Home / Writing and digital / Substack
How much does Substack really take?
Substack takes 10% of paid subscriptions, and Stripe adds about 2.9% + $0.30 per payment. Free newsletters pay nothing and cost nothing.
Substack lets you run a newsletter and charge readers. There is no monthly fee: it takes a share when you earn. The 30-cent card fee means cheap plans lose the highest share.
What do you need for Substack?
- A subject readers will pay forA clear topic beats general writing.
- A free list firstReaders can try you before they pay.
- A schedule you can keepSubscribers expect regular posts.
What comes off each payment
| Fee | Amount | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Substack | 10% | Of paid subscriptions |
| Stripe | About 2.9% + $0.30 | Per payment |
| Free newsletter | $0 | No fee on free posts |
On an $8 monthly plan: $0.80 to Substack and about $0.53 to Stripe, so you keep about $6.67, or 83%. That is our sum.
What it adds up to
| Paid subscribers at $8 a month | They pay | You keep, about $6.67 each |
|---|---|---|
| 50 subscribers | $400.00 | $333.50 |
| 200 subscribers | $1,600.00 | $1,334.00 |
| 1,000 subscribers | $8,000.00 | $6,670.00 |
After Substack’s 10% and Stripe’s fee. Our sums on the numbers above: an example, not a promise.
When does Substack pay you?
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Paid out at | Through Stripe, on its payout schedule |
| First money | Stripe says usually 7 to 14 days after your first payment |
What is the catch with Substack?
- Substack’s own pages could not be read when we checked, so this rests on independent sources.
- The 10% does not fall as you grow.
- Some sources add a 0.7% recurring billing fee.
How to start with Substack
- Start freeBuild readers first.
- Pick a price above $5The flat fee hurts less.
- Compare flat-fee toolsThey can be cheaper once you grow.
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Sources
- Eden: Substack fees explained 2026, checked 5 Nov 2026
- SchoolMaker: Substack pricing 2026, checked 5 Nov 2026
- WriteStack: how Substack payouts work, checked 5 Nov 2026
- Stripe: receive payouts, checked 5 Nov 2026