Independently tested ranking
Best Newsletter Platforms in 2026
9 of the best newsletter platforms compared on free plans, paid subscriptions, revenue cuts, growth tools and price, from Substack and beehiiv to Ghost and Buttondown.
- Tools compared
- 9
- With a free plan
- 8 of 9
- Median entry price
- $14/mo
- Average rating
- 4.5
On this page
Which newsletter platform is best?
The best newsletter platforms in 2026 are beehiiv for growing and monetizing a newsletter, Kit for creators who sell products and want automations, Substack for starting a paid newsletter for free, Ghost for a branded site with paid memberships, and MailerLite for a low-cost all-rounder. Kit's free plan covers 10,000 subscribers, while Substack has no monthly fee but takes 10% of paid revenue.
Our top picks
Best overall
beehiiv
Combines a hosted website, recommendations, referrals, an ad network and a 0% cut of paid subscriptions in one newsletter platform.
Paid plans from $49/mo annual
See why we picked itBest for creators selling products
Kit (ConvertKit)
A free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers plus visual automations and built-in commerce on paid plans.
Paid plans from $33/mo annual
See why we picked itBest free option
Substack
No monthly fee and built-in discovery through its app, Recommendations and Notes, with a 10% cut only when readers pay.
Paid plans from Free (10% of paid revenue)
See why we picked itKey takeaways
- beehiiv is the strongest all-round newsletter platform for growth, with recommendations, referrals, an ad network and a 0% cut of paid subscriptions.
- Kit has the largest capped free plan here, at up to 10,000 subscribers (Substack has no cap but takes a revenue cut), though automations need a paid plan.
- Substack costs nothing upfront but takes 10% of paid revenue. Once paid revenue grows, a 0% platform like beehiiv or Ghost is usually cheaper.
- Most newsletter platforms price by subscriber count, so check the cost at 5,000 and 10,000 subscribers, not just the entry price.
- Pick a platform that lets you export your list and send from your own domain, so you can move later without starting over.
What is a newsletter platform?
A newsletter platform is software for writing, sending and growing an email newsletter, and the best newsletter platforms put a hosted archive or website, signup forms and analytics in one place. Most also help you earn from your list through paid subscriptions, sponsorships or product sales.
For most writers and creators, a newsletter platform needs to do four jobs well: make writing and sending easy, help new readers find and join the list, give you a way to make money, and land emails in the inbox. Some tools, like Substack and beehiiv, are built only for newsletters. Others, like Kit, MailerLite and Mailchimp, are email marketing software that also handles newsletters, with stronger automations.
Best newsletter platforms compared
| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | Paid plans from | Our rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | beehiiv |
Growing and monetizing a newsletter | Yes (2,500 subscribers) | $49/mo annual | ★4.7 |
| 2 | Kit (ConvertKit) |
Creators selling digital products | Yes (10,000 subscribers) | $33/mo annual | ★4.6 |
| 3 | Substack |
Free start with built-in discovery | Yes (free to publish) | Free (10% of paid revenue) | ★4.4 |
| 4 |  Ghost |
Branded site with paid memberships | No (free if self-hosted) | $15/mo annual | ★4.6 |
| 5 |  MailerLite |
Affordable newsletters with automation | Yes (250 subscribers) | $12/mo | ★4.6 |
| 6 | Buttondown | Markdown-first indie newsletters | Yes (100 subscribers) | $9/mo | Not yet reviewed |
| 7 |  Mailchimp |
Business newsletters and promotions | Yes (250 contacts) | $8.89/mo | ★4.1 |
| 8 |  Flodesk |
Beautiful emails, flat price | Yes (forms and landing pages) | $38/mo annual | ★4.5 |
| 9 |  Brevo |
Send-based pricing on a budget | Yes (300 emails/day) | $9/mo | ★4.4 |
Ratings are MakeSuccessOnline's. Prices are the cheapest paid plan, billed monthly unless marked annual, checked November 2026; most rise with list size.
The 9 best newsletter platforms in 2026
Pure newsletter platforms now compete hard on growth and monetization, while email marketing tools win on automation. Each pick below leads a specific kind of newsletter.
#1Best overall newsletter platform for growth and monetization
beehiiv
A newsletter platform with a hosted website, growth tools, an ad network and paid subscriptions with no revenue cut.
