Beehiiv Review 2024 and Comparison

As a content creator, selecting the right tools to expand your online business can be daunting. Amid a plethora of options, it’s vital to find a platform that caters to your specific needs and objectives. Beehiiv, a newsletter growth platform launched in 2021, has made a significant impact on my business. Here’s a detailed review of Beehiiv, its functionalities, and how it benefits content creators.

What is Beehiiv?

Beehiiv was co-founded by Benjamin Hargett, Jacob Hurd, and Tyler Denk, a former product manager at Google who was instrumental in developing Morning Brew. Denk’s expertise in product management and scaling digital products ensures Beehiiv is tailored to meet modern content creators’ needs.

A standout feature of Tyler Denk is his accessibility. He actively engages with Beehiiv users on LinkedIn, Slack, and other platforms, even starting his own newsletter to stay connected with the community. Beehiiv secured a $33 million Series B funding in April 2024, subsequently offering direct investment opportunities to its users — a testament to its commitment to community-driven growth.

Tyler even shares what is effectively the internal monthly reporting to their investors, pitch decks, and more. He makes it difficult to not be a cheerleader.

How Beehiiv Works

Beehiiv offers three subscription plans: Launch, Scale, and Max. The Launch plan is free and supports up to 2,500 subscribers, making it ideal for beginners. Paid plans include a 30-day free trial and a 20% discount for the first three months when subscribed through my link.

Pricing Plans:

• Launch: Free, up to 2,500 subscribers
• Scale: $39/month, includes advanced features like custom HTML blocks and automated journeys
• Max: $99/month, includes custom sending domain and priority support

Setting Up: Upon joining Beehiiv, you are greeted with a dashboard displaying subscriber statistics and email campaign performance. The dashboard is intuitive and user-friendly, suitable even for beginners.

To capture email addresses, navigate to Settings > Publication > Subscribe Form > Create a new form. Customize the form with your headline, description, CTA, and logo. The design is simple yet effective.

Building a Landing Page: Beehiiv is outstanding for creating landing pages. These can be used for publishing content, promoting freebies, or even replacing traditional websites. To create a landing page, go to Settings > Website > Pages > Add an internal page. Customization is straightforward and does not require coding skills.

Writing and Sending Newsletters: The content editor on Beehiiv is remarkably user-friendly. I’m often challenged with editors but this is in my top three favorites now. It supports newsletter creation, post publishing on your Beehiiv-hosted website, and even command-line access for advanced users.

My Journey with Beehiiv

I transitioned my newsletter to Beehiiv in 2024 and experienced remarkable results. Within two months, I amassed nearly 10,000 subscribers. This growth was driven by Beehiiv’s tools, effective subscription strategies, and a supportive community. I also received paid Ad Network offers by my second newsletter issue, generating revenue in my first month. Then came Boosts and other monetization. It’s an entire well orchestrated ecosystem.

Beehiiv newsletter examples: https://accessible.beehiiv.com

Subscriber Management

Beehiiv’s subscriber management tools allow for segmentation based on demographics, behavior, and engagement levels, enabling personalized content delivery. Detailed analytics provide insights into subscriber behavior, helping refine content strategy and boost engagement.

Monetization Opportunities

Beehiiv offers multiple monetization options:

1. Boosts: Promote your newsletter among Beehiiv’s network and get paid for new subscribers.
2. Partner Program: Earn 50% commission on sales for referring new customers.
3. Ad Network: Connects creators with premium brands, enabling revenue through ads in newsletters.
4. Paid Subscriptions: Set up paywalls and different pricing plans to generate recurring revenue with low transaction fees.

Beehiiv vs. Competitors

Beehiiv

Strengths:

• Ease of Use: User-friendly interface designed for content creators.
• Monetization: Excellent monetization features, allowing creators to quickly turn their newsletters into revenue streams.
• Growth Tools: Advanced tools for growing subscriber lists, including referral programs and analytics.

Weaknesses:

• Feature Depth: While user-friendly, it might lack some advanced features that larger businesses need.
• Integrations: Limited integrations compared to other platforms.

