When it came time to pick a brand-new e-mail platform, I didn’t want “good enough.” I required something better– something developed for development, smarter money making, and a smoother experience overall. After almost a years assisting others with e-mail marketing (and 2 years running my own newsletter), I wasn’t searching for just a device– I was searching for a correct partner Substack Vs Beehiiv.
Which’s just how Beehiiv went into the picture.
Currently, I recognize what you’re thinking: “Isn’t Beehiiv simply an additional Substack choice?” I assumed that too at first. But after three months of kicking the tires and diving deep, I’ve obtained a great deal to claim– both the wins and the unusual quirks. If you’re trying to make a decision whether Beehiiv is the ideal 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 sincere– most email provider (ESPs) are built like they’re still embeded 2013. I needed a device that could really help expand my list and make some cash while I went to it. My old ESP just had not been cutting it anymore.
So I started comparing alternatives. Beehiiv, Substack, Kit … the common suspects. Each had its perks, yet I was taking a look at this through the lens of a person who takes email seriously– and who wanted complete control over my target market and material.
The Substack Trouble: Looks Good Till You Look Closer
Substack was my initial quit. It’s brightened. It’s simple. And yeah, it’s preferred.
But dig a little much deeper, and fractures start revealing. The largest one? You do not in fact have your fans.
That “adhere to” switch you see on Substack? It’s mostly smoke and mirrors. Those followers live behind a wall surface– inside the Substack app or on their site. You can not email them directly. Can’t export them. You’re basically leasing a target market you can never fully reach.
It resembles doing on a stage where the lights only turn on if the venue determines to allow the crowd see you. Doesn’t feel great.
And then there’s the money side. Substack takes 10% off your paid memberships. Stripe takes one more 3%. That’s 13% of your revenue– gone. You would certainly assume they were running a nightclub, not an email system.
So yeah, Substack? A no for me.
Beehiiv Looked Promising, Yet Was It As well Great to Be Real?
So what made Beehiiv attract attention?
In the beginning, it was the guarantee of creator-first features– like better monetization, smarter checklist development tools, and absolutely no platform charges (aside from the common Stripe cut). But pledges are simple. Execution? That’s where it obtains real.
Still, the reviews were encouraging. The Reddit threads didn’t sound like bots or brand plants. And the onboarding? Surprisingly smooth.
I figured, “Why not?” and took the leap.
Readying Up on Beehiiv
Let me inform you– migrating to a new system usually feels like drawing teeth. Yet Beehiiv? Remarkably pain-free.
Importing my listing? Smooth. Establishing forms? No disasters. Linking my custom domain name? A couple of minor missteps, yet nothing that called for swearing at the display.
One point I truly appreciated was the “domain warming” feature. Beehiiv gradually presents your domain to inbox carriers, piggybacking off their very own sending domain. Translation? Fewer spam folder nightmares.
Also, their support content– videos, aid docs, and walkthroughs– in fact felt human. Like someone sat down and claimed, “Let’s not annoy the hell out of our users today.” Refreshing.
Automation on Beehiiv: Substack Vs Beehiiv
Now below’s where things obtained a little … fascinating.
Beehiiv’s automation system is suitable, however don’t expect it to take on heavyweight systems like ActiveCampaign or ConvertKit. For instance, each kind can only be connected to a single automation. That makes it challenging to customize welcome sequences based upon how someone registered.
I ended up going complete detective mode– tinkering with sectors, using different landing pages, reviewing odd Reddit threads– just to construct a few customized workflows.
Is it practical? Definitely. Yet if you’re made use of to drag-and-drop flowcharts with conditional reasoning, this could feel like going back a little bit.
Email Builder: Mostly Terrific, However Not Perfect
I have actually obtained a little bit of a love-hate connection with Beehiiv’s email builder.
Aesthetically? It’s glossy. Drag, drop, style, preview– it feels like it was created by someone who’s in fact composed a newsletter or more.
But default templates took a few tweaks to get right. And right here’s a curveball: Beehiiv e-mails can obtain large. Like, Gmail-clipping-at-102kb huge.
That means your perfectly crafted message may obtain sliced in half if you’re not cautious. I learned this the hard way– then went down a bunny opening of testing devices to optimize HTML size and stay clear of that dreaded clipping.
My best method?
- Downloading and install examination e-mails from Gmail and inspecting size
- Running the HTML through Parcel.io’s e-mail visitor
- Double-checking with Aboutmy.email for deliverability and framework
Little bit of a manual process, yet it works. I also reached out to Beehiiv about including much better size warnings. Fingers crossed.
Right Stuff That In Fact Actions the Needle
Alright, let’s get involved in the meat of it– what’s made a concrete difference since switching over to Beehiiv?
Audience Growth
In just three months, I added over 160 brand-new clients to a rather specific niche newsletter. That’s about 60% more than what I was seeing previously– and I wasn’t also running paid ads.
A lot of that growth came from Beehiiv’s integrated devices: the referral program, Boosts (think e-newsletter cross-promotions), and natural reach. You can actually track what’s working and where subscribers are coming from. Makes tweaking your strategy a whole lot much easier.
Money Making That Doesn’t Nickel-and-Dime You
Let’s speak cash due to the fact that for a lot of developers, it matters.
Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from your paid registrations. Simply Stripe’s charge. That’s it. That alone makes it 10% better than Substack (literally).
However there’s more: their advertisement network is user-friendly and passive. Within 3 months, I was currently fielding passion from advertisers. Beehiiv’s partner network connects developers with brand names in such a way that doesn’t feel icky or forced. It’s built-in revenue possibility, ordinary and simple Substack Vs Beehiiv.
And when I’m ready to launch a premium membership? I know precisely what reduced I’ll obtain: all of it (minus Stripe).
Integrated Development Tools
What actually sets Beehiiv apart is that development isn’t an afterthought– it’s baked in.
You have actually got personalized referral programs. Boosts for e-newsletter cross-promotion. Numerous landing pages for tracking lead sources. You can transform your viewers into supporters without hanging unpleasant boodle or one-time gimmicks.
I’ll say this: Beehiiv seems like a system that wants you to do well. Not one that simply desires an item of your pie.
Things I would certainly Still Like to See Improve
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got its peculiarities.
Support can be sluggish when you struck an unusual pest or need deep aid.
Some automations still really feel too basic.
Email size monitoring requires much better in-app informs (please and thanks).
No built-in countdown timers (long face if you love FOMO emails).
Ecommerce integrations? Generally nonexistent.
So if you’re marketing physical items or want abandoned cart circulations, Beehiiv possibly isn’t your best option.
Verdict
If you’re a maker who’s serious about e-newsletters– whether you’re monetizing, growing a checklist, or just tired of out-of-date systems– Beehiiv’s a solid option.
You’ll like it if:
You desire full possession of your target market
You’re seeking to grow quick without paying system tax obligation
You desire something that really feels developed by makers, for designers
Will it solve every trouble? No. But in 3 months, it’s aided me grow faster, earn much more, and anxiety much less regarding the little things.
So, should you try Beehiiv?
If you prepare to quit clearing up and really range your newsletter with actual devices that value your work and audience– yeah, I assume it’s time.
Take place. Give it a spin. You just could fall in love like I did.