beehiiv vs Substack
Updated June 2026 · A structured head-to-head comparison.
The verdict
Both beehiiv and Substack are credible email marketing tools, and the right pick comes down to your priorities.
Choose beehiiv if you want a higher overall rating (4.7/5). The newsletter platform built for growth.
Substack — Publishing made simple for writers.
beehiiv vs Substack: side by side
| Dimension | beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free – $42/mo | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Freemium | Free |
| Best for | Creators, Publishers | Writers, Creators |
| Platforms | Web, Api | Web, Ios, Android |
| Rating | 4.7/5Winner | 4.5/5 |
beehiiv key facts
- Vendor
- beehiiv
- Pricing
- Freemium — Free – $42/mo
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Api
- Best for
- Creators, Publishers
- Editor rating
- 4.7 / 5
- Founded
- 2021
- Headquarters
- New York, NY, USA
Substack key facts
- Vendor
- Substack
- Pricing
- Free — Free
- Free tier
- Yes
- Platforms
- Web, Ios, Android
- Best for
- Writers, Creators
- Editor rating
- 4.5 / 5
- Founded
- 2017
- Headquarters
- San Francisco, CA, USA
Frequently asked questions
Is beehiiv better than Substack?
Neither is universally better — beehiiv edges ahead on overall rating, but the best choice depends on price, platforms, and your use case. See the side-by-side table above.
Is beehiiv or Substack cheaper?
beehiiv is the more affordable of the two to get started, at free – $42/mo. beehiiv starts at free – $42/mo; Substack starts at free.
Can beehiiv replace Substack?
Yes for most teams — both are email marketing tools with heavily overlapping features. The main trade-offs are pricing and platform support, covered in the comparison above.