Charge Explainer
§ 01 · DESCRIPTOR

What is SUBSTACK INC on your bank statement?

Here's what this charge most likely is, grounded in our prefix dictionary and what the descriptor itself contains.

High confidence

This charge is from Substack, a platform for paid newsletter subscriptions — it most likely reflects a recurring subscription to a writer or publication you signed up for on Substack.

Most likely: Substack
a newsletter and creator platform
Processed by: Substack
Substack is both the platform and the billing entity — it collects payment on behalf of independent writers and newsletters. The charge appearing as 'SUBSTACK INC' is normal and does not indicate a third-party processor.
Category
Newsletter Subscription

Doesn't look right? Things you could check:

  • Check your Substack subscriptionsLogging into substack.com and visiting your account's subscription settings will show all active paid subscriptions and their billing amounts.
  • Search your email for a receiptSubstack typically sends a receipt email when a subscription renews — searching your inbox for 'Substack' may surface the specific publication billed.
  • Review any newsletters you followIf you subscribe to multiple Substack newsletters, one of them may have recently renewed or upgraded to a paid tier.
  • Understand why the publication name isn't shownSubstack charges appear as 'SUBSTACK INC' on statements regardless of which individual newsletter triggered the charge, so the publication name won't appear in the descriptor itself.
WHAT THE DESCRIPTOR TELLS US

A Substack charge is a paid subscription to a newsletter or writer published on Substack. The name shown is usually the publication. After the SUBSTACK prefix the descriptor reads “INC” — that leftover text is the most likely seller.

Check a different charge

Paste your own variant of this descriptor — the result appears right here.

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RELATED DESCRIPTORS
  • SUBSTACK.COM

    This charge is a paid subscription to a newsletter or publication hosted on Substack.

  • SUBSTACK*PUBLICATION

    This appears to be a recurring subscription charge for a paid newsletter or publication hosted on Substack.

  • ACH WEB PYMT BILLPAY

    This appears to be an electronic bill payment made through your bank's online bill pay service via the ACH network.

  • ADBL*AUDIOBOOK PURCHASE

    This appears to be a charge from Audible for a one-time audiobook purchase.

The SUBSTACK prefix has its own page: What does SUBSTACK mean on a statement?