Substack is the newsletter platform for writers who just want to write.
No complex features. No confusing pricing. Just write and publish.
But the Trustpilot rating is 1.3/5. 88% of reviews are 1-star.
Writers are leaving in droves. Here is why, and what it means for your decision.
Quick Verdict
Substack is perfect for writers earning under $430/month from subscriptions. Above that, the 10% fee becomes expensive, and beehiiv or Kit make more financial sense.
What Substack Actually Is
Substack launched in 2017 as a simple platform for writers.
The value proposition: You write. Substack handles:
- Hosting
- Delivery
- Payments
- Support
- Tech issues
You focus on writing. They handle everything else.
In exchange, they take 10% of your subscription revenue.
Forever.
The Trustpilot Disaster (1.3/5 Rating)
Trustpilot rating: 1.3/5 (136 reviews) 88% of reviews are 1-star
The recurring complaints:
Support (#1 complaint)
- AI chatbot loop with no human escalation
- "Support is nonexistent"
- "Cannot reach a human being"
- "Chatbot gives same answers again and again"
Both writers AND subscribers complain about this.
Cancellation Hostility (#2 complaint)
- Cannot cancel via the app
- Browser cancellation is buried
- Charges continue after cancellation
- Requires credit card dispute to stop charges
One review: "I tried to cancel for three months. They kept charging. Had to do a credit card dispute."
Account Suspensions (#3 complaint)
- Accounts suspended without warning
- Export/backup disabled when suspended
- Generic "spam" or "phishing" accusations
- No appeal process
One writer: "My account was suspended for spam. Cannot export my subscribers. Cannot appeal. Five years of work, gone."
The Pricing Model (10% Forever)
Substack takes 10% of your subscription revenue.
This includes:
- Paid subscriptions
- Lifetime memberships
- Any recurring revenue from your writing
The math:
- $100/month revenue = You keep $90, Substack takes $10
- $1,000/month revenue = You keep $900, Substack takes $100
- $10,000/month revenue = You keep $9,000, Substack takes $1,000
The 10% feels cheap at $100/month. At $10,000/month, it feels expensive.
The Network Effects (Substack Secret Weapon)
This is why writers stay despite the problems.
50% of all subscriptions on Substack originate from within the platform. 30% of paid subscriptions originate from within the platform.
This means: Substack sends you subscribers you would not get elsewhere.
No other platform has this.
Real example: A writer with 2,000 Substack subscribers gets 100 new organic subs per month from Substack recommendations.
On beehiiv or Kit, those 100 subs would not exist.
The network effect is real. It has real value.
What Substack Does Well
1. Simplicity
You write. You hit publish. Done.
No configuration. No plugins. No learning curve.
One satisfied user: "I just want to write. Substack lets me do that without thinking about business."
2. Built-in Audience
The Substack app and推荐 (recommendation) system send you readers.
This is free marketing you cannot get on self-hosted platforms.
3. Zero Tech Skills Required
If you can use a word processor, you can use Substack.
No HTML. No CSS. No DNS. No hosting.
4. Payment Processing Included
Substack handles:
- Credit card processing
- Subscriber management
- Payment failures
- Refunds
You do not touch any of it.
What Substack Does Poorly
1. No Human Support
Free plan users get:
- AI chatbot only
- No human escalation
- No phone support
- No email support
This applies to BOTH writers and subscribers trying to cancel.
2. Limited Customization
You get:
- Basic branding
- Limited color options
- Standard layout
- No custom domains (without paid upgrade)
Your newsletter looks like every other Substack.
3. No Growth Tools
Substack has:
- No referral program
- No ad network
- No cross-promotion marketplace
- No advanced analytics
You grow through:
- Writing good content
- Substack network effects
- External marketing (which you must do yourself)
4. You Do Not Own Your Audience
Substack controls:
- Your subscriber list
- Your content archive
- Your payment processing
If your account gets suspended, you can lose everything.
This has actually happened to writers.
The Break-Even Math: When To Leave
At what revenue does leaving Substack make sense?
Substack keeps 10% beehiiv keeps $43/month (flat fee) Kit keeps $39/month (flat fee)
Break-even point: $430/month in revenue
Below $430/month: Substack costs you less Above $430/month: beehiiv or Kit make you more money
At $1,000/month:
- Substack: You keep $900
- beehiiv: You keep $957 ($1,000 - $43)
- Kit: You keep $961 ($1,000 - $39)
At $10,000/month:
- Substack: You keep $9,000
- beehiiv: You keep $9,957
- Kit: You keep $9,961
The gap widens as you grow. At scale, the 10% fee costs you thousands per year.
The Facial Recognition Controversy
In late 2025, Substack required UK and Australian subscribers to complete facial recognition verification to access paid content.
Privacy complaints followed:
- Biometric data collection
- No opt-out option
- Unclear data storage policy
- Non-refundable if refused entry
This created trust issues among privacy-conscious readers.
Who Should Use Substack?
Perfect for:
- Pure writers (not business owners)
- Under 500 subscribers
- Earning under $430/month
- People who hate tech
- Writers valuing simplicity over money
Real user story: "I am a novelist, not a business person. Substack lets me write and get paid. That is all I want."
Who Should Leave Substack?
Switch to beehiiv if:
- You earn over $430/month
- You want ad monetization
- You want referral program growth
- You want full branding control
- You are tired of paying 10% forever
Switch to Kit if:
- You sell courses or products
- You need better automation
- You want built-in commerce
- You want 10,000 free subscribers
Switch to Ghost if:
- You want independence and control
- You are technical or can afford hosting
- You want 0% revenue cut forever
- You never want platform risk
The Migration Reality
Migrating from Substack:
- Export your subscribers first
- Set up your new platform
- Import your archive
- Email your list about the switch
- 20-30% will not make the switch
Real migration story: "Switched from Substack to beehiiv. Lost 15% of subscribers during migration. Revenue increased 40% in year one due to 0% cut."
Final Verdict
Substack has a place. But it is a limited place.
For pure writers earning under $430/month, Substack is fine.
The network effects are real. The simplicity is genuine.
But the 10% fee becomes expensive at scale. The lack of support is frustrating. The account suspension risk is real.
For serious newsletter businesses, beehiiv or Kit are better long-term choices.
You get:
- 0% revenue cut
- Multiple revenue streams
- Better growth tools
- Full control
The trade-off: complexity and learning curve.
Know which one you are.
Pure writer → Substack Newsletter business → beehiiv Course creator → Kit Independent owner → Ghost
Choose wisely. Your future self will thank you.