✨ Now accepting early members

Swap subscribers, grow together

SwapList connects Substack writers in the side hustle & indie hacking niche to cross-promote each other's newsletters. Fair swaps, real growth — no ads, no algorithms.

Join the Waitlist See how it works ↓

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Indie writers are already signing up

How it works

Three steps to your next 1,000 subscribers

📝STEP 01

List your newsletter

Add your Substack, your niche, and subscriber count. We verify every newsletter to keep quality high.

🤝STEP 02

Get matched

Our algorithm pairs you with newsletters in complementary niches with similar audience sizes. You approve every match.

📈STEP 03

Swap & grow

Feature each other in a dedicated edition. Unequal subscriber counts? The bigger newsletter gets compensated via Stripe.

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Fair swaps, guaranteed

When subscriber counts don't match, the bigger newsletter compensates the smaller one via Stripe payouts. Everyone wins — no matter your size.

Pricing

Simple, creator-friendly pricing

Start free with 2 swaps per month. Upgrade to Pro when you're ready to scale.

Free

$0/month

Great for getting started with newsletter swaps.

2 newsletter swaps per month
Basic niche matching
Swap request messaging
Community directory listing

Get Started Free

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Pro

$29/month

Unlimited swaps, priority matching & analytics.

Unlimited newsletter swaps
Priority matching algorithm
Swap performance analytics
Featured directory listing
Priority support

Upgrade to Pro →

⚖️ Fair swap fees: When subscriber counts don't match, the smaller writer pays $0.02 per subscriber difference. Below $1 = free equal swap. Learn more →

FAQ

Got questions?

What exactly is a newsletter swap?

A newsletter swap is when two writers agree to feature each other's newsletter in a dedicated email to their subscribers. You write a short intro recommending their newsletter, and they do the same for you. It's the most organic way to grow — your new subscribers come pre-qualified through a trusted recommendation.

How do you handle different newsletter sizes?

Great question! If you have 5,000 subscribers and you're matched with someone who has 2,000, the swap wouldn't be equal. SwapList handles this through Stripe payouts — the larger newsletter receives fair compensation for the extra exposure they provide. Everyone grows, everyone wins.

Is this only for Substack newsletters?

We're starting with Substack because the indie hacking and side hustle community is thriving there. We plan to expand to Beehiiv, ConvertKit, Ghost, and other platforms soon. Join the waitlist and we'll let you know when your platform is supported.

How much does it cost?

SwapList has a free plan with 2 swaps per month and basic matching. SwapList Pro is $29/month and gives you unlimited swaps, priority matching, and analytics on swap performance. When audiences are unequal, the smaller writer pays a small fee ($0.02/sub difference) to keep swaps fair.

How do you prevent spam or low-quality newsletters?

Every newsletter goes through a verification process. We check subscriber count authenticity, content quality, and niche relevance. You also approve every match before any swap happens — you're always in control of who you promote.

When does SwapList launch?

We're currently in closed beta and onboarding writers from the waitlist in order. Join now to secure your spot — the earlier you sign up, the sooner you'll get access.

Join the waitlist