When it came time to pick a brand-new email system, I didn’t want “adequate.” I needed something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my own e-newsletter), I had not been looking for just a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Substack.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack option?” I thought that too in the beginning. But after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the success and the weird quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the appropriate system for you, clear up in. You’re about to obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be honest– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that might in fact assist expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t cutting it any longer.
So I began contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, but I was taking a look at this via the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my target market and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The greatest one? You don’t really own your fans.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them straight. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out an audience you can never ever totally get to.
It’s like executing on a stage where the lights only activate if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Does not really feel excellent.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You would certainly believe they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development devices, and zero system charges (in addition to the typical Stripe cut). However pledges are very easy. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a brand-new system typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably painless.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up forms? No meltdowns. Linking my custom domain name? A few small missteps, however absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain. Translation? Less spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like somebody sat down and claimed, “Let’s not irritate the heck out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Substack
Currently right here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it tricky to individualize welcome series based upon exactly how a person registered.
I wound up going complete detective setting– playing with segments, making use of separate landing pages, checking out rare Reddit threads– simply to build a few tailored workflows.
Is it practical? Absolutely. But if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Excellent, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was developed by a person who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or two.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That suggests your wonderfully crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then decreased a bunny opening of screening devices to optimize HTML dimension and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and examining size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail audience
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, however it works. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers crossed.
The Stuff That Actually Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s enter the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching over to Beehiiv?
Target market Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 new clients to a quite specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a great deal much easier.
Monetization That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (actually).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in such a way that does not feel disgusting or required. It’s built-in revenue potential, simple and easy What Is The Difference Between Beehiiv and Substack.
And when I prepare to release a costs registration? I understand specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your visitors right into supporters without hanging awkward boodle or single tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv feels like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Support can be slow-moving when you hit an unusual bug or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size surveillance needs far better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically nonexistent.
So if you’re offering physical products or want deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a designer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your target market
You’re looking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that really feels developed by developers, for creators
Will it resolve every trouble? No. Yet in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, make much more, and stress less concerning the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit working out and really scale your newsletter with actual tools that value your job and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.