When it came time to choose a brand-new email platform, I didn’t want “adequate.” I required something much better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience generally. After nearly a years aiding others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter), I had not been trying to find just a tool– I was searching for a proper partner Beehiiv Vs Substack.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re assuming: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack option?” I believed that also in the beginning. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve got a great deal to say– both the wins and the odd quirks. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the right system for you, resolve 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 stuck in 2013. I needed a device that could in fact help expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP simply wasn’t sufficing any longer.
So I began comparing options. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the typical suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was considering this with the lens of somebody who takes e-mail seriously– and who desired complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Issue: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my very first quit. It’s polished. It’s easy. And yeah, it’s popular.
Yet dig a little deeper, and fractures start revealing. The largest one? You do not really possess your fans.
That “comply with” button you see on Substack? It’s mainly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can not export them. You’re basically renting out a target market you can never ever completely reach.
It’s like doing on a phase where the lights just activate if the location chooses to allow the group see you. Doesn’t feel excellent.
And afterwards there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d think they were running a bar, not an email platform.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Also Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the pledge of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list development tools, and zero platform costs (other than the usual Stripe cut). But guarantees are simple. Implementation? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings didn’t seem like robots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– migrating to a new system typically feels like pulling teeth. However Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Setting up kinds? No crises. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of minor missteps, but absolutely nothing that required swearing at the display.
Something I actually valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their own sending domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their assistance material– video clips, help docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like a person took a seat and claimed, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our customers today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Substack
Currently below’s where points got a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, but don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight platforms like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. As an example, each type can only be connected to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome sequences based upon how someone joined.
I wound up going complete investigator setting– playing with sections, using different landing pages, reviewing unknown Reddit strings– just to develop a few customized workflows.
Is it doable? Absolutely. Yet if you’re used to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional logic, this might seem like stepping back a bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, sneak peek– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
Yet default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain big. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb large.
That means your magnificently crafted message might obtain cut in half if you’re not careful. I learned this by hand– after that dropped a rabbit opening of screening tools to optimize HTML size and avoid that dreadful clipping.
My go-to method?
- Downloading and install test e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual procedure, but it functions. I also connected to Beehiiv about including better size cautions. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a substantial difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just 3 months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% greater than what I was seeing previously– and I had not been also running paid advertisements.
Most of that growth originated from Beehiiv’s built-in tools: the referral program, Boosts (believe e-newsletter cross-promotions), and organic reach. You can really track what’s functioning and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your approach a great deal less complicated.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat money due to the fact that for many creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid subscriptions. Just 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 three months, I was currently fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s built-in revenue capacity, simple and simple Beehiiv Vs Substack.
And when I prepare to introduce a costs registration? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Growth Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead resources. You can transform your readers right into advocates without dangling uncomfortable swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Points I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got its traits.
Assistance can be slow when you struck a weird insect or need deep assistance.
Some automations still really feel also standard.
Email size tracking requires far better in-app notifies (please and thanks).
No integrated countdown timers (sad face if you like FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Basically missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or desire deserted cart circulations, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best choice.
Final Thought
If you’re a creator who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or simply tired of obsolete platforms– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You want complete possession of your audience
You’re aiming to expand fast without paying system tax obligation
You want something that really feels constructed by makers, for creators
Will it solve every trouble? No. However in 3 months, it’s assisted me grow much faster, gain extra, and tension much less regarding the little things.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit working out and really scale your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and audience– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Go on. Give it a spin. You simply could fall in love like I did.