So you’re thinking about leaving Substack or looking for alternatives?
You’re not alone.
While Substack revolutionized newsletter publishing, it’s not the only game in town anymore. And for many creators – especially those building a real business – it might not even be the best option.
I’ve been in the newsletter game for years. Tested most of these platforms. And here’s what I’ve learned: the “best” platform depends entirely on what you’re trying to build.
Here are 8 Substack alternatives worth considering in 2025.
Why creators are leaving Substack (and why you might too)
Let’s get this out of the way first.
Substack is great. But it has some issues that are making creators reconsider:
The 10% fee adds up FAST. If you’re making $10,000/month from paid subscribers, you’re handing Substack $1,000 every single month. That’s $12,000 a year. Just for using their platform.
You don’t truly own your platform. Sure, you can export your list. But you’re still building on someone else’s land.
Limited monetization options. Substack really wants you to do paid subscriptions. But what if you want to run ads? Sell courses? Offer multiple products? You’re out of luck.
The moderation controversies. The Atlantic documented how Substack has hosted extremist content. Some big names like Platformer left for Ghost over these concerns.
Now, let’s look at what else is out there.
At‑a‑Glance: The 8 Best Substack Alternatives (2025)
Here’s the quick comparison table. We’ll dive deeper into each one below.
| Platform | Ease of use | Monetization | Ownership (domain/list/data) | Typical pricing (2025) | Best for 40+ pros |
| Beehiiv | Easy | Ads/sponsorships, Boosts, referrals, paid subs (0% take) | Custom domain, exportable list | Launch: Free (2,500 subs); Scale: $43/mo; Max: $96/mo; Enterprise | Fast growth with built‑in acquisition + monetization |
| Ghost (Ghost Pro) | Moderate | Paid memberships, tiers, 0% platform fees | Full domain + audience ownership; open source | Starter $15/mo (yrly), Publisher $29/mo, Business $199/mo+ | Independence, design control, long‑term cost efficiency |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Easy‑Moderate | Paid newsletters, subscriptions, digital products, paid recs | Custom domain, list export; Stripe‑powered | Free (to 10k subs); Creator $33/mo; Creator Pro $66/mo (1k subs) | Email automation with solid monetization |
| Buttondown | Easy | Paid subs; add‑on automations; privacy‑first | Custom domain sending, list export | From $9/mo; automations on $29+/mo | Minimalist, low‑overhead newsletters |
| MailerLite | Easy | Paid newsletters, products, automations | Custom domain, exportable list | Free (to 500 subs); Growing $10/mo; Advanced $20/mo | Cost‑effective, full stack email + pages |
| Medium | Very easy | Partner Program (member reading time) | No full email ownership; audience lives on Medium | Member paywall model (no email fees) | Built‑in reach with minimal setup |
| LinkedIn Newsletters | Very easy | Indirect only (sponsorships, leads off‑platform) | No subscriber export; followers on LinkedIn | Free | B2B reach and personal brand compounding |
| WordPress.com Newsletter | Moderate | Paid subs via Stripe; free + paid posts | Full domain/list ownership | Available on all plans (fees vary by plan) | Maximum control on your own site |
1. Beehiiv – The Growth Machine
If you want to grow FAST, Beehiiv is probably your best bet.
Here’s why it’s blowing up right now:
Zero platform fees on paid subscriptions. Unlike Substack’s 10% cut, Beehiiv takes 0%. You only pay Stripe fees.
Built-in monetization tools. Ad network? Check. Referral program? Check. Boosts (where other newsletters promote you)? Check. These features alone can be worth thousands per month.
Solid analytics. You actually know what’s working and what’s not.
The pricing is straightforward:
- Launch plan: Free up to 2,500 subscribers
- Scale plan: ~$43/month (adds visual automations, monetization tools)
- Max plan: ~$96/month (premium features, priority support)
- Enterprise: Custom pricing
Who should use Beehiiv? Creators who want to grow fast and monetize in multiple ways. If you’re serious about newsletter growth, this is the platform.
What to watch out for: It’s still evolving. Some advanced customization options are limited compared to WordPress or Ghost.
2. Ghost – Maximum Control, Zero Platform Fees
Ghost is for creators who want total ownership.
Think of it as the anti-Substack. You own everything. Your domain. Your data. Your design. Everything.
Zero platform fees. Like Beehiiv, Ghost takes 0% of your paid memberships. You only pay Stripe.
Open source and flexible. Want to customize everything? Go wild. Ghost gives you that power.
Great membership features. Multiple tiers, content gating, member analytics – it’s all there.
The pricing (for Ghost Pro, their hosted version):
- Starter: ~$15/month (billed yearly)
- Publisher: ~$29/month
- Business: $199+/month
- Custom: For bigger operations
Who should use Ghost? You value long-term ownership and don’t mind a bit more setup. Perfect if you’re building a media company, not just a newsletter.
What to watch out for: Slightly steeper learning curve than Substack. Self-hosting requires technical know-how.
3. Kit (ConvertKit) – Automation Powerhouse
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is what happens when an email automation platform and a newsletter tool have a baby.
Crazy good automations. Tags, segments, sequences – you can build sophisticated email funnels without being a tech wizard.
Multiple monetization options. Paid newsletters, digital products, paid recommendations (though fees apply on some).
Generous free tier. Up to 10,000 subscribers for free. That’s insane value for beginners.
The pricing:
- Free: Up to 10k subscribers (yes, really)
- Creator: ~$33/month for 1,000 subscribers
- Creator Pro: ~$66/month for 1,000 subscribers
Prices scale with your list size, so keep that in mind.
Who should use Kit? You want powerful email automation AND monetization. Great for course creators and coaches.
What to watch out for: Costs can climb as your list grows. Make sure you understand their pricing tiers.
4. Buttondown – The Minimalist Choice
Buttondown is the opposite of bloated.
It’s clean. Simple. Privacy-focused. No nonsense.
Straightforward pricing. From ~$9/month. They even have a transparent pricing philosophy that’s refreshing.
Privacy-first. If you care about not being creepy with your subscribers’ data, Buttondown’s got your back.
Paid subscriptions included. You can monetize, just not with the bells and whistles of Beehiiv.
The pricing:
- Free for small lists
- Paid plans from ~$9/month
- Automations available on $29+/month plans
Who should use Buttondown? You want a calm, distraction-free newsletter tool. Perfect for indie creators who value simplicity.
What to watch out for: Fewer growth features than Beehiiv or Kit. It’s intentionally minimal.
5. MailerLite – Budget-Friendly Powerhouse
MailerLite is the Swiss Army knife of email platforms.
Super affordable. Free up to 500 subscribers, then $10–20/month for most creators. Hard to beat that.
Full-stack features. Landing pages, websites, automations, digital products – it’s all there.
Easy to use. Despite all the features, it’s not overwhelming.
The pricing:
- Free: Up to 500 subscribers and 12k monthly emails
- Growing: ~$10/month
- Advanced: ~$20/month
- Enterprise: Custom
Who should use MailerLite? You want maximum features for minimum cost. Great for creators just starting to monetize.
What to watch out for: Some advanced features are locked to higher tiers. Check what you need before committing.
6. Medium – Built-In Audience, Zero Setup
Medium is different from everything else on this list.
You’re not really building a newsletter. You’re publishing on a platform with a built-in audience.
Instant reach. Your articles can reach Medium’s millions of readers from day one.
Partner Program. Get paid based on member reading time. No need to manage subscriptions yourself.
Dead simple. If Substack is easy, Medium is even easier.
Who should use Medium? You want to focus on writing, not building infrastructure. Great as a top-of-funnel strategy.
What to watch out for: You don’t own the email list. You’re building on Medium’s platform. Use it to drive people to YOUR owned platform.
Check Medium Partner Program here
7. LinkedIn Newsletters – B2B Gold Mine
LinkedIn Newsletters are perfect for one thing: reaching professionals.
Built-in distribution. Your network gets notified when you publish. That’s powerful.
Zero cost. It’s completely free.
B2B credibility. Writing on LinkedIn positions you as an expert in your field.