- Paid plans from
- $49/mo annual
- Free plan
- Yes (2,500 subscribers)
- Best for
- Newsletter creators, writers and media brands
- Works on
- Web; installable publication app for iOS and Android
beehiiv is built for people who want a newsletter to become a business. Every publication gets a hosted website with an archive and signup forms, and the free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends. You can also host a podcast in the same account, so one tool handles your writing, your site and your audio.
Its edge is the growth and money toolkit. Recommendations swap signups with other newsletters for free, the referral program rewards readers who share, and the beehiiv Ad Network matches you with sponsors so you do not have to sell ads yourself. Paid subscriptions run through Stripe and beehiiv takes 0% of that revenue. The catch is that these tools start on Lite, which rises in price as your list grows.
Key features
- RecommendationsRecommend other newsletters at signup and get recommended back. It is a free way to add subscribers, and it works even on the free plan.
- beehiiv Ad NetworkGet matched with sponsors and run their ads in your issues without doing ad sales yourself. Available on Lite and above, but not during the trial.
- Referral programReward readers with milestones and prizes for sharing your newsletter, which turns your best readers into a growth channel. Lite and above.
- Paid subscriptions with 0% cutCharge for premium posts through Stripe. beehiiv takes no share of subscription revenue, so you only pay Stripe fees.
- Hosted website and multiple publicationsEach newsletter gets a website with an archive and signup forms, including an AI website builder. Lite runs 3 publications and Pro runs 10.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 2,500 subscribers, newsletter, website, podcast, recommendation network, unlimited sends, 1 seat |
| Lite | $49/mo annual ($59 monthly) | Up to 1,000 subscribers (price rises with list size): Ad Network, paid subscriptions, referral program, 10 live automations, custom domains, 2 seats, 3 publications |
| Pro | $95/mo annual ($109 monthly) | Up to 1,000 subscribers (price rises with list size): no beehiiv branding, 10 seats, 10 publications, unlimited automations and segments, sponsorship storefront, WordPress integration |
| Enterprise | Custom | Dedicated IPs, SSO/SAML, account manager, unlimited seats |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Paid plan prices rise with list size. 14-day free trial of Pro, no credit card.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers
- 0% cut of paid subscription revenue
- Recommendations, referrals and paid recommendations built in
- Ad Network lets you earn from sponsors without selling ads
Cons
- Removing beehiiv branding needs the Pro plan
- Price climbs quickly as the list grows
- The trial excludes custom domains, paid subscriptions and the Ad Network
Is it right for you?
Choose beehiiv ifYou want to grow a newsletter fast and earn from sponsors and paid subscriptions without giving up a share of revenue.
Look elsewhere ifYou run an online store and need product, cart and sales automations more than newsletter growth tools.
#2Best for creators who sell products and want automations
Kit (ConvertKit)
An email platform for creators that combines newsletters, visual automations and selling digital products.
- Paid plans from
- $33/mo annual
- Free plan
- Yes (10,000 subscribers)
- Best for
- Creators, writers, coaches and course sellers
- Works on
- Web
Kit, formerly ConvertKit, is the newsletter platform for creators whose newsletter feeds a wider business. The free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers, the largest cap among the plan-based tools here, and includes unlimited broadcasts, landing pages, forms and the ability to sell digital products and paid subscriptions. Each subscriber is one contact with tags, so you can target readers by interest or purchase without juggling lists.
Where Kit pulls ahead of pure newsletter tools is automation. Paid plans add unlimited Visual Automations and email sequences, so you can run a welcome course that skips people who already bought. Recommendations are free on every plan, and Creator adds Paid Recommendations and sponsorships. Sales carry a 3.5% plus 30 cent fee, and the referral program needs Pro.
Key features
- Visual Automations and sequencesBuild welcome, nurture and sales flows on a visual canvas, triggered by signups, purchases, clicks or dates. Included on paid plans.
- Commerce and paid newslettersSell ebooks, courses, coaching and paid subscriptions directly from Kit for 3.5% plus 30 cents per sale, even on the free plan.
- Recommendations networkRecommend other creators' newsletters in your signup flow and get recommended in theirs, free on all plans.
- Paid Recommendations and sponsorshipsPay to be recommended or earn when your readers join others, and get matched with newsletter sponsors. Creator and Pro.
