Quick Overview
- 1#1: Beehiiv - All-in-one platform for creators to build, grow, and monetize newsletters with advanced analytics and ad network.
- 2#2: Substack - Discovery and publishing platform that enables writers to send newsletters, build paid subscriptions, and connect with readers.
- 3#3: ConvertKit - Creator-focused email marketing tool for newsletters with subscriber tagging, automations, and landing pages.
- 4#4: Ghost - Open-source publishing platform optimized for newsletters, memberships, and fast performance.
- 5#5: Mailchimp - Comprehensive email marketing service for designing, sending, and analyzing newsletters with automation features.
- 6#6: MailerLite - Affordable email marketing platform with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for newsletters.
- 7#7: Buttondown - Simple Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers with scheduling and subscriber management.
- 8#8: Flodesk - Visually stunning email marketing platform with beautiful templates and workflow automation for newsletters.
- 9#9: ActiveCampaign - Advanced email marketing and CRM platform with powerful automations and personalization for newsletters.
- 10#10: Brevo - Email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automations, and segmentation for newsletters.
Tools were selected and ranked based on key factors including feature range (analytics, automation, monetization capabilities), usability (intuitive interfaces, setup ease), and value (pricing, scalability), ensuring a list that balances depth and accessibility for diverse users.
Comparison Table
This comparison table highlights leading newsletter software tools such as Beehiiv, Substack, ConvertKit, Ghost, and Mailchimp, providing readers with clear insights into key features, usability, and cost. It breaks down differences in customization, audience management, publication tools, and integrations, helping identify the best fit for personal, business, or niche content goals.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beehiiv All-in-one platform for creators to build, grow, and monetize newsletters with advanced analytics and ad network. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | Substack Discovery and publishing platform that enables writers to send newsletters, build paid subscriptions, and connect with readers. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.7/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 3 | ConvertKit Creator-focused email marketing tool for newsletters with subscriber tagging, automations, and landing pages. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.3/10 | 8.5/10 |
| 4 | Ghost Open-source publishing platform optimized for newsletters, memberships, and fast performance. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 5 | Mailchimp Comprehensive email marketing service for designing, sending, and analyzing newsletters with automation features. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 6 | MailerLite Affordable email marketing platform with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for newsletters. | specialized | 8.4/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | Buttondown Simple Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers with scheduling and subscriber management. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 9.1/10 |
| 8 | Flodesk Visually stunning email marketing platform with beautiful templates and workflow automation for newsletters. | creative_suite | 8.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 9 | ActiveCampaign Advanced email marketing and CRM platform with powerful automations and personalization for newsletters. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Brevo Email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automations, and segmentation for newsletters. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.4/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
All-in-one platform for creators to build, grow, and monetize newsletters with advanced analytics and ad network.
Discovery and publishing platform that enables writers to send newsletters, build paid subscriptions, and connect with readers.
Creator-focused email marketing tool for newsletters with subscriber tagging, automations, and landing pages.
Open-source publishing platform optimized for newsletters, memberships, and fast performance.
Comprehensive email marketing service for designing, sending, and analyzing newsletters with automation features.
Affordable email marketing platform with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for newsletters.
Simple Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers with scheduling and subscriber management.
Visually stunning email marketing platform with beautiful templates and workflow automation for newsletters.
Advanced email marketing and CRM platform with powerful automations and personalization for newsletters.
Email and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automations, and segmentation for newsletters.
Beehiiv
specializedAll-in-one platform for creators to build, grow, and monetize newsletters with advanced analytics and ad network.
Beehiiv Boosts: A pay-per-click promotion system within an exclusive creator network for targeted, high-conversion subscriber growth.
Beehiiv is a modern newsletter platform built for creators, publishers, and businesses to design, distribute, grow, and monetize email newsletters with full ownership. It features an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, advanced analytics, and unique growth tools like the Recommendation Network and Referral Program to boost subscribers organically. Additionally, it supports seamless monetization through paid subscriptions, one-time offers, and the proprietary Boosts marketplace for paid promotions within a network of high-quality newsletters.
Pros
- Powerful growth tools like Recommendations and Referrals for organic subscriber acquisition
- Comprehensive monetization options including subscriptions, Boosts, and ad marketplace
- Intuitive editor and robust analytics with no coding required
Cons
- Pricing scales quickly after the free tier for larger lists
- Some advanced customization locked behind higher plans
- Templates could offer more variety for niche designs
Best For
Ambitious newsletter creators and publishers focused on rapid audience growth and diversified revenue streams.
Pricing
Free up to 2,500 subscribers; Launch at $42/mo (100k subs); Scale at $99/mo (unlimited subs + advanced features); Premium $299+/mo (custom enterprise).
Substack
specializedDiscovery and publishing platform that enables writers to send newsletters, build paid subscriptions, and connect with readers.
The Substack Network for cross-publication recommendations that boosts discoverability
Substack is an all-in-one platform designed for writers, journalists, and creators to publish newsletters directly to subscribers' inboxes. It simplifies content creation, audience growth via a recommendation network, and monetization through built-in paid subscriptions. Users can manage subscribers, track analytics, and earn revenue with minimal technical setup, making it ideal for independent publishers.
