Beehiiv vs Substack: Which is best for your newsletter?

If you're deciding between Beehiiv vs Substack for your newsletter, let us help. With full comparison of features, advantages, disadvantages and pricing, we've got you covered.

Joanna TaylorJoanna Taylor

By Joanna Taylor  •  Updated 27 October 2024

Beehiiv vs SubstackBeehiiv vs Substack

Beehiiv and Substack are two popular platforms for managing newsletters, but each has its unique strengths that make it suitable for different users.

Beehiiv focuses on providing growth tools for newsletter monetization, ideal for content creators and businesses looking to expand.

Substack, in contrast, is more streamlined, perfect for independent creators who prioritize simplicity and community building.

The key difference lies in their approach: Beehiiv emphasizes growth and monetization flexibility, whereas Substack centers on simplicity and community engagement.

This detailed comparison between Beehiiv vs Substack will help you determine which newsletter platform best suits your needs.

Beehiiv vs Substack - At a Glance

Beehiiv is a newer platform with a feature-rich focus on monetization, analytics, and customization options that help content creators scale and optimize their newsletters.

It's suitable for users who need comprehensive tools to grow their audience, maximize subscriber growth, and diversify their income.

Substack, meanwhile, is simpler and caters primarily to writers who want a no-fuss newsletter platform to publish posts, engage with their audience, and offer paid subscriptions.

It's straightforward and ideal for users who seek a minimalist interface and community engagement.

Beehiiv vs Substack - Features Comparison

A little about Beehiiv

Beehiiv is a relatively new entrant, launched in 2021 by former Morning Brew employees.

Beehiiv Homepage - Beehiiv vs Substack

It aims to provide a platform that simplifies both the content creation process and growth tools for monetizing a newsletter.

Beehiiv Main Features Overview

1: Intuitive Content Editor

Beehiiv’s content editor is designed with creators in mind.

It features an intuitive and dynamic user-friendly interface that makes the process of content creation smooth and flexible.

Unlike more basic editors, Beehiiv supports a range of multimedia content, allowing you to easily integrate images, videos, and other interactive elements.

Beehiiv Content Editor

This versatility is perfect for creators who want their newsletters to stand out and captivate their readers.

The editor includes drag-and-drop elements, making it effortless to format visually appealing content without needing advanced technical or coding skills.

It strikes a balance between ease of use and powerful functionality, enabling both beginners and advanced users to produce professional-quality newsletters.

Moreover, the editor provides options to either publish content directly as a blog post or keep it exclusive to email subscribers.

This flexibility helps users decide whether they want their newsletters to act as public-facing content or private subscriber-only material, catering to a diverse range of content strategies.

2: Subscriber Analytics

Analytics are crucial for understanding your audience, and Beehiiv provides some of the most advanced tools in this area.

The platform offers an easy-to-use, visually appealing analytics dashboard that goes beyond the basics.

You can track open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth—all the key metrics needed to gauge engagement.

One standout feature is the ability to dive into individual subscriber behavior.

This means you can see exactly how different groups are interacting with your content, helping you identify which types of content resonate the most.

Beehiiv vs Substack - Subscriber Analytics

Understanding the nuances of your audience engagement enables you to tweak your strategies effectively.

Beehiiv also provides customizable subscription forms, which are great for integrating into external sites.

These forms can be adjusted to capture different kinds of data, allowing creators to build segmented lists for targeted campaigns.

This feature is particularly useful for users aiming to optimize their growth strategies by better understanding their audience's interests and behaviors.

These detailed analytics give content creators all the tools they need to refine their approach and grow their subscriber list.

3: Monetization Flexibility

Beehiiv offers extensive monetization options, making it stand out for creators aiming to generate revenue from their newsletters.

Unlike Substack, which focuses mainly on paid subscriptions, Beehiiv enables creators to monetize through multiple channels.

Beyond paid memberships, Beehiiv includes native ad opportunities, sponsorship integrations, and even an ad network that are easy to implement.

Beehiiv Monetization - Beehiiv vs Substack

This flexibility is a significant advantage for those who want to diversify their revenue streams.

Native ads can be seamlessly included within the content, providing an unobtrusive way to earn money without disrupting the reader's experience.