- Tags and segmentsEach subscriber is a single contact with tags for interests and purchases, so you send precise emails without managing many lists.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 10,000 subscribers, unlimited broadcasts, landing pages, forms, tagging, digital product and subscription sales, Recommendations |
| Creator | $33/mo annual ($39 monthly) | Up to 1,000 subscribers (price rises with list size): unlimited automations and sequences, RSS campaigns, SMS, integrations, 2 users, no Kit branding, Paid Recommendations, sponsorships, free migration |
| Pro | $66/mo annual ($79 monthly) | Up to 1,000 subscribers (price rises with list size): unlimited users, engagement scoring, deliverability reporting, referral system (SparkLoop), Subscriber Signals, advanced A/B testing |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Paid plan prices rise with list size. 14-day free trial of paid plans, no credit card.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers
- Strong visual automations and sequences on paid plans
- Sell digital products and paid newsletters built in
- Free Recommendations plus paid growth and sponsor tools
Cons
- Automations need a paid plan
- Email templates are fairly basic
- Costs more than MailerLite at similar list sizes
Is it right for you?
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) ifYour newsletter sells courses, ebooks or coaching and you want automations that move readers from signup to purchase.
Look elsewhere ifYou only want to publish a simple newsletter and do not need automations or product sales.
#3Best free platform for starting a paid newsletter
Substack
A free publishing platform for newsletters, podcasts and video that takes 10% of paid subscription revenue.
- Paid plans from
- Free (10% of paid revenue)
- Free plan
- Yes (free to publish)
- Best for
- Writers, journalists, podcasters and creators
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android
Substack is the easiest way to start a newsletter and charge for it. Publishing is free with unlimited subscribers, and you get a website, podcasts, video, Notes and subscriber chat in one place. There is no monthly fee. Instead, Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue plus Stripe fees, so you only pay once readers pay you.
Its biggest draw is discovery. Readers find new publications through the Substack app for iOS and Android, through Recommendations from other writers and through Notes, a short-form social feed. That helps new writers get found without ads or a big social following. You own your list and can export it, but design control is limited and there are no automations.
Key features
- Paid subscriptionsChoose which posts are free or paid-only and get paid directly by subscribers. You keep 90% of subscription revenue, minus card fees.
- Substack appReaders discover and read publications in the iOS and Android app, which helps new writers reach people beyond their own audience.
- RecommendationsRecommend other publications on your site, at signup and in occasional digest emails, and get recommended in return.
- Notes and chatNotes is a short-form social feed for sharing posts, and chat lets you run private group conversations with subscribers.
- Podcasts and videoPublish a podcast, video posts and live video alongside your newsletter, all from the same account.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Unlimited subscribers, newsletter, website, podcasts, video, Notes, chat, Recommendations |
| Paid subscriptions | 10% of revenue + Stripe fees | Paywalled posts with free and paid tiers |
| Custom domain | $50 one-time | Use your own domain for your publication |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. No monthly fee; Substack earns a share of paid subscription revenue.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free to start, with no monthly fee
- Built-in discovery through the app, Recommendations and Notes
- Very simple to set up
- You own and can export your mailing list
Cons
- The 10% cut gets expensive as paid revenue grows
- Limited design and branding control
- No automations or advanced segmentation
Is it right for you?
Choose Substack ifYou are a writer starting a paid newsletter and want free publishing plus a network that helps readers find you.
Look elsewhere ifYou expect high paid revenue and would rather pay a flat fee than give up 10%, or you need full brand control.
#4Best for independent publishers who want their own brand
Ghost
An open-source publishing platform for websites, newsletters and paid memberships, hosted or self-hosted.
- Paid plans from
- $15/mo annual
- Free plan
- No (free if self-hosted)
- Best for
- Independent publishers, writers and media businesses
- Works on
- Web; managed Ghost(Pro) or self-hosted
Ghost is a publishing platform that gives you a full branded website and a newsletter in one. It is open source and run by the non-profit Ghost Foundation, so you can host it yourself for free or pay for managed Ghost(Pro) hosting. The editor publishes to the web and email at once, and themes range from marketplace designs to fully custom builds.
For paid newsletters, Ghost's pitch is simple: 0% Ghost fee on subscriptions from the Publisher plan up, with monthly and yearly tiers through Stripe. That makes it a strong Substack alternative once your revenue grows. The trade-offs are no free hosted plan, a Starter plan that cannot take payments, and fewer built-in growth tools than beehiiv or Substack.
Key features
- Paid memberships with 0% Ghost feeSell monthly and yearly premium tiers through Stripe without Ghost taking a cut. Publisher plan and above.
- Web and email publishingWrite once in a clean editor and publish to your website and subscribers' inboxes at the same time.
- Multiple newsletters and segmentsRun several newsletters from one site and send to specific audience segments: 3 newsletters on Publisher and 10 on Business.
