Substack
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About Substack
Substack is a publishing platform that lets writers, journalists, and creators monetize their work through paid newsletter subscriptions. Founded in 2017 in San Francisco, Substack has become the leading home for independent journalism, opinion writing, and niche expertise — hosting notable writers like Glenn Greenwald, Heather Cox Richardson, and hundreds of journalists who left traditional media. The platform's model is simple: free to use, Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue plus Stripe processing fees. There are no monthly charges regardless of subscriber count. Substack handles payment processing, subscriber management, email delivery, and a built-in discovery network that helps new readers find writers. In 2023, Substack launched Notes (a Twitter-like feed) and has continued expanding into video, podcasting, and chat. The platform now hosts over 35 million active subscribers paying for content. Substack is purpose-built for subscription publishing — it's not a general email marketing tool — making it ideal for independent writers but limited for businesses needing CRM, automation, or e-commerce features.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Substack take?
Substack charges 10% of paid subscription revenue plus Stripe's processing fee (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction). There are no monthly fees — you only pay when you earn. On $10,000/month in subscription revenue, Substack would take $1,000 plus Stripe fees (~$290-320), leaving roughly $8,700.
Substack vs ConvertKit: which is better for newsletters?
Substack is better for independent writers who want to focus purely on publishing and monetization with zero upfront cost. ConvertKit gives more control over email automation, subscriber segmentation, and digital product sales, with lower fees at scale. Substack's 10% cut becomes expensive as revenue grows — many large newsletters migrate to ConvertKit or Ghost.
Can you make money on Substack?
Yes, many writers earn significant income on Substack. The platform reports hundreds of writers earning over $100,000/year. Success depends on building an engaged audience willing to pay for your specific expertise or perspective. The free tier lets you grow your list before launching paid subscriptions.
Top Alternatives to Substack
ConvertKit
More email marketing control, lower fees at scale
Beehiiv
Better analytics, referral program, and lower fees
Ghost
Self-hosted, no revenue share, full ownership
Mailchimp
More marketing features, better for non-publishers
Patreon
Better for multimedia creators, membership tiers
Medium
Built-in audience but less monetization control
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