Compare
Beehiiv vs Substack · flat monthly fee vs 10% of paid subs
You're here because Beehiiv and Substack keep getting pitched as twins. They are not. Beehiiv is a newsletter platform with a monthly SaaS fee and 0% cut of paid subscription revenue. Substack is free to start. Writers keep 90% of revenue. The platform keeps 10% forever. Pick by fee shape for a B2B or GTM newsletter. Kit and Ghost belong on a wider newsletter platforms list. Substack is fine for discovery starts. Beehiiv is the open when you want owned growth loops.
who wins
Who wins
Default Beehiiv when paid-sub revenue is climbing and you want growth loops you own. Default Substack when you are starting from zero and network discovery matters more than SaaS tools.
- Beehiiv = SaaS fee + 0% cut of paid subs. Substack = $0 SaaS + 10% forever.
- Launch free up to 2,500. Paid Beehiiv starts at $49 a month.
- Substack writers keep 90% of revenue minus card fees.
- Crossover sketch near $490 a month paid-sub revenue equals Beehiiv's $49 floor.
- Paid recommendations replaced Boosts. Wallet spends are non-refundable.
- Substack wins discovery from zero. Beehiiv wins owned growth loops.
The tools
Scorecard
| Beehiiv | Substack · flat monthly fee vs 10% of paid subs | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee shape | Monthly SaaS. Beehiiv takes 0% of paid subscription revenue. Stripe about 2.9% plus $0.30 still applies. | Free to start. Writers keep 90% of revenue minus credit card fees. Platform keeps 10% forever. |
| Best for | B2B and GTM newsletters that want referrals, ad network, and paid recommendations as owned growth loops. | Writers and operators who need Substack network and Notes discovery from a cold start. |
| Entry pricing (Sep 2026) | Launch $0 up to 2,500 active subscribers. Paid plans start at $49 a month. Annual Scale about $43. Max about $96. Max adds branding, seats, and support depth per Beehiiv FAQ. | Free to start. No SaaS tiers in the keep-90% framing. You pay the 10% platform share when paid subscriptions start. |
| Discovery | Own the loops once the list is a business. Referrals, ad network, paid recommendations. | Network and Notes are the start-from-zero argument. Strong when you have no list yet. |
| Paid growth products | Paid recommendations replaced Boosts. The marketplace fee is built into the price per new subscriber. Wallet minimums apply. Wallet is non-refundable. | Discovery is the product. Paid growth tooling is thinner than Beehiiv's. |
| Editor / design | Fine for most B2B issues. Heavy custom HTML still hurts. Say it before you buy Max for seats alone. | Simple writing surface. Less of an full growth toolkit. |
| When Substack still wins | Not the discovery default. Switch when paid-sub math and owned loops matter more. | Wins cold starts, writer network effects, and teams that refuse a SaaS bill before revenue. |
| Kit / Ghost | Useful elsewhere. See the newsletter platforms guide for that pair. | Same. This compare stays Beehiiv versus Substack. |
Who for
pick Beehiiv
- The newsletter is a B2B growth channel, not a hobby blog.
- You want 0% platform cut on paid subs and will pay SaaS instead.
- Referrals, ad network, or paid recommendations are on the roadmap.
- You already have or expect paid-sub revenue past the rough $490 a month crossover sketch.
pick Substack · flat monthly fee vs 10% of paid subs
- You are starting from zero and need network discovery more than SaaS tools.
- You refuse a monthly SaaS bill before the first paid dollar.
- Notes and Substack network are the acquisition bet.
- You may move later once the list is a business.
FAQ
Beehiiv vs Substack for a B2B or GTM newsletter?▾
Beehiiv when the list is a business and you want owned growth loops with a 0% paid-sub cut. Substack when discovery from zero matters more. Fee shape decides more than vibes.
When does Substack's 10% cost more than Beehiiv's SaaS fee?▾
Rough sketch: at Beehiiv's $49 paid floor, Substack's 10% equals about $49 when paid-sub revenue is near $490 a month before card fees. Above that path, SaaS often wins. Below it, Substack can stay cheaper.
Does Beehiiv take a cut of paid subscriptions?▾
No. Beehiiv FAQ says 0% of paid subscription revenue. Stripe still takes about 2.9% plus $0.30.
What replaced Boosts?▾
Paid recommendations. The marketplace fee is built into the price per new subscriber. Wallet spends have minimums and are non-refundable.
Can I start on Substack and move later?▾
Yes. Many operators validate discovery on Substack, then move when owned loops and 0% cut matter more than network start.
Is Launch free enough to validate?▾
Launch is $0 up to 2,500 active subscribers. Good for a first list. Paid-plan features sit behind the upgrade. Validate audience first, then upgrade.
Where do Kit and Ghost fit?▾
They belong on a wider newsletter platforms guide. This compare stays Beehiiv versus Substack.
next step
Closing
If the newsletter is a B2B business and you want 0% of paid subs as a platform cut, open Beehiiv. If you need discovery from zero and will accept 10% forever, stay on Substack for now and move later if the math flips. Pick by how each one takes its fee. Try Beehiiv