In 2020, the newletter industry was valued at $7.5 billion, and with the ongoing surge in newsletter popularity, choosing the right newsletter platform can make or break your growth. If you’re starting or scaling a paid newsletter, Beehiiv and Substack are two of the most popular options.
Each has its pros and cons, and depending on your goals, one might be a better fit than the other. This comparison covers everything from features and pricing to customization and monetization strategies.
What Is Substack?
A Writer-First Platform with Built-in Discovery
Substack is a platform built specifically for writers and content creators. It allows users to publish newsletters, build a following, and monetize through subscriptions.
One of its core strengths is the built-in network effect. Readers often discover new newsletters via recommendations and the platform’s feed, which boosts discoverability.
However, Substack has started leaning into more algorithm-driven content like “Notes,” which can sometimes distract from your newsletter’s core purpose.
What Is Beehiiv?
A Growth-Centric Newsletter Platform for Creators
Beehiiv was founded by former Morning Brew team members and is designed to help creators grow, scale, and monetize newsletters.
Unlike Substack, Beehiiv gives you more control over your audience. There’s no algorithm interfering with how or when your newsletter gets seen.
You also get access to powerful tools like:
- Advanced audience analytics
- Referral programs
- Custom domains
- Monetization via ads and sponsorships
Pricing Breakdown
Substack’s Revenue Share Model
Substack is free to use, but takes a 10% cut of any revenue you make from subscriptions.
Let’s say you have 100 subscribers paying €5/month:
- That’s €500 monthly revenue
- Substack takes €50
- Stripe fees also apply
It’s a great model for creators who want no upfront costs but may become expensive as your revenue grows.
Beehiiv’s Flat Pricing Model
Beehiiv starts free for up to 2,500 subscribers. Paid plans begin at €49/month, with no revenue share.
Let’s say you have 1,000 subscribers and 3% of them convert to a €5/month paid plan:
- That’s €150 monthly revenue
- You keep it all
- You only pay the flat subscription fee
For serious creators, Beehiiv is often more cost-effective in the long run.
Customization and Branding Control
Substack: Minimalist but Limited
Substack keeps things simple . The UI is clean and distraction-free, but it offers limited customization.
If you want your newsletter to feel like a true extension of your brand, such as with custom domains, unique layouts, or integrations, Substack might not give you the flexibility you need.
Beehiiv: Tailored to Your Brand
Beehiiv shines in terms of customization and control. You can:
- Use a custom domain
- Create branded landing pages
- Embed referral forms
- Access deeper data on audience behavior
It feels more like a full-fledged SaaS tool than just a writing platform.
Monetization Options: Substack vs Beehiiv
Substack Focuses on Paid Subscriptions
Substack monetization is mostly about paid subscriptions. While it works, it’s not flexible.
For example:
- You can’t tease paid content to free readers
- You can’t monetize via ads or sponsorships directly
- There’s no built-in referral program
This can limit your ability to experiment with diverse revenue streams.
Beehiiv Supports Multiple Monetization Strategies
Beehiiv supports:
- Paid subscriptions
- Referral programs
- Native ad network (Boost)
- Audience segmentation for premium content
This flexibility lets you build multiple income streams, test different strategies, and optimize for what works best with your audience.
Community and Support
Substack: Simple Community, Limited Support
Substack offers comments, shares, and recommendations. It’s more writer-community centric than technical. However, support is fairly limited and not personalized.
Beehiiv: A Creator-Focused Ecosystem
Beehiiv gives creators access to a private Slack group filled with power users sharing growth tips and strategies.
You also get access to active customer support, tutorials, and real-time feedback, which can be invaluable when scaling.
Who Should Use Which Platform?
Substack Is Best When:
- You’re a writer focused on essays, opinion pieces, or personal narratives
- You want a platform with built-in discovery and a minimal setup
- You’re okay with giving up 10% of revenue for simplicity
Beehiiv Is Best When:
- You want to grow and scale a newsletter into a media business
- You care about data, audience segmentation, and customization
- You want multiple monetization options and long-term scalability
Final Verdict
Both platforms are excellent, but serve different types of creators.
- If you’re a writer who wants simplicity, Substack is would be great choice.
- If you’re building a newsletter as a business, with branding, monetization, and growth in mind, Beehiiv is the better long-term play.
Whichever one you go with, ensure it aligns with your writing goals and how you plan to scale.
Do you need help to launch or grow your newsletter?
I help creators and businesses grow with high-converting content and newsletter strategies. Let’s discuss!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is beehiiv so popular?
I think beehiiv is an excellent newsletter platform for anyone starting an online business. It provides numerous vital features for free, enabling content creators to “experiment” with the platform prior to choosing a paid plan
What is the beehiiv controversy?
Beehiiv is encountering backlash on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) as users have mentioned getting unwanted newsletters in their inboxes. These individuals claimed that they never registered for Beehiiv or any particular newsletters, yet they consistently receive unwanted emails
Why is beehiiv better than Substack?
Although Substack offers a mobile app for convenient content access, it does not have the comprehensive growth tools and monetization features available with beehiiv. For creators aiming to expand their newsletters and increase revenue, beehiiv offers a stronger solution that addresses their changing requirements