You’ve decided to produce a newsletter– or possibly you currently have one. Regardless, the big concern in front of you is: What tool should you use to grow, and possibly monetize, your e-newsletter?
And yeah … it’s overwhelming. There’s no scarcity of choices out there. Some are too complex. Others are also basic. And then there are two names that keep turning up in your research: Beehiiv Hivemind
They both appear solid. They’re both email systems. They both let you write, send out, and (hopefully) get paid. But when it boils down to selecting one, the distinctions start to matter– a whole lot.
If you’re trying to find out which one is really the better fit for you, you remain in the best area. Let’s dive in.
What Are Beehiiv and Substack?
Substack resembles the digital version of a writer’s relaxing corner. It’s a minimalist platform developed with writers in mind– believe blog satisfies newsletter. You compose, you release, you hit send. Boom. Done.
Beehiiv, on the other hand, is the more recent, shinier child that’s plainly been constructed for development. It was substantiated of the Morning Brew group (yes, that Morning Brew), and it’s created to help e-newsletter makers not only compose and send emails– but range like crazy.
Reduce of Use: Simpleness vs Strategy
Let’s be truthful– you do not intend to spend hours learning a new dashboard. You intend to open the thing, create your item, and send it off.
Substack nails this.
You open the editor, and it feels like a Google Doc with fewer diversions. No frills, no templates. Simply you and your words. It’s unusually calming. Like journaling.
There’s a factor many authors love it– it finishes.
Beehiiv? Still straightforward– yet with even more under the hood.
You obtain a timeless, tidy editor plus the ability to brand your newsletter with custom-made templates (though these are just available on paid plans). You can modify your article settings, adjust layout, and also select author bylines. So while it’s still user-friendly, it’s most definitely extra robust.
Judgment:
If you desire pure simplicity, opt for Substack.
If you’re all right with a few added switches in exchange for even more control, Beehiiv wins here.
Monetization: Who Assists You In Fact Make Money?
This set’s vital– particularly if you’re not simply creating for fun.
Substack’s model is straightforward: it’s totally free to utilize, but once you activate paid registrations, Substack takes a 10% cut– plus transaction charges. It’s plug-and-play without a doubt, yet that chunk of earnings loss can sting as you expand.
And if you wish to run advertisements? Well, you’re basically on your own. There’s no native advertisement network. You’ll need to by hand deal with enrollers, settlement terms, and putting the ads yourself.
Beehiiv goes a various path.
It’s cost-free to begin, yet if you desire accessibility to monetization features (like their advertisement network), you’ll require a paid plan. That stated, they do not take a cut of your membership earnings (except Stripe’s conventional processing charges). So while you pay regular monthly upfront, you keep extra as you grow.
Oh– and the money making devices? Means much more modern:
- Life time registrations
- ” Pay What You Desired” options
- Built-in referral programs
- A native advertisement network to assist you land enrollers without the back-and-forth
Judgment:
If you’re preparing to grow and actually monetize, Beehiiv strikes Substack out of the water.
Community & Engagement: Beehiiv Hivemind
Newsletters aren’t just about sending things out. They have to do with pulling people in.
Substack leans right into community hard.
You’ve obtained remarks, likes, replies, exclusive messages, discussion threads– even a “Notes” area that imitates Twitter-lite. It’s slowly developing into a social platform of its own. Some people like that. Others? Not so much.
However it’s a wonderful community if you want to develop discussions around your material. It doesn’t hurt that Substack individuals can uncover you by means of the built-in network, and you can send visitors to various other writers.
Beehiiv is … quieter.
They’ve lately added comments and likes, but it’s not as community-driven (yet). Individuals normally simply reply to your e-mails. That’s not a negative thing– it keeps your inbox cleaner, and your material much more direct.
However where Beehiiv actually beams remains in development auto mechanics:
- Built-in referral programs
- Paid recommendations
- Cross-promotion tools to feature other newsletters
Verdict:
Wish to develop a humming, social room around your newsletter? Substack has the side.
Searching for integrated growth engines? Beehiiv takes the lead.
Style & Versatility: How Much Can You Make It Yours?
Let’s chat visuals. Just how much flexibility do you reach make your e-newsletter?
Substack keeps it very little.
You can add a logo design. Fine-tune a shade. That has to do with it. Emails all have the same framework, and your Substack homepage? It looks like a blog. Clean, but not very customizable.
Beehiiv provides a little bit much more flexibility.
There’s a “Layout Laboratory” where you can establish font styles, styles, and background shades. In the editor, you can include tables, photos, switches, installs– the essentials. It’s not Mailchimp-level modification, yet it allows you create a newsletter that feels even more like your very own brand.
Verdict:
Substack is better if you desire consistency without believing as well hard.
Beehiiv provides you the devices to make your newsletter feel you– without overdoing it.
Audience Insights & Analytics: What Do You Actually Learn About Your Readers?
This part matters method more than you think.
Substack offers you the essentials.
Opens, clicks, viewers by device. There’s a top-level sight of where customers originated from– however it’s not granular. You do not really get detailed target market information, which makes it difficult to understand what’s functioning.
Beehiiv goes deeper.
Open and click prices? Examine. However likewise– the number of people came from X, Instagram, or your web site. You can also see engagement by section, location, or actions. It’s the sort of information that aids you really grow.
Decision:
Beehiiv wins hands-down if data matters to you (and it should).
Checklist Monitoring & Automations: Can You Personalize the Experience?
Substack is straightforward.
You create an e-newsletter, and everybody gets it. There’s no segmentation, no tags, no automations. It’s a one-size-fits-all design. Simple, yes. Versatile, not a lot.
Beehiiv, though?
You can segment your checklist based upon interaction, signup resource, habits– you name it. Want to send out a welcome sequence to new readers? You can. Intend to identify subscribers based on study reactions? Yes, that too.
Decision:
Beehiiv is a marketing expert’s desire. Substack is an author’s notebook.
Pricing
Substack is practically free … until you make money. Then they take 10%.
Beehiiv’s free plan allows you examine the waters with as much as 2,500 subscribers. However to open money making, you’ll need to upgrade:
Scale Plan begins at $49/month.
Boost based on your subscriber matter.
Higher tiers supply innovative automations, referral boosts, and custom-made domains.
However once more– Beehiiv does not take a percent of your revenue. That’s a big deal.
Verdict:
Substack is fantastic if you wish to evaluate the waters and do not mind giving up 10%.
Beehiiv is better if you plan to range– and maintain even more of what you gain.
Which One’s In fact Better?
If you’re still undecided, right here’s the no-BS action:.
Usage Substack if you’re a single author who intends to send standard e-mails, engage with a community, and does not appreciate layout, information, or monetization Beehiiv Hivemind.
Select Beehiiv if you wish to treat your e-newsletter like an organization. It’s much better for major development, money making, automation, and segmentation. It’s basically what you ‘d obtain if ConvertKit and Substack had an infant– with Morning Brew as the godparent.
Final Thoughts
There’s no wrong response below – simply devices that offer various goals.
However if you’re thinking about the long game? Desire more than simply a location to strike “publish”? Desire the flexibility to construct, monetize, and make use of information to make decisions?
Beehiiv is your finest choice.
It’s modern, built for developers and gives you the liberty to expand your listing how you choose. So if you’re serious about your e-newsletter adventure, Beehiiv isn’t simply a system, it’s your establishing point.