- Choose Substack to start writing and charging with almost no setup.
- Choose Kit to run automations and sell products from your list.
- Substack takes a percentage of paid subscriptions; Kit charges plans plus a per-sale Commerce fee that includes card processing.
- Kit has a full API; Substack does not.
At a glance
| Topic | Substack | Kit |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Writers who want simplicity and a reader network | Creators building a business around products and automations |
| How you pay | Free to start; percentage of paid subscription revenue | Plans by subscriber count, with a free tier; a per-sale Commerce fee that includes card processing |
| Automations | Minimal | Deep visual automations and sequences |
| Selling products | Paid subscriptions | Digital products, paid newsletters and more |
| Discovery | Substack network and app | Creator Network recommendations |
| API and integrations | No general-purpose public API (only limited official access) | Full API |
| Design | Uniform Substack look | Templates and landing pages |
The real difference
Substack is a publication with a built-in audience. Kit is marketing software for creators. If your work is the writing, Substack keeps it simple. If your work is a business that uses email to sell, Kit gives you the levers.
Choose Substack if
- You want to focus on writing
- Paid subscriptions are the core offer
- You want discovery inside a network
Choose Kit if
- You sell more than subscriptions
- You rely on automations and segmentation
- You need integrations with other tools
Moving between them
Subscribers export from Substack. Paid members need their own plan, since Substack payments run through your Stripe account and Kit uses its own commerce. See our migration guide and platform migrations.
What most comparisons miss
Automation is a long-term asset
Sequences and segments built well keep working for years. If your business depends on them, that capability matters more than launch simplicity.
Revenue share versus fees
Compare a percentage of subscription revenue against plan costs and transaction fees at the scale you expect.
You can combine them
Some creators publish on Substack and use other tools for products and funnels. The cost is data split across systems.
Platforms change their features and pricing often. Check each platform's current plans before you decide.