Substack Review 2026
The home for great writing.
The Verdict
Substack is the simplest way to start a paid newsletter. Sign up, write, hit publish. Your readers can subscribe for free or pay for premium content. Substack handles everything — hosting, payments, email delivery — and takes a 10% cut of your paid subscriptions.
The platform's built-in network effect is its biggest advantage. Substack's recommendation engine and Notes feature create discovery opportunities that standalone platforms can't match. When another writer recommends your newsletter, their audience sees it directly.
The trade-off is control. You can't customize your publication's design meaningfully, you can't use a custom domain on the free plan, and that 10% revenue share becomes significant as you grow. At $10,000/month in subscription revenue, you're paying Substack $1,000/month.
✓Pros
- +Huge network effect
- +Zero setup
- +Great mobile app
✕Cons
- −10% fee on revenue
- −Very limited design
- −Weak SEO
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free | Publishing · Emails |
Who Should Use Substack
- →Writers and journalists who want to start a paid newsletter with zero technical setup.
- →Creators who value Substack's built-in audience network for organic discovery and growth.
- →Anyone testing whether paid content is viable before investing in a more complex platform.
- →Writers who prioritize simplicity over customization and just want to focus on writing.
Who Should NOT Use Substack
- ✕Creators earning significant subscription revenue — the 10% take rate becomes very expensive at scale.
- ✕Brands and businesses that need custom design, branding control, and a professional website presence.
- ✕Publishers who want full ownership of their analytics, audience data, and payment relationships.
What to Consider
- ●Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue plus Stripe's payment processing fees (2.9% + $0.30).
- ●The platform gives you no design customization — every Substack publication looks basically the same.
- ●You can export your subscriber list and content, so you're not locked in despite the lack of custom domains.
- ●Substack's recommendation engine can be a genuine growth driver — many writers report meaningful subscriber gains.
Conclusion
Substack is the lowest-friction way to launch a paid newsletter. If you're a writer who wants to write and nothing else, Substack removes every obstacle between you and your audience.
But if you're building a brand or scaling a content business, the 10% take rate and lack of customization will push you toward Ghost or beehiiv eventually.
Try Substack →Frequently Asked Questions
Does Substack have a website?
At a Glance
- Free Plan
- Yes
- Skill Level
- Beginner
- Best For
- newsletterswritingcommunity