For a Canadian newsletter side hustle, Substack is the simplest start: publishing is free at any list size, and if you turn on paid subscriptions Substack keeps 10% plus Stripe’s processing fees. beehiiv has a free plan up to 2,500 subscribers and paid plans from 49 USD a month billed yearly, and it takes 0% of paid subscription revenue. Kit is free up to 10,000 subscribers, with paid plans from 33 USD a month billed yearly, and charges 3.5% plus 30 cents on digital products and subscriptions, including card processing. Substack costs nothing until you earn; beehiiv and Kit can cost less once paid revenue is large enough to outweigh the monthly plan.
For the business side of a newsletter, see the newsletter side hustle guide, Canva vs Adobe Express, and Teachable vs Gumroad vs Payhip for selling digital products.
How do Substack, beehiiv, and Kit compare on cost?
Substack charges a share of revenue; beehiiv and Kit charge monthly plans with lower or no revenue share. All three priced in USD on October 4, 2026; conversions use the Bank of Canada daily rate of 1.4246 CAD per USD for October 2, 2026, and are approximate.
| Factor | Substack | beehiiv | Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Free at any list size (cost) | Up to 2,500 subscribers (pricing) | Up to 10,000 subscribers (pricing) |
| First paid plan | None needed | Lite: 49 USD/mo billed yearly (about $69.81 CAD) | Creator: 33 USD/mo billed yearly, 390 USD a year, priced at 1,000 subscribers |
| Next plan | None | Pro: 95 USD/mo billed yearly | Pro: 66 USD/mo billed yearly, 790 USD a year |
| Platform cut of paid subscriptions | 10% | 0% (paid subscriptions from Lite up) | 3.5% + 30¢, inclusive of card processing |
| Card processing | Stripe: 2.9% + 0.30 USD for US cards, plus 0.7% Stripe Billing on recurring payments | Stripe’s standard processing fees | Included in the 3.5% + 30¢ |
| Other notes | Optional custom domain, one-time 50 USD | Ad network and recommendations listed | 14-day trial on paid plans; Paid Recommendations fee 23.5% |
Kit’s paid plan prices rise with list size; the figures above are its quoted prices for 1,000 subscribers.
Which fees matter when you start charging readers?
Once you have paid subscribers, compare the platform cut plus card processing against the monthly plan.
- Substack: no monthly cost, but 10% of each paid subscription payment plus Stripe fees. Readers pay the price you set, and Substack does not add a fee to web payments.
- beehiiv: you need Lite or higher for paid subscriptions. beehiiv says it takes 0% of paid subscription and digital product revenue, so you pay only Stripe’s processing fees on top of the plan.
- Kit: the 3.5% plus 30 cents covers card processing, so there is no separate Stripe line.
Illustrative example
Assume 100 paid subscribers at 7 USD a month, so 700 USD a month in gross revenue, paid as 100 card payments. The price, subscriber count, and Stripe rate applying to every payment are assumptions.
- Substack: 10% × 700 = 70. Stripe: 2.9% × 700 = 20.30, plus 100 × 0.30 = 30, plus 0.7% × 700 = 4.90. Total fees 125.20 USD, keeping 574.80 USD (about $818.86 CAD).
- beehiiv Lite: plan 49. Stripe: 20.30 + 30 = 50.30 (any Stripe Billing fee is extra). Total 99.30 USD, keeping 600.70 USD (about $855.76 CAD).
- Kit Creator: plan 33. Fees: 3.5% × 700 = 24.50, plus 100 × 0.30 = 30. Total 87.50 USD, keeping 612.50 USD (about $872.57 CAD).
At lower revenue Substack’s lack of a monthly fee wins. Note that Kit’s plan price rises with list size, and this example ignores free readers.
Which newsletter platform fits a Canadian side hustle?
Choose on revenue model and list size. This is a decision rule from the published pricing, not a ranking.
| If you… | Lean toward | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Want to test an idea with no monthly cost | Substack | Free at any list size |
| Expect a large free list and sponsorship income | beehiiv | Free up to 2,500, ad network listed |
| Want email automations and product sales | Kit | Free up to 10,000; sells products and subscriptions |
| Already have hundreds of paid readers | beehiiv or Kit | Lower platform cut than 10% |
| Want your own domain on a budget | Substack | One-time 50 USD custom domain |
Design newsletter headers and social graphics in a tool such as Canva TODO-AFFILIATE.
What mistakes do Canadian newsletter writers make?
The common mistakes are ignoring consent rules and comparing plan prices without revenue share.
- Importing a contact list without consent. Canada’s anti-spam legislation governs commercial electronic messages; use opt-in sign-ups and include an unsubscribe link.
- Forgetting currency. All three price in USD; a USD plan costs more in CAD.
- Paying for a plan before you have readers. Every platform has a free starting point.
- Ignoring Stripe Billing. Substack’s help page lists 0.7% for recurring payments on top of card fees.
- Moving platforms without exporting. Export your subscriber list regularly.
Which tax rules apply to newsletter income in Canada?
Paid subscriptions and sponsorships are generally business income on Form T2125, converted to Canadian dollars, and platform plans and processing fees used for the business are generally deductible. Once your taxable sales pass $30,000 over four consecutive calendar quarters, you generally must register for GST/HST; see GST/HST registration. For where to keep payouts, see Wealthsimple vs a bank business account.
This is not tax or legal advice.
Which guides sit next to Substack vs beehiiv vs Kit?
This comparison sits beside newsletter startup costs, your first paid newsletter subscriber, and Teachable vs Gumroad vs Payhip. If you design your own graphics, see Canva vs Adobe Express.
If you want to write emails for businesses rather than your own list, email marketing freelancing covers CASL consent and unsubscribe rules and how to price client work.
What are the common questions?
Is Substack, beehiiv, or Kit best for a Canadian newsletter?
Substack is free to start and takes 10% of paid subscriptions. beehiiv takes 0% of paid subscriptions but needs a paid plan from 49 USD a month billed yearly. Kit is free up to 10,000 subscribers and charges 3.5% plus 30 cents on paid subscriptions. The best fit depends on list size and revenue.
How much does Substack take from paid newsletters?
Substack's help centre says it keeps 10% of subscription revenue, and Stripe charges its own processing fees, listed as 2.9% plus 0.30 USD for US cards plus 0.7% for recurring billing.
Is beehiiv free?
beehiiv's free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers. Paid subscriptions start on the Lite plan, listed at 49 USD a month billed yearly, and beehiiv says it takes 0% of paid subscription revenue.
Does Kit charge fees on paid newsletters?
Kit's pricing page lists 3.5% plus 30 cents on digital products and subscriptions, inclusive of credit card processing. Its free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers.
Do Canadian newsletter writers need to follow anti-spam rules?
Yes. Canada's anti-spam legislation applies to commercial electronic messages, so use opt-in sign-ups and include an unsubscribe option. This is not legal advice.
Which sources support this guide?
The rules, rates, and platform requirements in this guide are checked against these primary sources. Retail price ranges are labelled as ranges to verify locally, and they are not quotes.
- How much does Substack cost? — Substack
- beehiiv pricing — beehiiv
- Kit pricing — Kit
- Daily exchange rates — Bank of Canada
- Canada's anti-spam legislation — Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Form T2125, Statement of Business or Professional Activities — Canada Revenue Agency
- When to register for and start charging the GST/HST — Canada Revenue Agency