Curated vs Substack (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Curated if

• Fits if your newsletter is a weekly set of links with notes
• Works for publishers with under 1,500 subscribers who want every feature free

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want a card-free start, as a card is added before the first send
• Pricey if you grow, with $189 at 15,000 and $399 at 50,000 subscribers
• Too light for automation or ordinary marketing email, since it's built for editorial issues
• Watch out: above 50,000 subscribers there is no published price, and invoices need a $1,000 minimum

Pick Substack if

• Fits if you want to start writing for free and let readers find you in the network
• Works for writers who plan to charge, as no monthly fee applies

Look elsewhere if

• Watch out: Substack keeps 10% of paid-subscription revenue, on top of card fees
• Skip it if you want drip sequences or segmentation, which the pages read do not describe
• Not for you if you want a custom site or heavy design control
• Watch out: there are no paid plans, so features and limits are the same for every publication
• Skip it if you want a desktop app, as only web and phone apps are listed

Curated

• Price is set by subscriber count across all publications, and the page lists a $399 a month tier at up to 50,000 subscribers.
• Above 50,000 subscribers there is no published price; you contact the vendor.
• Monthly email quota is 31 times the plan's subscriber limit.
• Paying by invoice requires a minimum commitment of $1,000.

Substack

• Substack keeps 10% of paid-subscription revenue, and credit card processing fees come out of the writer's share as well.
• There are no paid plans or add-on tiers listed, so features and limits are the same for every publication.
• It is a publishing platform rather than a marketing-automation tool; the pages read do not describe drip sequences or list segmentation workflows.

Curated

Link collection

Save links with a bookmarklet or by emailing them to a private address, with team members able to contribute.

Issue assembly

Import saved links into the next scheduled issue and add an intro, summaries and commentary.

Web archive

An optional publication site with searchable back issues, usable on your own domain at no extra fee.

Sponsorships

Handles sponsorship inquiries and a bookings calendar for the publication.

Paid subscriptions

Paid newsletters through a connected Stripe account; Curated says it takes 0% commission.

Analytics

Subscriber-level stats and per-issue reports on who read what and which links were clicked.

Substack

Paid subscriptions

Writers choose which posts are free and which are for paid subscribers only, and Substack handles the sign-up and payment side.

Newsletter, podcast and video

A publication can carry written posts, podcasts and video shows, with live video available for creators who want it.

Built-in reader network

Substack publishes a reader app and a discovery network, and says more than half of new subscribers arrive through that network.

Subscriber chats and community

The app includes discussions and chats hosted by writers, so subscribers can talk with the writer and each other.

Own your list

Substack states that writers own their content and their subscriber list, and that the platform is free to leave.

Curated

• Free$0

  per month for up to 1,500 subscribers

  All features included. You add a card before sending your first issue but are not charged while at or under 1,500 subscribers.

• Up to 2,500 subscribers$39

  per month for up to 2,500 subscribers, billed monthly

  Price rises with the list: $69 up to 5,000, $129 up to 10,000 subscribers, and $189 up to 15,000.

• Up to 25,000 subscribers$299

  per month for up to 25,000 subscribers, billed monthly

  Steps continue at $399 for 25,001 to 50,000 subscribers; above 50,000 the vendor asks you to get in touch.

Substack

• Substack$0

  Free to start with no tiers or contracts. Writers keep 90% of paid-subscription revenue, minus credit card fees.