Newsletters are a powerful tool for writers, bloggers, and content creators to engage with their audience, build a loyal following, and monetize their content.
Substack, Beehiiv, and ConvertKit are three of the leading newsletter platforms used by creators and publishers today.
Each platform offers plenty of useful features and capabilities.
In this article, we will delve into these platforms, helping you to decide which is the better platform for your needs.
Let’s begin!
Overview of Substack
Substack is a popular platform that allows writers, journalists, and creators to publish newsletters and connect directly with their audience.
Features
Substack is free to use for both writers and readers, and it offers integrated blog, email, funding, and podcast hosting capabilities.
Writers can create unlimited publications and categorize their posts, and the platform makes it easy to create multimedia posts with images, videos, embeds, and more.
Substack also features a password-less login and a guided signup process, and it includes built-in monetization through paid subscriptions.
Additionally, the platform provides a convenient analytics dashboard for tracking performance metrics.
Benefits
One of the primary benefits of Substack is that it simplifies the tech stack by combining multiple tools into one platform.
The platform also encourages quality content that readers would be willing to pay for, and it allows writers to retain ownership of their data and subscriber list.
Substack provides a way for writers to build a digital footprint without needing a website, and it helps foster a direct connection between writers and readers.
Additionally, the platform offers flexibility, as writers can transfer their subscribers and content elsewhere at any time.
Limitations
Substack may not be as powerful as dedicated tools for specific functions like email marketing or podcast hosting, and it has limited onboarding sequences, automation, and reader magnet delivery capabilities.
Substack is also not suitable for promotional marketing emails, which are allowed on platforms like ConvertKit.
Additionally, discoverability can be a challenge on Substack, as it is not a discovery engine.
In brief Substack is an attractive option for writers looking to simplify their publishing workflow, connect directly with readers, and potentially monetize their content through paid subscriptions.
However, it may lack some advanced features and functionality compared to dedicated tools for specific tasks.
Also read: Beehiiv vs Klaviyo
Understanding Beehiiv
Beehiiv is a web-based newsletter creation and email marketing platform aimed at bloggers, small business owners, creators, and entrepreneurs.
Key Features
Its key features include:
- An intuitive drag-and-drop email builder with customizable templates
- List management and segmentation capabilities
- Email automation features like welcome sequences and re-engagement campaigns
- An integrated ad network to monetize newsletters
- Paid membership options to generate recurring revenue
- Detailed analytics and A/B testing to optimize performance
- SEO-friendly newsletter pages and landing pages
- Integrations with other platforms like Zapier, WordPress, and Shopify
Benefits
Beehiiv provides an all-in-one solution for creating, sending, and monetizing newsletters.
The platform offers a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers to get started and provides robust email marketing features like automation and segmentation.
Beehiiv has good SEO capabilities to help grow organic traffic and subscribers, and offers flexible monetization options including ads and paid memberships.
Limitations
Beehiiv also has some limitations:
- Acquisition source tracking is limited to just the medium (e.g. website, social) rather than the specific content that drove the subscriber
- Lack of advanced tagging/list management features, with only a basic paid/free subscriber distinction
- Recommendation feature for discovering other newsletters is not very intuitive or widely adopted
- Automations feature is relatively new and may still have some limitations
Beehiiv may lack some advanced features that power users or enterprises might require. However, it provides a user-friendly, all-in-one newsletter platform with strong email marketing capabilities and monetization options.
Check out: Beehiiv vs Revue
All-In-One newsletter platform — Created by the same team that built and scaled Morning Brew to millions of subscribers. Get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months.
What is ConvertKit?
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform designed specifically for creators, bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers and course creators.
It enables users to grow and monetize their audience, automate their marketing, and sell digital products.
Features
ConvertKit offers a range of powerful features to help creators streamline their email marketing and audience growth:
- Its visual automation builder allows users to create custom subscriber journeys, guiding leads through personalized funnels.
- The email designer provides a clutter-free writing experience with pre-designed templates, making it easy to craft engaging content.
- To grow an email list, ConvertKit provides landing pages and sign-up forms that can be seamlessly integrated into a creator’s website or social media channels.