Mailchimp

Strengths:

• Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of features from email marketing to CRM.
• Automation: Strong automation capabilities for various marketing needs.
• Integrations: Extensive integrations with third-party apps and services.

Weaknesses:

• Complexity: Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the number of features.
• Cost: Pricing can become expensive as your list grows.

Substack

Strengths:

• Simplicity: Easy to use, focused on writing and distributing newsletters.
• Monetization: Built-in subscription model for paid newsletters.
• Community: Strong community and discovery features for writers.

Weaknesses:

• Customization: Limited customization options for email templates and design.
• Features: Lacks advanced marketing features like automation and detailed analytics.

ConvertKit

Strengths:

• Email Automation: Excellent automation tools tailored for creators.
• Landing Pages: Built-in landing page creator.
• Subscriber Management: Easy-to-use subscriber tagging and segmentation.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Can get pricey as your subscriber base grows.
• Design Flexibility: Limited design flexibility compared to other platforms.

MailerLite

Strengths:

• Affordability: Budget-friendly pricing plans.
• Ease of Use: Simple, intuitive interface.
• Features: Offers a good balance of features including automation, landing pages, and analytics.

Weaknesses:

• Advanced Features: Lacks some of the more advanced features offered by competitors like Mailchimp.
• Scalability: May not be the best choice for very large lists.

ActiveCampaign

Strengths:

• Advanced Automation: Powerful automation tools.
• CRM Integration: Includes CRM features for sales and marketing alignment.
• Personalization: Strong personalization features for emails and marketing campaigns.

Weaknesses:

• Complexity: Steeper learning curve due to advanced features.
• Cost: Higher pricing, especially for smaller businesses.

Klaviyo

Strengths:

• E-commerce Integration: Excellent integration with e-commerce platforms.
• Segmentation: Advanced segmentation and personalization features.
• Automation: Robust automation capabilities.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Can be expensive, particularly for larger lists.
• Learning Curve: More complex to set up and use.

HubSpot

Strengths:

• All-in-One: Comprehensive suite of marketing, sales, and service tools.
• CRM: Includes a full-fledged CRM.
• Integration: Seamless integration across all tools and platforms.

Weaknesses:

• Cost: Very expensive, especially for small businesses.
• Complexity: Can be overwhelming due to the breadth of features.

Medium

Strengths:

• Content Discovery: Strong platform for content discovery and building an audience.
• Community: Active community and engagement.
• Ease of Use: Simple to use for writing and publishing.

Weaknesses:

• Monetization: Limited monetization options compared to dedicated email platforms.
• Email Features: Basic email capabilities, not a full-fledged email marketing tool.

Ghost

Strengths:

• Speed: Fast and responsive platform.
• Customization: Highly customizable with a focus on content creators.
• Open Source: Open source with flexible deployment options.

Weaknesses:

• Features: Lacks advanced email marketing features.
• Technical Knowledge: Requires some technical knowledge to set up and customize.

Campaign Monitor

Strengths:

• Design: Beautiful email templates and design flexibility.
• Automation: Good automation features.
• Analytics: Detailed reporting and analytics.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Can be expensive, particularly for smaller lists.
• Complexity: Slightly complex for beginners.

SparkLoop

Strengths:

• Referral Programs: Specialized in creating and managing referral programs.
• Integration: Integrates well with other email platforms.
• Growth: Focused on helping users grow their email lists.

Weaknesses:

• Features: Limited to referral program management, not a full email marketing suite.
• Price: Pricing can add up if not utilized effectively.

Conclusion

Beehiiv is an exceptional platform for both novice and experienced newsletter creators. Its free plan is perfect for beginners, while advanced plans cater to serious creators. Beehiiv’s comprehensive toolkit, supportive community, and robust monetization options make it a standout choice for newsletter growth.

I highly recommend giving Beehiiv a try. Start with their free plan to explore the features before upgrading. Then get 20% discount on the next three months by using my link.

