Quick Overview
- 1#1: Beehiiv - All-in-one newsletter platform with AI-powered growth tools, recommendations, and seamless monetization for creators.
- 2#2: Substack - Simple platform for writers to publish, grow, and monetize email newsletters with built-in payments and discovery.
- 3#3: ConvertKit - Creator-focused email marketing tool with advanced automations, subscriber tagging, and landing pages for newsletters.
- 4#4: Mailchimp - Robust email marketing platform offering templates, automation, analytics, and audience segmentation for newsletters.
- 5#5: Ghost - Open-source publishing platform with native newsletter sending, memberships, and beautiful themes.
- 6#6: MailerLite - Affordable email marketing service with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for small newsletters.
- 7#7: Flodesk - Design-centric email platform with stunning templates and workflows tailored for creative newsletters.
- 8#8: Brevo - Cost-effective email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automation, and high deliverability.
- 9#9: ActiveCampaign - Powerful marketing automation platform with advanced CRM, personalization, and newsletter campaigns.
- 10#10: Buttondown - Minimalist Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers emphasizing simplicity and fast sending.
We ranked these tools based on key factors: robust feature sets (including growth aids, automation, and monetization), reliability (deliverability, performance), ease of use (intuitive design, customization), and value (cost, scalability), ensuring they deliver long-term utility for diverse users.
Comparison Table
Choosing the right newsletter email software is key to growing your audience; this comparison table simplifies the process by breaking down tools like Beehiiv, Substack, ConvertKit, Mailchimp, Ghost, and more, exploring features, usability, and scalability to help you find the best fit for your needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beehiiv All-in-one newsletter platform with AI-powered growth tools, recommendations, and seamless monetization for creators. | specialized | 9.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.6/10 |
| 2 | Substack Simple platform for writers to publish, grow, and monetize email newsletters with built-in payments and discovery. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.8/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 3 | ConvertKit Creator-focused email marketing tool with advanced automations, subscriber tagging, and landing pages for newsletters. | specialized | 8.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Mailchimp Robust email marketing platform offering templates, automation, analytics, and audience segmentation for newsletters. | enterprise | 8.8/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | Ghost Open-source publishing platform with native newsletter sending, memberships, and beautiful themes. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 6 | MailerLite Affordable email marketing service with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for small newsletters. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Flodesk Design-centric email platform with stunning templates and workflows tailored for creative newsletters. | creative_suite | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 8 | Brevo Cost-effective email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automation, and high deliverability. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.0/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | ActiveCampaign Powerful marketing automation platform with advanced CRM, personalization, and newsletter campaigns. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 10 | Buttondown Minimalist Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers emphasizing simplicity and fast sending. | specialized | 7.8/10 | 7.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.5/10 |
All-in-one newsletter platform with AI-powered growth tools, recommendations, and seamless monetization for creators.
Simple platform for writers to publish, grow, and monetize email newsletters with built-in payments and discovery.
Creator-focused email marketing tool with advanced automations, subscriber tagging, and landing pages for newsletters.
Robust email marketing platform offering templates, automation, analytics, and audience segmentation for newsletters.
Open-source publishing platform with native newsletter sending, memberships, and beautiful themes.
Affordable email marketing service with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for small newsletters.
Design-centric email platform with stunning templates and workflows tailored for creative newsletters.
Cost-effective email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automation, and high deliverability.
Powerful marketing automation platform with advanced CRM, personalization, and newsletter campaigns.
Minimalist Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers emphasizing simplicity and fast sending.
Beehiiv
specializedAll-in-one newsletter platform with AI-powered growth tools, recommendations, and seamless monetization for creators.
Recommendation Network for seamless cross-promotion across thousands of newsletters to drive organic growth
Beehiiv is an all-in-one newsletter platform built for creators to design, send, grow, and monetize email newsletters with professional tools. It features a drag-and-drop editor, advanced segmentation, analytics, and unique growth mechanisms like the Recommendation Network for cross-promotions. The platform supports custom domains, paid subscriptions with no platform fees, and an ad marketplace to help publishers scale revenue directly.
Pros
- Powerful growth tools like Recommendation Network and Boosts for organic and paid audience expansion
- Zero platform fees on subscriptions, maximizing creator revenue
- Intuitive editor with templates, A/B testing, and detailed analytics
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations compared to enterprise ESPs
- Some advanced customization requires higher tiers or coding
- Free plan caps at 2,500 subscribers, pushing growth to paid plans
Best For
Independent newsletter creators and publishers focused on rapid audience growth and direct monetization.
Pricing
Free Launch plan up to 2,500 subscribers; Scale at $42/month for 100,000 subs; Max enterprise pricing custom.
Substack
specializedSimple platform for writers to publish, grow, and monetize email newsletters with built-in payments and discovery.