- Themes and custom designChoose from hundreds of marketplace themes or use a fully custom design, with custom themes on Publisher and above.
- Social web (ActivityPub)Added in Ghost 6.0 and in beta: follow and be followed across the fediverse, including Mastodon and Threads.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $15/mo annual ($18 monthly) | 1,000 members, 1 staff user, website, newsletter, free custom domain, official themes; no paid subscriptions |
| Publisher | $29/mo annual ($35 monthly) | 1,000 members (price rises with members): paid subscriptions with 0% Ghost fee, custom themes, 3 newsletters, 3 premium tiers, advanced analytics, custom sending domain, 3 staff users |
| Business | $199/mo annual ($239 monthly) | Up to 10,000 members, 10 newsletters, 10 premium tiers, 15 staff users, priority support |
| Custom | Custom | Unlimited members and staff, dedicated IP, SSO, uptime SLA, account manager |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial. The open-source software is free to self-host.
Pros and cons
Pros
- 0% Ghost fee on paid subscriptions
- Full branded website plus newsletter
- Open source and can be self-hosted
- Clean editor and a large theme choice
Cons
- No free hosted plan
- Starter plan cannot take payments
- Fewer built-in growth tools than beehiiv or Substack
Is it right for you?
Choose Ghost ifYou want a newsletter and website under your own brand and plan to charge readers without a revenue share.
Look elsewhere ifYou want a free hosted plan, built-in discovery, or complex email automations.
#5Best budget newsletter tool with automations
MailerLite
An easy email marketing tool with automations, websites, landing pages and paid newsletters at low prices.
- Paid plans from
- $12/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (250 subscribers)
- Best for
- Small businesses, creators and nonprofits
- Works on
- Web
MailerLite is the budget pick for people who want a newsletter plus real email marketing tools. Paid plans start at $12 a month for 500 subscribers, and you get a drag-and-drop editor, automations, landing pages and even a full website or blog. Paid newsletter subscriptions run through Stripe, so you can charge readers without moving to another platform.
It suits newsletter writers who also run a small business or sell digital products. The automation builder handles welcome series, and RSS campaigns email new blog posts from Comfort up. A/B testing is on every plan. The free plan is now small, at 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month, and Comfort caps monthly sends, so growing lists usually move to Power.
Key features
- Paid newsletter subscriptionsCharge readers for newsletter access through Stripe, alongside your free list.
- Automation builderVisual automations with templates for welcome series and more. The free plan includes 3, Comfort 50 and Power unlimited.
- Websites, blogs and landing pagesBuild a newsletter home page, a blog or landing pages without a separate website builder.
- RSS campaignsAutomatically send new blog posts to subscribers as email, useful if you publish on your own site first. Comfort and above.
- A/B testing and AI writing helpTest subject lines and content on every plan, including free, and draft emails and subject lines with the AI assistant.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/mo, 3 automations, 1 website, 1 landing page, 3 forms, 1 digital product, 2 seats |
| Comfort | $12/mo ($10.80/mo annual) | 500 subscribers (price rises with list size): 50 automations, 10 sites, logo removal, RSS campaigns, full API, email support; sends up to 10x your subscriber tier |
| Power | $25/mo ($22.50/mo annual) | 500 subscribers (price rises with list size): unlimited emails (fair use), automations, sites and seats, live chat support |
| Enterprise | Custom | 200,000+ subscribers, priority and deliverability support, dedicated IP add-on |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices rise with list size; annual billing saves 10%. 14-day trial of premium features for new accounts.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy to use
- Low prices for small lists
- Websites, landing pages and paid newsletters included
- A/B testing even on the free plan
Cons
- Free plan is limited to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails
- Comfort caps monthly sends
- No built-in growth network like beehiiv or Substack
Is it right for you?
Choose MailerLite ifYou want a low-cost newsletter with automations, a website and paid subscriptions in one simple tool.
Look elsewhere ifYour main goal is audience growth through a recommendation network or ad marketplace.
#6Best minimal newsletter tool for indie writers and developers
Buttondown
A simple, privacy-focused newsletter tool with a Markdown editor, priced by subscribers with paid add-ons.
- Paid plans from
- $9/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (100 subscribers)
- Best for
- Independent writers, developers and small publications
- Works on
- Web
Buttondown is a small, focused newsletter tool for people who just want to write and send. You can write in Markdown or a rich text editor, send from your own domain on every plan, and every issue lands in a hosted web archive. It is free for your first 100 subscribers, and Basic costs $9 a month for up to 1,000.
