When it came time to pick a new e-mail platform, I really did not desire “good enough.” I needed something much better– something developed for growth, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After virtually a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t seeking simply a tool– I was hunting for a correct companion Beehiiv Vs Drip.
And that’s exactly how Beehiiv entered the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv just one more Substack alternative?” I believed that as well in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to say– both the victories and the strange peculiarities. If you’re trying to decide whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be truthful– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that can actually assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP simply had not been sufficing any longer.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was looking at this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Problem: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s prominent.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not actually possess your followers.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re primarily renting out a target market you can never ever totally reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place chooses to let the crowd see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And afterwards there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You ‘d think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It Also Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand apart?
At first, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and zero platform costs (besides the common Stripe cut). Yet pledges are easy. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads really did not sound like crawlers or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a brand-new platform generally feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing types? No crises. Connecting my custom domain? A few minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the screen.
Something I truly valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Likewise, their support material– videos, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like a person sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Rejuvenating.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Drip
Now here’s where points obtained a little … intriguing.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, yet do not expect it to take on heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each form can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to individualize welcome sequences based on exactly how someone joined.
I ended up going full investigative setting– playing with sectors, utilizing different landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– just to develop a couple of customized workflows.
Is it workable? Definitely. Yet if you’re utilized to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a bit.
Email Builder: Mainly Great, However Not Perfect
I’ve got a little a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s e-mail builder.
Aesthetically? It’s slick. Drag, go down, format, preview– it seems like it was made by somebody who’s really written an e-newsletter or more.
However default templates took a couple of tweaks to get right. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your perfectly crafted message may get sliced in half if you’re not careful. I discovered this by hand– after that decreased a rabbit hole of testing tools to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreadful clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading examination emails from Gmail and checking dimension
- Running the HTML via Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Bit of a hand-operated procedure, yet it works. I even connected to Beehiiv regarding including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
Right Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a tangible difference because switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I added over 160 brand-new subscribers to a rather specific niche newsletter. That has to do with 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
Most of that development came from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where subscribers are originating from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot less complicated.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money since for most makers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Just Stripe’s fee. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (literally).
But there’s even more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within 3 months, I was already fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brands in such a way that doesn’t feel nasty or compelled. It’s built-in earnings potential, plain and straightforward Beehiiv Vs Drip.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium registration? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What actually establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You’ve got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can turn your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to prosper. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Assistance can be slow-moving when you struck a strange pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too standard.
Email size tracking needs far better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a list, or simply tired of out-of-date platforms– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You desire complete possession of your audience
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying platform tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for makers
Will it fix every issue? No. But in three months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, earn a lot more, and stress and anxiety less concerning the little points.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and in fact scale your e-newsletter with genuine devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.