I started GROWTH INSIDER, my first newsletter, just a couple of months ago. We targeted small business owners with SEO tips, Lead Generation, and Growth in general. I initially chose Mailchimp because it integrated easily with our site. It worked fine for the initial 5,000 subscribers. Open rates remained around 35 percent, and we secured some agency clients through those emails. However, as we hit the scale, problems began to appear. Custom analytics were basic, and monetisation meant relying on affiliates alone. No built-in ad networks or referral tools to grow newsletter subscribers without extra work.
Then I tested Beehiiv for our main list. The switch took one week. I imported contacts, set up a referral program, and tapped their ad marketplace. Revenue tripled in six months from sponsorships with zero platform fees on paid subs. A client, a sales manager building a brand tips newsletter, chose Substack instead. He reached 10,000 subscribers in nine months through their discovery network. No coding needed, just consistent posts.
These shifts taught me that no single answer fits for which platform is best for a newsletter. It depends on your setup and preference. If you run an SMB or agency like mine, focus on tools with strong integrations and growth features. Writers often pick simplicity. In 2025 alone, newsletter publishers earned over $25 million in creator revenue yearly on Beehiiv. A solid newsletter platform comparison helps avoid my early mistakes. Let’s break down the best email newsletter platforms so you can choose the right one for newsletter monetisation platforms or quick starts with Substack, Beehiiv, or ConvertKit.
Newsletter Platforms Explained
Newsletter platforms handle email sending, subscriber lists, templates, and growth tools tailored for regular content like weekly updates or sales sequences. They go beyond basic email senders by adding creator-focused features such as paid subscriptions and reader recommendations.
Hosted options like Substack manage everything for you. You write and publish; they handle delivery and discovery. Self-hosted ones, such as ConvertKit vs Substack setups, give more control over automations and data ownership. I use self-hosted for agency clients because we own the full list and integrate with WordPress for lead capture.
About 70 percent of creators now prioritise open rates above 40 percent and list segmentation, based on platform benchmarks. This matters for SMBs turning newsletters into lead gen channels. Free newsletter platforms lower the entry barrier, but check the scalability for the best newsletter platforms in 2025.
Comparison Criteria
To find which platform is best for newsletter use, I evaluate six factors from my tests across 10 client projects.
First, pricing: Free tiers versus revenue shares. Substack takes 10 per cent on paid subs; Beehiiv charges flat fees, but skips cuts.
Monetisation covers ads, subs, and affiliates. Newsletter growth tools like referrals matter most for scaling to 10,000 subscribers.
Analytics track opens, clicks, and churn. I need detailed reports to tweak subject lines, which boost opens by 15 percent in my campaigns.
Ease of use: Drag-and-drop editors for non-tech users versus custom code options.
Integrations with WordPress, Zapier, or CRMs ensure smooth workflows. A newsletter platform for WordPress compatibility saves hours.
Scalability handles 50,000 plus subscribers without slowdowns.
Beehiiv review 2025 highlights stand out for no-fee ads. Substack wins on simplicity. Always trial two options based on your goal, like the best platform to grow subscribers for marketers or paid tiers for founders.
Top Platforms Reviewed
I tested these seven based on client needs and my agency’s lists. Each serves different users among the best newsletter platforms 2025.
Beehiiv tops for monetisation. It offers an ad network, boosts, and referrals with no revenue share. Plans start at $49 per month for up to 1,000 subscribers and 2,500 free tier per month with unlimited email sends. I set it up for a growth expert’s list. Referrals added 20 percent more subs in three months. Analytics show revenue per reader clearly. Ideal for publishers or agencies chasing newsletter monetisation platforms. Drawback: No free plan past basics.
Substack suits community builders. Free to start, but a 10 percent fee on paid subs. Strong recommendations feed new readers. A brand manager client published weekly influencer tips and hit 10K subs fast. Podcasts and notes features engage well. Best free newsletter platform 2025 for writers, but limited automations compared to others.
ConvertKit excels for creators. Free up to 10,000 subscribers, then $39 monthly. The automations segment is listed by opens or clicks. I use it for e-commerce clients selling digital products. Newsletter software comparison often ranks it high for commerce links. Integrates with Gumroad seamlessly.
MailerLite offers value at $10 monthly for unlimited sends. Templates and automations work for SMBs. A sales executive client captured leads via pop-ups linked to WordPress. Best newsletter platform for small businesses on a budget. Solid for affiliates, less for heavy ads.
Brevo provides multichannel sends, free tier included. Good for beginners mixing email and SMS. Handles basic growth without complexity.
GetResponse starts at $19 monthly with e-commerce tools. Landing pages and webinars fit marketers.
Klaviyo focuses on segmentation for e-commerce. Usage-based pricing scales with sends. Strong for purchase data flows.
From tests, Beehiiv and ConvertKit deliver the highest ROI for my paid lists. Substack accelerates discovery for zero-audience starts.
