I have utilized a great deal of various e-mail list systems for many years. In the last couple of years, I’ve been a big supporter of digital sovereignty and owning your very own system. Because of that (and the outstanding features), I have actually been making use of Beehiiv Vs Newspack.
So, it is indeed a strange move for me to make a decision to make use of BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a hosted application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I wish to review why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I intend to address the problem of digital sovereignty while making use of the platform and I ‘d additionally like to address why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For Newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Large Shift In Approach, I discussed exactly how and why I decided to transform my RV blog right into mainly a newsletter. I decided that was business design I wished to go after with that residential property.
However, to intentionally seek it as a newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the email checklist for Gladly recreational vehicle, however FluentCRM is not a newsletter system. It is built to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, honestly, using it for newsletters is a bit of a waste. Extra on that particular in a little bit.
As I said because concern of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a platform with tools built right into it certain to my objective. Points such as:
- Ability to publish (to the blog) and send out the email at the same time without having it be two separate actions.
- Integrated in e-newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would require a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capacity to do cross-promotions with various other newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are essentially one-click registration links. Great for promo in various other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, though, so there are means to do that.
- Capacity to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your e-newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I pick to generate income from with advertisements in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and essentially run a costs newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Primarily, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for e-newsletter authors with features aimed at growth. The system was literally built by the individuals who developed the innovation for Early morning Mixture. They understand what they’re doing.
That is the point right here. BeeHiiv is built from scratch for the objective of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various function.
And I ended off with this:.
I may without a doubt be relocating The Side over to BeeHiiv as well. At least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. As a matter of fact, I simply went for it. And as a matter of fact, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s very own residential or commercial property to ensure that I can expand it a lot more deliberately as well.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s own media entity and expanded separately. Happily motor home was young, so simple to transition. But, The Early morning WP (previously The Side) was hidden in a sea of things below at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s very own. It will undoubtedly constantly be carefully connected with the Blog site Marketing Academy, but doesn’t have to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv since it was developed for this purpose. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Simply A Normal Email List
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter platform and simply an e-mail list.
You can host your email listing anyplace you want and there are a variety of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The main difference is that, with a newsletter platform, the act of publishing indicates that it is mosting likely to your site and to your email clients simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a site. You are publishing to that website. But, you are additionally dispatching to all customers at the same time. The website and it’s customers are done in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much less complex.
With many e-mail platforms, any type of e-newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built completely separately from your website. So, for instance, you may release a write-up to WordPress however then you would need to individually build and send an e-mail to your checklist to send it to customers. These are after that two separate sets of archives and 2 separate activities due to the fact that article and your emails are not inherently connected.
The closest point that turns WordPress right into a real newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it basically “adhesives” your e-newsletter to your WordPress articles and enables them to be the exact same thing. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid alternative if I intended to remain to self-host whatever. Nevertheless, you ‘d shed the development devices that include a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting an e-newsletter naturally includes a different set of needs than a typical email list.
You do not typically need much marketing automation. You don’t normally require autoresponder series, occasion monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO requirement, however, is one seamless publishing experience and growth tools to help you construct your subscriber base that specify to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my clients that I was mosting likely to switch the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had lots of people ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the truth that I chose to choose BeeHiiv, that does not imply I assume Substack draws. As a matter of fact, because Substack has been around much longer, it is elder and has more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair things that initially got my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is especially customized to e-newsletter publishers. As a matter of fact, it is essentially developed by the same folks that developed the technology behind Morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, does not matter. But, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter growth called me out over the even more generic positioning of being a “designer”. Growth is what I’m interested in here.
- That branding and distinction likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some rather big brand names and big magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is intended even more at solo designers. Again, it simply tells me the customer character difference between both firms.
Sending our my newsletter via FluentCRM didn’t specifically suck. The only factor I would certainly ponder trembling points up is if I believed I can GROW the list quicker. And BeeHiiv talked exactly to that objective.
Because of the targeting, I really don’t view BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various kind of consumer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being much more straight competitors.
However, allow’s dive deeper than simply the positioning below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Overall, BeeHiiv feels like it was built by people who recognizing e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears more geared toward makers.
For instance, BeeHiiv offers customized areas on clients. Currently, it isn’t as established as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv supplies Automations. As a matter of fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a whole lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation functionality is still early-phase. It is still rather restricted in triggers and the only activity is the capacity to send an email. However, enhancements are coming. Quickly sufficient, automations will have brand-new triggers in addition to new actions, such as modifying personalized areas, sending out webhooks, and so on. I’ve currently seen enhancements to their automations simply since I started using the platform. For instance:
- Ability to activate automations based on which specific embed type they was available in on.
- Capability to automatically do re-engagement (and manage people based upon opens and non-opens).
- Capability to do basic conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never will. Substack just can’t do this since the target market of Substack just wouldn’t believe to approach this like an email online marketer.
When it involves creating your newsletters, the composing interface of BeeHiiv is simply more tailored toward newsletters. Actually, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in just how it functions. I locate it to be extra intuitive, directly.
Substack’s creating user interface is nice and clean, however it would be a lot more equal to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This distinction is more than simply type. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Section” and afterwards placed anything you want in it. After that, you can place Presence choices on that particular section to reveal it only to paid customers, conceal it from email, hide from clients, show only to customers, etc. Substack offers absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a premium subscription version, BeeHiiv does not take any earnings. Actually, you literally attach up to your own Stripe account and it charges directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your income. Relying on the amount of clients you get, that 10% can be quite a bit more money than the monthly price of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear unpopular, however what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can really make BeeHiiv work with the outside utilizing tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack literally has … nothing. No integrations in any way.