FAQs

What is Beehiiv? Beehiiv is a newsletter growth platform co-founded by Tyler Denk, designed to help content creators grow and monetize their newsletters effectively.

How much does Beehiiv cost? Beehiiv offers a free Launch plan for up to 2,500 subscribers. Paid plans start at $39/month with advanced features and a Max plan starts at $99/month with priority support.

How does Beehiiv help with subscriber management? Beehiiv provides tools for segmenting subscribers based on demographics, behavior, and engagement levels, along with detailed analytics to optimize content strategies. Enough customization available that it’s considered very advanced.

Can I monetize my newsletter on Beehiiv? Yes, Beehiiv offers several monetization options, including Boosts, a Partner Program, an Ad Network, and Paid Subscriptions. Beehiiv is know for rapid monetization of newsletters compared to other platforms.

How does Beehiiv compare to other platforms like ConvertKit and Mailchimp? Beehiiv offers more extensive customization, better monetization options, and detailed analytics compared to ConvertKit and Mailchimp. It also has a cost-efficient flat fee structure.

Does Beehiiv have a newletter publisher’s community? They sure do! The Beehiiv Slack community is invaluable!

Why should I choose Beehiiv over Substack? Choosing between Beehiiv and Substack depends on your specific needs and preferences as a newsletter creator. Here are some reasons you might prefer Beehiiv over Substack:

1. Customization and Flexibility

• Design Options: Beehiiv offers more customizable design templates and allows for greater flexibility in branding your newsletter.
• Advanced Features: Beehiiv provides advanced features like custom domains, which can help with branding and professional presentation.

2. Monetization and Pricing

• Better Revenue Options: Beehiiv’s monetization options can be more flexible, allowing you to set up multiple tiers of subscriptions or offer one-time payments.
• Lower Fees: Depending on your subscription level, Beehiiv may offer lower fees on paid subscriptions compared to Substack.

3. Growth and Analytics

• Detailed Analytics: Beehiiv provides more detailed analytics, helping you better understand your audience’s behavior and preferences.
• Audience Segmentation: With Beehiiv, you can segment your audience more effectively, enabling targeted campaigns and content personalization.

4. Community and Support

• Community Building Tools: Beehiiv offers tools to build and engage with your community, such as comment sections and forums.
• Customer Support: Beehiiv is known for its responsive customer support, which can be a significant advantage if you need assistance.

5. Integration and Compatibility

• Third-Party Integrations: Beehiiv integrates well with various third-party tools and platforms, making it easier to manage your workflow and enhance your newsletter’s functionality.

6. Innovative Features

• Unique Features: Beehiiv is constantly innovating and may offer unique features not available on Substack, such as advanced subscriber management and marketing automation tools.

If your priorities include greater customization, more flexible monetization options, detailed analytics, and robust support, Beehiiv might be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer simplicity, ease of use, and are content with the standard features, Substack could still be a strong contender.

Beehive vs. Competitors: The Ultimate Showdown

Choosing the right platform for your email marketing and content creation needs is crucial. Here’s a detailed comparison of Beehive against other popular platforms like Mailchimp, Substack, ConvertKit, MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, Klaviyo, HubSpot, Medium, Ghost, Campaign Monitor, and SparkLoop. Let’s break down the strengths and weaknesses of each to see how Beehive stacks up.

Beehive

Strengths:

• Ease of Use: User-friendly interface designed for content creators.
• Monetization: Excellent monetization features, allowing creators to quickly turn their newsletters into revenue streams.
• Growth Tools: Advanced tools for growing subscriber lists, including referral programs and analytics.

Weaknesses:

• Feature Depth: While user-friendly, it might lack some advanced features that larger businesses need.
• Integrations: Limited integrations compared to other platforms.

Mailchimp

Strengths:

• Comprehensive Features: Offers a wide range of features from email marketing to CRM.
• Automation: Strong automation capabilities for various marketing needs.
• Integrations: Extensive integrations with third-party apps and services.

