Cancel Substack the easy way

Overview

Substack is a platform that lets independent writers and creators publish newsletters and charge subscribers directly. Creators set prices for monthly, annual or founding-member plans; readers subscribe per publication.

How the service works for readers

Readers choose free or paid subscriptions to individual publications. Paid subscriptions are billed by the creator via Stripe or in-app purchases for iOS. Substack takes a 10% platform fee; Stripe applies payment processing fees.

Company facts

More official details on how payments work are available at Substack payments and on regional pricing at localized pricing.

Web - step-by-step

1. Go to www.substack.com/settings and sign in to your account.
2. Open the Subscriptions section and click the paid publication you want to cancel.
3. Scroll to Account actions and click the link next to "To cancel your paid subscription, click here."
4. On the next page choose "Cancel Subscription."
5. You will see a confirmation and remain a paid subscriber until the end of the billing period; if you are on a 7-day trial it ends immediately.

iOS - step-by-step

1. If you subscribed through the Substack iOS app, open Settings on your iPhone and tap your Apple ID > Subscriptions.
2. Find the Substack subscription and tap Cancel Subscription on Apple.
3. If you subscribed via Substack but paid through Apple in-app purchase, Apple handles billing and refunds; Substack can advise but cannot directly cancel an App Store charge.

Android / Google Play

1. Substack documentation does not publish specific Google Play steps. If the payment was processed through Google Play manage subscriptions in your Google Play account.
2. If uncertain, contact the creator and [email protected] for guidance.

Phone, Email, Post

1. Phone cancellation is not published by Substack.
2. To request account support email [email protected]. Expect a reply within 1-3 business days.
3. To send a registered letter use Substack, 111 Sutter St, 94104 San Francisco, USA. Keep a postal receipt as proof.

Official cancellation instructions are documented by Substack at How do I cancel my paid subscription.

Moving abroad / change of residence

Rule: Substack does not publish a special rule for moving. If your payment method or local currency changes, update payment details in account settings or cancel and resubscribe at the new local price. Required proof: No proof published by Substack. Applicable law: none specific to Substack published.

Price increase by the publisher

Rule: Creators set prices; if a publisher increases price you can cancel at any time using the account settings. Required proof: save the newsletter notice or email announcing the change as evidence. Applicable law: Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) renewal rights and cooling-off provisions.

Death of subscriber

Rule: Substack does not publish a specific death-of-subscriber policy. Required proof: a death certificate or executor correspondence may be needed when contacting support at [email protected]. Applicable law: none specific published by Substack.

Legitimate grounds and inactivity

Rule: Substack will issue refunds if a publication is dormant - inactive for 6 months for yearly subscribers or 1 month for monthly subscribers. Required proof: payment details and account identifier. Applicable law: Substack refund policy and platform discretion; see Substack refund policy.

End of commitment and cooling-off

Rule: If you entered a subscription online you have a 14-day initial cooling-off period under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 for most contracts; the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) introduces a 14-day renewal cooling-off period after trials or 12-month+ auto-renewals. Required proof: payment receipt and cancellation timestamp. Applicable law: Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013; Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024, Section 254 and Section 261.

Before you cancel: negotiate

Substack itself does not publish a standard retention offer program. Retention actions are handled by individual publishers. To request a discount contact the publication author directly via their Substack profile or reply to their newsletter. Suggested message: state your account email, request a reduced monthly or annual price, or ask for a pro-rated refund. If you paid via Apple ask Apple for a refund through Apple support.

What cancelling saves you - yearly math

Example calculations using common example prices published in Substack research:

• Plan A: £5 per month. Yearly cost: 5 x 12 = £60 per year.
• Plan B: £10 per month. Yearly cost: 10 x 12 = £120 per year.
• Plan C: £50 per year. Yearly cost: £50 per year.

Platform fees for creators reduce creator take but do not change the billed amount to readers. Creator net for a £5 monthly example after Substack 10% and Stripe 2.9% + £0.30: £5 - 10% - (2.9% of £5 + £0.30) = £4.05 net to creator as published in Substack fee examples.

Cheapest real alternative from competitors

Among listed alternatives, the cheapest recurring cost is Oops a Daisy UK at £12.00 per quarter equivalent monthly cost is £4.00 if billed quarterly, but published price is £12.00 monthly for their journaling box. For clear year-to-year comparison:

• Substack example: £5 x 12 = £60 per year.
• Happily Ever After: £14.99 x 12 = £179.88 per year.
• The Willoughby Book Club: £49.00 per year.
• Oops a Daisy UK: £12.00 x 12 = £144 per year.

Cheapest published competitor annual cost here is The Willoughby Book Club at £49.00 per year.

Key UK consumer law

The main protections for UK consumers are the Consumer Rights Act 2015 and the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013. The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 (DMCCA) introduces new subscription-specific rules including renewal cooling-off rights. Relevant DMCCA sections include Section 254 and Section 261 regarding cooling-off rights and renewal obligations.

Cooling-off and refunds

You have a 14-day initial cooling-off period for most online contracts under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013, with a refund right unless digital content download started with consent. DMCCA adds a 14-day renewal cooling-off period after trials or 12-month+ auto-renewals. Substack's published refund policy allows publishers to issue refunds within 7 days and Substack will refund in certain dormant or processing-error situations; otherwise refunds are at publisher discretion. See the official refund policy at Substack refund policy.

How to escalate a dispute

Step 1: Complain to the publisher and Substack support at [email protected]. Step 2: For unresolved consumer contract issues seek Citizens Advice and pursue chargeback or Section 75 with your card issuer where eligible. Step 3: Report unfair practices to the Competition and Markets Authority if auto-renewal or cancellation is hard to follow. Relevant government guidance on the subscription contracts regime is published in the government response to implementation consultation.

Access and notifications

After cancellation you remain a paid subscriber until the end of the paid-for period. If you cancelled during a 7-day trial the trial ends immediately. To stop future notifications also unfollow the publication or turn off notifications inside your account settings.

Data and account re-activation

Content and account data remain with your Substack account. You can re-activate by subscribing again to the publication. If you need a copy of your data contact [email protected] for support.

Final billing and refunds

Final charges stop after the paid period. Refunds are processed by the publisher or, where applicable, by Apple or Stripe. Substack may refund for dormant publications or duplicate charges; refunds can take up to 10 business days to appear on your statement as stated in Substack guidance.

Use this checklist immediately when cancelling Substack.

• 1) Log in and cancel in Account Settings (web) and save the on-screen confirmation.
• 2) If you used Apple, cancel via Apple ID > Subscriptions and request refunds from Apple if eligible.
• 3) Save receipts and the subscription confirmation email as proof of cancellation and payment.
• 4) If you want a paper trail send a registered letter to Substack, 111 Sutter St, 94104 San Francisco, USA and keep the postal receipt.
• 5) If you expect a refund, contact the publisher first and then Substack support at [email protected]; allow up to 10 business days for refunds to appear.
• 6) If you are within cooling-off rights under DMCCA or Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 cite the relevant law when requesting a refund or end of contract notice.