Best Substack Notes Apps

250+ iOS apps curated and reviewed

4.1 avg rating
20 free apps
Updated October 2026

Substack is the household name in substack notes, but it's far from the only option. We track 250+ alternatives and competitors on iOS — many free, many higher-rated than you'd expect.

Compare top Substack Notes Apps (October 2026)

#AppPriceRatingAdsIn-App PurchasesUpdated
1SubstackSubstackFree4.9★ (564K)NoYesNov 2026
2Flipboard: The Social MagazineFlipboard: The Social MagazineFree4.7★ (329K)YesNoNov 2026
3Subbins NotesSubbins NotesFree—NoYesAug 2026
4Medium: Read & Write StoriesMedium: Read & Write StoriesFree4.8★ (158K)NoYesNov 2026
5Nested Folder Notes: CrumbNoteNested Folder Notes: CrumbNoteFree4.8★ (9)YesYesNov 2026
6Cro NotesCro NotesFree—NoNoMay 2026
7Saber: Handwritten NotesSaber: Handwritten NotesFree4.0★ (21)NoNoOct 2026
8Vault Reader: Markdown NotesVault Reader: Markdown NotesFree1.0★ (1)NoYesOct 2026

Top Picks for Substack Notes

Substack#1

Substack by Substack, Inc.

Videos, writing & podcasts
Editor's Choice
📡 News
4.9😐(564K ratings)
FreeIn-App Purchases
#3in News
Substack screenshot 1
Substack screenshot 2
Substack screenshot 3
Substack screenshot 4
Substack screenshot 5

Discover and connect with creators through videos, writing, and podcasts. Subscribe to support your favorites, enjoy ad-free content, and engage in live discussions. Explore independent ideas across various topics.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Stable and functional app
  • 🚀 Intuitive and easy to use
  • 👍 Variety of great content
  • 👍 Supports independent writers
  • 👍 Refreshing alternative to mainstream media

Room to Improve

  • 🐛 Buggy and glitchy
  • 🐛 Difficult to manage subscriptions
  • 🐛 Inconsistent user experience between app and website
  • 🔒 Privacy concerns with data collection
  • 💤 Slow performance and loading times
Flipboard: The Social Magazine#2

Flipboard: The Social Magazine by Flipboard Inc.

Stories curated by enthusiasts
Strong Contender
📡 News
4.7😐(329K ratings)
FreeAds
Flipboard: The Social Magazine screenshot 1
Flipboard: The Social Magazine screenshot 2
Flipboard: The Social Magazine screenshot 3
Flipboard: The Social Magazine screenshot 4
Flipboard: The Social Magazine screenshot 5

Access curated news and trending stories from top publishers and local sources. Personalize your feed by topic or follow creators to build your own digital magazine. Discover inspiration and share articles with a community of curators.

What We Love

  • 🚀 Great news aggregator
  • 👍 Intuitive and user-friendly interface
  • 📰 Diverse content from reliable sources
  • 🗞️ Personalized news feed
  • 💡 Useful for staying informed

Room to Improve

  • 🔍 Difficulty finding specific articles
  • 🔋 High data consumption
  • 📢 Excessive advertising
  • 🐛 Frequent crashes and bugs
  • 🤖 Irrelevant content recommendations

More Substack Notes apps to explore

FAQ about Substack Notes

What are the best substack notes apps for iPhone?
Substack tops our substack notes apps ranking as of October 2026, with a 4.9-star average from 564K App Store ratings, and it's free to download.
Yes — 20 of the top substack notes apps we rank are free to download, including Substack and Flipboard: The Social Magazine.
Substack has no ads and offers in-app purchases, according to its App Store listing as of October 2026.
We track 250+ substack notes apps on the iOS App Store as of October 2026, ranked by rating, recency, and analysis of real user reviews.