Your email list is the one audience no algorithm can take away. Newsletter platforms differ most in how they make money from you: a monthly fee per subscriber band, or a cut of what you earn.
beehiiv is a newsletter platform with a website, referral programme, recommendations and an ad network built in, aimed at newsletters that want to grow and earn from sponsors.
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | How it charges |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Creators who sell products and want automations. | Yes | Free plan, then monthly plans by subscriber count |
| beehiiv | Newsletters that plan to grow fast and sell sponsorships. | Yes | Free plan, then monthly plans by subscriber count |
| Substack | Writers starting a paid newsletter with no upfront cost. | Yes | Free; percentage of paid subscription revenue |
| Ghost | Publishers who want a real website and no revenue share. | No | Monthly hosted plans by members, or self-hosted |
| MailerLite | Creators on a budget who want automations. | Yes | Free plan, then monthly plans by subscriber count |
| Mailchimp | Creators who also run a shop and want e-commerce integrations. | Yes | Free plan, then monthly plans by contacts |
| GetResponse | Creators who run webinars as part of their marketing. | Check site | Monthly plans by contacts |
| Moosend | Growing lists on a tight budget. | Check site | Monthly plans by subscribers (free trial) |
| AWeber | Creators who want a proven, supported email tool. | Check site | Free and paid plans by subscribers |
| ActiveCampaign | Course businesses with complex, behaviour-based emails. | No | Monthly plans by contacts (free trial) |
| Brevo | Large lists that send occasionally. | Yes | Free plan, then monthly plans by emails sent |
| Flodesk | Visual creators who care how emails look. | Check site | Flat monthly or yearly price |
| Buttondown | Writers who want a calm, simple newsletter tool. | Check site | Free for small lists, then by subscribers |
| Kajabi | Established creators who want one platform for the whole business. | No | Monthly or yearly plans (free trial) |
| systeme.io | Creators launching a first funnel and course on a small budget. | Yes | Free plan, then monthly plans |
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is email marketing for creators: forms, automations, paid newsletters and digital product sales, with a recommendations network for growth.
beehiiv is a newsletter platform with a website, referral programme, recommendations and an ad network built in, aimed at newsletters that want to grow and earn from sponsors.
Substack hosts your newsletter, website and podcast for free and takes a percentage of paid subscription revenue. Its app and network help readers discover new writers.
Ghost is an open-source platform for a website, newsletter and paid memberships. You pay a flat fee for hosting (or self-host) and keep all subscription revenue apart from payment fees.
MailerLite covers newsletters, automations, landing pages and simple paid subscriptions at prices that stay low for small lists.
Mailchimp is general email marketing for businesses, with templates, automations and e-commerce integrations. It works for creators but is not designed around them.
GetResponse covers email marketing, automations, landing pages and webinars, with options to sell courses.
Moosend offers email campaigns, automations and landing pages at prices that stay low as lists grow.
AWeber is one of the oldest email marketing services, with templates, automations, landing pages and simple digital product sales.
ActiveCampaign is email marketing with very detailed automations, segmentation and a sales CRM.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) handles email, SMS and WhatsApp campaigns, automations and transactional emails, priced mainly by volume sent.
Flodesk focuses on design-led email templates and simple automations, with flat pricing that does not rise with list size.
Buttondown is a minimal newsletter tool with Markdown writing, paid subscriptions and an API, favoured by writers who want few distractions.
Kajabi runs courses, coaching, communities, a website, email marketing and checkout in one platform, so you can sell without stitching tools together.
systeme.io is an all-in-one platform for sales funnels, email marketing, online courses, memberships and checkout, with a free plan to start.