Pros
- Extremely simple setup and publishing workflow
- Seamless paid subscription monetization
- Built-in discovery network for audience growth
Cons
- Limited customization for designs and templates
- 10% platform fee on paid revenue
- Basic segmentation and advanced analytics
Best For
Independent writers and creators seeking an effortless way to launch, grow, and monetize newsletters.
Pricing
Free for free newsletters; 10% Substack fee + Stripe processing (approx. 2.9% + 30¢) on paid subscriptions.
ConvertKit
specializedCreator-focused email marketing tool for newsletters with subscriber tagging, automations, and landing pages.
Visual automation builder that simplifies complex subscriber journeys without coding
ConvertKit is an email marketing platform built specifically for creators, bloggers, podcasters, and online businesses to manage newsletters, grow subscriber lists, and monetize audiences. It provides tools for sending broadcasts, creating automated sequences, building landing pages and forms, and segmenting subscribers via tags. With a focus on simplicity and creator workflows, it also includes commerce features for selling digital products, courses, and paid subscriptions directly through email.
Pros
- Creator-centric design with intuitive tagging and segmentation
- Powerful visual automations and broadcast scheduling
- Built-in commerce for selling products and paid newsletters
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with large subscriber lists
- Fewer email templates and design options than competitors
- Analytics are solid but lack advanced enterprise-level reporting
Best For
Content creators, bloggers, and solopreneurs seeking an easy-to-use platform to nurture and monetize email audiences.
Pricing
Free plan up to 10,000 subscribers with limited forms and automations; Creator plan starts at $15/month (billed annually) for 1,000 subscribers, scaling to higher tiers based on audience size.
Ghost
specializedOpen-source publishing platform optimized for newsletters, memberships, and fast performance.
Seamless integration of paid memberships and subscriptions directly into newsletters, enabling easy monetization without third-party tools
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform optimized for newsletters, blogs, and membership sites, offering a sleek Markdown-based editor and native email delivery. It supports self-hosting for full control or managed Ghost(Pro) hosting with built-in scaling for large audiences. Creators can monetize via integrated memberships and subscriptions while maintaining high-performance, ad-free sites.
Pros
- Exceptional writing and editing experience with distraction-free interface
- Native membership and paid subscription tools integrated with newsletters
- Open-source flexibility with self-hosting or scalable managed plans
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and maintenance
- Limited built-in marketing automations compared to dedicated ESPs
- Pricing tiers scale quickly with audience size on hosted plans
Best For
Independent creators and publishers seeking a professional, customizable platform for newsletters with membership monetization and full content ownership.
Pricing
Self-hosted: free (hosting costs extra); Ghost(Pro) starts at $9/mo (500 members), $25/mo (1,000 members), up to custom enterprise plans.
Mailchimp
enterpriseComprehensive email marketing service for designing, sending, and analyzing newsletters with automation features.
Creative Assistant AI for generating email content and designs from simple prompts
Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing platform designed for creating, sending, and managing newsletters with a focus on user-friendly tools. It offers drag-and-drop email builders, customizable templates, audience segmentation, automation workflows, and detailed analytics to help users engage subscribers effectively. Beyond newsletters, it supports landing pages, ads, and integrations with CRM and e-commerce tools, making it a versatile solution for growing email lists.
Pros
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor suitable for beginners
- Extensive template library and automation capabilities
- Robust analytics and A/B testing for optimization
Cons
- Pricing scales steeply with subscriber count
- Advanced features like multivariate testing locked in premium plans
- Customer support can be slow for free/basic users
Best For
Small to medium-sized businesses and solo creators seeking an easy entry into professional newsletter marketing without technical expertise.
Pricing
Free for up to 500 contacts; Essentials starts at $13/mo (500 contacts), Standard at $20/mo, Premium at $350/mo, billed monthly with audience-based scaling.
MailerLite
specializedAffordable email marketing platform with drag-and-drop editor, popups, and automation for newsletters.
Visual automation builder that allows complex workflows without coding, rivaling more expensive platforms
MailerLite is an affordable email marketing platform specializing in newsletters, subscriber management, and automation for small businesses and creators. It features a drag-and-drop email editor, customizable templates, landing pages, popups, and segmentation tools to help users build and grow their audience effectively. With high deliverability rates and a generous free plan, it's designed for straightforward campaign creation without a steep learning curve.
Pros
- Generous free plan supporting up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and visual automation builder
- High deliverability and built-in tools for landing pages and forms
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting on lower plans
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to larger competitors
- Customer support response times can vary, especially for free users
Best For
Small businesses, bloggers, and solo creators seeking an easy, budget-friendly newsletter tool without advanced enterprise needs.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers; paid plans start at $10/month (Growing Business) up to $420/month (Advanced), billed annually with subscriber-based scaling.