- Subscriber tagging and segmentation features enable users to send highly targeted content to specific audience segments, ensuring maximum relevance and engagement.
- One of ConvertKit’s standout features is its ability to sell digital products and subscriptions directly through the platform, providing a seamless way for creators to monetize their audience.
- Additionally, the platform’s creator network facilitates collaboration and promotion among fellow creators, helping to expand reach and visibility.
Benefits
ConvertKit’s user-friendly interface is a major benefit, making it accessible for beginners and experienced marketers alike.
The platform boasts an impressive email deliverability rate of over 99.8%, ensuring that messages reach subscribers’ inboxes.
One of ConvertKit’s most attractive offerings is its generous free plan, which allows up to 1,000 subscribers, making it an excellent choice for creators just starting to build their email lists.
The platform’s focus on creators, bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and course creators sets it apart from more generalized email marketing tools, providing features and support tailored to their unique needs and goals.
Limitations
While ConvertKit offers many advantages, it also has some limitations compared to other email marketing platforms.
- Its email design flexibility is somewhat restricted, and it lacks advanced features like spam testing. The reporting data provided is basic, with no access to more detailed analytics.
- Some users may find that ConvertKit’s pricing does not offer the best value for money, especially when compared to alternatives with more robust feature sets.
- Additionally, the free plan has limited functionality and does not include access to support, which may be a drawback for those seeking hands-on guidance.
All in all, ConvertKit is a solid choice for creators looking for an easy-to-use platform to grow their email list, automate their marketing, and sell digital products.
But for advanced features, flexibility or affordability, other options may be worth considering.
Explore: Beehiiv vs Flodesk
ConvertKit makes it easy to create, send and manage your email marketing campaigns.
Grow your list to 1,000 subscribers for free. Learn more.
Content Creation & Publishing
Substack
Substack is focused on simplicity and community-driven content, providing a clean, writer-centric format with less emphasis on visual customization.
It allows creators to publish content directly on the platform and put content behind a paywall on the website.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv provides robust website and publishing capabilities, with the ability to publish posts available only for paying subscribers on the website.
It has a clean, easy-to-use editor with features like recommending other newsletters, putting the rest of the post behind a paywall, text formatting, and custom HTML/JavaScript.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit offers a strong writing experience but has more limitations on publishing content directly on the platform compared to Beehiiv.
However, it provides powerful automation tools and integrations to help creators grow their audience and monetize their content effectively
Verdict
Beehiiv is the better platform for content creation and publishing compared to Substack and ConvertKit.
Beehiiv’s robust website and publishing capabilities, along with its flexible editor features, make it the most well-rounded option for creators looking to publish and monetize their content effectively.
Read this too: Beehiiv vs SendFox
All-In-One newsletter platform — Created by the same team that built and scaled Morning Brew to millions of subscribers. Get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months.
Audience Growth & Analytics
Substack
Substack emphasizes growing your audience organically through its network, relying more on the platform’s brand halo and community to attract new subscribers.
It has a more limited approach to advanced audience segmentation and analytics compared to the other platforms.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv provides advanced growth tools and audience insights. It offers features like advanced analytics that feed into targeted segmentation for campaigns.
Beehiiv also has strong analytics and segmentation features to support audience growth.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit shines with its sophisticated audience segmentation and funnel-building tools, allowing creators to craft detailed subscriber paths and tailor their messaging.
It is particularly known for its powerful automation and segmentation capabilities to nurture and engage subscribers.
Verdict
Beehiiv and ConvertKit offer more robust audience growth and analytics capabilities compared to the more simplistic, community-driven approach of Substack.
Creators looking for advanced audience insights and automation will likely find Beehiiv and ConvertKit to be the better options.
You might like this: Best Times To Post On Beehiiv
User Experience & Learning Curve
The user experience and learning curve associated with a newsletter platform can significantly impact a creator’s productivity and efficiency.
Take a look at how good or bad they are:
Substack
Substack is widely celebrated for its simplicity, making it a favorite among writers and journalists who prioritize straightforward content publishing and monetization.