It appeals to developers and indie writers who value privacy and a clean writing experience over growth features. Paid subscriptions are a $9 a month add-on with no Buttondown cut beyond card fees. The catch is that many features are add-ons, including tagging, analytics, RSS-to-email and automations, so the bill grows as you switch them on. There is no built-in growth network.
Key features
- Markdown and rich text editorWrite in Markdown or rich text, which suits technical writers who want clean formatting without a drag-and-drop builder.
- Custom sending domain on every planSend from your own domain even on the free plan, which helps deliverability and keeps your brand on every email.
- Hosted archiveEvery newsletter gets a web archive. Hosting the archive on your own custom domain is a $29/mo add-on.
- Paid subscriptions add-onFor $9/mo, charge through Stripe with multiple tiers and pay-what-you-like pricing, with no Buttondown cut beyond card fees.
- Optional add-onsTurn on only what you need: tagging, analytics and RSS-to-email at $9/mo each, and automations at $29/mo.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 100 subscribers, Markdown or rich text editor, custom sending domain, hosted archive |
| Basic | $9/mo | Up to 1,000 subscribers; add-ons extra |
| Standard | $29/mo | Up to 5,000 subscribers; add-ons extra |
| Professional | $79/mo | Up to 10,000 subscribers; add-ons extra |
| Advanced | $139/mo | Up to 20,000 subscribers; add-ons extra |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Add-ons such as paid subscriptions, automations and analytics cost extra. 50% nonprofit discount.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Clean, minimal Markdown writing experience
- Privacy-first approach
- No cut of paid subscription revenue
- Cheap for small lists
Cons
- Many features are paid add-ons, so costs add up
- Free plan only covers 100 subscribers
- No built-in growth network
Is it right for you?
Choose Buttondown ifYou are a developer or indie writer who wants a fast, private, Markdown-friendly newsletter with your own sending domain.
Look elsewhere ifYou want built-in discovery, sponsorships or automations included in the base price.
#7Best for businesses that want a familiar all-in-one email tool
Mailchimp
An email marketing platform with templates, automation flows, forms, landing pages and 300+ integrations.
- Paid plans from
- $8.89/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (250 contacts)
- Best for
- Small and mid-sized businesses and nonprofits
- Works on
- Web, iOS, Android
Mailchimp is the email platform most businesses already know, and it works well for a company newsletter. The drag-and-drop editor and templates make good-looking issues easy for non-designers, and forms, landing pages and surveys help grow the list. Its iOS and Android apps let you check campaigns on the go, and 300+ integrations connect it to stores, CRMs and design tools like Canva.
It is a marketing tool first and a newsletter platform second. There is no paid subscription feature, recommendation network or ad marketplace for creators. Pricing is by contact count and climbs quickly, the free plan is tight at 250 contacts and 500 emails a month, and headline prices are 12-month promotional rates. Real automation needs Standard, since Essentials flows stop at 4 steps.
Key features
- Email Builder and templatesA drag-and-drop editor with pre-built templates. Standard and Premium also send custom-coded templates.
- Forms, landing pages and surveysPop-up and embedded signup forms, landing pages and surveys on every plan, to grow the list and learn about readers.
- Automation flowsWelcome series and other journeys. Essentials allows flows of up to 4 steps; Standard allows up to 200 flows with branching.
- Send Time OptimizationSends each newsletter when each contact is most likely to engage. Standard and Premium.
- 300+ integrationsConnects to tools such as Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, Squarespace, Canva and Zapier to sync contacts.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Up to 250 contacts, 500 sends/mo (250/day), 1 seat, 1 audience, Mailchimp branding, no scheduling |
| Essentials | $8.89/mo (promo $4.45/mo for 12 months) | Up to 500 contacts (price rises with contacts): 3 seats, scheduling, branding removal, A/B testing, flows up to 4 steps, 24/7 email and chat support |
| Standard | $13.31/mo (promo $6.66/mo for 12 months) | Up to 500 contacts (price rises with contacts): 5 seats, up to 200 flows with branching, generative AI, dynamic content, send time optimization, custom reports |
| Premium | $266.30/mo (promo $133.15/mo for 12 months) | Up to 500 contacts (price rises with contacts): unlimited seats and audiences, enterprise SSO, phone support, multivariate testing |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices shown are for up to 500 contacts and rise with contact count; the promotional rate applies to the first 12 months.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very easy editor for non-technical teams
- Large integration directory (300+)
- Forms, landing pages and surveys on every plan
- Mobile apps for iOS and Android
Cons
- Price climbs quickly as contacts grow, and promo prices end after 12 months
- No paid subscriptions or creator growth network
- Free plan is very limited (250 contacts, no scheduling)
Is it right for you?
