I have utilized a lot of various e-mail list systems throughout the years. In the last number of years, I’ve been a big advocate of digital sovereignty and owning your own platform. For that reason (and the remarkable features), I have been using Beehiiv Expert.
So, it is undoubtedly an unusual move for me to decide to use BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a hosted application and I am paying regular monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I wish to review why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I intend to resolve the problem of digital sovereignty while making use of the system and I ‘d also like to deal with why I selected to use it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Issue # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Huge Change In Method, I talked about how and why I made a decision to turn my recreational vehicle blog into mostly an e-newsletter. I made a decision that was business model I wanted to seek keeping that property.
However, to intentionally seek it as an e-newsletter, I desired a system that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the email listing for Happily motor home, however FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter system. It is developed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, frankly, using it for newsletters is a little bit of a waste. More on that in a little bit.
As I claimed in that problem of the newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with tools developed into it details to my function. Things such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog site) and send out the email all at once without having it be 2 separate activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would certainly 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 web links. Great for promo in various other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, however, so there are methods to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I pick to monetize with advertisements in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Built-in capability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and essentially run a costs e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Essentially, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features targeted at growth. The platform was essentially constructed by the individuals who developed the innovation for Morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the factor right here. BeeHiiv is developed from the ground up for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I may indeed be moving The Edge over to BeeHiiv also. At the very least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. Actually, I just went for it. And in fact, The side was re-branded over to The Morning WP, set off as it’s own residential or commercial property to ensure that I can expand it more intentionally also.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded independently. Gladly motor home was young, so easy to change. Yet, The Morning WP (previously The Edge) was hidden in a sea of things here at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s own. It will clearly constantly be carefully tied with the Blog Marketing Academy, yet doesn’t need to belong of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv since it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email List
There’s a difference between an e-newsletter platform and simply an e-mail listing.
You can hold your email list just about anywhere you desire and there are a variety of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The primary difference is that, with a newsletter system, the act of publishing means that it is mosting likely to your website and to your e-mail subscribers at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are publishing to that web site. Yet, you are also sending to all customers at the same time. The site and it’s subscribers are all in one. This makes administration of the system much simpler.
With most e-mail systems, any e-newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is built entirely individually from your site. So, for instance, you might publish a post to WordPress yet after that you would certainly require to independently build and send an e-mail to your checklist to send it to customers. These are after that 2 different collections of archives and 2 different activities because blog posts and your e-mails are not naturally connected.
The closest thing that transforms WordPress into a true newsletter platform is Newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name since it practically “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and permits them to be the very same thing. Certainly, something like E-newsletter Glue would certainly be a strong choice if I wanted to remain to self-host everything. Nonetheless, you would certainly lose the development tools that feature a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing an e-newsletter inherently comes with a different collection of requirements than a normal e-mail checklist.
You don’t usually require much marketing automation. You do not normally require autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO requirement, though, is one smooth publishing experience and development tools to help you develop your client base that specify to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I introduced to my subscribers that I was going to switch the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had lots of people ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the reality that I chose to opt for BeeHiiv, that doesn’t imply I assume Substack draws. Actually, because Substack has been about longer, it is elder and has more features.
Despite the fact that BeeHiiv is younger, there are a couple points that originally got my attention:.
- BeeHiiv is especially tailored to e-newsletter authors. As a matter of fact, it is essentially constructed by the exact same folks who built the modern technology behind Early morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real world, doesn’t matter. But, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter growth called me out over the even more generic positioning of being a “maker”. Development is what I’m interested in right here.
- That branding and differentiation likewise implies that BeeHiiv has some relatively large brand names and large magazines using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo developers. Once more, it simply informs me the consumer avatar distinction between both business.
Sending our my newsletter using FluentCRM really did not exactly draw. The only reason I would certainly consider drinking points up is if I assumed I could expand the checklist quicker. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that goal.
As a result of the targeting, I in fact do not view BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a different sort of customer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being much more direct competitors.