Additionally, Beehiiv’s platform supports sponsorship deals, which means that creators can generate income even if they choose not to offer paid subscriptions.

Beehiiv Boosts Marketplace

For larger newsletters, Beehiiv’s referral program and in-platform ad network can further enhance earning potential.

These monetization features make it an attractive option for content creators who want the freedom to explore different revenue-generating strategies and aren’t just looking to rely on one method of income, thereby giving them more control over how they monetize their content.

Beehiiv also stands out by not levying platform fees on revenue earned, unlike Substack's revenue sharing model.

Beehiiv Pros

Comprehensive Monetization Options: Beehiiv supports ads, sponsorships, and paid subscriptions.
Advanced Analytics: Detailed subscriber data helps creators fine-tune content strategies.
No Platform Fees on Revenue: Beehiiv doesn't take a percentage of subscriber payments, unlike Substack.
Customizable Design: Options to brand your newsletter's layout, making it visually unique.
API & Integration Support: Easy integration with third-party tools through APIs and Zapier.
Custom Domains: Beehiiv offers the ability to use a custom sending domain, enhancing brand identity.

Beehiiv Cons

Limited Free Plan Features: Certain features, like advanced analytics and automation, require paid plans.
Learning Curve for Beginners: Advanced tools for segmentation and monetization can be overwhelming.
Paid Plans Required for Monetization: Full monetization requires a paid subscription.

Recommended for you

If you're looking to monetize your audience through selling online courses, training and digital downloads, you should consider exploring Kourses, the all in one community and course monetization platform.

A little about Substack 

Substack was launched in 2017 and quickly became a leading platform for independent writers and content creators looking to monetize their newsletters easily.

Substack Homepage - vs Beehiiv

Substack Main Features Overview

Feature 1: Simple Content Editor

Substack's content editor is a minimalist’s dream.

It is built for writers who just want to focus on their content, without the distractions of flashy design elements.

The editor is straightforward and features only the essential formatting tools, making it easy for creators to produce content with no learning curve.

This simplicity ensures that writers can quickly get their thoughts down without having to spend time figuring out the technology.

Substack Content Editor - Substack vs Beehiiv

The editing experience is clean and user-friendly, letting creators stay focused on delivering value to their readers.

Substack's editor is particularly ideal for those who want to concentrate solely on the writing aspect, ensuring the process is as frictionless as possible.

However, the lack of multimedia features can be limiting for creators who want more control over how their newsletters look.

There are no drag-and-drop capabilities or customization options for embedding rich media, which could be a downside if you're trying to create a visually engaging newsletter.

Feature 2: Built-in Community Engagement

One of Substack's biggest strengths is its community engagement tools.

The platform comes equipped with built-in features that allow readers to comment on posts, like them, and even share them with others.

This fosters a sense of community and dialogue between the writer and their subscribers, making it a great platform for creators looking to cultivate an interactive reader base.

Substack also provides tools like "Notes" and discussion threads, enabling creators to connect directly with their audience in a more social manner.

Substack Community Engagement - Beehiiv vs Substack

Readers can easily engage in conversations, ask questions, or leave feedback, which encourages stronger relationships between creators and their audience.

This emphasis on community features allows writers to build a loyal following who feel more involved in the content they’re consuming.

It’s an approach that emphasizes the creator-audience connection, making Substack stand out for those who value a strong, engaged readership.

The platform's reputation for fostering community-driven growth is well-established among newsletter creators.

Feature 3: Seamless Monetization via Paid Subscriptions

Substack makes monetizing your content extremely easy through its integrated paid subscription model.

Writers can decide what content is free and what is behind a paywall, allowing them to offer a mix of both to attract more subscribers.

The setup is simple—creators can easily add pricing tiers, giving their readers flexible ways to support them.

However, it’s important to note that Substack takes a 10% fee from all subscription revenues, which can add up as your subscriber numbers grow.

Beehiiv vs Substack Paid

Additionally, there are credit card fees and a billing fee for recurring subscriptions.

Despite this, the platform handles all payments and subscriber management seamlessly, removing a lot of the hassle typically associated with monetizing content.

The platform is especially popular for writers who want a direct way to earn from their content without needing to dive into complex monetization strategies.

