans by list size and features; no cut of subscription revenue |
| Growth tools | Recommendations, Notes and the Substack app | Referral program, recommendations, paid recommendations and growth analytics |
| Ad monetization | A curated native sponsorship program (launched 2025–26); you can also sell your own | Built-in ad network plus room for direct-sold sponsorships |
| Design control | Limited, consistent Substack look | More control over site and email design |
| API and integrations | No general-purpose public API (only limited official access) | API for posts, subscriptions, automations and webhooks (creating posts requires a higher-tier plan) |
| Payments | Through your own connected Stripe account | Through Stripe |
| Exporting | Subscriber and post exports available | Subscriber and post exports available |
The real difference: platform versus business tool
Substack is a network as much as a tool. Readers discover writers inside it, and the experience is deliberately uniform. That is a strength when you are starting out and a constraint when you want to own the brand, the data and the sponsor relationships.
Beehiiv behaves more like business software. It gives you growth levers, ad revenue options, design control and an API, and expects you to use them. It suits publishers who think in terms of acquisition, revenue per reader and operations.
Choose Substack if
- You are starting out and want to write, not configure
- Paid subscriptions are your main revenue
- The Substack reader network matters to your growth
Choose Beehiiv if
- Sponsorships and ads are a big part of revenue
- You want referral programs and growth analytics
- You plan to automate or integrate with other tools
Moving between them
Moves in both directions are common. Subscribers and posts export from either platform, and because Substack paid subscriptions run through your own Stripe account, paying members can usually be carried across. Read our migration guide or see platform migrations.
What most comparisons miss
The revenue share compounds as you grow
A percentage of paid revenue feels small at the start and large at scale. Model it at the subscriber count you expect in two years, not the one you have today.
Sponsorships do not depend on the platform
Direct-sold sponsorships usually pay more than any built-in ad network, and they can run on either platform. What matters is the outreach, booking and reporting system around it.
API access decides how far you can automate
If you want AI-assisted drafts, data syncs or custom tools, the platform's API matters more than any single feature. Check which endpoints your plan includes.
Platforms change their features and pricing often. Check each platform's current plans before you decide.