Best Substack Alternatives in 2026
Looking for alternatives to Substack? Here are the top options compared.
Why Consider Substack Alternatives?
- β οΈ10% platform fee on paid
- β οΈLimited customization
- β οΈBasic analytics
- β οΈNo referral program
Top 5 Alternatives to Substack
Beehiiv
Beehiiv is a newsletter platform built by former Morning Brew team members. Designed for growth with built-in monetization, referral programs, and advanced analytics.
β Pros
- β’ Built-in growth tools
- β’ Referral program included
- β’ Ad network for monetization
β Cons
- β’ Smaller community than Substack
- β’ No built-in reader app
- β’ Newer platform
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the most popular email marketing platforms, offering a comprehensive suite of marketing tools including email campaigns, automation, landing pages, and CRM features.
β Pros
- β’ All-in-one marketing platform
- β’ User-friendly drag-and-drop editor
- β’ Extensive template library
β Cons
- β’ Pricing increases quickly with list size
- β’ Limited automation on lower tiers
- β’ Can feel bloated for simple needs
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed specifically for creators - bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, and online course creators. It focuses on simplicity and powerful automation.
β Pros
- β’ Built specifically for creators
- β’ Powerful visual automation builder
- β’ Tag-based subscriber management
β Cons
- β’ Limited template designs
- β’ No built-in CRM
- β’ Basic reporting compared to competitors
Klaviyo
Klaviyo is an email and SMS marketing platform focused on e-commerce. It offers powerful automation and segmentation based on customer behavior.
β Pros
- β’ E-commerce focused
- β’ Powerful segmentation
- β’ Great Shopify integration
β Cons
- β’ Expensive at scale
- β’ Complex for beginners
- β’ Limited for non-ecommerce
ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM. It's known for its powerful automation builder and sales features.
β Pros
- β’ Powerful automation
- β’ Built-in CRM
- β’ Great deliverability
β Cons
- β’ No free tier
- β’ Learning curve
- β’ Can get expensive
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Price | Free Tier | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Substack | Free (10% on paid subs) | β | Email Marketing |
| Beehiiv | Free / /month | β | Email Marketing |
| Mailchimp | Free / $13/month | β | Email Marketing |
| ConvertKit | Free / $15/month | β | Email Marketing |
| Klaviyo | Free up to 250 contacts | β | Email Marketing |
| ActiveCampaign | $29/month | β | Email Marketing |