But, let’s dive deeper than just the positioning below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv looks like it was built by people that comprehending email marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems more tailored towards creators.
As an example, BeeHiiv provides customized areas on customers. Now, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. However, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv provides Automations. Actually, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a great deal like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still rather limited in triggers and the only action is the capability to send out an email. Nevertheless, enhancements are coming. Soon enough, automations will have new triggers in addition to brand-new activities, such as customizing custom-made fields, sending webhooks, and so on. I have actually currently seen improvements to their automations just considering that I began using the platform. As an example:
- Capability to cause automations based upon which details embed form they can be found in on.
- Ability to immediately do re-engagement (and take care of people based on opens up and non-opens).
- Capacity to do standard conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations like this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can not do this since the target market of Substack simply wouldn’t believe to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it comes to creating your e-newsletters, the composing interface of BeeHiiv is just much more geared towards newsletters. In fact, it in fact has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it functions. I locate it to be much more user-friendly, personally.
Substack’s creating interface is nice and tidy, yet it would certainly be a lot more comparable to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This distinction is greater than simply kind. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can put a “Section” and then put anything you want in it. Then, you can place Visibility alternatives on that area to show it only to paid subscribers, hide it from email, conceal from subscribers, show only to clients, and so on. Substack offers absolutely nothing similar to this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a premium subscription version, BeeHiiv does not take any earnings. As a matter of fact, you actually link approximately your own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your income. Relying on how many customers you get, that 10% can be quite a bit even more money than the month-to-month price of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear unpopular, however what it means is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv work with the outdoors making use of tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … absolutely nothing. No integrations in any way.
Generally, I just felt like BeeHiiv was extra developed toward genuine email marketing. It was built by people who “get it”. Also the opt-in kinds and the landing page makes appear far better constructed for conversions. Growth is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Despite the fact that there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have claimed, Substack placements itself towards “designers” greater than e-mail marketing professionals and e-newsletter owners. Therefore, you see some things tailored a lot more towards people that just think in regards to material development.
For instance, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous publications, they are dealt with fairly individually. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to several publications at the same time. This isn’t something I require, however … amazing for individuals that may need it.
Substack additionally has more social performance built-in. For example, it has a chat function to host talks with subscribers. It also has a “Notes” function which functions type of like a social networks newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you’re reading. Interesting. On the whole, Substack is set up to be much more like a social network which supports long-form web content.
In general, Substack is also more … minimal. You either look after that or do not. Directly, I do not. Nevertheless, if the objective is simplicity of interface and, honestly, features … Substack works pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear right here …
When it involves real marketing, I don’t think there’s much question that BeeHiiv is much better suited. I tried to find more factors that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, however frankly … I have a hard time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are commonly through to be the closest competitors, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are going after the very same target market and have similar capabilities.
ConvertKit is likewise placed at creators (like Substack), yet it is far more strongly dealing with people who do it for service. ConvertKit has wonderful aesthetic automation building, it’s own business system, and a lot more. ConvertKit is a really good system.
I’m not mosting likely to bore you with a full feature-by-feature malfunction below. ConvertKit is popular already. Yet, here’s exactly how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has much more versatility when it involves it’s automations. I will likewise claim that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit more intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports marking. This is just a basic feature of email listings that allows segmentation in a far more adaptable way than BeeHiiv currently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain labeling at some time quickly, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Expert.
ConvertKit does currently supply the capability to offer things through their own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would certainly constantly pick an extra direct option anyhow. For me, I favor to utilize my very own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been around much longer and because of that has way a lot more integration options. Lots of web-based tools and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their very own WordPress plugin that is fairly effective. For example, their plugin now even supports member-gated web content along with auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. In essence, this more carefully places ConvertKit into straight competitors by having you have the ability to release to your website and your e-mail checklist at the same time.