In general, I just felt like BeeHiiv was more constructed towards real email marketing. It was built by individuals who “get it”. Also the opt-in types and the landing page creates appear much better constructed for conversions. Development is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the direction it is going greater than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually claimed, Substack settings itself towards “developers” more than e-mail marketing experts and newsletter proprietors. Because of that, you see some things tailored more towards people who simply believe in terms of web content creation.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Additionally, while BeeHiiv does support numerous magazines, they are dealt with quite individually. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to multiple publications at the same time. This isn’t something I call for, yet … awesome for individuals that could require it.
Substack additionally has more social functionality built-in. For example, it has a conversation function to host talks with clients. It additionally has a “Notes” feature which works kind of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you’re reading. Fascinating. On the whole, Substack is established to be extra like a social media which supports long-form web content.
In general, Substack is additionally a lot more … minimal. You either care for that or do not. Directly, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the goal is simplicity of interface and, frankly, features … Substack works pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear below …
When it comes to real marketing, I don’t assume there’s much question that BeeHiiv is much better suited. I tried to find more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, however honestly … I have a difficult time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are typically via to be the closest rivals, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are pursuing the very same target audience and have comparable capacities.
ConvertKit is also positioned at makers (like Substack), yet it is a lot more strongly dealing with individuals that do it for business. ConvertKit has great visual automation building, it’s very own commerce system, and more. ConvertKit is an actually good platform.
I’m not going to bore you with a complete feature-by-feature break down right here. ConvertKit is well known currently. Yet, right here’s exactly how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has extra versatility when it pertains to it’s automations. I will also claim that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit extra user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports tagging. This is just a fundamental function of e-mail lists that enables segmentation in a much more versatile method than BeeHiiv currently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain labeling eventually quickly, frankly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Vs Newspack.
ConvertKit does now give the capacity to offer points using their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is necessary to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly always select an extra straight option anyhow. For me, I favor to use my very own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and for that reason has way extra integration alternatives. Tons of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit even has their very own WordPress plugin that is quite powerful. For example, their plugin now even sustains member-gated web content along with auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your website. Essentially, this more very closely puts ConvertKit right into straight competitors by having you be able to release to your website and your email list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is drastically lacking in these sort of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll arrive. Yet, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also active tackling the development devices of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not just incentivize individuals to share your e-newsletter with advantages, but you can also pay per lead within the inner advertisement network of BeeHiiv to expand your listing. These are really incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is among one of the most popular viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall surface for what this suggests for the platform going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Better At … Beehiiv Vs Newspack
BeeHiiv is much previously in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that indicates much less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this stage of the cycle. Nevertheless, it likewise suggests that they are quickly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have experienced almost weekly release of new features into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … however large features that are quite essential. Their rate of growth now has gone over.
I likewise significantly value how receptive they are. In fact, among their product news about some style enhancements to the website design features really had a little issue with the web content size. I simply responded to that e-mail to tell them. I promptly got a reply directly from the CEO:.
That very same day, the concern was fixed.
Few days later, I provided another tip …
Certainly, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capability to cause automations based upon the embed kind utilized was added to the system.
That kind of responsiveness and direct involvement of the group is something I really appreciate.
Another major factor of differentiation here is the price. Both systems offer totally free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan offers more capability and more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise FAR more favorable. ConvertKit appears more affordable at first glance because their pricing page shows reduced numbers, nonetheless the subscriber limits are FAR lower and your price swiftly increases as your checklist grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first level paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid yearly), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 clients. That same dimension checklist is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I directly use), you can grow your listing approximately 100,000. A list of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, as well, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, also. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay annually.
BeeHiiv is in a completely various league when it pertains to pricing (in a great way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point raise rates? They could as time takes place. But, I’m presuming individuals like myself who are currently in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Add
Among things you most definitely require to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to evolve instead rapidly and make new item news somewhat commonly, yet there are some fundamental features I really desire they had that I need to simply wait on.
One is that they need to have a setting on subscription types where I could choose an automation to run right at the kind level. That would certainly be outstanding for many factors. Currently, membership types look OK, however there’s very little setups for them to help in division.
It would behave to have marking at the client degree. This would be effective.
I assume webhooks need to be part of automations to make integrated automations easier and reduce dependence on outside tools like Zapier.
There are likewise some minor administrative interface adjustments that would be handy. For example:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Capability to bulk edit messages (for example, to identify a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic areas as standard on customers (like the name).
- Some even more customization options for the web site (such as even more versatile shade selections, headline control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Things I hope they do with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, yet it isn’t excellent and absolutely not virtually as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM product.
It most likely never will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the function is various so it would not a lot a great deal of feeling for BeeHiiv to become a full marketing automation platform. I presume you never ever recognize, though.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv fairly a lot. Sufficient where I decided to change my own newsletters over to the platform despite my individual preference for digital sovereignty and having my very own system.
Basically, for the newsletter publishing model especially, I saw adequate value in their platform to warrant the adjustment.
Bear in mind, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my exclusive e-mail checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, however I intentionally have points establish to ensure that I also keep my listing “in home” inside of FluentCRM.
If you make use of BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the very same. It is simply a good insurance coverage, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your checklist will be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the question is … should YOU make use of BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are utilizing Substack right now, I ‘d definitely take into consideration switching to BeeHiiv. It will merely be extra business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and various demands. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the button must be quite straightforward.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d most likely sit tight unless you have a huge e-mail list and are consequently being fleeced with their high monthly bill. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating quickly. There’s also a pretty good opportunity you’re not also using some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you do not also require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv can quickly be a much better and a lot more budget-friendly fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be really willful about expanding an e-newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE platform to take into consideration and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is designed to be, it is among the most effective games in the area now. This is the system to view.
BeeHiiv uses a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth looking into for yourself. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll locate the cost-free account to be rather feature rich.