Substack vs Beehiiv: Which Platform Fits Your Needs?

Choosing between Substack and Beehiiv? Here's what you need to know:

Substack:

Simple, writer-focused platform
Great for building community
Free to start, takes 10% of subscription revenue
35 million active subscriptions (3 million paid)

Beehiiv:

Packed with growth and monetization tools
Better for data-driven creators
Free up to 2,500 subscribers, then paid plans start at $39/month
Keeps hands off your subscription revenue

Quick Comparison:

Feature	Substack	Beehiiv
Focus	Writing & community	Growth & monetization
Customization	Limited	Extensive
Analytics	Basic	Advanced
Revenue options	Subscriptions	Subscriptions, ads, affiliates
SEO tools	No	Yes

Bottom line: Pick Substack if you want simplicity and community. Choose Beehiiv if you're after growth and diverse income streams.

Still not sure? Let's dive deeper.

What Each Platform Offers

Substack and Beehiiv are two big players in the newsletter game. Let's break down what they bring to the table.

What You Get with Beehiiv

Beehiiv, founded in 2021 by ex-Morning Brew folks, is the new kid on the block. But don't let that fool you - it's packed with features:

Write newsletters or blog posts
Make content public or email-only
Dig deep into audience data
Make money through subscriptions, donations, and ads
Boost your SEO game
Customize your newsletter's look

One user put it this way: "Beehiiv is easy to use for creating newsletters. But it's also got tons of data tools to understand your readers."

What You Get with Substack

Substack, around since 2017, is the OG of independent publishing. Here's what it offers:

Clean, simple interface
Blend blogging and newsletters
Chat with readers through comments
Auto-publish to your Substack page and email
Easy paid subscriptions
Writer-focused tools

Substack keeps things simple, focusing on the writing experience. And it's working - they've got over 35 million active subscriptions, with 3 million paid ones.

Who Uses Each Platform

Beehiiv is great for:

Creators who want to grow big
Data nerds who love analytics
Businesses using newsletters for marketing

Some big names on Beehiiv? Milk Road, Cult of Mac, and The Boston Globe.

Substack fits well for:

Independent writers and journalists
Small teams who like to keep it simple
People building a community around their writing

Substack doesn't name names, but it's known for hosting lots of independent journalists and thought leaders.

So, which one's for you? If you're all about growth and data, Beehiiv might be your jam. If you're more into writing and building a community, Substack could be the way to go.

As Lizzie Davey, a freelance writer, puts it: "Substack's been in the spotlight, but Beehiiv is catching up fast!"

Features Side by Side

Let's compare Substack and Beehiiv's key features to help you pick the right platform.

Writing and Sending Newsletters

Substack and Beehiiv have different approaches to creating and distributing newsletters:

Substack keeps it simple. Their editor is straightforward, focusing on content creation without extras. Every post you write becomes both a blog post and an email automatically. It's great for writers who want a no-fuss publishing experience.

Beehiiv offers more options. Their advanced drag-and-drop editor lets you get creative with your newsletter design. You can choose to send your content as an email, publish it as a blog post, or both. It's perfect if you want more control over how you distribute your content.

"Beehiiv is undoubtedly more technically advanced and powerful as a newsletter tool", says Lizzie Davey, a freelance writer and strategist.

Look and Feel Options

The platforms differ when it comes to customizing your newsletter's appearance:

Substack is all about minimalism. You can change your logo and background color, but that's it. This keeps Substack newsletters looking consistent, which some writers like for its simplicity.

Beehiiv gives you more room to customize. You can change colors, fonts, spacing, and more. If you're on a premium plan, you can even use custom templates. This lets you create a unique look for your newsletter.

Data and Stats Tools

Both platforms offer analytics, but they differ in depth:

Substack provides basic stats like engagement rate, open rate, and click-through rate. These give you a simple view of how your content is doing.

Beehiiv goes deeper with analytics. Their comprehensive dashboard lets you really dig into subscriber behavior. You can group your audience, run A/B tests, and look at various metrics to improve your content strategy.

For example, Milk Road, a crypto newsletter on Beehiiv, grew from zero to over 250,000 subscribers in just a year. They used Beehiiv's detailed analytics tools to fine-tune their content strategy based on subscriber data.

Making Money

Want to turn your newsletter into a money-making machine? Let's look at how Substack and Beehiiv can help you do just that.

Ways to Earn

Substack keeps it simple: paid subscriptions. You write, readers pay for premium content. It's worked wonders for many writers.

Beehiiv, though? They're all about options:

Paid subscriptions (just like Substack)
Native ads (they've got a huge network)
Affiliate marketing (easy link tracking)
Digital products (sell your ebooks or courses)
Sponsorships (team up with brands)

Don't just take my word for it. Shaan Puri, the brains behind Milk Road, said: "We launched on beehiiv with nothing, scaled to over 250,000 subscribers, and got acquired all in under a year. beehiiv is that powerful."

