Can I unsubscribe from Substack anytime?

Yep. You can cancel your subscription to any Substack publication at any time. You'll keep your access to the paid content until the end of the current billing cycle you've already paid for.

Can I get a refund from Substack if I forgot to cancel?

Probably not. Refunds are handled by the individual writers, not Substack, and their official policy is that payments are non-refundable. You can try contacting the writer directly, but don't count on it.

How do I know my Substack subscription is cancelled?

You should receive a confirmation email right after you cancel. You can also go back to your 'Settings' and look under 'Subscriptions'. The one you canceled should be marked as 'Canceled' or 'Expired'.

How long does it take for Substack to cancel?

The cancellation itself is instant. Your access to paid content will continue until your current subscription period runs out, but the auto-renewal is stopped immediately.

What else should I know before I cancel my Substack subscription?

Remember that you are canceling a subscription to one specific newsletter, not your entire Substack account. If you pay for multiple writers, you have to cancel each one individually. It's a bit of a chore.

How do I raise a complaint to Substack?

For any issues, especially with billing, your first step is to contact the publication's owner directly. If you get no response, you can submit a ticket to Substack's main support center, but they often act as a middleman.

How to Cancel Your Substack Subscription (2025)

How to Cancel Substack Subscription on Desktop

This is probably the easiest way to cancel. It's best to do it on a computer since the mobile app can sometimes be a bit wonky or just send you to the website anyway. I had to refresh the page once because the subscription list didn't load properly.

1 Log In to Substack

First, head over to the Substack website and log into your account. Pretty standard stuff.

2 Click Your Profile Icon

Find your little profile picture in the top-right corner of the page and give it a click. A dropdown menu will appear.

3 Go to Settings

From the menu, select Settings. This is where all your account details are hiding.

4 Find Your Subscriptions

On the Settings page, look for a link or tab that says Subscriptions. It's usually on the left-hand side. This page lists every single newsletter you're paying for.

5 Select the Subscription to Cancel

Next to the subscription you want to get rid of, click the three-dot menu (...) and then select Cancel subscription. They don't make the button big and obvious, do they?

6 Confirm the Cancellation

A confirmation pop-up will ask if you're sure. Click the final Cancel subscription button to confirm. You should get an email confirming it's done.

How to Cancel Substack Subscription on iOS

Canceling on an iPhone can be confusing. Sometimes you subscribe in the app, but it's billed through Apple. Other times, the app just uses the website's payment system. If these steps don't work, it means you need to use the website method.

1 Open iPhone Settings

If you subscribed directly through Apple, you have to cancel it there. Open the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad.

2 Tap Your Apple ID

Tap on your name at the very top to get to your Apple ID, iCloud, and other settings.

3 Select Subscriptions

Find and tap on Subscriptions. You'll see a list of all active and expired subscriptions tied to your Apple account.

4 Find the Substack Subscription

Scroll through the list to find the Substack publication you're paying for. Tap on it.

5 Tap Cancel Subscription

Tap the big red Cancel Subscription button. If you don't see it, you might have subscribed directly on their website, so you'll need to follow the Desktop steps.

How to Cancel Substack Subscription on Android

Just like with iOS, canceling on Android depends on how you paid. If you paid with your credit card on the Substack website, you have to cancel there. If you paid through Google Play, you cancel in the Play Store. It's a classic case of 'where did I even sign up for this?'

1 Open the Google Play Store

If you subscribed through the Google Play Store, this is where you need to cancel. Open the Play Store app.

2 Tap Your Profile Icon

Tap your profile icon in the top-right corner of the screen.

3 Go to Payments & subscriptions

From the menu, tap on Payments & subscriptions.

4 Select Subscriptions

Next, tap on Subscriptions. This will show you all the recurring charges you have through Google Play.

5 Find and Cancel the Subscription

Find the Substack newsletter in the list and tap on it. Then, hit Cancel subscription at the bottom and follow the prompts. It's a bit buried, but you'll find it.

Cancel Substack Subscription with email

Substack doesn't have a direct customer service phone number or live chat for billing issues. It's all handled through a support request form, which is basically email. You can submit a request at support.substack.com. Be prepared to wait a day or two for a response, and they will likely tell you to contact the publication owner first. It can feel like you're going in circles.

Before you cancel, know this. Your Substack account itself won't be deleted, you just lose access to paid posts for that specific newsletter once your billing period ends. Refunds are a huge pain. Substack leaves it up to the individual writer, so in most cases, you will not get your money back for a renewal you forgot to cancel. Some writers let you pause your subscription instead of canceling, which is a nice touch if you just need a break.

Substack Plans and Pricing 2025

Substack's pricing is unique because it's not about Substack, it's about the individual writers. Each creator sets their own price. Here’s a general breakdown of what you might see.

Plan / Tier	Typical Monthly Price	Details
Free Tier	$0	You get access to any posts the writer marks as public. A good way to sample a newsletter.
Paid Subscriber	$5 - $50+	This is the standard plan. You get full access to all posts, the complete archive, and the ability to comment and join the community discussion. The price is set entirely by the writer.
Founding Member	$100 - $1,000+ (yearly)	This is for super fans. You get all the paid perks plus whatever extras the writer decides to offer, like maybe a special thank you or exclusive content. It's more of a donation to show support.

Frequently Asked Questions about Substack

Rachel Adams

Technology & Software Editor

Rachel Adams is the Lead Tech & App writer at Pine AI, where she decodes the complexities of the digital software landscape. With over eight years of experience as a software reviewer and tech journalist, her work focuses on the security, usability, and subscription models of popular apps and SaaS platforms. Rachel's insights empower consumers to make informed decisions, avoid predatory billing, and select software that genuinely adds value.