Choose Mailchimp ifYou run a business newsletter and want a familiar editor, templates and integrations with the rest of your stack.
Look elsewhere ifYou want to charge readers, grow through recommendations, or keep costs flat as a large list grows.
#8Best for design-led newsletters with flat pricing
Flodesk
A design-focused email tool with flat-rate pricing, unlimited subscribers and built-in checkout on its top plan.
- Paid plans from
- $38/mo annual
- Free plan
- Yes (forms and landing pages)
- Best for
- Creators, coaches and small businesses
- Works on
- Web
Flodesk is for creators who want every newsletter to look polished without design skills. Its designer templates and custom fonts make brand-forward emails easy, and forms, landing pages and a link-in-bio page help grow the list. Pricing is flat: the Email plan includes unlimited subscribers and emails for one price, so your bill does not jump as the newsletter grows.
That flat rate costs more than contact-based tools for very small lists, and the free plan cannot send emails, so it is really for collecting signups. Automations and segmentation are simpler than in Mailchimp or Brevo, and there are no newsletter growth tools such as recommendations or referrals. The Everything plan adds checkout, subscriptions and payment plans through Stripe, which suits coaches selling alongside their newsletter.
Key features
- Designer templatesPolished, brand-forward templates and custom fonts that make each issue look professional without a designer.
- Flat-rate unlimited plansBoth paid plans include unlimited subscribers and emails at a flat price, so growth does not raise your bill.
- Forms, landing pages and link in bioPopup, embedded and hosted forms, landing pages and a link-in-bio page, available even on the free plan.
- Workflow automationsWelcome and nurture sequences on paid plans, plus A/B testing and automatic resends to people who did not open.
- CheckoutOn the Everything plan, sell products, courses and services with sales pages, upsells, subscriptions and payment plans through Stripe, with no extra Flodesk fee.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Forms, landing pages, link in bio, designer templates, segmentation, 1 seat; no email sending |
| $38/mo annual ($46 monthly) | Unlimited subscribers and emails, workflow automations, A/B testing, no Flodesk branding, API, 1 seat | |
| Everything | $79/mo annual ($99 monthly) | Everything in Email plus unlimited checkouts, sales pages, upsells, subscriptions and payment plans, 3 seats |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. 14-day free trial, no credit card required.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Flat price that does not rise as your list grows
- Unlimited subscribers and emails on paid plans
- Very attractive templates and an easy editor
- Built-in checkout on the Everything plan
Cons
- Higher entry price than contact-based tools for small lists
- Free plan cannot send emails
- Simpler automation and segmentation than Mailchimp or Brevo
Is it right for you?
Choose Flodesk ifDesign matters to your brand and you want a predictable flat price as your list grows past a few thousand subscribers.
Look elsewhere ifYou have a small list on a tight budget, or you need newsletter growth tools like recommendations and referrals.
#9Best for large lists you email infrequently
Brevo
A marketing platform for email, SMS, WhatsApp and transactional messages, priced by monthly email volume.
- Paid plans from
- $9/mo
- Free plan
- Yes (300 emails/day)
- Best for
- Small and mid-sized businesses
- Works on
- Web; API and SMTP relay
Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, prices mainly by how many emails you send rather than only by list size. That makes it worth a look for a business newsletter that goes to a big list once or twice a month. The free plan allows up to 300 emails a day, and Starter begins at $9 a month for 5,000 emails, with a drag-and-drop editor, templates and an AI content generator.
It is a business marketing platform, not a creator newsletter tool. There are no paid subscriptions, recommendations or ad network, and paid tiers now carry contact limits, such as 500 contacts at the 5,000-email tier. Automation and A/B testing need Standard, and Starter shows the Brevo logo unless you pay $12 a month extra. In return, SMS, transactional email and a sales CRM sit in the same account.
Key features
- Send-based pricingPlans are priced by monthly email volume, which can work out cheaper for large lists that hear from you only occasionally.
- Email campaigns and templatesA drag-and-drop editor with responsive templates for newsletters and promotions, plus an AI generator for subject lines and copy on paid plans.
- Advanced segmentationFilter contacts by demographics, website activity, engagement and custom events, with unlimited saved segments.
