TL;DR — In Brief
PayLinks: Create an account in 30 seconds, send a link, customer pays. No website, no business registration required. Substack: Better suited for writers and journalists. Larger ecosystem, but payments are not the main focus.
Detailed Comparison
| Feature | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Payment links | ✅ | ❌ |
| Recurring payments | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Revolut Pay | ✅ | ❌ |
| No business registration | ✅ | ✅ |
| No website required | ✅ | ✅ |
| Instant setup (30 sec) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Local support | ✅ | ❌ |
| Fee | 2% | 10% + processing fees |
| Monthly fee | None | None |
Competitor information is accurate as of February 2026 and is based on publicly available data. Prices and features may change. Always verify on official websites for the latest information.
Choose PayLinks if you want:
- 👉5x lower fees (2% vs 10%)
- 👉Sell any type of product or service
- 👉Not limited to newsletter format
Choose Substack if you want:
- 👉Best platform for paid newsletters
- 👉Complete publishing and distribution infrastructure
- 👉Built-in audience on platform
What is PayLinks?
PayLinks is a simple way to collect payments online, created for freelancers and entrepreneurs. Create a link in 30 seconds, send it via WhatsApp or Instagram, customer pays with card or Apple Pay, money arrives in your account. No website, no POS, no business registration required.
What is Substack?
Substack — "A new economic engine for culture". It's a fintech platform that offers payment functionality alongside other financial services.
Pricing Comparison
PayLinks
- Fee:2%
- Monthly fee:$0
- Setup:Free
Substack
- Fee:10% + processing fees
- Monthly fee:None
- Setup:Varies
Who is each better for?
PayLinks is for you if:
- ✅Freelancers and solopreneurs
- ✅Individuals wanting to collect online
- ✅Private tutors and teachers
- ✅Trainers and coaches
- ✅Photographers and videographers
Substack is for you if:
- ☑️Writers and journalists
- ☑️Podcasters
- ☑️Content creators relying on subscriptions