The platform’s user-friendly interface allows creators to focus on their writing without getting bogged down by complex technical features. This appeals to those who value ease of use and a minimalist design.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv aims to strike a balance between ease of use and advanced capabilities, providing an intuitive platform for creators.
With its “Design Lab” feature, Beehiiv offers more customization options than Substack, catering to creators who seek a higher level of design control.
Additionally, Beehiiv’s community-building tools, such as reader engagement features, can help foster stronger connections with an audience.
ConvertKit
In contrast, ConvertKit provides a user-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and experienced creators.
However, its more advanced features, such as subscriber segmentation and automated email sequences, may require a steeper learning curve.
Creators who are comfortable with email marketing tools and automation will likely find ConvertKit’s capabilities to be a valuable asset.
Verdict
Beehiiv offers a better overall user experience and learning curve for creators, especially those new to newsletter platforms or with limited technical expertise.
Beehiiv’s focus on simplicity and intuitiveness gives it an advantage over the Substack and ConvertKit in this regard.
Also read: Beehiiv vs Brevo
ConvertKit makes it easy to create, send and manage your email marketing campaigns.
Grow your list to 1,000 subscribers for free. Learn more.
Integration & Third-Party Support
The ability to integrate with third-party tools and platforms is an essential consideration for creators seeking to enhance their newsletter capabilities.
Substack
Substack has limited focus on third-party integrations, prioritizing a streamlined and focused platform experience.
It’s core strength lies in its simplicity, allowing newsletter creators to easily publish and distribute their content without the need for complex integrations.
This may appeal to those who prefer a more straightforward and distraction-free newsletter platform.
Beehiiv
While Beehiiv is a relatively newer player in the newsletter platform space, it is also working to expand its integration ecosystem.
Creators can currently integrate Beehiiv with platforms like Zapier, Google Analytics, and Stripe, with more integrations expected in the future as the platform continues to evolve.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is known for its robust integration options, allowing users to connect with a wide range of tools and services like Zapier, Google Analytics, and various ecommerce platforms.
This level of integration enables newsletter creators to streamline their workflows and expand the functionality of their newsletters.
Verdict
ConvertKit emerges as the clear winner.
Its advanced automation and segmentation features, along with its ability to connect to a vast ecosystem of other applications, give creators more flexibility and customization options compared to the other platforms.
Check out: 10 Best Beehiiv Alternatives
All-In-One newsletter platform — Created by the same team that built and scaled Morning Brew to millions of subscribers. Get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months.
Performance Tracking
Monitoring the performance and engagement of your newsletter is crucial for creators to make informed decisions and optimize their content.
When it comes to newsletter platform analytics, the leading players in the market, Substack, Beehiiv, and ConvertKit, offer varying degrees of capabilities.
Substack
While Substack is known for its simplicity, it offers limited analytics features compared to its competitors.
The platform focuses primarily on metrics like subscriber growth and open rates, providing creators with a basic understanding of their newsletter’s performance.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv boasts advanced analytics and data-driven insights to help creators understand their audience’s preferences and behaviors.
The platform’s 3D analytics dashboard offers a visually appealing and intuitive way to track newsletter platform analytics, including performance tracking.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit excels in this area, providing comprehensive reporting and analytics features that allow users to track the success of their campaigns and measure the engagement of their subscribers.
Metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth are readily available, empowering creators to fine-tune their content and strategies.
Verdict
Creators who prioritize in-depth analytics and performance tracking may find ConvertKit or Beehiiv more suitable for their needs.
These platforms offer a more comprehensive suite of creator newsletter metrics and data-driven insights to drive their decision-making.
Explore: Is Beehiiv Free?
Customer Support & Community Resources
When it comes to newsletter platforms, the quality of customer support and the availability of community resources can greatly impact a creator’s experience.
Find out how they fare.
Substack
Substack has built a strong community around its platform, attracting a loyal following of writers and readers.
It caters more to individual creators, offering a streamlined support system and a growing community of writers and publishers.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv fosters a vibrant community where creators can connect, share ideas, and seek guidance from fellow newsletter enthusiasts.
It emphasizes community engagement, offering features that encourage interactive discussions and connections between creators and their subscribers.