Weaknesses:

• Complexity: Can be overwhelming for beginners due to the number of features.
• Cost: Pricing can become expensive as your list grows.

Substack

Strengths:

• Simplicity: Easy to use, focused on writing and distributing newsletters.
• Monetization: Built-in subscription model for paid newsletters.
• Community: Strong community and discovery features for writers.

Weaknesses:

• Customization: Limited customization options for email templates and design.
• Features: Lacks advanced marketing features like automation and detailed analytics.

ConvertKit

Strengths:

• Email Automation: Excellent automation tools tailored for creators.
• Landing Pages: Built-in landing page creator.
• Subscriber Management: Easy-to-use subscriber tagging and segmentation.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Can get pricey as your subscriber base grows.
• Design Flexibility: Limited design flexibility compared to other platforms.

MailerLite

Strengths:

• Affordability: Budget-friendly pricing plans.
• Ease of Use: Simple, intuitive interface.
• Features: Offers a good balance of features including automation, landing pages, and analytics.

Weaknesses:

• Advanced Features: Lacks some of the more advanced features offered by competitors like Mailchimp.
• Scalability: May not be the best choice for very large lists.

ActiveCampaign

Strengths:

• Advanced Automation: Powerful automation tools.
• CRM Integration: Includes CRM features for sales and marketing alignment.
• Personalization: Strong personalization features for emails and marketing campaigns.

Weaknesses:

• Complexity: Steeper learning curve due to advanced features.
• Cost: Higher pricing, especially for smaller businesses.

Klaviyo

Strengths:

• E-commerce Integration: Excellent integration with e-commerce platforms.
• Segmentation: Advanced segmentation and personalization features.
• Automation: Robust automation capabilities.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Can be expensive, particularly for larger lists.
• Learning Curve: More complex to set up and use.

HubSpot

Strengths:

• All-in-One: Comprehensive suite of marketing, sales, and service tools.
• CRM: Includes a full-fledged CRM.
• Integration: Seamless integration across all tools and platforms.

Weaknesses:

• Cost: Very expensive, especially for small businesses.
• Complexity: Can be overwhelming due to the breadth of features.

Medium

Strengths:

• Content Discovery: Strong platform for content discovery and building an audience.
• Community: Active community and engagement.
• Ease of Use: Simple to use for writing and publishing.

Weaknesses:

• Monetization: Limited monetization options compared to dedicated email platforms.
• Email Features: Basic email capabilities, not a full-fledged email marketing tool.

Ghost

Strengths:

• Speed: Fast and responsive platform.
• Customization: Highly customizable with a focus on content creators.
• Open Source: Open source with flexible deployment options.

Weaknesses:

• Features: Lacks advanced email marketing features.
• Technical Knowledge: Requires some technical knowledge to set up and customize.

Campaign Monitor

Strengths:

• Design: Beautiful email templates and design flexibility.
• Automation: Good automation features.
• Analytics: Detailed reporting and analytics.

Weaknesses:

• Price: Can be expensive, particularly for smaller lists.
• Complexity: Slightly complex for beginners.

SparkLoop

Strengths:

• Referral Programs: Specialized in creating and managing referral programs.
• Integration: Integrates well with other email platforms.
• Growth: Focused on helping users grow their email lists.

Weaknesses:

• Features: Limited to referral program management, not a full email marketing suite.
• Price: Pricing can add up if not utilized effectively.

• Beehiiv review 2024
• Beehiiv platform features
• Beehiiv newsletter growth
• Beehiiv monetization options
• Beehiiv pricing plans
• Beehiiv vs ConvertKit
• Beehiiv vs Mailchimp
• Beehiiv vs Substack
• Beehiiv subscriber management
• Beehiiv content creator tools
• Beehiiv landing page creation
• Beehiiv email marketing
• Beehiiv customization options
• Beehiiv advanced features
• Beehiiv community support
• Beehiiv analytics and insights
• Beehiiv automation tools
• Beehiiv subscription plans
• Beehiiv user experience
• Beehiiv customer reviews