Substack paid subscription: how to cancel (October 2026)
In the US (as of 2026-10-18), each Substack publication sets its own price - there is no single Substack-wide reader fee (Substack Help: How much does Substack cost?). Cancel in substack.com/settings → select the publication → cancel paid subscription (Substack Help: cancel).
Subscriptions auto-renew until cancelled. You keep paid access through the paid period; Substack does not refund cancellations. iOS purchases may need App Store cancel. Uninstalling the app does not cancel.
Cancel each paid publication separately if you subscribe to more than one.
Who bills you
| Who bills you | Where to cancel | Official help |
|---|---|---|
| Substack web settings | substack.com/settings → publication → cancel paid subscription | Substack Help: cancel |
| Apple (iOS IAP) | Settings → Subscriptions → Substack publication → Cancel | Apple |
Current prices
| Plan | Price (US) | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Reader paid subscription | Set by each writer | Confirm on the publication subscribe page |
| iOS in-app price | May be higher than web | Apple fee can apply |
| Free email subscription | $0 | Different from paid - unsubscribe via email footer |
How to cancel a Substack paid subscription
On Substack settings
- Sign in at substack.com.
- Open Settings (substack.com/settings).
- Select the publication → cancel your paid subscription and confirm.
If Apple bills you
- Open Settings on your iPhone or iPad and tap your name at the top.
- Tap Subscriptions.
- Tap Substack.
- Tap Cancel Subscription (or Cancel Free Trial), then confirm.
How to confirm it worked
You're done when:
- Settings shows the publication as free / not renewing.
- No new charge from that publication posts after the paid period.
Source: Substack Help: cancel paid subscription.
Common problems
- Only unsubscribed from emails. Paid billing can continue.
- Cancelled one publication but not others. Each paid sub is separate.
- Cancelled on the web when Apple billed you. Use Apple Subscriptions.
- Expected a refund for unused days. Substack states cancellations are not refunded.
What we checked
Verified on official Substack Help (October 18, 2026): cancel steps on cancel article; pricing model on How much does Substack cost?.
Reader vs writer
This guide is for readers cancelling a paid sub; creators manage Stripe/payouts separately.
Free vs paid
Free follows are not the same as paid memberships.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Substack?
Whatever each writer charges - confirm on their subscribe page.
Does deleting the app cancel paid Substacks?
No.
Will I keep posts after cancel?
Paid access continues through the paid period.
Can I get a refund?
Cancellations are generally not refunded.