MailCheap

Migrate from Substack to MailCheap

Export your subscribers from Substack, import the file as it is, and send. MailCheap reads Substack's statuses, so people who left stay out.

Get startedMailCheap vs Substack
  1. 1

    Export your subscribers from Substack

    1. 1.1On your Substack dashboard, open Subscribers and scroll to All subscribers.
    2. 1.2Click the three dots above the list, then Export.
    3. 1.3Choose All columns and download the CSV.

    The email list in the zip from Settings > Import/Export works too: readers whose emails are off (email_disabled) come in as unsubscribed.

    Substack's help: How do I export my email list on Substack?

    subscribers.csvExported from Substack
    • EmailEmail
    • Start dateSignup date
  2. 2

    Import the file into MailCheap

    1. 2.1In MailCheap, open Contacts and click Import.
    2. 2.2Choose the file. MailCheap shows how many rows it read, and their statuses.
    3. 2.3Tick "These people agreed to receive my emails", then click Import.

    MailCheap leaves out invalid addresses, role addresses (info@, support@…), throwaway inboxes, duplicates and addresses that bounced or complained before.

    Import contacts

    subscribers.csv9,412 unique valid of 9,517 rows
    active 9,108unsubscribed 251bounced 53

    These people agreed to receive my emails

    After the import

    228 left out

    • invalid address41
    • role address (info@, support@…)87
    • throwaway inbox22
    • duplicate in the file64
    • bounced or complained before14
  3. 3

    Send from your domain, or ours

    1. 3.1On Domains, add your domain and create the DNS records MailCheap shows: DKIM, a return path and one subdomain for your archive and links, plus DMARC if you have none.
    2. 3.2Until then, or for good, send from hello@your-newsletter.mailcheap.ai: it's set up for you, with no DNS to touch.

    news.yourdomain.comReady

    • CNAMEDKIM
    • CNAMEReturn path
    • CNAMEArchive and links
    • TXTDMARC

    Or hello@your-newsletter.mailcheap.aiReady

  4. 4

    Send your first issue

    1. 4.1Write it in the editor, or ask your AI agent to.
    2. 4.2Add your postal address in the newsletter settings: every issue needs one.
    3. 4.3Send yourself a test, then send or schedule it.

    Your first send to imported contacts goes out in steps: a slice first, then the rest 3 hours later if bounces and complaints stay low.

    Notes from a quiet monthSending in steps

    1. A first sliceGoes out now
    2. Rates checkedBounces under 2%, complaints under 0.08%
    3. The rest3 hours later

Comes with your list

  • Every email address
  • Who unsubscribed, bounced or complained: they get nothing
  • Signup dates, when the export has them

Stays on Substack

  • Names, tags and custom fields
  • Past issues and their stats
  • Paid subscriptions
  • Your podcast and video
  • Notes, chat and app followers

Ready to move?

Questions about your export? Email hello@mailcheap.ai.

Get started

Other migration guides

Substack is a trademark of its owner, shown here to name the product you move from. MailCheap isn't affiliated with Substack. The export steps follow Substack's help on October 13, 2026.