I have actually made use of a great deal of different email list systems over the years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a huge supporter of digital sovereignty and having your very own system. Therefore (and the remarkable features), I have actually been using Beehiiv Landing Page Builder.
So, it is undoubtedly a weird move for me to make a decision to utilize BeeHiiv. After all, it is an organized application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I wish to look at why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I wish to deal with the problem of digital sovereignty while using the platform and I would certainly also such as to deal with why I picked to use it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Constructed For Newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Pastime + A Large Shift In Method, I discussed exactly how and why I determined to transform my motor home blog right into mostly a newsletter. I decided that was the business design I wanted to seek keeping that property.
But, to deliberately pursue it as a newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was utilizing FluentCRM for the e-mail listing for Gladly motor home, but FluentCRM is not a newsletter system. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, frankly, using it for newsletters is a bit of a waste. More on that in a little bit.
As I said in that problem of the newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a platform with tools constructed right into it specific to my function. Things such as:
- Ability to publish (to the blog site) and send the e-mail at the same time without having it be two different actions.
- Built in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv platform.
- ” Magic Links”, which are primarily one-click subscription web links. Great for promo in other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, however, so there are means to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Built-in advertisement network, if I select to generate income from with ads in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated ability to run a paid newsletter upgrade and basically run a costs newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features focused on growth. The system was essentially built by the individuals who accumulated the technology for Early morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the factor below. BeeHiiv is constructed from scratch for the purpose of running an e-newsletter. FluentCRM has a different objective.
And I ended off with this:.
I might indeed be moving The Side over to BeeHiiv too. At the very least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. In fact, I just 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 own property to make sure that I can grow it more deliberately too.
The objective is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s own media entity and expanded independently. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so easy to transition. However, The Early morning WP (formerly The Side) was buried in a sea of stuff right here at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By dividing it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s own. It will certainly constantly be very closely linked with the Blog site Marketing Academy, however doesn’t need to be a part of it.
I switched over to BeeHiiv because it was built for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Normal Email Listing
There’s a difference in between an e-newsletter system and simply an email list.
You can host your email listing anywhere you want and there are a variety of them available, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary distinction is that, with a newsletter system, the act of posting suggests that it is going to your internet site and to your email clients at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have a web site. You are publishing to that internet site. Yet, you are additionally sending to all clients at the same time. The web site and it’s clients are done in one. This makes management of the system much less complex.
With the majority of email platforms, any e-newsletter you set up is done as an e-mail campaign. It is constructed totally independently from your web site. So, for instance, you could publish a write-up to WordPress yet then you would require to independently construct and send out an e-mail to your list to send it to customers. These are after that 2 separate collections of archives and 2 different activities due to the fact that article and your emails are not naturally connected.
The closest point that turns WordPress into a true newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it pretty much “glues” your e-newsletter to your WordPress blog posts and allows them to be the same thing. Absolutely, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid alternative if I wanted to remain to self-host everything. Nonetheless, you ‘d shed the development tools that include a system like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter naturally features a various set of demands than a regular e-mail listing.
You do not usually require much marketing automation. You do not typically need autoresponder series, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO requirement, though, is one seamless posting experience and growth tools to aid you build your customer base that specify to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my subscribers that I was going to change 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 fact that I chose to opt for BeeHiiv, that does not imply I think Substack sucks. In fact, since Substack has been about longer, it is more mature and has more features.
Although BeeHiiv is younger, there are a pair things that originally got my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to e-newsletter authors. In fact, it is literally built by the same individuals that built the technology behind Morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, does not matter. Yet, the obvious positioning of BeeHiiv toward e-newsletter growth called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “developer”. Development is what I want right here.
- That branding and distinction also means that BeeHiiv has some fairly large brands and large magazines utilizing it. Whereas SubStack is aimed more at solo creators. Again, it simply informs me the client character distinction in between the two firms.
Sending our my newsletter using FluentCRM didn’t precisely suck. The only reason I would ponder trembling points up is if I assumed I might expand the list faster. And BeeHiiv spoke precisely to that objective.
Due to the targeting, I really don’t view BeeHiiv and Substack as straight competitors. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a different sort of consumer. Actually, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more direct competitors.
But, allow’s dive much deeper than just the positioning here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv looks like it was constructed by individuals that recognizing e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems a lot more tailored toward developers.
As an example, BeeHiiv offers customized fields on subscribers. Currently, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. Yet, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv offers Automations. As a matter of fact, it is a visual automation builder that functions a great deal like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still fairly limited in triggers and the only action is the ability to send out an e-mail. However, improvements are coming. Soon enough, automations will certainly have brand-new triggers in addition to brand-new activities, such as modifying custom areas, sending out webhooks, etc. I’ve currently seen improvements to their automations just given that I started making use of the system. For example:
- Capability to trigger automations based on which details embed form they was available in on.
- Capacity to automatically do re-engagement (and take care of individuals based upon opens up and non-opens).
- Capability to do standard conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can not do this since the target audience of Substack just wouldn’t believe to approach this like an e-mail marketer.
When it involves creating your e-newsletters, the writing user interface of BeeHiiv is simply a lot more tailored towards e-newsletters. Actually, it really has similarities to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I locate it to be extra user-friendly, directly.
Substack’s composing user interface is nice and clean, however it would be a lot more comparable to the traditional editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This distinction is greater than just type. As an example, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Section” and afterwards put anything you want in it. After that, you can place Visibility choices on that section to reveal it only to paid subscribers, conceal it from e-mail, conceal from clients, show just to customers, and so on. Substack uses absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a premium registration version, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any type of earnings. Actually, you essentially attach as much as your very own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will take 10% of your earnings. Depending on the number of subscribers you get, that 10% can be quite a bit more money than the monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Last but not least, BeeHiiv has an API. This could appear nerdy, but what it indicates is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv work with the outdoors using tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations whatsoever.
