You’ve chosen to create an e-newsletter– or probably you already have one. No matter, the huge concern in front of you is: What device should you use to expand, and probably generate income from, your newsletter?
And yeah … it’s overwhelming. There’s no scarcity of alternatives available. Some are too intricate. Others are also fundamental. And afterwards there are 2 names that maintain turning up in your study: Beehiiv Referral Program
They both appear strong. They’re both e-mail platforms. They both let you compose, send, and (with any luck) make money. Yet when it boils down to picking one, the differences start to matter– a great deal.
If you’re trying to determine which one is actually the much better suitable for you, you’re in the best area. Let’s dive in.
What Are Beehiiv and Substack?
Substack resembles the digital version of a writer’s comfy corner. It’s a minimal platform developed with writers in mind– think blog satisfies newsletter. You compose, you release, you struck send out. Boom. Done.
Beehiiv, on the other hand, is the more recent, shinier kid that’s clearly been constructed for development. It was born out of the Morning Brew team (yes, that Morning Brew), and it’s created to aid e-newsletter creators not only write and send e-mails– but scale like crazy.
Relieve of Use: Simplicity vs Approach
Let’s be truthful– you don’t want to spend hours learning a new control panel. You want to open up the thing, write your item, and send it off.
Substack nails this.
You open the editor, and it feels like a Google Doc with fewer diversions. No fuss, no templates. Simply you and your words. It’s oddly comforting. Like journaling.
There’s a factor numerous authors love it– it finishes.
Beehiiv? Still easy– but with more under the hood.
You get a timeless, clean editor plus the capacity to brand name your e-newsletter with personalized templates (though these are just available on paid plans). You can modify your article setups, adjust layout, and also choose author bylines. So while it’s still easy to use, it’s absolutely much more robust.
Verdict:
If you want pure simplicity, opt for Substack.
If you’re alright with a couple of added switches in exchange for more control, Beehiiv wins right here.
Monetization: Who Helps You Actually Earn Money?
This one’s vital– particularly if you’re not simply composing for enjoyable.
Substack’s design is straightforward: it’s totally free to utilize, once you turn on paid subscriptions, Substack takes a 10% cut– plus transaction charges. It’s plug-and-play for certain, but that portion of profits loss can hurt as you grow.
And if you wish to run advertisements? Well, you’re pretty much by yourself. There’s no indigenous ad network. You’ll have to by hand manage enrollers, repayment terms, and positioning the ads on your own.
Beehiiv goes a different path.
It’s totally free to begin, but if you want access to monetization features (like their advertisement network), you’ll need a paid plan. That said, they don’t take a cut of your subscription income (other than Stripe’s typical handling charges). So while you pay month-to-month upfront, you maintain a lot more as you grow.
Oh– and the money making devices? Way a lot more contemporary:
- Lifetime memberships
- ” Pay What You Want” alternatives
- Built-in referral programs
- An indigenous advertisement network to help you land enrollers without the back-and-forth
Judgment:
If you’re intending to expand and really generate income from, Beehiiv strikes Substack out of the water.
Community & Interaction: Beehiiv Referral Program
E-newsletters aren’t practically sending things out. They’re about pulling people in.
Substack leans right into community hard.
You’ve obtained comments, suches as, replies, personal messages, discussion threads– also a “Notes” area that imitates Twitter-lite. It’s gradually developing into a social system of its own. Some people love that. Others? Not so much.
Nevertheless it’s a beautiful ecological community if you intend to construct discussions around your content. It doesn’t hurt that Substack users can find you using the built-in network, and you can send visitors to other writers.
Beehiiv is … quieter.
They have actually just recently added remarks and suches as, but it’s not as community-driven (yet). People usually just reply to your e-mails. That’s not a bad thing– it maintains your inbox cleaner, and your content extra straight.
However where Beehiiv actually shines is in development auto mechanics:
- Built-in referral programs
- Paid referrals
- Cross-promotion tools to feature various other e-newsletters
Verdict:
Intend to develop a buzzing, social space around your newsletter? Substack has the side.
Searching for built-in development engines? Beehiiv takes the lead.
Layout & Flexibility: How Much Can You Make It Yours?
Let’s talk visuals. Just how much liberty do you get to make your newsletter?
Substack maintains it minimal.
You can include a logo design. Fine-tune a color. That’s about it. Emails all have the exact same framework, and your Substack homepage? It resembles a blog site. Tidy, but not extremely customizable.
Beehiiv provides a little bit a lot more flexibility.
There’s a “Design Lab” where you can establish typefaces, styles, and background colors. In the editor, you can include tables, pictures, buttons, installs– the fundamentals. It’s not Mailchimp-level personalization, but it lets you create an e-newsletter that really feels more like your very own brand name.
Judgment:
Substack is better if you want consistency without thinking too hard.
Beehiiv provides you the tools to make your e-newsletter feel you– without going overboard.
Audience Insights & Analytics: What Do You Really Understand About Your Readers?
This part matters means more than you believe.
Substack gives you the essentials.
Opens, clicks, readers by device. There’s a high-level sight of where customers came from– however it’s not granular. You don’t really get detailed target market data, which makes it hard to know what’s functioning.
Beehiiv goes much deeper.
Open up and click rates? Examine. Yet likewise– the number of people originated from X, Instagram, or your website. You can even see involvement by sector, place, or habits. It’s the kind of information that assists you really expand.
Decision:
Beehiiv wins hands-down if information matters to you (and it should).
List Management & Automations: Can You Customize the Experience?
Substack is straightforward.
You write an e-newsletter, and every person gets it. There’s no division, no tags, no automations. It’s a one-size-fits-all design. Straightforward, yes. Adaptable, not a lot.
Beehiiv, though?
You can sector your checklist based on engagement, signup source, actions– you name it. Want to send a welcome series to new viewers? You can. Intend to label clients based on study feedbacks? Yeah, that as well.
Verdict:
Beehiiv is a marketing expert’s desire. Substack is an author’s note pad.
Pricing
Substack is technically cost-free … till you earn money. Then they take 10%.
Beehiiv’s free plan lets you test the waters with up to 2,500 clients. But to unlock money making, you’ll require to upgrade:
Scale Plan starts at $49/month.
Costs increase based on your customer matter.
Greater tiers supply advanced automations, referral boosts, and customized domain names.
But once more– Beehiiv does not take a percentage of your income. That’s a big deal.
Decision:
Substack is terrific if you wish to test the waters and do not mind giving up 10%.
Beehiiv is much better if you plan to scale– and maintain more of what you earn.
Which One’s Actually Much better?
If you’re still uncertain, here’s the no-BS response:.
Usage Substack if you’re a single writer who intends to send fundamental emails, interact with a community, and does not care about style, data, or monetization Beehiiv Referral Program.
Select Beehiiv if you wish to treat your newsletter like a service. It’s better for serious development, money making, automation, and division. It’s generally what you would certainly get if ConvertKit and Substack had a baby– with Morning Brew as the godparent.
Final Thoughts
There’s no wrong solution right here – just devices that serve various goals.
But if you’re considering the long video game? Want greater than just an area to strike “release”? Desire the liberty to construct, monetize, and use data to choose?
Beehiiv is your finest choice.
It’s modern-day, built for makers and gives you the liberty to grow your listing just how you choose. So if you’re serious about your newsletter adventure, Beehiiv isn’t simply a platform, it’s your launching point.