When it came time to choose a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “good enough.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years helping others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t looking for simply a device– I was searching for a correct companion Beehiiv Vs HubSpot.
Which’s how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I know what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I believed that too initially. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a whole lot to say– both the wins and the unusual traits. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the appropriate platform for you, work out in. You’re about to get the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Device Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email provider (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still stuck in 2013. I required a device that could really aid grow my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the usual suspects. Each had its perks, however I was looking at this with the lens of somebody who takes email seriously– and who wanted full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Problem: Looks Excellent Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits start revealing. The greatest one? You do not actually have your followers.
That “follow” button you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can’t email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out a target market you can never fully get to.
It resembles performing on a stage where the lights just switch on if the venue decides to let the group see you. Does not really feel terrific.
And after that there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly think they were running a nightclub, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Excellent to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
Initially, it was the assurance of creator-first features– like better money making, smarter listing growth tools, and zero system fees (besides the common Stripe cut). But assurances are simple. Implementation? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the evaluations were encouraging. The Reddit strings really did not sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the jump.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically feels like pulling teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my list? Smooth. Setting up types? No crises. Connecting my customized domain? A few small missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
One thing I truly valued was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name to inbox companies, piggybacking off their own sending out domain name. Translation? Less spam folder headaches.
Also, their support web content– videos, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the heck out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs HubSpot
Currently below’s where things obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, however don’t anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can just be connected to a single automation. That makes it complicated to customize welcome sequences based on exactly how a person signed up.
I wound up going complete detective mode– dabbling with segments, making use of separate landing pages, reviewing obscure Reddit strings– simply to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Fantastic, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Visually? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was developed by somebody who’s actually composed a newsletter or more.
However default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That implies your magnificently crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML dimension and prevent that feared clipping.
My best strategy?
- Downloading test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting dimension
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Verifying with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a manual procedure, however it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv about adding better dimension cautions. 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 distinction considering that switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new subscribers to a quite particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in devices: the referral program, Boosts (assume e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your technique a whole lot less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s talk cash due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
But there’s more: their ad network is instinctive and passive. Within three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects designers with brands in such a way that does not really feel icky or required. It’s built-in income capacity, simple and simple Beehiiv Vs HubSpot.
And when I prepare to release a premium subscription? I recognize exactly what cut I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What really 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. Several landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling awkward boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a platform that desires you to succeed. Not one that simply desires a piece of your pie.
Points I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Assistance can be slow when you hit a weird bug or require deep help.
Some automations still feel also basic.
Email size surveillance requires better in-app signals (please and thank you).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart flows, Beehiiv most likely isn’t your best bet.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, expanding a list, or simply tired of outdated systems– Beehiiv’s a strong choice.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete ownership of your audience
You’re looking to expand quick without paying platform tax
You want something that feels built by developers, for creators
Will it address every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, gain extra, and stress much less regarding the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to stop settling and actually range your e-newsletter with actual devices that value your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Provide it a spin. You simply may fall in love like I did.