How Beehiiv and Substack compare
Beehiiv treats a newsletter like a media business. Referral programs, Boosts and recommendations, an ad network, paid subscriptions, automations, segmentation, a website with SEO, and deep analytics are all pointed at one thing: growing and monetising a list. Operators who think in subscriber counts and CPMs love it.
Substack made paid newsletters normal. You write, it sends, and readers can subscribe or pay in one click. The network effects are real: recommendations, Notes, the app, and discovery bring new readers you did not have to find. There is no monthly fee, and for a writer who wants to write rather than run software, that is a gift.
Where they are different
Beehiiv
- Beehiiv's site exists to convert subscribers.
- Beehiiv monetises the list.
- Beehiiv sends.
Substack
- Substack is a network you publish into.
- Substack takes a percentage of paid subscriptions.
- Substack chat and comments live in its app.
Choose Beehiiv when your newsletter is the business and growth loops and ad revenue are the plan.
Choose Substack when you want to write, get paid, and be discovered with the least possible setup.
Compare features
What's on Beehiiv and Substack
A check means that capability is available. Beehiiv and Substack are marked only when the offer is comparable, not the same product.
Site and brand
- Workspace siteBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Custom domainBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Theme and fontsBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Brand kitBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Public content
- BlogBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Reader engagementBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
Reach and quality
- SEOBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
Audience and email
- AudienceBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Marketing emailsBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Bulk email workflowsBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Campaign workflowsBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Not included
Team
- Admin usersBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- Per-admin permissionsBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Included
- AI AssistantBeehiiv: IncludedSubstack: Not included
* Note: This table does not capture every feature of Beehiiv or Substack, and is not intended as a comprehensive list. We keep this page current, but Beehiiv or Substack may add or remove features that are not shown here.
Beehiiv vs Substack pricing
Compare plans, prices, and what it costs to get started.
Beehiiv
Current plans and prices
See what Beehiiv charges on their pricing page.
Substack
Current plans and prices
See what Substack charges on their pricing page.
Cardel: An alternative to
Beehiiv and Substack
You don't pay until you publish.
Cardel provides a home for your craft. Share and sell your work, grow your audience, and bring your community together on a site of your own.
Common questions
Is Cardel an alternative to Beehiiv or Substack?
Cardel is a home for your craft: a site of your own with a blog, newsletter, shop, community, and one inbox. It can replace Beehiiv or Substack when you want your work, audience, and sales in one place. The feature list on this page shows where Beehiiv and Substack are marked.
Can I use Cardel with Beehiiv or Substack?
Yes. Cardel pages can link out to other products, so you can keep Beehiiv or Substack for what it does best and bring the rest of your work to Cardel.
How much does Cardel cost compared with Beehiiv and Substack?
You don't pay for Cardel until you publish. Choose Starter, Pro, or Studio when your site goes live. Beehiiv and Substack set their own prices, so check their pricing pages on this page for current plans.
How do I switch from Beehiiv or Substack to Cardel?
Start with Build Your Site, set up your home, and bring your work over at your own pace. You do not have to move everything on day one.