About Substack
Substack is a publishing platform for newsletters, podcasts and video shows. Writers can offer free posts and paid subscriptions from the same place.
What it does
Creators publish posts to email subscribers and to the Substack website, and they can start a paid tier for readers who want more. The platform also hosts podcasts and video shows, so one creator can publish in several formats. Readers can browse publications by topic and follow the writers they like. The homepage shows featured writing and a range of categories, from culture and technology to science and fiction.
Key features
- Publish newsletters to email subscribers
- Start paid subscriptions for readers
- Podcast and video show publishing
- Browse publications by topic
- Discovery pages for new writers and readers
Who it's for
Substack suits writers, journalists, podcasters and commentators who want to build a direct audience. It is also a place for readers who want to follow individual creators.
Pricing and good to know
Substack is free to start, so you can publish without an upfront plan. Income from paid subscriptions is shared under the platform's terms, so check the current fee structure before you set prices. Content lives on a platform you do not control, so keep a copy of your mailing list and archive.
Highlights
- Publish newsletters to email subscribers
- Start paid subscriptions for readers
- Podcast and video show publishing
- Browse publications by topic
- Discovery pages for new writers and readers
