When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I really did not want “adequate.” I needed something better– something constructed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience on the whole. After almost a decade helping others with e-mail marketing (and two years running my very own e-newsletter), I wasn’t trying to find simply a device– I was searching for a proper companion Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Medium.
And that’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I understand what you’re believing: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply another Substack choice?” I thought that as well at first. However after 3 months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I have actually obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the strange peculiarities. If you’re attempting to choose whether Beehiiv is the best platform for you, clear up in. You will obtain the whole story.
Why I Left My Old Email Tool Behind
Let’s be straightforward– most email company (ESPs) are constructed like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that might really assist grow my listing and make some cash while I was at it. My old ESP just had not been sufficing anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the normal suspects. Each had its rewards, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of someone who takes email seriously– and who desired full control over my target market and content.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Great Until You Look Closer
Substack was my initial stop. It’s polished. It’s straightforward. And yeah, it’s preferred.
Yet dig a little much deeper, and splits begin showing. The largest one? You do not in fact possess your fans.
That “follow” switch you see on Substack? It’s primarily smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall– inside the Substack application or on their website. You can not email them straight. Can’t export them. You’re generally renting out an audience you can never ever fully get to.
It resembles performing on a phase where the lights just switch on if the venue determines to allow the group see you. Doesn’t really feel wonderful.
And after that there’s the cash side. Substack takes 10% off your paid subscriptions. Stripe takes an additional 3%. That’s 13% of your earnings– gone. You ‘d assume they were running a club, not an e-mail system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, But Was It Too Good to Be True?
So what made Beehiiv stand out?
At first, it was the promise of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter list growth tools, and zero platform fees (apart from the typical Stripe cut). But promises are easy. Execution? That’s where it gets real.
Still, the reviews were motivating. The Reddit strings really did not seem like bots or brand name plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Getting Set Up on Beehiiv
Let me tell you– moving to a new platform typically feels like drawing teeth. However Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Setting up types? No disasters. Attaching my custom domain? A few minor missteps, but nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One thing I actually appreciated was the “domain name warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox suppliers, piggybacking off their very own sending out domain name. Translation? Fewer spam folder problems.
Also, their support material– video clips, assistance docs, and walkthroughs– really felt human. Like someone sat down and stated, “Let’s not discourage the hell out of our individuals today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Medium
Now here’s where points obtained a little … interesting.
Beehiiv’s automation system is respectable, but do not anticipate it to compete with heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For example, each kind can just be attached to a single automation. That makes it difficult to individualize welcome sequences based on just how a person registered.
I ended up going full detective mode– tinkering with segments, utilizing separate landing pages, checking out obscure Reddit threads– just to construct a couple of customized workflows.
Is it manageable? Absolutely. However if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this may feel like stepping back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, Yet Not Perfect
I’ve got a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, go down, style, preview– it feels like it was made by somebody who’s actually composed an e-newsletter or more.
But default templates took a couple of tweaks to solve. And here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb big.
That suggests your perfectly crafted message could obtain sliced in half if you’re not careful. I learned this the hard way– then dropped a rabbit hole of screening devices to optimize HTML size and prevent that feared clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination emails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML with Parcel.io’s email viewer
- Confirming with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little a manual procedure, but it works. I even reached out to Beehiiv concerning including much better dimension warnings. Fingers went across.
The Stuff That Really Moves the Needle
Alright, let’s get into the meat of it– what’s made a substantial distinction since changing to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In simply three months, I included over 160 new customers to a rather particular niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t even running paid ads.
The majority of that development came from Beehiiv’s integrated tools: the referral program, Boosts (think newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can in fact track what’s functioning and where clients are coming from. Makes tweaking your method a great deal simpler.
Monetization That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak money due to the fact that for most creators, it matters.
Beehiiv does not take a cut from your paid memberships. Just Stripe’s cost. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% far better than Substack (essentially).
But there’s even more: their ad network is user-friendly and passive. Within three months, I was already fielding rate of interest from advertisers. Beehiiv’s companion network links makers with brands in a manner that doesn’t feel icky or compelled. It’s integrated earnings capacity, plain and basic Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Medium.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium subscription? I recognize specifically what reduced I’ll get: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Devices
What truly sets Beehiiv apart is that growth isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually obtained adjustable referral programs. Boosts for newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into advocates without dangling unpleasant swag or one-time tricks.
I’ll state this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to be successful. Not one that simply wants a piece of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you hit a weird bug or need deep help.
Some automations still feel also standard.
Email dimension surveillance requires far better in-app signals (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Primarily nonexistent.
So if you’re selling physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best choice.
Verdict
If you’re a developer who’s serious about newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a listing, or simply tired of obsolete systems– Beehiiv’s a solid selection.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re aiming to grow quick without paying system tax
You want something that feels constructed by makers, for makers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s helped me expand faster, make more, and stress less concerning the little points.
So, should you attempt Beehiiv?
If you’re ready to quit settling and actually scale your newsletter with real devices that appreciate your job and target market– yeah, I believe it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You simply might fall in love like I did.