Newsletter & analytics

Substack

Plans checked Sept 29, 2026 · ToolPulse tool profile (AI-written from public sources, not hands-on tested)

Substack is a newsletter publishing platform with no flat platform fee for free publishing; it instead takes a percentage of revenue from publications that enable paid subscriptions, per its official help center.

Best for

Publishers who want to start a free newsletter with no subscription fee, and only pay a revenue share once they turn on paid subscriptions, per Substack's own help center article.

Free tier

Publishing and sending a free newsletter carries no Substack platform fee.

Limits to know

Substack charges no flat monthly fee; its published fee structure is described in the official help-center article linked below (as of the date above).

Plans and prices

As of Sept 29, 2026, per the vendor's official pricing page.

PlanPriceWhat is included
Free publishing$0No platform fee for publishing and sending a free newsletter.
Paid subscriptions10% Substack fee, plus Stripe processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, plus 0.7% billing fee on recurring charges)Applies once a publication enables paid subscriber tiers.
Custom domain$50 one-timeOne-time fee to connect a custom domain.

Prices change often — check the vendor's page before you buy.

Alternatives we track

Sources