It’s a simple, straightforward solution that allows creators to start earning right away, which is one of Substack’s main selling points.

Feature 4: Discoverability Tools

Substack is also notable for its strong emphasis on discoverability, which is crucial for independent creators looking to grow their audience.

Substack’s internal network encourages readers to explore other newsletters through recommendations based on their current subscriptions.

This built-in discoverability feature makes it easier for creators to attract new subscribers.

Beehiiv vs Substack - Discovery tools

In addition to the recommendation system, Substack features "Top Posts" and other curated lists that highlight trending newsletters.

These tools help boost the visibility of quality content, giving creators a better chance to expand their reach without needing to rely heavily on external promotion.

This focus on internal promotion and community-driven growth provides an edge for those just starting out.

It ensures that creators can leverage the platform's ecosystem to build a following, offering a valuable boost in visibility and audience engagement without extra costs or effort.

Substack Pros

Minimalist Editor: Ideal for creators who want a simple, distraction-free interface.
No Subscriber Limit on Free Plan: Unlimited free subscribers are supported even on the free tier.
Integrated Community Features: Likes, comments, and recommendations help build reader engagement.
Discoverability: Built-in network effects allow new readers to find your content easily.
User Friendly Tools: Substack’s simplicity ensures even non-technical users can begin easily.

Substack Cons

Platform Fees: Takes 10% of revenue from paid subscriptions, which can add up as subscriber numbers grow.
Limited Customization Options: Minimal design flexibility means newsletters tend to look similar.
Lack of Automation Features: Limited to just a basic welcome email, with no advanced automated email sequences.

Beehiiv vs Substack - Pricing Overview

Beehiiv Pricing

Beehiiv Pricing - Beehiiv vs Substack

Beehiiv offers a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers.

However, monetization and advanced features like automation are available only on paid plans:

  • Scale Plan: $39/month for up to 1,000 subscribers. Core features included
  • Max Plan: $99/month for up to 1,000 subscribers. Remove Beehiiv branding, manage up to 10 publications.
  • Pay annually for discount: Both plans are available with discounts for annual billing.

Substack Pricing

Substack pricing - Beehiiv vs Substack

Substack offers a free plan with no subscriber limit, but charges a 10% fee on all revenue from paid subscriptions.

There are no monthly fees unless you start monetizing your content.

Beehiiv vs Substack Pricing Differences

The main difference is that Beehiiv charges for advanced features and doesn't take a cut of the subscription revenue, whereas Substack is free but charges 10% on earnings from paid subscribers, plus credit card fees and billing fees.

Beehiiv's transparent pricing model can be more cost-effective as your subscriber list and earnings grow.

Beehiiv vs Substack - Key Differences

  • Monetization Flexibility: Beehiiv allows multiple revenue options, while Substack focuses mainly on paid subscriptions.
  • Customization and Branding: Beehiiv provides more design options, whereas Substack keeps it simple.
  • Platform Fees: Beehiiv does not levy platform fees on revenue, while Substack takes 10% of paid subscription fees.
  • Community Features: Substack has stronger built-in community tools, like comments and discussions.
  • Analytics and Automation: Beehiiv offers deeper detailed analytics and automation, whereas Substack is more limited.
  • Search Engine Optimization: Beehiiv supports SEO settings to improve visibility through search engines, making it ideal for those who also want to use their newsletter as a blog tool to rank in search engines.

Beehiiv vs Substack - Choosing the Right Platform for You

Substack is Ideal for independent writers who value simplicity and community engagement. 

Their focus on content creation lets you dive into writing without technical distractions, making it perfect for those who want a streamlined experience for building readership.

Beehiiv on the other hand, is designed for those aiming to scale. 

Beehiiv provides powerful tools for subscriber growth, advanced monetization, SEO, and detailed analytics. 

It’s a versatile platform that supports API access, automated email sequences, RSS feeds, and extensive customization—great for creators focused on growth and design flexibility.

Recommended for you

Looking for an alternative way to monetize your audience? Consider selling courses, online training and digital downloads through a platform like KoursesKourses makes it easy to create one-click checkouts, and community and course membership sites that deliver your content and make it look a million dollars.

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