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

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

Pick Supercast if

• Fits if you run one podcast and want to charge for private episodes
• Works for podcasters who already have a Stripe account

Look elsewhere if

• Pricey if you grow: $0.59 per subscriber a month adds up on top of Stripe's fees
• Watch out: one-time payments cost 15% up to $1.50 a payment, plus Stripe fees
• Not for you if you run several shows or bundles, as those are only on the Custom plan
• Skip it if you want another processor, as the pricing page names only Stripe

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.

Supercast

• The $0.59 per subscriber a month is charged on top of Stripe's fees, which the page lists as 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction and 0.7% on recurring payments.
• One-time payments cost 15% up to a maximum of $1.50 per payment, plus Stripe processing fees.
• Multi-show support and bundle subscriptions are only on the Custom plan, which is sold through sales.
• Requires a Stripe account; the pricing page names no other payment processor.

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.

Supercast

Private subscriber feeds

Premium content is hosted by Supercast, and subscribers add a private feed to their podcast app in two taps.

Your own Stripe account

Creators connect their own Stripe account, so subscriber billing data stays with the creator and can be taken elsewhere.

Flexible subscription plans

Unlimited subscriber plans: monthly, annual and lifetime, with free trials, limited-time promotions and custom pricing.

Subscriber tools

A landing page for subscribers, built-in email, an AMA platform, analytics dashboards and feed security with alerting.

Public episode sync and video

Public episodes sync from the creator's podcast host into Supercast, and YouTube video feeds are supported.

Newsletters

A banner on the site says newsletters have arrived, for growing free and paid followers.

Substack

• Substack$0

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

Supercast

• All-in$0

  No flat fee. $0.59 a month per subscriber plus Stripe fees (2.9% + $0.30 and 0.7% on recurring payments). One-time payments: 15%, capped at $1.50.