By AppHub Editorial Team · Updated August 3, 2026
Substack
Overview
News & Magazines
Substack Inc.
Free
Oct 3, 2022
2.98.0
7.0
No
May 8, 2026
Features
Substack is a new media app that connects you with the creators, ideas, and communities you care about most.
+ Support the creators you love: Subscribe for free or upgrade to view original work and connect directly with your favorite writers, artists, and podcasters.
+ Enjoy ad-free videos and podcasts: Access short-form clips, video episodes, and read-aloud articles without interruptions.
+ Connect in real time: Join livestreams and live group chats, where top creators bring their biggest s...
Substack is a new media app that connects you with the creators, ideas, and communities you care about most.+ Support the creators you love: Subscribe for free or upgrade to view original work and connect directly with your favorite writers, artists, and podcasters.+ Enjoy ad-free videos and podcasts: Access short-form clips, video episodes, and read-aloud articles without interruptions.+ Connect in real time: Join livestreams and live group chats, where top creators bring their biggest supporters into their world. + Explore independent ideas: Discover bold opinions and engaging views across food, sports, politics, fashion, comedy, finance, and more. How it works:1. Download the Substack app.
Download Substack
Get the official app from the trusted app stores. You will be redirected to the download page.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more
Ratings breakdown
245,000 reviewsDeveloper contact
Name
SUBSTACK INC.
Address
731 Sansome St FL 5 San Francisco, CA 94111-1723 United States
Website
http://substack.com/Phone
+1 585-620-2234
Support
support@substackinc.com
Privacy
View policyFrequently Asked Questions
Is Substack free to use? high
Yes, Substack is a free app. You can download and use it to follow creators and read posts without any cost. Some creators may offer paid subscriptions to access exclusive content, but the app itself has no purchase requirements.
Source: app_metadata
Does Substack have ads? high
No, Substack is ad-free. The app's description highlights ad-free videos and podcasts, and its metadata confirms it contains no ads.
Source: app_metadata, app_description
Can I subscribe to newsletters directly in the app? high
Yes, the app allows you to subscribe to your favorite creators for free or upgrade to paid subscriptions. The app describes features like supporting creators, accessing original work, and connecting with writers and podcasters.
Source: app_description
Does Substack have issues with notifications or email clutter? low
Some users have reported that the app sends notifications or emails for each individual subscription, which can be overwhelming. This appears in user reviews as a potential drawback for those who prefer minimal notifications.
Source: user_reviews
Can I live stream or host group chats in Substack? high
Yes, Substack supports livestreams and live group chats where creators can connect with their community in real time. This is described as a core feature of the app.
Source: app_description
How to Use
Substack is a media app that connects you with creators, ideas, and communities through ad-free content, subscriptions, livestreams, and group chats. (app_description)
Getting Started
Source: app_description
- 1. Download the Substack app from Google Play.
- 2. Create an account and claim your unique handle.
- 3. Explore the feed to discover notes, videos, and clips from various creators.
- 4. Subscribe to your favorite creators for free or upgrade to paid subscriptions for exclusive access.
- 5. Tune into livestreams and join private group chats to engage with creators and community.
Key Features (from app listing)
Source: app_description
- Support creators with free or paid subscriptions to access original work and connect directly.
- Enjoy ad-free videos and podcasts, including short-form clips, video episodes, and read-aloud articles.
- Connect in real time with livestreams and live group chats hosted by creators.
- Explore independent ideas across food, sports, politics, fashion, comedy, finance, and more.
Derived from user complaints in recent reviews about unreliable activity updates, unread post bugs, feed repetition, and notification overload. The tip suggests workarounds responsive to these verified complaints.
How this content was created
Content type: pattern_analysis_of_user_reviews_and_metadata
AI generated: Yes
- Google Play user reviews (5 per app), September 13, 2024 to May 09, 2026
- Google Play ratings distribution
- App Store listing metadata
- Review samples are not statistically representative of all user sentiment.
- Only recent reviews were available; no balanced sample with high-engagement or mixed reviews.
- Claims labeled 'medium' are based on 2 reviews in the same bucket.
- Claims labeled 'low' are based on a single-review observation.
- No real-world app testing was conducted.
- Feature availability may vary by region, device, and app version.
Pros & Cons
Based on analysis of Google Play user reviews
Pros
- Users appreciate the app: "Does most of what I need, but doesn't always work as intended. For example, when I send out a test version of a newslett" high
Extracted from 2 high-rated user review(s)
Evidence (2)
“Does most of what I need, but doesn't always work as intended. For example, when I send out a test version of a newsletter, I get a notification via the app saying I can read it there. This function h”Rating: 4★ September 05, 2025 586 likes“Man, this app really does it for me. I love the articles, the short posts, the longer thought pieces, the memes are fresh and off the press, the opinions are loud and educated, and the timing is just ”Rating: 5★ May 09, 2026 2 likes - Claim your handle. medium
Extracted from app description
- Explore the feed to enjoy notes, videos, and clips from creators. medium
Extracted from app description
- Subscribe to your favorites for free, tune into their livestreams and join private group chats. medium
Extracted from app description
Cons
- Some users report issues: "Not worth the trouble. Since this app was first introduced, it's gone from bad to worse. It doesn't update activity reliable, and posts I've already r" low
Identified from 3 low-rated user review(s)
Evidence (3)
“Not worth the trouble. Since this app was first introduced, it's gone from bad to worse. It doesn't update activity reliable, and posts I've already read remain as unread for days. As often as not, th”Rating: 1★ September 13, 2024 504 likes“There are many functionality issues with this app from crashes to drafts not syncing between it and the PC as well as very few features. However, not even being able to log in or get the app to send a”Rating: 2★ December 03, 2024 363 likes“This is set up to send either emails or push notifications for each individual sub you subscribe to. I don't want either of those. I cannot stand being inundated by notifications, and I have plenty el”Rating: 1★ May 07, 2026 1 likes
Recent Reviews
LC Sharkey
1★Not worth the trouble. Since this app was first introduced, it's gone from bad to worse. It doesn't update activity reliable, and posts I've already read remain as unread for days. As often as not, the list of Notes cycles through the same 4 or 5 notes repeatedly, instead of continuing down the list. It regularly recommends new writers to me that write on subjects that are practically the antithesis of the stuff I tend to read, and it's not possible to edit a comment like you can in the browser.
Alexis Chateau
4★Does most of what I need, but doesn't always work as intended. For example, when I send out a test version of a newsletter, I get a notification via the app saying I can read it there. This function has never worked. Additionally, not being able to edit newsletters from the app is super unhelpful. Overall, both the app and the web version could be more user friendly. The taxonomy needs a lot of work. Aside from that, I like the app and the Substack platform.
Lauren
2★There are many functionality issues with this app from crashes to drafts not syncing between it and the PC as well as very few features. However, not even being able to log in or get the app to send an email to let me unlock it after it randomly logged me out takes the cake. What is even the point? If you wanted to be desktop only you should've just stayed that way.
Theo Bailey
5★Man, this app really does it for me. I love the articles, the short posts, the longer thought pieces, the memes are fresh and off the press, the opinions are loud and educated, and the timing is just right for this day and age. I can curate the things I want to see and read about, while also learning about things I never thought to read up on! Please get this app if you like learning! Its worth it!
Erin Hume
1★This is set up to send either emails or push notifications for each individual sub you subscribe to. I don't want either of those. I cannot stand being inundated by notifications, and I have plenty else cluttering my email without adding a ton more from just one app. Sad because it seems like there is some really good stuff on here, but I'll never read any of it now.