Integrated recommendation network that connects and promotes newsletters to relevant audiences across the platform
Substack is an all-in-one platform designed for writers and creators to publish newsletters, podcasts, and other content directly to subscribers' inboxes via email. It simplifies subscriber management, content scheduling, and delivery while offering robust tools for audience growth and monetization through free and paid subscriptions. Creators benefit from Substack's network effects, including recommendations and cross-promotions, making it ideal for building a sustainable newsletter business.
Pros
- Extremely intuitive interface for quick setup and publishing
- Seamless monetization with paid subscriptions and no upfront costs
- Powerful discovery tools like recommendations to grow subscribers organically
Cons
- 10% revenue share on paid subscriptions reduces earnings
- Limited advanced email marketing features like A/B testing or deep automations
- Less branding customization compared to dedicated email platforms
Best For
Independent writers, journalists, and creators seeking an easy way to launch, grow, and monetize newsletters without technical expertise.
Pricing
Free to start; 10% cut of paid subscription revenue plus Stripe processing fees (typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction).
ConvertKit
specializedCreator-focused email marketing tool with advanced automations, subscriber tagging, and landing pages for newsletters.
Visual automation builder for drag-and-drop email sequences and subscriber journeys
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform tailored for creators, bloggers, podcasters, and online businesses, specializing in newsletters, subscriber growth, and automated email sequences. It provides tools like customizable signup forms, landing pages, broadcasts, and a visual automation builder for nurturing leads. With strong emphasis on deliverability and audience segmentation via tags, it helps users monetize lists through one-click upsells and paid subscriptions.
Pros
- Creator-focused segmentation with tagging and scoring
- Intuitive visual automation builder
- High deliverability and excellent customer support
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with subscriber growth
- Limited email template variety
- Basic analytics compared to enterprise tools
Best For
Independent creators, bloggers, and solopreneurs building and monetizing engaged newsletter audiences.
Pricing
Free plan up to 10,000 subscribers; Creator plans start at $15/month (up to 1,000 subs) and scale with list size; Pro plans from $29/month for advanced features.
Mailchimp
enterpriseRobust email marketing platform offering templates, automation, analytics, and audience segmentation for newsletters.
AI-powered Content Optimizer and Creative Assistant for generating and suggesting personalized email content
Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing platform specializing in newsletters, offering tools for designing campaigns, managing subscriber lists, and automating sends. It features a drag-and-drop editor, hundreds of templates, audience segmentation, A/B testing, and detailed analytics to help users grow engagement. Beyond emails, it includes landing pages, forms, and integrations with e-commerce platforms for a full marketing suite.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with vast template library
- Powerful automation workflows and audience segmentation
- Comprehensive analytics and A/B testing tools
Cons
- Pricing escalates rapidly with growing contact lists
- Advanced features like multivariate testing locked in premium plans
- Customer support limited for free and lower-tier users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses, bloggers, and content creators sending regular newsletters to engaged audiences.
Pricing
Free for up to 500 contacts/1,000 sends per month; paid plans start at $13/month (Essentials, 500 contacts), up to $350+/month (Premium, 10,000+ contacts), billed monthly.
Ghost
specializedOpen-source publishing platform with native newsletter sending, memberships, and beautiful themes.
Built-in membership system with Stripe integration for turning free newsletters into paid subscriptions effortlessly
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform optimized for newsletters, blogs, and membership sites, allowing creators to send beautifully designed email newsletters directly from their content. It emphasizes high deliverability, customizable themes, and integrated monetization tools like paid subscriptions. Available as self-hosted or fully managed Ghost(Pro), it powers professional newsletters for independent publishers worldwide.
Pros
- Exceptional email deliverability and inbox placement rates
- Seamless integration of memberships and paid subscriptions
- Beautiful, mobile-responsive email templates with Markdown editor
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly with subscriber count on hosted plans
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server management
- Fewer third-party integrations than dedicated email service providers
Best For
Independent creators and publishers building monetized newsletters with a focus on content ownership and high-quality delivery.
Pricing
Self-hosted: free (open-source); Ghost(Pro): $9/mo (500 members), $29/mo (1,000), up to $199+/mo for larger lists, billed monthly.
MailerLite
specializedAffordable email marketing service with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for small newsletters.
Integrated website builder for creating high-converting landing pages and subscription forms directly within the platform
MailerLite is a user-friendly email marketing platform specializing in newsletters, offering drag-and-drop email builders, automation workflows, and subscriber management tools. It enables users to create responsive newsletters, landing pages, popups, and forms to grow and engage email lists effectively. With strong segmentation, A/B testing, and high deliverability rates, it's tailored for creators and small businesses sending regular newsletters.
