You’ve chosen to produce a newsletter– or maybe you currently have one. No matter, the huge inquiry in front of you is: What tool should you utilize to grow, and probably monetize, your newsletter?
And yeah … it’s frustrating. There’s no lack of choices out there. Some are too complex. Others are as well fundamental. And afterwards there are two names that keep turning up in your study: Beehiiv Custom Domains
They both seem solid. They’re both email platforms. They both let you write, send out, and (with any luck) earn money. However when it boils down to selecting one, the distinctions start to matter– a whole lot.
If you’re attempting to identify which one is really the far better suitable for you, you’re in the appropriate area. Let’s dive in.
What Are Beehiiv and Substack?
Substack resembles the digital version of an author’s cozy corner. It’s a minimalist platform created with writers in mind– assume blog site fulfills newsletter. You write, you release, you hit send out. Boom. Done.
Beehiiv, on the other hand, is the more recent, shinier youngster that’s clearly been constructed for growth. It was substantiated of the Morning Brew group (yes, that Morning Brew), and it’s designed to help newsletter creators not only write and send emails– however range like crazy.
Ease of Use: Simpleness vs Technique
Let’s be sincere– you don’t want to spend hours learning a brand-new dashboard. You want to open things, compose your piece, and send it off.
Substack nails this.
You open up the editor, and it seems like a Google Doc with less diversions. No fuss, no templates. Simply you and your words. It’s oddly calming. Like journaling.
There’s a factor so many writers enjoy it– it gets out of the way.
Beehiiv? Still basic– but with even more under the hood.
You get a timeless, clean editor plus the capacity to brand name your newsletter with customized templates (though these are only offered on paid plans). You can fine-tune your blog post setups, readjust format, and even pick writer bylines. So while it’s still straightforward, it’s certainly more durable.
Verdict:
If you desire pure simplicity, choose Substack.
If you’re all right with a couple of extra buttons for more control, Beehiiv wins below.
Money making: Who Aids You In Fact Earn Money?
This one’s important– particularly if you’re not just creating for fun.
Substack’s design is straightforward: it’s totally free to use, but once you switch on paid subscriptions, Substack takes a 10% cut– plus purchase costs. It’s plug-and-play for certain, yet that piece of earnings loss can sting as you grow.
And if you intend to run advertisements? Well, you’re basically by yourself. There’s no native advertisement network. You’ll have to manually manage sponsors, payment terms, and putting the ads yourself.
Beehiiv goes a various route.
It’s complimentary to get going, however if you desire access to money making features (like their advertisement network), you’ll require a paid plan. That claimed, they do not take a cut of your registration income (other than Stripe’s typical handling fees). So while you pay regular monthly upfront, you keep much more as you grow.
Oh– and the money making tools? Way more modern:
- Lifetime registrations
- ” Pay What You Want” choices
- Built-in referral programs
- An indigenous ad network to help you land enrollers without the back-and-forth
Verdict:
If you’re preparing to grow and truly generate income from, Beehiiv blows Substack out of the water.
Community & Interaction: Beehiiv Custom Domains
E-newsletters aren’t just about sending things out. They have to do with pulling people in.
Substack leans into community hard.
You’ve got comments, likes, responds, private messages, discussion threads– also a “Notes” area that imitates Twitter-lite. It’s gradually turning 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 conversations around your content. It does not injure that Substack individuals can discover you via the integrated network, and you can send visitors to other authors.
Beehiiv is … quieter.
They have actually lately added remarks and likes, yet it’s not as community-driven (yet). People normally just reply to your emails. That’s not a negative point– it keeps your inbox cleaner, and your web content more direct.
Yet where Beehiiv actually shines remains in growth technicians:
- Integrated referral programs
- Paid suggestions
- Cross-promotion tools to feature various other newsletters
Judgment:
Wish to develop a humming, social room around your e-newsletter? Substack has the edge.
Seeking integrated growth engines? Beehiiv takes the lead.
Layout & Versatility: How Much Can You Make It Yours?
Let’s speak visuals. How much liberty do you reach make your e-newsletter?
Substack maintains it very little.
You can add a logo. Modify a color. That’s about it. Emails all have the exact same structure, and your Substack homepage? It resembles a blog. Clean, but not extremely adjustable.
Beehiiv provides a little bit much more flexibility.
There’s a “Style Lab” where you can set typefaces, styles, and history shades. In the editor, you can add tables, pictures, buttons, embeds– the fundamentals. It’s not Mailchimp-level personalization, however it allows you create an e-newsletter that really feels more like your own brand.
Judgment:
Substack is better if you desire uniformity without assuming too hard.
Beehiiv offers you the tools to make your e-newsletter feel you– without overdoing.
Target Market Insights & Analytics: What Do You Actually Know About Your Visitors?
This component matters means more than you assume.
Substack gives you the basics.
Opens, clicks, visitors by device. There’s a high-level sight of where clients originated from– but it’s not granular. You do not truly get detailed audience data, that makes it tough to know what’s functioning.
Beehiiv goes deeper.
Open and click prices? Examine. Yet also– the amount of individuals came from X, Instagram, or your website. You can even see interaction by segment, place, or actions. It’s the sort of information that helps you actually grow.
Judgment:
Beehiiv wins hands-down if data issues to you (and it need to).
Listing Administration & Automations: Can You Individualize the Experience?
Substack is straightforward.
You compose an e-newsletter, and everybody gets it. There’s no segmentation, no tags, no automations. It’s a one-size-fits-all model. Basic, yes. Versatile, not so much.
Beehiiv, though?
You can section your checklist based upon engagement, signup resource, actions– you call it. Intend to send a welcome series to new readers? You can. Wish to tag clients based upon study reactions? Yeah, that as well.
Verdict:
Beehiiv is a marketer’s desire. Substack is an author’s notebook.
Pricing
Substack is technically cost-free … until you make money. After that they take 10%.
Beehiiv’s free plan lets you examine the waters with as much as 2,500 customers. However to unlock monetization, you’ll require to upgrade:
Scale Plan starts at $49/month.
Boost based upon your customer count.
Greater tiers supply innovative automations, referral boosts, and personalized domain names.
But again– Beehiiv doesn’t take a percentage of your profits. That’s a big deal.
Judgment:
Substack is excellent if you intend to evaluate the waters and don’t mind surrendering 10%.
Beehiiv is better if you plan to range– and keep even more of what you make.
Which One’s Really Much better?
If you’re still undecided, right here’s the no-BS action:.
Usage Substack if you’re a solitary author who wants to send basic e-mails, engage with a community, and doesn’t appreciate layout, information, or money making Beehiiv Custom Domains.
Select Beehiiv if you wish to treat your e-newsletter like an organization. It’s much better for serious development, money making, automation, and division. It’s primarily what you would certainly get if ConvertKit and Substack had an infant– with Morning Brew as the godparent.
Last Thoughts
There’s no incorrect response right here – simply tools that serve various goals.
Yet if you’re thinking about the long game? Want greater than simply a location to strike “release”? Want the liberty to develop, monetize, and use information to make decisions?
Beehiiv is your best alternative.
It’s modern, developed for designers and offers you the liberty to grow your listing how you select. So if you’re serious about your newsletter adventure, Beehiiv isn’t simply a platform, it’s your introducing point.