How to Cancel Substack (2026 guide)
Cancelling Substack subscriptions can be tricky since each newsletter operates independently. The process depends on whether you subscribed directly through Substack or via app stores. This guide covers all cancellation methods including individual newsletter management.
News
Media
Consumer
Cancellation Summary
Cancel Online
Yes
Main Cancel methods
Website
Mobile App
App Store
Time to Cancel
2-5 mins
Per newsletter subscription
Where to Cancel
Account Settings
Individual newsletter pages
Substack operates on a per-newsletter subscription model, meaning you subscribe to individual writers rather than Substack itself. Each paid newsletter is a separate subscription that must be cancelled individually. This can make managing multiple subscriptions complex.
Cancel Substack: Step-by-Step Instructions
These steps work for most Substack newsletter subscriptions. Remember that each newsletter is a separate subscription that needs individual cancellation.
01
Log in to your Substack account
Go to substack.com and sign in using your email address and password. Make sure you're using the same account you used to subscribe to newsletters.
02
Access your account settings
Click on your profile picture in the top right corner, then select Settings from the dropdown menu to access your account management page.
03
Go to subscriptions section
In your settings, click on Subscriptions in the left sidebar. This will show you all the newsletters you're currently subscribed to, both free and paid.
04
Cancel individual newsletters
Find the newsletter you want to cancel and click Unsubscribe or Cancel subscription. For paid subscriptions, confirm your cancellation when prompted.
05
Verify cancellation confirmation
You should receive an email confirmation from both Substack and the individual newsletter confirming your cancellation. Access continues until your billing period ends.
Substack-specific things to know
Substack's newsletter-based model creates some unique situations. These tips help you manage your subscriptions effectively.
Before you cancel, keep this in mind
These points can help you avoid issues with your Substack newsletter cancellations.
Alternative ways to cancel Substack
Depending on how you subscribed to newsletters, you may need to cancel through one of these platforms instead of directly through Substack.
Other options to consider
If you're cancelling because of cost or content overload, these alternatives might work better than cancelling completely.
Common Substack Cancellation Questions
Quick answers to frequently asked questions about cancelling Substack newsletters.
Will I get a refund if I cancel my Substack newsletter?
Can I cancel Substack newsletters online?
What happens after I cancel a Substack newsletter?
Why can't I find the cancel button for my newsletter?
Does deleting the Substack app cancel my subscriptions?
Can I cancel Substack newsletters from my phone?
How do I know if my Substack newsletter is fully cancelled?
Cancel Similar News Subscriptions
Step-by-step guides for other newsletter and news services.
How to Cancel Medium
Cancel your Medium membership and manage your subscription settings.
How to Cancel New York Times
End your NYT digital subscription and stop automatic renewals.
About Substack
Substack is a newsletter and podcast platform that allows writers to publish content and monetize their audience through paid subscriptions. Readers can subscribe to individual newsletters for free or paid content, with writers setting their own subscription prices and publishing schedules.
Why people cancel Substack
Too many newsletter subscriptions piling up
Not reading newsletters regularly anymore
Found free alternatives or sources
Writer changed content quality or focus
Monthly costs adding up across newsletters
The average person wastes $273/month on forgotten subscriptions
That's over $3,000 a year. We're building something to fix that.