BeeHiiv is significantly lacking in these sort of third-party integrations right now. It’ll get there. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even active taking on the growth tools of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize individuals to share your newsletter with benefits, yet you can also pay per lead within the internal ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your list. These are truly remarkable features of BeeHiiv. Yet …
Did you know ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of the most well known viral promotion platforms for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall surface wherefore this implies for the system going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Expert
BeeHiiv is a lot earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that suggests less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this phase of the cycle. However, it also implies that they are quickly creating.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have observed virtually once a week release of brand-new features right into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … yet large features that are quite essential. Their rate of advancement now has been impressive.
I additionally very much appreciate just how receptive they are. In fact, among their product statements about some style enhancements to the web design features in fact included a small problem with the material size. I just responded to that e-mail to tell them. I swiftly obtained a reply straight from the chief executive officer:.
That very same day, the concern was fixed.
Few days later on, I gave them one more pointer …
Certainly, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to trigger automations based upon the embed type made use of was included in the system.
That sort of responsiveness and straight participation of the team is something I actually value.
Another major factor of differentiation here is the cost. Both systems offer complimentary plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan offers a lot more ability and even more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise FAR more favorable. ConvertKit appears less costly initially glance due to the fact that their pricing web page reveals reduced numbers, nevertheless the client limits are FAR reduced and your cost swiftly raises as your checklist expands.
With BeeHiiv, your very first level paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid each year), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That very same dimension listing is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I personally utilize), you can grow your listing approximately 100,000. A list of that dimension would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, too, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay yearly, too. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for simply $84/month if you pay yearly.
BeeHiiv is in a completely various league when it pertains to pricing (in a great way).
Will BeeHiiv eventually raise costs? They may as time takes place. Yet, I’m thinking individuals like myself who are already in will be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Things I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of the important things you most definitely need to remember is that BeeHiiv is relatively young. They do seem to develop instead swiftly and make new item statements somewhat commonly, but there are some standard features I really want they had that I need to simply await.
One is that they need to have a setup on subscription forms where I can select an automation to run right at the type level. That would certainly be remarkable for many reasons. As of now, membership forms look OK, however there’s really little settings for them to help in division.
It would be nice to have tagging at the subscriber level. This would be powerful.
I assume webhooks must belong to automations to make integrated automations easier and decrease reliance on outdoors tools like Zapier.
There are likewise some small administrative interface modifications that would be handy. For instance:
- Capacity to mass edit/remove customers.
- Capacity to mass edit posts (for example, to mark a number of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of standard fields as basic on customers (like the name).
- Some even more modification alternatives for the internet site (such as more flexible color options, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Points I wish they finish with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, yet it isn’t perfect and definitely not virtually as established as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM item.
It possibly never will certainly be, either. As I stated, the objective is various so it wouldn’t much a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation platform. I guess you never ever understand, though.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv quite a great deal. Sufficient where I determined to change my own newsletters over to the platform in spite of my personal choice for digital sovereignty and owning my very own platform.
Simply put, for the e-newsletter publishing version specifically, I saw enough value in their system to require the modification.
Bear in mind, I do not use BeeHiiv as my unique email list. I use BeeHiiv for what it is good at, but I intentionally have things set up to make sure that I likewise maintain my listing “in residence” within FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the exact same. It is simply a great insurance coverage, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your listing will certainly be of high usage (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will be).
So, the concern is … should YOU make use of BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are making use of Substack right now, I ‘d absolutely think about switching to BeeHiiv. It will merely be a lot more business-friendly. It is targeting various capacities and various needs. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the button needs to be pretty simple.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d possibly stay unless you have a large email list and are consequently being fleeced with their high month-to-month expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are repeating promptly. There’s likewise a pretty good possibility you’re not also making use of some of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t even need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv can conveniently be a far better and extra affordable fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be extremely willful about growing an e-newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE system to think about and maintain and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is created to be, it is just one of the very best video games in town today. This is the system to enjoy.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth checking out on your own. And if you end up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll discover the cost-free account to be rather feature abundant.