When it came time to choose a new e-mail platform, I didn’t desire “adequate.” I required something much better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience in general. After virtually a years aiding others with email marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a tool– I was hunting for an appropriate companion Beehiiv Vs ActiveCampaign.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Now, I know what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv just an additional Substack choice?” I thought that also in the beginning. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually got a lot to claim– both the wins and the weird traits. If you’re trying to determine whether Beehiiv is the ideal platform for you, settle in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could in fact aid expand my checklist and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this with the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my audience and web content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Up Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first quit. It’s brightened. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little deeper, and splits begin showing. The biggest one? You do not actually own your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can not export them. You’re essentially renting a target market you can never ever completely get to.
It resembles executing on a phase where the lights only switch on if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Does not feel wonderful.
And then there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid registrations. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an e-mail platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no platform costs (apart from the typical Stripe cut). However assurances are simple. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the testimonials were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Linking my custom domain name? A few minor hiccups, but nothing that needed swearing at the display.
One point I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain to inbox providers, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their support content– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like somebody sat down and said, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our customers today.” Revitalizing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs ActiveCampaign
Now here’s where points obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet don’t expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each kind can just be attached to a solitary automation. That makes it complicated to personalize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person joined.
I wound up going full investigative mode– dabbling with sections, using different landing pages, reading odd Reddit threads– just to build a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. But if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Great, But Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate partnership with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Visually? It’s slick. Drag, go down, layout, sneak peek– it seems like it was designed by a person who’s really written a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can get large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message may get chopped in half if you’re not mindful. I learned this the hard way– after that decreased a rabbit hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and checking size
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s email audience
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hands-on process, yet it functions. I even connected to Beehiiv about adding much better size warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That Actually Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Target market Development
In just three months, I included over 160 brand-new subscribers to a pretty niche e-newsletter. That has to do with 60% greater than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t also running paid advertisements.
The majority of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (believe newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash because for many developers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% much better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their advertisement network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network connects makers with brand names in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, simple and simple Beehiiv Vs ActiveCampaign.
And when I prepare to launch a costs membership? I understand exactly what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers into supporters without hanging awkward swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a platform that wants you to do well. Not one that just desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird pest or require deep help.
Some automations still feel as well basic.
Email size monitoring needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You want something that feels developed by developers, for makers
Will it address every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s aided me expand much faster, make a lot more, and anxiety much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to stop resolving and really range your newsletter with actual tools that appreciate your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You just may fall in love like I did.