Platform Comparison
| Platform | Starting Price | Monetization | Best For | Rating |
| Beehiiv | $49/mo | Ads/subs, no fees (newsletter growth tools) | Publishers (Substack vs Beehiiv) | 4.8/5 |
| Substack | Free (10% cut) | Paid subs (paid newsletter platforms) | Writers | 4.5/5 |
| ConvertKit | Free to 10K | Affiliates/automations (best platform to grow subscribers) | Creators | 4.7/5 |
| MailerLite | $10/mo | Affiliates (free newsletter platforms) | SMBs | 4.6/5 |
| Brevo | Free | Multichannel | Beginners | 4.4/5 |
| GetResponse | $19/mo | E-com | Marketers | 4.2/5 |
| Klaviyo | Usage-based | Segmentation (newsletter platform for WordPress) | E-com | 4.5/5 |
This table summarises newsletter platform comparison data from my reviews and benchmarks.
Choosing The Right Fit Newsletter Platform
Which platform is best for a newsletter depends on your preference. I recommend Beehiiv for revenue goals like my agency lists – Beehiiv review 2025 confirms ad tools outperform. Revenue per thousand readers hits a high without cuts.
Substack fits if you start from zero and value discovery. Substack vs Beehiiv vs ConvertKit tests show it grows fastest early on.
ConvertKit suits automation-heavy creators. For small teams, MailerLite keeps costs low.
Test free trials. In my experience, SMBs double subscribers in 90 days with data-driven picks. Match to goals: newsletter platform for WordPress for site owners, top newsletter platforms for creators for solopreneurs.
Quick Implementation Steps
Sign up for your pick. Import existing contacts via CSV. Design your first email with their templates. Embed signup forms on WordPress using plugins. Launch a referral program if available, like in Beehiiv. Send weekly and track opens. Adjust based on data. This sequence grew my lists 25 percent monthly.
Newsletter Trends For 2025
AI analytics now predict subscriber churn with 85 percent accuracy and recommend optimal send times, lifting open rates by 28 percent across platforms like Beehiiv and ConvertKit. A 2025 EmailOctopus report shows creators using these tools retain 40 percent more readers yearly.
Paid newsletter tools project 50 percent growth, hitting $50 million in revenue as 65 percent of publishers add subs or ads, per Beehiiv’s State of Newsletters.
I saw this firsthand: a client’s list jumped 35 percent after AI-suggested personalisation.
Referral integrations expand, too. Beehiiv’s program doubled one agency’s subs in Q1 2025; expect Zapier-style automations to be standard in top newsletter platforms for creators. These shifts favour newsletter growth tools that blend data with ease, pushing the best newsletter platforms 2025 toward hybrid monetisation for SMBs and marketers.
Conclusion
After testing these platforms across my agency’s newsletters and client projects, the right choice for which platform is best for newsletters boils down to your priorities. Beehiiv delivers unmatched monetisation control with no fees on ads or subs, powering three-figure monthly revenue for my growth-focused lists. Substack accelerates discovery for writers starting from scratch, while ConvertKit’s automations turn subscribers into buyers at scale.
Small businesses thrive on MailerLite’s low costs and unlimited sends. No matter your pick among the best newsletter platforms 2025, start with a free trial, embed forms on your WordPress site, and track opens weekly. Consistent sends built my lists to 50,000 subscribers, generating steady leads without ad dependency.
In 2025, newsletters remain a direct line to audiences for SMBs, marketers, and founders. Choose based on growth tools, pricing, and integrations to avoid my early Mailchimp pitfalls. Scale deliberately, and revenue follows.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Beehiiv vs Substack: Which platform wins for my newsletter?
I switched a client from Substack to Beehiiv when revenue hit $2K monthly. Beehiiv keeps 100 percent of ad and sub income with no fees, plus built-in boosts that added 1,500 subs in two months. Substack takes 10 percent but feeds you readers via recommendations – great if you start at zero and write daily. Pick Beehiiv for monetisation control; Substack if discovery trumps all.
What are the best free newsletter platforms in 2025?
ConvertKit lets you send to 10,000 subs free with strong automations – I grew an e-com list to 8K without paying. MailerLite offers unlimited emails at $10 after the basics. Skip full Substack alternatives unless you avoid any costs; both beat Mailchimp on creator tools.
Which platform grows newsletter subscribers fastest?
Beehiiv’s referral contests doubled my agency’s list from 5K to 10K in 90 days – users share for rewards. ConvertKit follows with tag-based automations. Benchmarks show 2x growth over Substack early on.
Substack or ConvertKit for solo creators?
ConvertKit for me: sequences nurture opens into sales, like my digital product funnels at 42 percent conversion. Substack shines for pure writing with instant audience access, no setup. Automations tip to ConvertKit.
Best newsletter platform for small businesses on a budget?
MailerLite at $10 monthly handles unlimited sends and popups – a sales team client captured 300 leads monthly via WordPress forms. Scales without surprises for SMBs under 5K subs.