Buttondown
specializedSimple Markdown-based newsletter tool for writers with scheduling and subscriber management.
Seamless Markdown-to-HTML editor with live preview for effortless, distraction-free newsletter creation
Buttondown is a minimalist newsletter platform tailored for writers and creators who prioritize simplicity and content creation over complex marketing tools. It provides a clean Markdown editor that converts to beautiful HTML emails, subscriber import/export, basic segmentation, analytics, and integrations like Zapier and RSS feeds. Designed for solo operators, it focuses on reliable delivery and ease without bloat.
Pros
- Exceptionally simple and intuitive interface
- Affordable, scalable pricing with a generous free tier
- Excellent email deliverability and clean Markdown editor
Cons
- Lacks advanced automation and A/B testing
- No built-in landing pages or website builder
- Limited analytics and segmentation options compared to competitors
Best For
Solo writers and small newsletter creators who want a no-frills tool to focus on writing and sending emails.
Pricing
Free for up to 100 subscribers; $9/month for up to 1,000 subscribers, then pay-as-you-grow at approximately $0.01 per additional subscriber (minimum $9/month).
Flodesk
creative_suiteVisually stunning email marketing platform with beautiful templates and workflow automation for newsletters.
Professionally designed, highly customizable templates that deliver magazine-quality newsletters effortlessly
Flodesk is an email marketing platform tailored for creatives, bloggers, and small businesses, specializing in beautifully designed newsletters through its drag-and-drop editor and pre-made templates. It allows unlimited subscribers and email sends on a flat-rate subscription, focusing on simplicity and aesthetics over complex automations. Users can create visually stunning, mobile-responsive emails without coding, making it a favorite for design-forward newsletters.
Pros
- Stunning, designer-curated templates that require minimal customization
- Unlimited subscribers and sends for a flat monthly fee
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor with excellent mobile responsiveness
Cons
- Limited automation and segmentation options compared to competitors
- Basic analytics and reporting features
- Fewer third-party integrations
Best For
Creatives, bloggers, and small businesses prioritizing beautiful newsletter design and simplicity over advanced marketing automations.
Pricing
Flat rate of $38/month (billed annually) or $48/month (monthly) for unlimited subscribers, emails, and most features; 30-day free trial available.
ActiveCampaign
enterpriseAdvanced email marketing and CRM platform with powerful automations and personalization for newsletters.
Visual automation builder with if/then logic for hyper-personalized newsletter sequences based on subscriber actions
ActiveCampaign is a comprehensive marketing automation platform that excels in email marketing, including newsletter delivery, with robust automation, CRM integration, and advanced segmentation capabilities. It enables users to create personalized newsletters using dynamic content blocks and send them to highly targeted lists based on user behavior. While powerful for scaling email operations, it goes beyond basic newsletters by incorporating sales automation and messaging features.
Pros
- Exceptional automation workflows for behavioral triggers and personalization in newsletters
- Deep CRM integration for managing subscriber data and lifecycle
- Advanced reporting and A/B testing for optimizing newsletter performance
Cons
- Steep learning curve for beginners focused on simple newsletters
- Higher pricing that may not suit low-volume newsletter senders
- Interface feels cluttered compared to dedicated newsletter tools
Best For
Marketing teams and growing businesses that need advanced automation and CRM alongside professional newsletter campaigns.
Pricing
Starts at $29/month (Lite plan, up to 500 contacts); scales to $149/month (Plus) and higher for Professional/Enterprise with more contacts and features; annual discounts available.
Brevo
enterpriseEmail and SMS marketing tool with transactional emails, automations, and segmentation for newsletters.
Unlimited contacts across all plans, enabling cost-effective list growth without subscriber limits.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is a comprehensive email marketing platform designed for creating, sending, and automating newsletters with features like drag-and-drop editors, subscriber segmentation, and detailed analytics. It supports multi-channel campaigns including SMS and chat, alongside transactional emails and CRM integration for streamlined customer management. Ideal for businesses scaling their email outreach, Brevo emphasizes high deliverability and automation workflows to nurture leads effectively.
Pros
- Generous free plan with 300 emails/day and unlimited contacts
- Strong automation and transactional email capabilities
- High deliverability rates and robust analytics
Cons
- Interface can feel cluttered for absolute beginners
- Advanced segmentation requires higher tiers
- Customer support can be slow outside business hours
Best For
Small to medium businesses seeking affordable, scalable newsletter tools with automation and multi-channel options.
Pricing
Free plan (300 emails/day); Starter from $25/mo (20k emails/mo), up to Enterprise custom pricing.
Conclusion
The reviewed tools cover diverse needs, from all-in-one building and monetization to simple scheduling or email marketing. Leading the pack, Beehiiv is the top choice, offering advanced analytics and an ad network to empower creators. Substack excels in discovery and paid subscriptions, while ConvertKit impresses with automation, each bringing unique value. The best tool depends on individual goals, but all deliver solid options.
Ready to elevate your newsletter? Start with Beehiiv today to leverage its comprehensive features and drive growth, engagement, and monetization.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
