Email Marketing Software
beehiiv
Fast-growing newsletter platform built by ex-Morning Brew engineers — a real free tier and a 0% cut on paid subscriptions.
Solo / FreelancerSmall businessMedium businessGlobalNorth America
Last reviewed Jul 16, 2026 · Pricing verified Jul 16, 2026
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DEV-TOP · horizontalOur take
A strong alternative to Substack for writers who want to own their monetization without a percentage cut, at the cost of a flat monthly subscription instead — best once you're past a few hundred dollars a month in reader revenue.
Choose this if...
- Newsletter writers who want 0% platform commission on paid subscriptions
- Creators who want an ad network and cross-promotion tools built in
Look elsewhere if...
- You're pre-revenue or very early — Substack's percentage cut may cost less than a flat monthly fee at low volume
- You want a mobile app dedicated to writing/managing your newsletter
Visit beehiiv
This is a direct link to beehiiv— we don't currently earn anything from it.
Pricing
Verified Jul 16, 2026 against beehiiv's own pricing page.
| Plan | Monthly | Annual | Key limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch (Free) | Free | Free | Up to 2,500 subscribers · Unlimited email sends, custom domains, read-only API access |
| Scale | 43 USD/mo | 43.08 USD/yr | Up to 100,000 subscribers · Ad Network access, paid recommendations, 0% take rate on paid subscriptions, up to 3 team seats |
| Max | 96 USD/mo | 95.92 USD/yr | Up to 100,000 subscribers · Removes beehiiv branding, audio newsletters, up to 10 publications, unlimited seats |
| Enterprise | — | — | Custom quote for 100,000+ subscribers — dedicated account manager, SSO, Send API |
Free tier reality
Launch (free) plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends, a custom domain, and read-only API access — a genuine starting point, not a stripped trial. Paid tiers take 0% commission on paid subscriber revenue (only standard payment processor fees apply), unlike Substack's percentage cut.
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DEV-MID · rectanglePros
- Genuine free tier up to 2,500 subscribers
- 0% take rate on paid subscriptions once you're on a paid plan
- Built-in monetization tools (ad network, recommendations) beyond just subscriptions
Cons
- Free plan carries beehiiv branding; removing it requires the higher Max tier
- Smaller third-party integration ecosystem than established ESPs
- No dedicated mobile app for writers as of this review
Key features
- 0% platform take-rate on paid subscription revenue
- Built-in ad network for monetizing free subscribers
- Cross-newsletter paid recommendations/growth network
- Podcast and (Max tier) audio newsletter support
- Website builder included
Integrations
- VERIFY
Platforms
- web
Regional fit
VERIFY current international payout/localization support.
- Global
- North America
Best for
Alternatives
Mailchimp
Pick this instead if: Small businesses wanting one all-in-one marketing tool, not just email
Klaviyo
Pick this instead if: Ecommerce brands, especially on Shopify, wanting flows tied to purchase behavior
HubSpot Marketing Hub
Pick this instead if: Businesses already using (or planning to use) HubSpot's CRM/Sales Hub
Brevo
Pick this instead if: Budget-conscious small businesses with large contact lists but modest send volume
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beehiiv FAQ
Questions about this tool
Is beehiiv free?
Yes, there's a free tier. Launch (free) plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends, a custom domain, and read-only API access — a genuine starting point, not a stripped trial. Paid tiers take 0% commission on paid subscriber revenue (only standard payment processor fees apply), unlike Substack's percentage cut.
How much does beehiiv cost?
Free. We verify pricing directly against beehiiv's own pricing page — see the pricing table above for the full breakdown of plans, and check the verified date before making a decision, since software pricing changes often.
Who is beehiiv best for?
Newsletter writers who want 0% platform commission on paid subscriptions Creators who want an ad network and cross-promotion tools built in
Who should avoid beehiiv?
You're pre-revenue or very early — Substack's percentage cut may cost less than a flat monthly fee at low volume You want a mobile app dedicated to writing/managing your newsletter
Does beehiiv work well outside the US?
VERIFY current international payout/localization support.
What are the best alternatives to beehiiv?
Worth comparing: Mailchimp, Klaviyo, HubSpot Marketing Hub, Brevo. See the Alternatives section above for why you might pick one of these instead.