For writers looking beyond Substack
Good writing deserves
a wider circle.
A Substack alternative where your articles stay free to read, readers can support your work, and the people who help it reach new readers can earn a share.
Free account · No card required · A public name of your choice
Publishing is open now. Paid support is enabled by Pressfolk after setup and review.
A home for your writing
Write it. Publish it.
Give people a way to pass it on.
Start with an article.
Publish from your profile under your name, a pen name, or a brand. Draft, preview, and publish when it’s ready. No real name required.
Build a readership.
Readers can follow you, like articles, and join the comments with a free account. Every publication has an RSS feed for new posts.
Let readers help it travel.
Readers can use their distributor link online or print an article with a QR code. When an eligible reader joins through that link and later pays for support, the distributor earns recurring commission.
Distributors can share any participating publication. Their credit is fixed when a new reader verifies an account, and can apply when that reader later supports other publications too. Sharing and signups alone don’t generate earnings.
Pressfolk and Substack
Choose the model
that fits your writing.
Pressfolk is for writers who want open access and reader-funded work, with paid distribution built into the model. Here’s what that means today.
| What matters | Pressfolk | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Reading your work | Every article is free. Paid subscriptions support the writer. | Writers can offer free posts, paid posts, or a mix. |
| Reaching returning readers | In-app following and RSS. Newsletter sending isn’t available yet. | Email newsletters and the Substack app. |
| Platform fee on paid support | 7%, plus distributor commission when applicable and payment processing/Billing costs. | 10%, plus payment fees. |
| Reader discovery | Discovery pages and distributor links, with at least 20% recurring commission on eligible referred support. | Recommendations, Notes, and discovery through the Substack app. |
| Starting out | Create an account and publish on your profile. Contact Pressfolk to request paid-support setup. | Create a publication; paid subscriptions are set up through Stripe. |
Substack details checked November 2, 2026: fees, free and paid posts, and subscriptions. Pressfolk is independent of Substack.
Understand the split
The whole picture,
before you start.
It’s free to publish. When paid support is enabled, Pressfolk takes 7% of collected support, excluding tax and refunds. An eligible distributor receives at least 20% when their credited reader supports your work.
You keep the remainder, with payment processing and subscription Billing costs deducted from your share. A higher distributor rate reduces that remainder.
Attribution is platform-wide: a supporter credited to a distributor can generate commission even if they find your publication later. Your own readers who have no eligible distributor credit don’t carry that commission.
Before you join
A few useful answers.
Can I start publishing today?
Yes. Create a free account (18+), choose your public name and writing address, then open your first draft. New writers publish on their profile; an individual, brand, or publication can use its own account.
Can I accept paid support right away?
Paid support requires setup and review with Pressfolk, including payout eligibility and Stripe verification. You can publish free articles first and contact us when you’re ready. Creating an account doesn’t automatically enable payments or guarantee approval.
Do I have to put anything behind a paywall?
Every article on Pressfolk is free to read. Readers choose to support your work with a monthly or yearly subscription; payment doesn’t unlock exclusive articles.
Can I send newsletters or import my Substack?
Pressfolk currently offers following and RSS for updates, with no newsletter sending or automated Substack import. You can start a new article using writing you have the right to publish.
Does Pressfolk bring me readers automatically?
There’s no guaranteed audience or income. Your writing can appear in discovery, and readers have tools to share it, but you’ll still need to find people who value what you write.
Make something worth sharing
Your first article
can start here.
Join free. Choose your public name. Open a draft.