If you are trying to decide where to house your newsletter in 2026, you have likely narrowed it down to two names: Beehiiv and Substack. Both platforms have defined the modern era of the creator economy, but they serve very different goals.

The choice between them usually comes down to whether you want to be part of a social network or if you want to build a scalable media business. Here is the honest breakdown of how these two stack up today.

Beehiiv: The Growth Engine

Beehiiv was built by the team that scaled Morning Brew, and it shows. This platform is designed specifically for people who want to treat their newsletter like a business.

Unlike Substack, beehiiv does not take a cut of your subscription revenue. You pay a flat monthly fee, which means as you scale, your profit margins get better.

Why creators are switching to beehiiv:

• Ad Network: beehiiv has a native ad network that connects you with brands, allowing you to monetize even if you don't charge for subscriptions.
• Referral Program: They have a built in referral system that lets your readers invite their friends in exchange for rewards.
• Customization: You have much more control over how your website and emails look.
• Data and Analytics: The 2026 suite of beehiiv analytics gives you deep insights into where your subscribers are coming from and what they are clicking.

Ready to try beehiiv? You can get a 14 day free trial and 20% off your first three months by using the coupon code 30OFF at checkout. Click here to start building on beehiiv.

Substack: The Social Network for Writers

Substack changed the way we think about newsletters by making them easy to start. It is essentially a blogging platform with a built in email service.

The biggest advantage of Substack is discoverability. Through features like Substack Notes and their recommendation engine, they help you find an audience. If you are a writer who wants to focus purely on the craft and doesn't want to worry about technical settings, Substack is a great fit.

The downside is the cost of success. Substack takes a 10% cut of your subscription revenue. If your newsletter grows to earn $10,000 a month, you are paying Substack $1,000 every single month. That is a steep price to pay for software that offers limited customization.

Direct Comparison: The Key Differences

1. Monetization Models

Substack is built for paid subscriptions. While they have recently added some advertising tools, their primary focus remains the 10% fee on your paid members. beehiiv offers a multi-pronged approach: you can have paid subscriptions, run ads through their network, or use "Boosts" to get paid for recommending other newsletters.

2. Ownership and Portability

Both platforms allow you to export your email list. However, beehiiv makes it much easier to integrate with other marketing tools and scale your own brand outside of their ecosystem.

3. Ease of Use

Substack is the winner if you want to be up and running in five minutes. beehiiv has a slightly steeper learning curve because it has so many more features, but it pays off in the long run.

Which one should you choose?

Choose Substack if:

• You are a solo writer or journalist focusing on long-form opinion pieces.
• You don't want to deal with marketing or growth tools.
• You want to leverage the Substack "Notes" ecosystem to find new readers.

Choose beehiiv if:

• You want to build a serious media brand.
• You want to monetize through both ads and subscriptions.
• You want to keep more of your money as you grow.
• You want access to the best growth tools in the industry.

Verdict for 2026

Substack remains a fantastic place to "hang your hat" if you want to be part of a community. But for those who view their newsletter as a scalable asset, beehiiv is the superior choice. The lack of a revenue hair-cut combined with the referral and ad tools makes it the better financial decision for most creators.

Special Offer for New Users: If you want to see why so many top newsletters have migrated to beehiiv, you can use the link below. Enter coupon code 2026VIP to unlock a special discount on their growth plans.

Start your beehiiv newsletter today.

FAQ

Does beehiiv have a free plan?

‍Yes, beehiiv has a very generous free tier for your first 2,500 subscribers, though some advanced features like the referral program require a paid plan.

Can I move my Substack list to beehiiv?

‍Yes, beehiiv has a dedicated import tool that brings over your subscribers and even your past archives with just a few clicks.

Is there a coupon code for beehiiv?

‍Yes, you can use the code CREATOR20 to get a discount on your first year of a paid subscription.

Why are people moving away from Substack?

People are leaving Substack due to concerns over its shift towards a social media model

Why is Beehiiv so popular?

Beehiiv's popularity stems from being an all-in-one platform for creators, combining user-friendly website building with powerful growth, monetization (ads, paid subs, boosts), and analytics tools, all while offering a better reader experience and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional email services

Is Beehiiv worth it?

Beehiiv is an excellent option if you're just beginning your newsletter journey but have ambitions to grow

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