Feature Comparison

Substack lets you create your own publication without spending a single dollar to get started. Publications on Substack are customizable via numerous features and tools:

• World-class text editor with support for embeds, polls, code blocks, LaTeX, recipes, financial charts, and more
• Theming to adjust the look and feel of your publication with colors, fonts, and sections
• Content produced on text, video, and audio to fit your vision

Beehiiv has a tiered plan system, meaning that you cannot access all features without paying first.

Substack is the creator platform designed to grow your audience and amplify your message with:

• A native reader app with millions of users on iOS and Android
• Notes, a social feed for distribution and engagement
• Cross-publication recommendations help connect you with a creator network
• Category leaderboards and discovery
• Referral program for readers with tiered rewarding

Beehiiv gives you limited tools to build your audience and distribute your work. Additionally, beehiiv charges you more as your audience grows, regardless of how many paying subscribers you have.

Creators on Substack have thriving communities with strong retention rates because of the engagement tools such as a native reader app and multiple ways to connect with your audience, such as through Chat or Direct Messaging.

Beehiiv has no equivalent community-focused features and often operates as an email distribution platform. Beehiiv’s one-way publishing focus caps the creator’s growth potential.

Substack is the home for influential voices and media companies because of the advanced tools built with direct feedback from creators running real businesses.

Beehiiv charges for many basic features that are available for free on Substack.