Stack
Beehiiv
A newsletter platform with built-in growth and monetization features like an ad network and referral program.
What it actually does
Beehiiv is a newsletter platform aimed at turning the newsletter itself into a growth channel or revenue line. Beyond sending, it bundles an ad network, referral boosts, a website builder, and paid subscriptions with no platform cut.
The free Launch plan allows 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends, a custom domain, and a website, which beats every paid entry tier here for a pure newsletter. Automations and paid subscriptions require the Scale plan.
The gaps are at the edges: removing Beehiiv branding requires the Max plan, and the Send API is Enterprise-only, so Beehiiv cannot handle an app's transactional email. Scale pricing rises with subscriber count rather than staying flat.
Beehiiv vs its main rivals
The tools people actually weigh against Beehiiv: Substack, Kit (ConvertKit), Ghost, Mailchimp. Same criteria for every column, including where Beehiiv loses.
| Beehiiv |  Substack |  Kit (ConvertKit) |  Ghost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Pricing & access | ||||
| Free tier | Yes2,500 subs | YesUnlimited (10% cut) | Yes10,000 subs | NoSelf-host only |
| Starting price | $43/mo | Free (10% cut) | $33/mo | $9/mo |
Audience & sending | ||||
| Unlimited sends on free | YesYes | YesYes | YesYes | YesSelf-host |
| Automations | YesScale tier | NoNo | Yes1 free | YesLimited |
Monetization & growth | ||||
| Paid-subscription platform cut | 0% | 10% | 0% + comm | 0% |
| Built-in ad network | YesYes | NoNo | NoNo | NoNo |
| Discovery / recommendation network | Boosts | Notes (strongest) | No | No |
Developer & API | ||||
| Transactional / Send API | NoEnterprise only | NoNo | NoNo | YesSelf-host |
| REST API | Paid | No | Free | Free |
Publishing & brand | ||||
| Remove platform branding | YesMax plan | NoAlways branded | YesPaid | YesIncluded |
- Free plan with 2,500 subscribers and unlimited sends beats every paid entry tier here
- 0% platform cut on paid subscriptions, versus Substack's 10%
- Built-in ad network, referral boosts, and website builder for growth
- Automations and paid subscriptions require the Scale plan, a jump from free
- Removing beehiiv branding requires the pricier Max plan
- Send API is Enterprise-only, so it cannot handle app transactional email
Pay less for it
5 ways found2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends, custom domain, and a website, the best free value here until you need automations.
Paying yearly trims the Scale plan (about $6/mo, roughly $72/yr) and more on Max.
Built-in referral and recommendation tools grow the list without ad spend while you stay on a lower tier.
Paid subscriptions incur only Stripe fees, so you keep more revenue than on Substack's 10%.
Substack — No monthly fee at all (it takes 10% of paid-subscription revenue instead), a cheaper path if you have few or no paid subscribers and want built-in discovery.
StackTracker tracks what you actually pay for Beehiiv and every other tool, flags overpayment, and shows the dollars you would save by switching.
Is it the right tool for you
- The newsletter itself is meant to become a growth channel or revenue product
- You want an ad network and referral tools built in
- You want 0% platform cut on paid subscriptions
- You need transactional app email like resets and receipts → use Resend or Postmark
- You want a large free list without a monthly fee → use Substack or Kit
Track what Beehiiv and the rest of your stack cost
StackTracker adds up every subscription, plus your hours, so you see the real number.
Prices and limits last verified 2026-07-20.