- Marketing automationUnlimited multi-step workflows triggered by behavior and events, on Standard and higher.
- SMS and transactional emailSend SMS with credits bought separately, and order confirmations or receipts through the API, from the same account.
Pricing
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 300 emails/day, email campaigns, transactional email, forms, Brevo branding |
| Starter | $9/mo ($97/yr annual) | From 5,000 emails/mo (500 contacts at that tier), editor, templates, AI content generator, segmentation, 1 seat; logo removal $12/mo extra |
| Standard | $18/mo ($194/yr annual) | From 5,000 emails/mo: marketing automation, A/B testing, advanced reporting, send time optimization, 1 landing page, no Brevo logo, up to 3 seats |
| Professional | $499/mo | From 150,000 emails/mo: WhatsApp, popups, push, contact scoring, 10 seats, phone support |
| Enterprise | Custom | Multi-account management, dedicated IP, SSO/SAML, tailored onboarding |
List prices as of November 2026; plans change often, so check the vendor's pricing page before you buy. Prices rise with email volume; annual billing saves 10%.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low entry price and a free plan
- Pricing driven by email volume, not only list size
- SMS and transactional email in the same account
- Advanced segmentation on paid plans
Cons
- Free plan caps sending at 300 emails a day
- Automation needs Standard or higher
- No paid subscriptions or creator growth tools
Is it right for you?
Choose Brevo ifYou send a business newsletter to a large list a few times a month and want low, volume-based pricing.
Look elsewhere ifYou are a creator who wants to charge readers or grow through recommendations and sponsors.
Best newsletter platform by need
- Growing and monetizing a newsletterbeehiiv
- Selling courses and digital productsKit (ConvertKit)
- Starting a paid newsletter for freeSubstack
- A branded site with 0% feesGhost
- Low-cost newsletters with automationsMailerLite
- Markdown and developer newslettersButtondown
- Business newsletters with integrationsMailchimp
- Design-led emails at a flat priceFlodesk
- Large lists emailed infrequentlyBrevo
What to look for in a newsletter platform
- Free plan sizeCapped free plans range from 100 subscribers on Buttondown to 10,000 on Kit, while Substack has no subscriber cap. A larger free tier lets you test a newsletter idea before you pay anything.
- Revenue cut on paid newslettersSubstack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue. beehiiv and Ghost take 0% on paid plans, and Kit charges 3.5% plus 30 cents per sale. This gap grows fast as revenue grows.
- Built-in growth toolsRecommendation networks, referral programs and app discovery bring in readers you would not reach alone. beehiiv, Kit and Substack lead here.
- Sponsorship and ad toolsAn ad network or sponsor matching lets you earn from a free newsletter. beehiiv has an Ad Network and Kit matches creators with sponsors.
- Website and brandingCheck whether you get a hosted site, a custom domain and the ability to remove the platform's branding, and which plan includes each.
- Automations and segmentationWelcome sequences, tags and segments matter if your newsletter sells products. Kit and MailerLite are strongest; Substack has none.
How much do newsletter platforms cost in 2026?
Most newsletter platforms are free to start, then cost about $9 to $60 a month for your first 1,000 subscribers, rising as your list grows.
| Tier | Typical price | Tools at this level | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Substack, Kit, beehiiv, MailerLite, Buttondown, Mailchimp, Brevo | New newsletters testing an idea |
| Starter | $9 to $15/mo | Buttondown Basic, Mailchimp Essentials, Brevo Starter, MailerLite Comfort, Ghost Starter | Small lists that want their own domain and no branding |
| Creator growth | $29 to $59/mo | Ghost Publisher, Kit Creator, Flodesk Email, beehiiv Lite | Creators running paid newsletters, automations or sponsorships |
| Advanced | $79 to $109+/mo | Kit Pro, beehiiv Pro, Flodesk Everything, Buttondown Professional | Established newsletters with teams, larger lists or product sales |
Entry prices for the cheapest list size from vendor pricing, November 2026. Most plans rise with subscribers.
Model your newsletter platform pricing at the list size you expect in a year, and add any revenue cut. On $2,000 a month of paid subscriptions, Substack's 10% is $200 a month, which is more than Ghost Publisher or beehiiv Lite at small list sizes. For a free newsletter, compare per-subscriber prices instead, and remember add-ons on tools like Buttondown and promo pricing on Mailchimp.
