🤔Why do people look for Substack alternatives?
- ⚠️Very high fees (10% + Stripe fees)
- ⚠️Very limited customization
- ⚠️Not ideal for digital products, only content
- ⚠️Platform dependency
What to look for in an alternative
💰
Transparent pricing
No hidden fees or surprises
⚡
Quick setup
How fast can you start
🛟
Good support
Quick help when you need it
#1 Recommendation
PayLinks
Simple payment links for everyone
Ideal for freelancers and small businesses who want to collect payments quickly, without complications. 30-second setup, no business registration required, no website needed.
2%
Fee
$0
Monthly fee
30s
Setup
Yes
No Business Req.
30 second setupNo business registration required - start as individualNo website or technical knowledge requiredAll payment methods: Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Revolut Pay
Other Substack Alternatives
Patreon
Creativity powered by fandom
8% - 12% + processing fees
Fee
$0
Monthly
Yes
Apple Pay
Yes
No Business
Predictable recurring revenue modelDirect community interaction with fansHigh fees (up to 12%)
Ideal for: Podcasters and video content creatorsCompare with PayLinks →
Buy Me a Coffee
Fund your creative work
5%
Fee
$0
Monthly
Yes
Apple Pay
Yes
No Business
Simple and fun for supportersCreators own 100% of supporter listTotal fees can be high (5% + processor fees)
Ideal for: Creators wanting simple donation methodCompare with PayLinks →
Ko-fi
Make money doing what you love
5% (free) or 0% (Gold)
Fee
$12/month (Gold)
Monthly
Yes
Apple Pay
Yes
No Business
0% fees with Gold planInstant payouts to creatorsLimited analytics
Ideal for: Independent creatorsCompare with PayLinks →
Gumroad
Go from 0 to $1
10% + processing fees
Fee
$0
Monthly
Yes
Apple Pay
Yes
No Business
Extremely simple to useFlexible, sell many types of digital productsVery high fees (10% + processing)
Ideal for: Individual creators selling digital productsCompare with PayLinks →
Quick Comparison
| Solution | Fee | Monthly | Setup | No Business |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayLinks | 2% | $0 | 30 seconds | ✓ |
| Substack | 10% + processing fees | $0 | Varies | ✓ |
| Patreon | 8% - 12% + processing fees | $0 | Varies | ✓ |
| Buy Me a Coffee | 5% | $0 | Varies | ✓ |
| Ko-fi | 5% (free) or 0% (Gold) | $12/month (Gold) | Varies | ✓ |
| Gumroad | 10% + processing fees | $0 | Varies | ✓ |
Which alternative is right for you?
Choose PayLinks if:
- ✅Freelancers and solopreneurs
- ✅Individuals wanting to collect online
- ✅Private tutors and teachers
- ✅Trainers and coaches
Choose Patreon if:
- ☑️Podcasters and video content creators
- ☑️Artists and musicians with loyal fanbase
- ☑️Independent journalists
Questions about Substack alternatives
It depends on your needs. PayLinks is ideal for freelancers and small businesses who want to collect payments simply, without a website. If you need advanced e-commerce integrations, consider Patreon.