Substack

Substack makes it simple to start a paid newsletter. A writer creates a publication, writes posts in an editor, and sends them to subscribers by email and on the web. The platform handles hosting, email delivery, and payments, so there is no technical setup. Writers can offer free and paid tiers, and subscribers pay monthly or annually, with Substack taking a percentage of paid subscriptions, in addition to payment processing fees.

The product has expanded beyond email. A reading app lets people follow many publications, Notes is a social feed for sharing short posts and discovering writers, and a recommendations system lets publications promote each other. Podcasts and video are supported alongside text, and tools such as polls, chat, and community threads let writers engage readers. Writers can export their subscriber list, which gives them portability.

Substack is free to start and takes a cut only when you earn from subscriptions. Discovery depends on the network and your own promotion, and most newsletters earn little. The platform has faced criticism over its content moderation approach and the people it has hosted. Ghost, Beehiiv, Buttondown, and Medium are alternatives, with Ghost offering more control and Beehiiv growth tools. Substack suits writers who want the easiest route to a paid audience.