Show Me the Money

Now, let's talk cold, hard cash. How much will these platforms cost you?

Substack:

Free to start
Takes 10% of your subscription money
Adds 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for payment processing

Beehiiv:

Free for up to 2,500 subscribers
$39/month for up to 1,000 subscribers on the "Scale" plan
Doesn't touch your subscription revenue

Let's crunch some numbers. Say you've got 10,000 subscribers, and 1,000 of them pay $5 a month:

On Substack:

You make: $5,000
Substack takes: $500
Payment fees: ~$174
You keep: ~$4,326

On Beehiiv:

You make: $5,000
Beehiiv takes: $0
You pay Beehiiv: $39
You keep: $4,961

See the difference? It gets even bigger as you grow.

Edward Lewis, a founder who switched to Beehiiv, shared: "In 2024, I decided to move my newsletter to Beehiiv and start fresh. The results were remarkable. In under two months, I locked my sights on nearly 10,000 subscribers."

So, what's the bottom line? If you're just starting, Substack might look tempting. But if you're dreaming big? Beehiiv's toolkit and pricing could be your ticket to newsletter stardom.

Building Your Audience

Growing your readership is key for newsletter success. Let's see how Substack and Beehiiv help you find and keep readers.

Search Engine Tools

Beehiiv wins in SEO. It has built-in tools to boost your newsletter's visibility in search results.

You can optimize your blog posts for search engines with Beehiiv. This can drive more organic traffic to your content. It's great for creators who know SEO and want to use it for growth.

Substack doesn't have specific SEO tools. But it does publish each post on your main profile. This can help people find you within Substack.

Both platforms help spread the word about your newsletter, but in different ways.

Beehiiv's Referral Program

Beehiiv has a native referral program. It lets your current subscribers easily share your newsletter. Here's how:

New subscribers get a unique referral link
You can add dynamic referral cards to your newsletters
Subscribers can track their referrals and milestones

This feature helped The Milk Road, a crypto newsletter, grow from zero to over 225,000 subscribers using Beehiiv.

Substack's Discovery Feed

Substack works more like social media. It has a newsfeed where users can find and follow creators. This built-in discovery can help you reach new readers on the platform.

Substack doesn't have a referral program like Beehiiv. But its community features can lead to organic growth. Readers can share your posts, and Substack's system can show your content to interested users.

Cross-Platform Promotion

Both platforms let you share on social media and other channels. Beehiiv also has a feature called Recommendations. It lets you cross-promote newsletters with other Beehiiv creators.

"Beehiiv is undoubtedly more technically advanced and powerful as a newsletter tool", says Lizzie Davey, a freelance writer and strategist.

Remember, the key to a loyal audience is great content. As one expert puts it:

"If your content is terrible then the size of your email list will be pitiful."

No matter which platform you pick, focus on delivering content your readers love.

Tech and Support

Let's compare Substack and Beehiiv's tech features and support options. We'll look at how easy they are to set up and how well they work with other tools.

Getting Started

Beehiiv makes it super easy to get started. They use a no-code approach, so you can focus on writing instead of tech stuff. Here's their 10-step setup process:

Enter your email
Provide your name
Create a password
Define your newsletter goals
Choose a newsletter name
Select a URL
Describe your newsletter's focus
Upload your logo
Pick your brand colors
Review plan options (including a 14-day free trial)

This step-by-step guide helps new users get up and running fast. And don't worry, you can always change things later.

Substack keeps things simple. They focus on getting you writing ASAP, with fewer setup steps. But this simplicity might leave some users wanting more customization options.

Working with Other Tools

When it comes to connecting with other software, there's a clear winner:

Beehiiv offers an API and Zapier integration. This means you can connect it to tons of other tools. Want to add new subscribers to your CRM automatically? No problem. Need to trigger welcome emails based on specific actions? You got it.

Substack? Well, they're behind the curve here. They don't have a public API, which limits your options for automation and integration. If you're looking to create complex workflows or connect Substack with your other tools, you might hit a wall.

"When it comes to integrations, Beehiiv is better than Substack." - Tiago Silva, Creator and Author

The difference in automation is huge. Beehiiv's Scale plan (starting around $30/month) lets you set up all kinds of automations. Substack? You get one welcome email. That's it.

If you're serious about growing your audience and making your processes more efficient, Beehiiv's tech features are hard to beat. But if you just want to start writing without any bells and whistles, Substack might do the trick.

Both platforms show you where your subscribers are coming from, which is great for understanding your growth. But Beehiiv's more detailed analytics and integration options give it an edge for data-loving creators.

