Substack is a platform where writers can publish their content and offer subscriptions, usually monthly or yearly, to their readers. If you subscribe to a writer on Substack, you pay them directly, and Substack does not charge you extra fees for the subscription. Writers can publish for free, but if they charge for subscriptions, Substack takes a 10% cut plus some payment processing fees. So if you see a charge from Substack, it's likely for a paid subscription to a writer you follow there.
Difficulty
12345
678910
Easy
Medium
Very Hard
The process to cancel a subscription on Substack involves straightforward navigation through account settings and clicking a few specific options; it does not require contacting customer service or dealing with complex procedures. This simplicity and directness make it close to the easiest on the scale, though it requires locating the right settings and confirmation clicks.
Estimated Time
On average, it takes
5 minutes
00
00
minutes to cancel a Spotify subscription.
How to Cancel Substack: Step by Step
If you purchased through Substack.com:
- Navigate to your Substack account Settings page at www.substack.com/settings.
- Under Subscriptions, click on the paid publication you want to cancel.
- Scroll to the Account actions section and click on the link next to "To cancel your paid subscription, click here".
- On the next page, select Cancel Subscription.
- After cancellation, your benefits will continue until the end of the paid period, after which it becomes a free subscription.
- To completely unsubscribe, turn off notifications for that publication.
If you purchased through Substack iOS App:
- Open the Substack app and go to your account Settings.
- Navigate to Your Subscriptions.
- Select the paid publication you want to cancel.
- Scroll to the Account Actions section.
- Tap on "To cancel your paid subscription, click here".
- Finally, tap Cancel Subscription to complete the process.
Tips & Tricks for Canceling Substack
- Pause the subscription before canceling to stretch the paid period and avoid losing time already paid for.
- Contact the publisher directly if the online cancellation system fails; some publishers can cancel using Stripe on their end.
- Cancel before the end of the billing period because cancellation takes effect only at the period end, not immediately.
- Use the Manage Subscription option from your account settings to attempt cancellation; sometimes errors or "failure" messages appear due to website issues.
- Send an email to the writer from your sign-up email address requesting removal if self-management tools don’t work.
- Check all your associated accounts and emails to ensure you’re canceling the correct subscription if you are unsure which is active.
- Cancel right after the free trial if applicable, because canceling mid-trial may cause loss of the whole trial period.
- Aim to cancel before automatic renewals to avoid being charged again; some users do this immediately after subscribing.
- If unable to cancel on the website, escalate by requesting publisher intervention or use payment processor (e.g., Stripe) dispute options.
- Keep a polite but firm tone when contacting publishers or support to improve chances of successful manual cancellation.
Substack Customer Service Info
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with Substack's support team.
Cancel Substack Script
Script
Copy
Dear Substack Support,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request the cancellation of my subscription. Unfortunately, I have found that I am unable to keep up with the content and commitments that come with it, and I believe it's best for me to cancel at this time.
Please confirm my subscription cancellation at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your understanding and for the service thus far.
Best regards,
Frequently Asked Questions
On Substack, you can cancel a paid subscription anytime through your account settings, and the subscription will remain active until the end of the billing period without further charges. If you cancel during a 7-day trial, it ends immediately. Subscribers can also pause their subscription for a chosen number of months, stopping charges temporarily.
You do need to be logged into your Substack account to cancel a subscription, which generally means you need access to your account. However, Substack uses a passwordless login system where you log in via an email link, so a traditional password may not be required. If you do have a password set or need to reset one, you can do so at this URL: https://substack.com/account/forgot. To cancel your subscription, navigate to your Substack account settings and manage your subscriptions from there.
- Subscriptions piling up leading to subscription overload.
- Wanting to spread their support elsewhere among multiple creators.
- Temporary financial constraints prompting a pause or cancellation.
- Time constraints making it difficult to keep up with reading.
- Not wanting to spend money anymore on subscriptions.
- Content moderation issues causing dissatisfaction with platform management of hate speech, extremism, and policies.
- Platform shift towards advertising and social media features, moving away from independent publishing model.
- Monetization discomfort where some writers feel uneasy charging due to limited audience size or balancing free vs paid content.
- Price increases can lead to cancellations (as inferred from general subscription behaviors).
- Subscription fatigue similar to streaming services with temporary or pragmatic cancellations.
Substack allows you to cancel your paid subscription at any time through your account settings, and your subscription will remain active until the end of the current billing period. There are no early cancellation fees or lock-in contracts, but you will continue to have subscriber benefits only until the paid period you already paid for expires. Keep in mind that deleting your Substack account is also possible anytime but will remove your posts, and some obligations, like payments owed, may survive account termination. There's no tricky gimmick to prevent cancellation, but refunds beyond 7 days are not typically offered, so if you cancel during a trial it ends immediately, otherwise you retain access through the paid period.
Before cancelling a Substack subscription, know that your paid subscriber benefits—such as access to exclusive newsletter content and any paid-only features—will continue until the end of the billing period you've paid for. If you are in a free trial, cancelling will end your trial immediately. After the subscription ends, you will lose access to premium content and revert to a free subscriber, which may limit your access to posts or features offered only to paid subscribers. Also, cancelling stops any future charges, but you will retain paid benefits through the current billing cycle.
- Access to your Substack account (login credentials, such as email and password)
- Knowledge of the paid publication you want to cancel
- Ability to navigate to the Settings page (www.substack.com/settings)
- Locating the Subscriptions section
- Ability to select and open the specific subscription you wish to cancel
- Use of the Cancel Subscription option
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from Substack. Check it out!
The Easiest Way to Cancel Substack
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from Substack—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Start reclaiming your money today with Chargeback
What Are Some Alternatives to Substack?
SUBSTACK, Substack.com, SUBSTACK*newsletter, SUBSTACK*subscription, SUBSTACK*payment
Editorial Note: These articles reflect the opinions of Chargeback's writers. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, it is important to conduct your own research and note that our self-help tools are not guaranteed to help with any specific problem.
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.svg)
.png)