How we chose the best newsletter platforms
We started with the newsletter and email tools in the MakeSuccessOnline directory and added well-known newsletter platforms we have not reviewed yet, such as Buttondown. We compared each on the same jobs: setting up a publication, sending an issue, growing the list and turning on paid subscriptions. We combined our hands-on reviews with vendor documentation, and checked plans and pricing in November 2026.
- Growth toolsRecommendations, referrals, discovery and signup forms that help a newsletter gain readers.25%
- MonetizationPaid subscriptions, revenue cut, sponsorships and product sales.20%
- Pricing and valueFree plan size and cost as the list grows.20%
- Writing and publishingEditor quality, website, archive and design control.15%
- Automation and segmentationWelcome sequences, tags and targeting.10%
- Ownership and deliverabilityList export, custom domains and inbox placement tools.10%
How to choose a newsletter platform
- Decide how you will make moneyPaid subscriptions, sponsors and product sales each point to different tools. Choose the model first, then the newsletter platform.
- Compare revenue cutsIf you plan to charge readers, compare Substack's 10% with beehiiv and Ghost at 0% and Kit at 3.5% plus 30 cents per sale.
- Price your list in a yearCheck the cost at 5,000 and 10,000 subscribers, not just the free plan. Flat-rate Flodesk and send-based Brevo price differently from the rest.
- Check growth toolsIf you are starting from zero, recommendation networks and app discovery on beehiiv, Kit or Substack can matter more than design.
- Look at branding and domainsMake sure you can use a custom domain and remove platform branding on the plan you can afford.
- Test the editor and exportWrite and send a real issue on the free plan or trial, then confirm you can export your subscriber list.
Check during the free trial
- How quickly can you write, format and send a real issue?
- Do test emails land in the inbox rather than promotions or spam?
- Can you use your own domain and remove the platform's branding?
- How do readers sign up, and do recommendations or referrals work on your plan?
- Can you export your full subscriber list, including paid subscribers?
Red flags
- No way to export your subscriber list
- Revenue cuts that are hard to find on the pricing page
- Promo prices that jump after the first year
- Key features like automations or paid subscriptions sold as extra add-ons you did not expect
- Free plans that cannot actually send email
Newsletter platforms FAQ
What are the best newsletter platforms?
The best newsletter platforms in 2026 are beehiiv for growth and monetization, Kit for creators who sell products, Substack for free paid newsletters, Ghost for a branded site with 0% fees and MailerLite for low-cost automation. The right choice depends on how you plan to earn: from paid subscriptions, product sales or sponsors.
What is the best free newsletter platform?
Substack is the best free newsletter platform if you want unlimited subscribers with no monthly fee, but it takes 10% of paid revenue. Kit's free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers, and beehiiv's covers 2,500 with a hosted website and podcast included.
How much does a newsletter platform cost?
Most newsletter platforms are free to start and cost about $9 to $60 a month for around 1,000 subscribers. Buttondown starts at $9 a month, Ghost at $15 a month billed annually, Kit at $33 a month billed annually and beehiiv at $49 a month billed annually. Prices rise as your list grows.
Is beehiiv better than Substack?
beehiiv is better if you want more growth and money tools and to keep 100% of subscription revenue, since it takes 0% and offers an ad network and referral program. Substack is better if you want to start free and benefit from discovery in its app, but it takes 10% of paid revenue.
Ghost vs Substack: which is better for a paid newsletter?
Ghost is better for a paid newsletter once revenue grows, because it takes 0% on paid subscriptions from the Publisher plan ($29 a month billed annually) and gives you a fully branded site. Substack is better for getting started, with no monthly fee and built-in discovery.
Is Kit or beehiiv better for creators?
Kit is better for creators who sell courses or digital products, thanks to visual automations, tags and built-in commerce. beehiiv is better for creators whose newsletter is the product, with an ad network, referral program and 0% cut on paid subscriptions.
What is the best newsletter platform for beginners?
Substack is the simplest newsletter platform for beginners because setup takes minutes and publishing is free. MailerLite is a good beginner choice if you also want automations and a website, and Kit's free plan suits beginners who plan to sell products later.
How do I choose a newsletter platform?
Choose a newsletter platform by deciding first how you will make money, then comparing revenue cuts, free plan size and price at your expected list size. Check growth tools, custom domains and list export, and send a real issue on a free plan or trial before you commit.
About the reviewer
Editor & Reviewer, MakeSuccessOnline
William Harrison is an editor and reviewer at MakeSuccessOnline. He reviews each tools ranking before it goes live, checking plans, prices, free tiers and features against the tool's own documentation, and keeps rankings current as tools change.