As a writer who’s spent years building newsletters, I hit a wall when Substack’s Stripe-only payments locked out readers in countries like Ethiopia and India—places where my audience was growing fastest. Frustrated, I tested over a dozen platforms to find alternatives that blend simplicity, global accessibility, and monetization flexibility. Here are the 7 best Substack alternatives I now recommend, including tools like Beehiiv and Kit (formerly ConvertKit) that solved my payment headaches.
1. Beehiiv
Best For: Scaling paid newsletters without Stripe dependency.
I switched to Beehiiv after a fellow creator in Addis Ababa informed me about it. Unlike Substack, Beehiiv lets you use local payment gateways (think PayPal, bank transfers, or even crypto) alongside Stripe. Their “Boost” ad network also lets you earn extra revenue from free subscribers—a game-changer for countries where credit cards are rare.
Pros:
- Built-in analytics and referral programs.
- Seamless migration from Substack.
- Customizable checkout for global audiences.
Cons:
- Learning curve for advanced features.
Pricing: Free tier available; paid plans start at $49/month.
2. Kit (Formerly ConvertKit)
Best For: Creators who want to sell digital products and newsletters.
Kit (rebranded from ConvertKit’s commerce tools) became my go-to for bundling newsletters with e-books and courses. While ConvertKit’s main platform uses Stripe, Kit allows direct sales via PayPal or manual payments—key for subscribers in India or Ethiopia.
Pros:
- Sell memberships, downloads, or courses in one place.
- No transaction fees if you handle payments offline.
- Stunning email templates.
Cons:
- Requires manual setup for non-Stripe payments.
Pricing: Free for up to 300 subscribers; paid plans from $29/month.
3. Ghost: Open-Source Freedom
Best For: Tech-savvy writers looking for full control.
I self-hosted Ghost to bypass payment gateways entirely. You can integrate Razorpay or CBE Birr (Ethiopia’s mobile money service) via plugins. The catch? You’ll need basic coding skills or a developer.
Pros:
- Keep 100% of your revenue.
- Clean, minimalist writing experience.
- Membership tiers and one-time payments.
Cons:
- Hosting costs add up.
Pricing: $9/month (hosted) or self-host for ~$5/month.
4. Buttondown
Best For: Writers who prioritize ease over bells and whistles.
Buttondown’s founder, Justin Duke, built it specifically for writers tired of overcomplicated tools. While it uses Stripe by default, they allow manual PayPal invoicing for subscribers in restricted regions. I used this for a small cohort in Ethiopia—clunky but effective.
Pros:
- Cheapest paid option ($9/month).
- Markdown-friendly editor.
- Lightweight and fast.
Cons:
- Limited design customization.
Pricing: Free up to 1,000 subscribers; paid from $9/month.
5. Patreon: Built for Community
Best For: Creators with loyal, engaged audiences.
Though not a traditional newsletter tool, Patreon let me offer exclusive posts + Discord access. They support PayPal and direct bank transfers, making it work for country where stripe is unauthorized.
Pros:
- Tiered memberships (great for superfans).
- Integrates with email tools like Mailchimp.
Cons:
- High fees (8–12% + payment processing).
Pricing: Free to start; fees apply per transaction.
6. MailerLite: Affordable All-Rounder
Best For: Budget-conscious writers needing payment flexibility.
MailerLite’s “Website Builder” includes a newsletter monetization feature. While Stripe is standard, their team helped me set up manual payments via Wise for subscribers without international cards.
Pros:
- Free up to 1,000 subscribers.
- Drag-and-drop landing pages.
Cons:
- Fewer analytics than Beehiiv.
Pricing: Free tier; paid plans from $10/month.
7. Medium
Best For: Writers who prioritize reach over ownership.
Medium’s Partner Program pays based on reading time, which worked for my Indian audience. While you can’t collect emails or process payments directly, it’s a solid backup for exposure.
Pros:
- Zero setup; instant audience access.
- Pays via PayPal (available in most countries).
Cons:
- You don’t own your subscriber list.
Pricing: Free to publish; earnings split 50/50.
What Worked for My Global Audience
- My Picks: Beehiiv (for customization) and Kit (for digital sales).
- Budget Choice: Buttondown or MailerLite.
- Community Focus: Patreon.
Pro Tip: Always offer a “manual payment” option (e.g., bank transfer or mobile money) if your platform restricts gateways. I added a Google Form for offline payments, which 15% of my subscribers used!