Pros
- Exceptionally affordable pricing with a generous free plan
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and responsive templates
- Built-in landing pages, popups, and automation without complexity
Cons
- Advanced automation lacks depth compared to enterprise tools
- Reporting and analytics are solid but not as comprehensive
- Customer support can be slower for non-premium users
Best For
Small businesses, bloggers, and solopreneurs seeking an easy, cost-effective newsletter solution without steep learning curves.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month; paid plans start at $10/month for 1,000 subscribers, scaling to $20+ for higher tiers with unlimited emails.
Flodesk
creative_suiteDesign-centric email platform with stunning templates and workflows tailored for creative newsletters.
Designer-curated, mobile-responsive templates that deliver a premium aesthetic effortlessly
Flodesk is an email marketing platform tailored for creators, bloggers, and small businesses, specializing in visually stunning, designer-curated templates for newsletters and campaigns. It features a drag-and-drop editor, basic automations, segmentation, and unlimited subscribers and sends on a flat-rate plan. Ideal for users seeking beauty and simplicity over complex marketing tools, it streamlines email creation without requiring design expertise.
Pros
- Stunning, professionally designed templates that require no coding
- Unlimited subscribers and email sends for a flat fee
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor perfect for beginners
Cons
- Limited integrations with third-party apps
- Basic analytics and automation compared to enterprise tools
- No free plan, only a 14-day trial
Best For
Creative professionals and small businesses prioritizing gorgeous, easy-to-create newsletters over advanced automation.
Pricing
$38/month flat rate for unlimited everything (14-day free trial); no tiers or per-subscriber fees.
Brevo
enterpriseCost-effective email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automation, and high deliverability.
Seamless integration of transactional emails and marketing automation within a unified CRM dashboard
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is an all-in-one email marketing platform designed for creating and sending newsletters, with robust automation, segmentation, and analytics tools. It features a drag-and-drop editor, customizable templates, and multi-channel support including SMS and chat, ideal for engaging subscribers effectively. The platform also includes transactional email capabilities and a built-in CRM, streamlining marketing workflows for growing businesses.
Pros
- Generous free plan with 300 emails per day
- Strong automation and segmentation for personalized newsletters
- Multi-channel integration (email, SMS, chat) enhances engagement
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered for advanced users
- Some premium features locked behind higher tiers
- Customer support slower on lower plans
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and startups seeking an affordable, scalable platform for newsletter campaigns with multi-channel options.
Pricing
Free plan (300 emails/day, unlimited contacts); Starter from $25/mo (20k emails/mo); Business from $65/mo; Enterprise custom pricing.
ActiveCampaign
enterprisePowerful marketing automation platform with advanced CRM, personalization, and newsletter campaigns.
Sophisticated automation workflows with machine learning-based recommendations
ActiveCampaign is a comprehensive marketing automation platform that excels in email marketing, including newsletter creation, with robust automation, CRM, and personalization tools. It enables users to send targeted newsletters, segment audiences dynamically, and track engagement across multiple channels. While powerful for scaling operations, it's more suited to marketing teams than simple newsletter publishers.
Pros
- Advanced automation and workflows for personalized newsletters
- Built-in CRM for subscriber management and segmentation
- High deliverability and detailed analytics
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners
- Pricing scales quickly with list size
- Overkill for basic newsletter needs
Best For
Marketing teams and growing businesses needing automation and CRM alongside newsletter delivery.
Pricing
Starts at $29/mo (Lite, up to 500 contacts), $49/mo (Plus), $149/mo (Professional); billed annually with discounts.
Buttondown
specializedMinimalist Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers emphasizing simplicity and fast sending.
Effortless RSS feed import that converts blog posts into newsletters automatically
Buttondown is a minimalist email newsletter platform tailored for writers, creators, and solopreneurs seeking a no-frills tool to build and send newsletters. It offers Markdown-based editing, subscriber management, basic analytics, and RSS feed imports to automate content delivery. The service also includes Stripe integration for paid subscriptions and generates a clean, public archive site for past issues.
Pros
- Incredibly simple and intuitive interface with Markdown support
- Affordable tiered pricing with a free plan for small lists
- Automatic RSS import and beautiful archive site generation
Cons
- Lacks advanced features like automations, A/B testing, or segmentation
- Limited analytics compared to enterprise tools
- No drag-and-drop editor; Markdown-only for content creation
Best For
Solo writers, bloggers, and creators who want a straightforward tool without marketing complexity.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 subscribers; $9/month for 1,000; $29/month for 5,000; $99/month for 20,000; pay-what-you-want option available.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools offer diverse strengths, with Beehiiv emerging as the top choice, blending all-in-one functionality, AI-powered growth tools, and seamless monetization for creators. Substack stands out for its simplicity and built-in discovery, while ConvertKit excels in advanced automations and creator-focused features, making them strong alternatives for different needs.
Ready to elevate your newsletter? Start with Beehiiv to leverage its comprehensive tools and unlock growth and monetization effortlessly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison