Quick Keypoints
- 100% free to publish and host lists with unlimited subscribers.
- Substack takes a 10% revenue share of paid subscriptions.
- Includes built-in audio podcast and video publishing layers.
- Cross-recommendation network drives massive organic writer growth.
What is Substack?
Leading free subscription newsletter and publishing platform.
Substack is an online publishing platform that lets writers and creators publish newsletters directly to readers and monetize their work through paid subscription memberships. It charges zero upfront fees, instead sharing 10% of paid revenue.
Who Needs Substack?
Journalists, independent writers, podcasters, and content creators.
Primary Use Cases
- Publishing an independent politics newsletter and charging for essays.
- Hosting a subscriber-only audio podcast show with transcripts.
- Building an online community centered around weekly writing posts.
Important Features
- Subscription Paywalls: Easily lock specific articles behind paid tiers.
- Podcast Engine: Host audio episodes with automated transcript highlights.
- Writer Recommendations: Get discovered by other writers' recommendation lists.
Current Updates About Substack
Substack rolled out Substack Notes, a social media layer inside the app to help creators gain organic subscribers.
Alternatives to Substack
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Editorial Rating
4.8 / 5.0
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| Platform PlanFree to use, 10% revenue share applies on paid reader subscriptions | $0/mo |