Substack vs. Join It
A surer alternative to Substack
Substack is built for writers publishing newsletters and podcasts to paid subscribers. Join It is built for organizations collecting dues: membership types, payments, automated renewals, member emails, event registration and Wallet cards with check-in, from $29 a month. Choose Substack to publish. Choose Join It to run a membership.
Clean, modern interface
Transparent pricing
Integrates with the tools you already use
Here’s what happens when Substack users switch to Join It
Built to support your workflow, not replace it
Join It offers all the essential membership tools, without forcing you into a closed ecosystem.
Member Timeline
Track key actions across each member’s lifecycle (no CRM degree required).
Useful Integrations
Join It integrates directly with the tools associations use most, Mailchimp, Eventbrite, QuickBooks, plus thousands more through Zapier on every plan.
Custom Checkout Options
Add optional donations, create flexible membership types, and set up one‑time or recurring payments.
Quick, Easy Setup
Get started in minutes. Everything’s self-serve, with fast support if you need help.
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Feature by feature, here’s how it compares
From integrations to support to how pricing actually works, see what sets Join It apart.
Join It
Transparent pricing
Join It
Alternative
Digital membership cards
Join It
Alternative
Member activity timeline
Join It
Alternative
Integrations (Mailchimp, Stripe)
Join It
Alternative
Automated renewal emails
Join It
Alternative
Custom fields on member profiles
Join It
Alternative
Flexible membership management
Join It
Alternative
No hidden transaction fees
Join It
Alternative
Fast, human support
Join It
Alternative
Setup ease
Join It
Alternative
What sets Join It apart
Clear, fee-free economics
Join It
Know your cost upfront—no surprise deductions.
Substack
You lose 10% plus payment processing every time someone pays.
Membership-focused capability
Join It
Built for organisations—with cards, timelines, and tools.
Substack
Designed for solo creators.
Real integrations, real flexibility
Join It
Works with the tools you already use—immediately.
Substack
Locked into its own ecosystem with limited external connectors.
How Substack & Join It are alike
Both make publishing and subscriptions easy to set up.
Both make publishing and subscriptions easy to set up.
Both handle recurring payments and content delivery.
Both handle recurring payments and content delivery.
Both offer a clean, low-friction user interface.
Both offer a clean, low-friction user interface.
Join It vs Substrack pricing
Join It
Starting at
$29
/mo
Transparent, per‑active‑member pricing
No transaction fees
Includes digital membership cards, key integrations
30‑day free trial, no card required
Starting for
Free
/mo
/yr
Publishing is free; monetization incurs 10% platform fee + Stripe processing fees (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction + 0.7% recurring fee)
Optimized for solo creators and writers
Limited flexibility and membership features compared to other platforms
What is the best Substack alternative if my membership is more than a paid newsletter?
Join It is a strong Substack alternative for organizations that need to manage members, dues, renewals, events, benefits, and records rather than only paid newsletter subscriptions.
How does Join It compare to Substack for organizations that communicate by email but need more than a newsletter?
Substack is centered on publishing and subscriptions, while Join It is centered on operating a membership program.
Can I migrate from Substack to Join It?
Yes. Organizations can move from Substack to Join It by exporting subscriber data and importing the member records they want to manage in Join It, with bulk import included for free on every Join It plan.
Real people. Exceptional support.
Clubs, associations and nonprofits in 40+ countries run their membership on Join It — and tell us about it in public.
“We have tripled our membership since using Join It. All our records are in one place, while automated emails, renewals, payments and receipts save us so much time.”
“I now know of only 2 membership management companies — Join It and others. I'm normally reserved on reviews but this one deserves more than my normal polite comments. Exceptional experience.”
“Join It has rescued us from WildApricot. This company understands the modern world. They integrate with the best technologies. And they excel in service, knowing that's the best way to serve their bottom line.”
Try Join It and see the difference
No pressure. No credit card. Just modern membership software that works the way you do.
Substack vs Join It: how to choose
The short answer: Substack suits writers and creators publishing newsletters, podcasts and video to subscribers: as of October 2026, publishing is free and Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue. Join It suits clubs, associations and nonprofits that need member records, renewals and dues payments, with plans from $29 a month, month to month, and a 30-day free trial with no credit card.
What is Substack built for?
Substack is a publishing platform and reader app for writers, journalists, podcasters and video creators. Publishers send newsletters, podcasts and video, run livestreams, Chat and Notes, and find readers through Substack's network and recommendations.
Readers can buy monthly, annual or higher-priced "founding member" plans, and publishers can offer group subscriptions. Substack hosts each publication's site, and Substack's subscriber dashboard shows segments, tags, activity and revenue, with CSV export.
How much does Substack cost?
As of October 2026, publishing on Substack is free and Substack takes a 10% platform fee on paid subscriptions. Stripe adds 2.9% + $0.30 per payment on US cards plus a 0.7% recurring billing fee, and a custom domain costs a one-time $50.
Join It publishes all of its pricing. Plans start at $29 a month on Starter (3% platform fee). Total, at $99 a month (2%), adds digital membership cards, member check-in, a member directory and API access. The Join It Extra plan, is $199 a month (1.5%), and adds custom domains and a dedicated account manager. Plans are month to month, Stripe's processing fees apply, and there are no setup fees. Annual billing saves 10%, and nonprofits get an additional 10% off. See full pricing.
Join It's platform fee of 1.5% to 3% is lower than Substack's 10% on every plan, and Join It includes renewals by membership type, member records, Wallet cards and check-in (Total and above), and accounting and CRM integrations.
When is Join It the better choice?
Join It is the better choice when you're running a membership organization rather than a publication. Join It is usually the better fit if:
- You need membership types and renewals. Join It manages membership types, member records, recurring billing and renewal reminders, and works with the website you already have. If you don't have one, the Join It member portal gives members a simple online home where you can list upcoming events and offer a searchable member directory (Total plan and above), without building a whole site.
- Your treasurer needs accounting and CRM connections. Substack's help pages show no Zapier, QuickBooks or CRM integration. Join It integrates directly with the tools clubs and associations use most, such as QuickBooks, HubSpot, Salesforce, Mailchimp and Eventbrite, plus thousands more through Zapier on every plan.
- You want members to carry their membership on their phone. On Join It's Total plan and above, members get digital membership cards in Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, staff can check members in, and members can appear in a member directory.
When Substack may be the better fit
Substack may be a better fit than Join It if:
- Your main product is a newsletter, podcast or publication. Join It has no publishing tools.
- You want readers to find you. Substack's network, recommendations and reader app help publications grow.
- You want to start for free. Substack charges nothing until you earn from paid subscriptions.
How do I move from Substack to Join It?
Join It's team can import your subscribers as members on any plan, even during the free trial, and bulk import is free. Substack exports subscribers as a CSV file. Subscriptions in your organization's own Stripe account can be imported without card re-entry; other members set up card payments with Stripe when they next renew.
Questions to ask before you choose
- Is your main product a publication, or membership of your organization?
- Do you collect more or less than about $5,000 a year in dues?
- Do you need membership types, renewal reminders, member cards or check-in?
- Do you rely on Substack's network to find new readers?
Join It is trusted by more than 4,000 membership organizations in 40 countries and has processed over $100 million in membership payments since 2016.
Comparing other options? See all Join It alternatives and comparisons.
Last reviewed: October 6, 2026. Substack pricing and product details are taken from substack.com and may change. Check their current pricing before making a decision.
