When it came time to choose a new email system, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter monetization, and a smoother experience overall. After nearly a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own newsletter), I wasn’t seeking just a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Ghost.
Which’s exactly how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Now, I understand what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply one more Substack choice?” I thought that as well initially. However after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a whole lot to say– both the wins and the weird peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You’re about to 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 stuck in 2013. I needed a tool that might in fact aid expand my list and make some money while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started contrasting choices. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its advantages, yet I was checking out this with the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my audience and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Until You Look Closer
Substack was my first stop. It’s brightened. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s popular.
However dig a little much deeper, and splits begin revealing. The most significant one? You do not really have your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those fans live behind a wall– inside the Substack app or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re basically renting an audience you can never completely reach.
It’s like executing on a phase where the lights only turn on if the place makes a decision to allow the group see you. Does not really feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes another 3%. That’s 13% of your income– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a bar, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, However Was It Too Good to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv stick out?
Initially, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter listing growth devices, and absolutely no system costs (in addition to the common Stripe cut). Yet assurances are easy. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the testimonials were motivating. The Reddit threads didn’t seem like crawlers or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Remarkably smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new platform normally seems like drawing teeth. But Beehiiv? Surprisingly pain-free.
Importing my checklist? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Attaching my personalized domain? A couple of small hiccups, yet nothing that required swearing at the screen.
One point I really valued was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name to inbox service providers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder headaches.
Also, their assistance material– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– actually felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not frustrate the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Ghost
Currently here’s where things got a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is good, however don’t expect it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each type can just be linked to a solitary automation. That makes it difficult to personalize welcome series based on just how a person subscribed.
I ended up going complete detective setting– playing with sectors, using different landing pages, reading unknown Reddit threads– simply to develop a couple of tailored workflows.
Is it manageable? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may seem like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Primarily Great, Yet Not Perfect
I have actually got a bit of a love-hate relationship with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, format, preview– it feels like it was created by a person who’s actually composed a newsletter or 2.
However default templates took a few tweaks to solve. And below’s a curveball: Beehiiv emails can obtain huge. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That indicates your beautifully crafted message might get cut in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this by hand– after that decreased a bunny hole of screening tools to maximize HTML size and stay clear of that feared clipping.
My best approach?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and examining dimension
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail viewer
- Ascertaining with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and structure
Little a hand-operated process, but it functions. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That In Fact Steps the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete distinction since switching to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply 3 months, I added over 160 brand-new customers to a quite specific niche e-newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing before– and I had not been also running paid ads.
Most of that development originated from Beehiiv’s built-in 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 whole lot easier.
Money Making That Does Not Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s chat cash because for the majority of designers, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Simply Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
Yet there’s even more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from marketers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects creators with brand names in such a way that doesn’t really feel disgusting or required. It’s integrated revenue possibility, ordinary and easy Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Ghost.
And when I prepare to release a costs subscription? I know exactly what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Built-in Development Devices
What truly establishes Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Multiple landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your readers right into supporters without hanging unpleasant swag or single tricks.
I’ll claim this: Beehiiv feels like a system that desires you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I ‘d Still Like to See Improve
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got its quirks.
Support can be slow when you hit an unusual pest or need deep help.
Some automations still really feel as well fundamental.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app alerts (please and thank you).
No built-in countdown timers (sad face if you enjoy FOMO e-mails).
Ecommerce integrations? Essentially missing.
So if you’re selling physical products or want deserted cart flows, Beehiiv probably isn’t your best option.
Conclusion
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re generating income from, expanding a checklist, or just tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You want full ownership of your audience
You’re seeking to expand quick without paying system tax obligation
You want something that feels built by creators, for creators
Will it fix every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me grow faster, gain extra, and tension less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and actually range your newsletter with genuine tools that respect your job and target market– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Offer it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.