All stack blueprints

Built for · Newsletter

Paid Newsletter

Write, publish and charge for a newsletter on a single platform, with payments, covers and planning around it.

Software a month
≈A$55
Tools
4
Gear
2

All prices are in Australian dollars. Software billed in US dollars is converted at US$1 = A$1.43 (0.701 US dollars per A$1, 23 Oct 2026), so what you pay moves with the exchange rate. Each stack total is the cheapest paid plan needed, billed monthly, before GST and card fees. Converted prices are estimates and may not be 100% accurate. Prices checked 23 Oct 2026.

How this stack works

Who it is for. A writer or specialist who wants readers to pay for regular, useful work.

How the pieces fit

  1. 1Plan issues in a Notion calendar and keep a running ideas page.
  2. 2Write and send each issue from Ghost, which holds your list, site and memberships.
  3. 3Connect Stripe so members can pay monthly or yearly.
  4. 4Design a cover image for each issue in Canva Pro from one template.

What to buy first

Ghost with a free trial and Stripe. Add Canva once you publish weekly.

Cheaper swaps

Substack takes a cut instead of a monthly fee and has no setup. It is the cheapest way to test whether anyone will pay.

Australian notes

Stripe in Australia charges 1.65% + A$0.30 on domestic cards, with no monthly fee. You must register for GST once turnover reaches A$75,000 a year. Overseas software invoices often include Australian GST, so keep them for your BAS. The Spam Act requires consent before you email marketing messages, so every list needs a clear opt-in.

Software, in order

  1. Step 1

    Ghost

    Publishing platform with paid memberships built in.

    A publishing platform with newsletters and paid memberships built in, so a paid newsletter runs on one tool. The Publisher plan is quoted at A$41 a month when billed yearly.

    • Memberships and newsletters in one product
    • Free trial available
    A$41/mopaid
    See pricing
  2. Step 2

    Stripe

    Online payments with no monthly fee.

    Takes card payments, subscriptions and invoices. In Australia the standard rate for domestic cards is 1.65% plus A$0.30 a transaction, with no monthly fee.

    • No monthly fee
    • Subscriptions, invoices and payment links
    1.65% + A$0.30paid
    See pricing
  3. Step 3

    Canva Pro

    Visual suite for designing presentations, YouTube thumbnails, and social assets.

    The fastest design tool for solo creators producing YouTube thumbnails, brand assets, and marketing graphics.

    • Massive template library and brand kit management
    • AI background remover and Magic Resize
    A$13.75/mofreemium
    See pricing
  4. Step 4

    Notion

    All-in-one workspace for notes, docs, wikis and projects.

    Flexible workspace where a solo business keeps its notes, client wiki, content calendar and task boards in one place, with databases and templates you can shape to your own workflow.

    • Free plan covers an individual's personal projects
    • Docs, wikis and databases in one workspace
    A$14/mofreemium
    See pricing

Gear to buy

  • Bonelk Elevate Laptop Stand

    Raises the laptop to eye level so you can work from a separate keyboard and mouse.

  • Logitech MX Master 4 Mouse (Graphite)

    A comfortable, programmable mouse for long editing and admin sessions.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. SoloStack may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

Price note: Prices are subject to change and may be out of date. Some prices are converted from other currencies, such as US dollars, to Australian dollars, so they may not be 100% accurate. Always confirm the final price with the seller before you buy.

Affiliate disclosure