As for customer support, experiences vary. Substack offers support through social media, email, and phone, but some users say they're slow to respond. We don't know as much about Beehiiv's support options, but their focus on user experience suggests they're committed to helping creators succeed.

How to Choose

Picking between Substack and Beehiiv isn't easy. Let's break it down to help you decide.

Best for Writers

Are you a writer who just wants to write? Substack might be your go-to. It's like digital journaling - clean, simple, and lets you focus on your craft.

Substack is great for building a community. You can chat with readers through comments and discussion threads. It's perfect for journalists, essayists, and thought leaders who want to spark conversations.

But what if you're all about growing and monetizing your email list? That's where Beehiiv shines. It's packed with advanced tools for treating your newsletter like a serious business.

"Your choice really comes down to your goals (and your audience!)." - Lizzie Davey, Freelance Writer and Strategist

Best for Different Business Types

Just starting out? Substack's free plan is hard to beat. You can grow up to 100,000 subscribers without paying a cent. But remember, they'll take a 10% cut of your subscription revenue, plus a 3% transaction fee.

Beehiiv is better for businesses looking to scale. Their free plan caps at 2,500 subscribers, but their paid plans (starting at $42/month) offer:

Advanced audience segmentation
Multiple revenue streams
Detailed analytics and A/B testing

Take Milk Road, for example. This crypto newsletter used Beehiiv to grow from zero to over 250,000 subscribers in just a year.

"We launched on beehiiv with nothing, scaled to over 250,000 subscribers, and got acquired all in under a year. beehiiv is that powerful." - Shaan Puri, Milk Road founder

When it comes to money, the difference is clear:

Substack takes 10% of your subscription revenue
Beehiiv lets you keep it all (on paid plans)

For a newsletter with 1,000 paying subscribers at $5/month, that's an extra $500 in your pocket every month with Beehiiv.

So, what's your priority?

If you want simplicity and community features, go with Substack
If you're all about growth, making money, and data-driven decisions, Beehiiv's your best bet

Bottom Line

Picking between Substack and Beehiiv? It's all about what you want and who you're writing for.

Substack's your friend if you like things simple and want to chat with your readers. It's a hit with journalists and deep thinkers who want to get people talking. The best part? You can have as many free subscribers as you want. But heads up - they'll take a 10% slice of your paid subscriptions, plus some extra fees.

Beehiiv, on the flip side, is perfect if you're all about growing your audience and making money. They've got fancy tools to help you understand your readers better and make cash in different ways. Their free plan tops out at 2,500 subscribers, but if you pay (starting at $42 a month), you get more goodies and keep all your subscription money.

Let's look at some real-life examples:

1. The Milk Road story is pretty wild. This crypto newsletter used Beehiiv and boom - 250,000 subscribers in just a year. Shaan Puri, the guy behind it, said:

"We launched on beehiiv with nothing, scaled to over 250,000 subscribers, and got acquired all in under a year. beehiiv is that powerful."

2. Substack isn't slouching either. They've got over 35 million active subscriptions, with 3 million people paying up. That's a lot of writers finding their crowd.

Now, let's talk money. Say you've got 1,000 people paying $5 a month for your newsletter:

With Substack, you'd pocket about $4,326 after fees
With Beehiiv, you'd keep $4,961 (minus what you pay for the platform)

Lizzie Davey, who knows a thing or two about writing and strategy, puts it nicely:

"Ultimately, the platform you choose truly depends on your goals (and your audience!)."

So, think about what you want to achieve and who you're writing for. That'll point you in the right direction.

FAQs

Substack vs beehiiv: Which is better?

It depends on what you're after.

Substack is like a blog with an autoresponder. It's great for writers who want to keep things simple.

Beehiiv gives you more options. You can:

Publish a blog post
Send a newsletter
Do both

SEO: Substack or Beehiiv?

Beehiiv wins for SEO. If you know your way around search engine optimization, Beehiiv's got the tools you need.

But if you're all about building a community, Substack might be your jam. It's got:

Community features
A built-in discovery feed

These make it easier to connect with readers.

Can you make money on beehiiv?

You bet. Beehiiv offers several ways to cash in:

1. Referral Program

Bring in new subscribers, earn some cash.

2. Earn per Send

Feature other creators' newsletters in yours. Some pay up to $1,000 per send.

3. Paid Subscriptions

Offer premium content to paying subscribers.

4. Native Ads

Tap into Beehiiv's big ad network.

5. Affiliate Marketing

Easy link tracking for your affiliate efforts.

Just remember: Beehiiv caps you at 3 "boosts" (promotional features) at a time. This keeps your content focused, not spammy.

Substack vs Beehiiv: Which Platform Fits Your Needs?