You’ve decided to develop an e-newsletter– or maybe you currently have one. Regardless, the big inquiry before you is: What tool should you utilize to expand, and maybe monetize, your newsletter?
And yeah … it’s frustrating. There’s no shortage of options out there. Some are as well complicated. Others are too basic. And then there are two names that keep appearing in your research: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Conference
They both appear solid. They’re both email platforms. They both let you write, send out, and (with any luck) make money. Yet when it comes down to selecting one, the distinctions begin to matter– a whole lot.
If you’re attempting to identify which one is actually the much better suitable for you, you remain in the right place. Let’s dive in.
What Are Beehiiv and Substack?
Substack resembles the digital version of a writer’s comfy edge. It’s a minimal system created with writers in mind– believe blog meets newsletter. You create, you release, you struck send. Boom. Done.
Beehiiv, on the other hand, is the more recent, shinier youngster that’s plainly been built for growth. It was substantiated of the Morning Brew group (yes, that Morning Brew), and it’s designed to aid newsletter makers not only write and send e-mails– however scale like crazy.
Ease of Use: Simplicity vs Technique
Let’s be straightforward– you don’t want to spend hours learning a brand-new dashboard. You wish to open up things, write your item, and send it off.
Substack nails this.
You open the editor, and it seems like a Google Doc with less diversions. No frills, no templates. Just you and your words. It’s oddly soothing. Like journaling.
There’s a reason many writers enjoy it– it gets out of the way.
Beehiiv? Still basic– however with more under the hood.
You get a classic, clean editor plus the capacity to brand your newsletter with custom-made templates (though these are just offered on paid plans). You can tweak your message setups, adjust design, and even select writer bylines. So while it’s still straightforward, it’s certainly more robust.
Decision:
If you want pure simpleness, go with Substack.
If you’re okay with a couple of additional buttons for more control, Beehiiv wins below.
Monetization: Who Assists You Actually Earn Money?
This set’s important– especially if you’re not just creating for enjoyable.
Substack’s version is straightforward: it’s complimentary to make use of, but once you activate paid subscriptions, Substack takes a 10% cut– plus deal charges. It’s plug-and-play without a doubt, however that portion of earnings loss can sting as you expand.
And if you intend to run advertisements? Well, you’re basically on your own. There’s no indigenous advertisement network. You’ll have to manually deal with sponsors, payment terms, and putting the advertisements on your own.
Beehiiv goes a various path.
It’s free to start, however if you want access to monetization features (like their advertisement network), you’ll need a paid plan. That claimed, they don’t take a cut of your membership profits (except Stripe’s typical processing costs). So while you pay month-to-month upfront, you maintain more as you expand.
Oh– and the monetization tools? Way a lot more modern:
- Life time memberships
- ” Pay What You Want” choices
- Integrated referral programs
- An indigenous advertisement network to assist you land sponsors without the back-and-forth
Decision:
If you’re intending to grow and really generate income from, Beehiiv blows Substack out of the water.
Community & Involvement: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Conference
Newsletters aren’t nearly sending things out. They’re about drawing individuals in.
Substack leans right into community hard.
You have actually got remarks, likes, responds, private messages, discussion threads– also a “Notes” section that imitates Twitter-lite. It’s slowly becoming a social platform of its own. Some individuals like that. Others? Not a lot.
Nevertheless it’s a wonderful ecosystem if you want to construct conversations around your content. It does not harm that Substack users can find you by means of the built-in network, and you can send viewers to various other writers.
Beehiiv is … quieter.
They have actually just recently included comments and likes, yet it’s not as community-driven (yet). Individuals generally just respond to your emails. That’s not a negative thing– it keeps your inbox cleaner, and your content extra direct.
However where Beehiiv really beams remains in development mechanics:
- Integrated referral programs
- Paid recommendations
- Cross-promotion devices to feature other newsletters
Decision:
Intend to produce a buzzing, social space around your e-newsletter? Substack has the side.
Looking for built-in growth engines? Beehiiv takes the lead.
Layout & Adaptability: How Much Can You Make It Yours?
Let’s speak visuals. Just how much flexibility do you get to make your e-newsletter?
Substack maintains it minimal.
You can include a logo. Modify a color. That’s about it. E-mails all have the very same framework, and your Substack homepage? It resembles a blog. Tidy, but not incredibly personalized.
Beehiiv supplies a bit a lot more flexibility.
There’s a “Design Laboratory” where you can set font styles, styles, and history shades. In the editor, you can add tables, images, buttons, installs– the essentials. It’s not Mailchimp-level personalization, however it lets you create a newsletter that really feels more like your own brand.
Decision:
Substack is much better if you want consistency without thinking too hard.
Beehiiv offers you the tools to make your newsletter feel you– without going overboard.
Audience Insights & Analytics: What Do You In fact Learn About Your Viewers?
This part matters method more than you think.
Substack gives you the essentials.
Opens, clicks, readers by device. There’s a high-level sight of where subscribers originated from– yet it’s not granular. You do not actually get detailed target market data, which makes it difficult to know what’s working.
Beehiiv goes much deeper.
Open up and click rates? Inspect. However also– how many people originated from X, Instagram, or your internet site. You can also see interaction by section, area, or habits. It’s the sort of data that helps you actually expand.
Decision:
Beehiiv wins hands-down if data matters to you (and it need to).
Listing Administration & Automations: Can You Customize the Experience?
Substack is straightforward.
You create a newsletter, and everybody gets it. There’s no division, no tags, no automations. It’s a one-size-fits-all model. Simple, yes. Flexible, not a lot.
Beehiiv, though?
You can section your checklist based upon engagement, signup resource, behavior– you name it. Want to send out a welcome series to new visitors? You can. Intend to identify customers based on survey reactions? Yes, that too.
Decision:
Beehiiv is a marketer’s desire. Substack is a writer’s note pad.
Pricing
Substack is practically complimentary … till you earn money. After that they take 10%.
Beehiiv’s free plan lets you test the waters with approximately 2,500 clients. However to unlock monetization, you’ll require to upgrade:
Scale Plan begins at $49/month.
Boost based on your subscriber count.
Greater rates supply advanced automations, referral boosts, and personalized domains.
However once again– Beehiiv doesn’t take a percentage of your profits. That’s a big deal.
Decision:
Substack is excellent if you want to test the waters and don’t mind quiting 10%.
Beehiiv is better if you plan to range– and keep even more of what you gain.
Which One’s In fact Much better?
If you’re still unsure, below’s the no-BS feedback:.
Usage Substack if you’re a single writer who intends to send standard e-mails, connect with a community, and doesn’t respect design, information, or monetization Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Conference.
Select Beehiiv if you intend to treat your newsletter like an organization. It’s much better for serious development, monetization, automation, and segmentation. It’s basically what you ‘d obtain if ConvertKit and Substack had a baby– with Morning Brew as the godparent.
Last Thoughts
There’s no wrong solution here – just tools that offer different objectives.
However if you’re thinking about the long game? Want greater than simply an area to strike “publish”? Want the flexibility to develop, monetize, and utilize information to choose?
Beehiiv is your ideal alternative.
It’s modern-day, constructed for makers and gives you the flexibility to grow your checklist how you select. So if you’re serious about your e-newsletter journey, Beehiiv isn’t just a platform, it’s your introducing factor.