Newsletter platforms enable writers to build audiences and monetize content. We analyzed the terms of service from leading platforms to help creators understand content rights and revenue policies.
Newsletter platforms provide email distribution, subscriber management, and monetization tools for writers and content creators. These services control your relationship with subscribers and often take a percentage of paid subscription revenue. Their terms of service govern content ownership, subscriber data access, payment processing, and what happens to your audience if you migrate to another platform.
| Platform | Score | Grade | Revenue Share | List Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revue Best in Category | 65 | B- | Discontinued | Export only |
| Buttondown | 58 | C+ | 0% (paid plans) | Full export |
| Ghost | 52 | C | 0% | Full export |
| Substack Lowest in Category | 45 | C- | 10% | Limited |
Twitter-owned platform discontinued in 2023. Score reflects terms at shutdown - export your data if you haven't already.
Read Full Review →Indie-friendly newsletter platform with straightforward terms and full subscriber portability. No revenue share on paid plans.
Read Full Review →Open-source publishing platform with strong content ownership. Self-hosting option available for maximum control.
Read Full Review →Popular platform with built-in network effects but 10% revenue share and complex subscriber data terms.
Read Full Review →Our analysis evaluates terms of service based on content ownership, subscriber list portability, revenue sharing terms, payment processing, and content moderation policies. Newsletter platforms receive particular scrutiny for what control you have over your subscriber relationships.