Beehiiv also provides responsive customer support, ensuring creators can get assistance when required.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is renowned for its attentive and responsive customer service, with a team of knowledgeable support agents ready to assist creators with any issues or questions they may have.
It stands out with extensive customer support options, including email, chat, and phone support to ensure creators can get the help they need.
The platform also offers an extensive library of guides, tutorials, and webinars, empowering creators to maximize the potential of their newsletters and build a strong connection with their audience.
Verdict
ConvertKit stands out among the three platforms for its exceptional customer support and comprehensive educational resources.
Read this too: Substack vs Ghost
ConvertKit makes it easy to create, send and manage your email marketing campaigns.
Grow your list to 1,000 subscribers for free. Learn more.
Pricing & Cost Considerations
Substack
Substack offers a flexible and accessible platform for creators to publish their newsletters and build an audience.
The service is free to use initially, allowing you to get started without any upfront costs.
- Free Tier: At the free tier, you can publish your newsletter, share content with readers, and grow your subscriber base without incurring any fees. This makes Substack an attractive option for individuals and small creators looking to establish an online presence and connect with their audience.
- Paid Tiers: Once you decide to introduce paid subscription tiers for your newsletter, Substack takes a 10% commission on each subscriber’s payment. This percentage remains constant, regardless of your income level or the size of your subscriber base.
As your newsletter grows and you attract more paid subscribers, Substack’s share of the revenue will also increase proportionally.
The final cost you pay depends entirely on the size and engagement of your subscriber base, as well as the revenue you generate from your paid offerings.
By providing a straightforward and transparent pricing model, Substack aims to empower creators to focus on producing high-quality content, while the platform handles the technical and administrative aspects of running a newsletter.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv offers a range of pricing plans to accommodate the diverse needs of newsletter creators.
The platform provides a free plan and three paid plans, each tailored to specific requirements.
- Launch Plan: Beehiiv’s free Launch plan is an excellent starting point for small-scale newsletter creators. It allows you to send newsletters to up to 2,500 subscribers without incurring any costs. This plan is ideal for individuals just beginning their journey in the world of email newsletters.
- Scale Plan: This plan is priced at $39 per month (or $34 per month when billed annually). It enables up to 1,000 subscribers and includes features such as email automations, boost network, referral program, 3D analytics, and community access.
- Max Plan: This plan is available at $99 per month (or $86 per month if paid yearly). It offers priority support, removal of Beehiiv branding, and access to the newsletter XP course.
- Enterprise Plan: This plan is ideal for businesses with over 100,000 subscribers. This custom-priced plan is notable for features such as dedicated IP addresses, infinite subscribers, and a designated account manager.
Beehiiv’s pricing plans are designed to cater to the needs of newsletter creators at all levels.
All-In-One newsletter platform — Created by the same team that built and scaled Morning Brew to millions of subscribers. Get 30-day trial + 20% OFF for 3 months.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit, known for its powerful email marketing capabilities, provides three pricing plans to cater to diverse customers.
- Newsletter: This is a free plan that accommodates up to 10,000 subscribers. It supports one basic visual automation, one email sequence and one user.
- Creator: This plan is priced at $29 per month (or $25 per month if billed annually). It enables up to 1000 subscribers and supports two users, unlimited visual automations and unlimited email sequences.
- Pro: Priced at $59 per month (or $50 if paid yearly), this plan accommodates up to 1000 subscribers, supports unlimited users and provides 24/7 priority support.
You have the option to try any of the paid plans with a 14-day free trial.
Also read: Beehiiv vs Ghost
ConvertKit makes it easy to create, send and manage your email marketing campaigns.
Grow your list to 1,000 subscribers for free. Learn more.
Conclusion
Platforms like ConvertKit and Beehiiv provide advanced email marketing tools, while Substack excels in fostering a strong sense of community.
Ultimately, the choice of the best newsletter platform for your needs will depend on your specific goals, audience, and preferences.
By taking the time to thoroughly research and compare the different options, you can ensure that you select the platform that will help you achieve your objectives and maximize your success in the creator economy.
ConvertKit makes it easy to create, send and manage your email marketing campaigns.
Grow your list to 1,000 subscribers for free. Learn more.