Who should use LinkedIn Newsletters? You’re targeting professionals, consultants, or B2B audiences. Use it alongside another platform where you own the list.
What to watch out for: No subscriber export. No direct monetization. You’re building on LinkedIn’s turf.
Learn more about LinkedIn Newsletters
8. WordPress.com Newsletter – Maximum Control
WordPress.com now has native newsletter features.
Full ownership. Your domain. Your audience. Your rules.
Paid newsletters via Stripe. Monetization built in.
Unlimited flexibility. WordPress has plugins for everything. Want to add a feature? There’s probably a plugin for it.
Who should use WordPress.com? You want maximum control and already have (or want) a WordPress site.
What to watch out for: More technical than Substack. But if you’re comfortable with WordPress, it’s a no-brainer.
Learn about WordPress.com newsletters
The Real Cost Comparison (Substack vs. Alternatives)
Let’s do some math because numbers don’t lie.
Substack takes 10% of your paid subscriptions (plus Stripe fees around 3%).
Ghost, Beehiiv, WordPress.com, MailerLite, Buttondown take 0% platform fees (you still pay Stripe 3%).
Here’s what that means in real money:
If you have 1,000 paid subscribers at $10/month:
- Monthly revenue: $10,000
- Substack fee: ~$1,000/month ($12,000/year)
- Ghost/Beehiiv fee: $0 platform fee (you pay hosting/plan costs instead)
That’s a $12,000/year difference. Enough to hire help, run ads, or just… keep it.
Which Platform Should YOU Choose?
Here’s my honest recommendation:
Pick Beehiiv if: You want fast growth and multiple monetization options. The built-in tools are worth the slightly higher monthly cost.
Pick Ghost if: You value ownership above all else and want to build a real media brand.
Pick Kit if: You need powerful email automation and want to sell digital products alongside your newsletter.
Pick Buttondown if: You want something simple, privacy-focused, and affordable.
Pick MailerLite if: You’re on a tight budget but still want professional features.
Pick Medium if: You want instant reach and don’t care about owning the audience (yet).
Pick LinkedIn if: You’re in B2B and your audience is already there. Use it as a distribution channel.
Pick WordPress.com if: You want maximum control and already have a WordPress site.
How to Migrate From Substack (Without Losing Subscribers)
Switching platforms sounds scary. But it’s actually pretty straightforward:
Step 1: Export everything from Substack
- Download your subscriber list (CSV)
- Export your posts (HTML/Markdown)
- Save your images
Step 2: Set up your new platform
- Import subscribers
- Configure custom domain
- Set up email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)
Step 3: Warm up your new sending
- Start with small batches
- Gradually increase volume
- Monitor deliverability
Step 4: Communicate the change
- Update your Substack with a “we moved” banner
- Send a final email from Substack
- Send a welcome email from your new platform
Step 5: Rebuild monetization
- Recreate paid tiers
- Set up payment processing
- Turn on any ad/referral features
It takes work. But it’s worth it if you’re serious about owning your business.
FAQs
Can I export my list from these platforms later?
Yes for Beehiiv, Ghost, Kit, MailerLite, Buttondown, and WordPress.com. Not for LinkedIn (follower count only). Medium doesn’t give you email addresses.
Which platform has the best monetization?
Beehiiv wins for variety (ads, referrals, paid subs). Kit wins for automation + products. Ghost wins for membership depth.
Does Beehiiv take a cut of my revenue?
0% on paid subscriptions. They make money on their monthly plans. Ad/Boost revenue has separate sharing.
Which is easiest to use?
Medium and LinkedIn are easiest (but you don’t own the audience). Among “true” alternatives: MailerLite and Beehiiv are very beginner-friendly.
Which platform is best for beginners?
Kit has a generous free tier (10k subs). MailerLite is also great for budget-conscious beginners.
The Bottom Line
Substack is great. But it’s not the only option.
And depending on what you’re building, it might not even be the best option.
If you’re serious about building a real business – one you own, one you control, one that doesn’t take 10% of everything you make – then it’s worth exploring these alternatives.
Pick the one that matches your goals. Set it up. And start building.
Your audience will follow you wherever you go. As long as you keep delivering value.