beehiiv vs Substack
beehiiv vs Substack compared for 2026. Pricing, monetization, SEO, growth tools, and the math on which platform keeps more of your money.
Quick Verdict
Choose Substack to start writing today with zero friction. Switch to beehiiv the moment you charge readers — Substack's 10% cut becomes expensive fast.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue cut | 0% | 10% of paid subs |
| Free plan | Up to 2,500 subscribers | Unlimited (0 paid features) |
| Paid plan starts at | $39/mo | Free + 10% |
| SEO control | ✅ Full (meta, slugs, schema) | ❌ Limited (Substack domain) |
| Automation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Segmentation | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Built-in discovery | Boosts + Recommendations | ✅ Notes + Recommendations |
| Ad network | ✅ Built-in | ❌ No |
| Referral program | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Podcast support | Limited | ✅ Yes |
The 10% Question
This is the single biggest difference. Substack takes 10% of every paid subscription — forever. beehiiv takes 0%. At 500 paying subscribers paying $10/month, that's $6,000/year going to Substack. At 2,000 subscribers, it's $24,000/year. beehiiv's Scale plan costs $468/year. The math is not subtle.
When to Choose Substack
Choose Substack if you're starting from zero and just want to write. The setup takes 5 minutes, the editor is clean, and the built-in discovery network (Notes, recommendations) can grow a new newsletter faster than any other platform. It's the best "just start writing" tool.
When to Choose beehiiv
Choose beehiiv the moment you're serious about monetization. The 0% revenue cut, automation, segmentation, referral program, and ad network make it a complete newsletter business platform. If you're charging readers, beehiiv saves you thousands per year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from Substack to beehiiv?
Yes. Export your subscriber list from Substack, import to beehiiv, and migrate your Stripe subscriptions. Most creators complete the switch in under an hour.
Does Substack's 10% include free subscribers?
No. The 10% only applies to paid subscription revenue. If all your readers are free, both platforms cost nothing.
Which has better SEO?
beehiiv. You get custom slugs, meta title control, and structured data. Substack puts you on their domain with limited SEO customization.