In general, I just felt like BeeHiiv was more developed toward real e-mail marketing. It was developed by individuals who “get it”. Also the opt-in kinds and the landing page creates seem far better built for conversions. Development is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Even though there are still features I would love to see BeeHiiv add, I like the instructions it is going greater than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually said, Substack placements itself toward “creators” greater than e-mail marketing experts and newsletter proprietors. Because of that, you see some points tailored much more toward individuals that just assume in regards to material creation.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain several publications, they are dealt with quite individually. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to multiple magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I call for, but … trendy for people that may need it.
Substack also has more social performance built-in. For example, it has a chat feature to host chats with clients. It likewise has a “Notes” function which functions kind of like a social media newsfeed where you can share things from various other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. Overall, Substack is established to be more like a social network which sustains long-form content.
In general, Substack is also much more … minimal. You either take care of that or don’t. Personally, I do not. Nonetheless, if the objective is simpleness of user interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions pretty well.
But, I’ll be clear here …
When it involves real marketing, I do not think there’s much question that BeeHiiv is better fit. I looked for even more factors that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, but frankly … I have a difficult time locating them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are usually via to be the closest competitors, I in fact see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are pursuing the exact same target market and have comparable capabilities.
ConvertKit is also positioned at designers (like Substack), however it is far more strongly accommodating individuals who do it for business. ConvertKit has great visual automation structure, it’s very own commerce platform, and a lot more. ConvertKit is a truly good system.
I’m not going to birthed you with a full feature-by-feature failure right here. ConvertKit is well known already. But, below’s exactly how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Things ConvertKit Is Much Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has extra flexibility when it concerns it’s automations. I will likewise say that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit a lot more intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports tagging. This is just a fundamental function of email checklists that makes it possible for division in a much more versatile method than BeeHiiv presently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain identifying at some point quickly, truthfully. It seems like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Landing Page Builder.
ConvertKit does now offer the capacity to offer points through their own platform. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would certainly constantly choose a much more direct option anyway. For me, I choose to use my very own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and for that reason has way a lot more integration alternatives. Tons of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is fairly effective. For instance, their plugin now also sustains member-gated web content in addition to auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your site. Fundamentally, this a lot more very closely places ConvertKit right into straight competition by having you be able to release to your site and your email listing at the same time.
BeeHiiv is badly lacking in these sort of third-party integrations at the moment. It’ll get there. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even hectic taking on the development tools of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Suggestion Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your e-newsletter with perks, yet you can also pay per lead within the internal ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your list. These are truly incredible features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you understand ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is among the most well known viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall surface wherefore this indicates for the system going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Better At … Beehiiv Landing Page Builder
BeeHiiv is much previously in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means much less features and less integrations, which is all-natural for this stage of the cycle. Nonetheless, it likewise suggests that they are quickly developing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually experienced practically regular release of new features into the system. And these aren’t weak little features … yet large features that are fairly essential. Their speed of growth now has been impressive.
I additionally significantly value how responsive they are. Actually, among their item news regarding some layout improvements to the web design features really consisted of a tiny problem with the web content size. I merely replied to that email to tell them. I swiftly obtained a reply straight from the CEO:.
That exact same day, the issue was fixed.
Couple of days later on, I gave them one more recommendation …
Certainly, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to trigger automations based upon the embed kind used was added to the system.
That type of responsiveness and straight participation of the team is something I truly appreciate.
One more significant factor of differentiation below is the rate. Both systems offer free plans, nevertheless the BeeHiiv free plan supplies more ability and more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
Once you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also FAR more positive. ConvertKit appears less costly in the beginning glimpse since their pricing page shows reduced numbers, nevertheless the client limitations are FAR lower and your cost quickly enhances as your listing expands.
With BeeHiiv, your initial degree paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid each year), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 subscribers. That same size list 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 personally use), you can expand your listing as much as 100,000. A list of that size would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, also, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay annually, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for just $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv is in a completely different organization when it concerns pricing (in a good way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point boost prices? They might as time takes place. But, I’m thinking individuals like myself that are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see how things proceed.
Points I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Include
One of things you definitely need to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is fairly young. They do appear to evolve rather promptly and make brand-new item announcements somewhat often, however there are some fundamental features I truly want they had that I need to simply await.
One is that they need to have a setting on registration types where I might pick an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would certainly be amazing for numerous factors. As of now, subscription types look OK, however there’s really little setups for them to aid in segmentation.
It would certainly behave to have identifying at the client level. This would certainly be effective.
I assume webhooks should be part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and reduce dependence on outside tools like Zapier.
There are additionally some minor management user interface modifications that would come in handy. For instance:
- Capability to bulk edit/remove customers.
- Capacity to mass edit articles (for example, to identify a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic areas as typical on subscribers (like the name).
- Some even more customization choices for the web site (such as more flexible shade choices, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Things I hope they perform with it in the near future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, however it isn’t excellent and absolutely not nearly as created as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM product.
It possibly never will certainly be, either. As I claimed, the function is various so it would not a lot a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to come to be a full marketing automation system. I guess you never recognize, however.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv rather a great deal. Enough where I determined to switch my very own newsletters over to the system in spite of my personal choice for digital sovereignty and owning my own system.
Simply put, for the newsletter posting design specifically, I saw sufficient worth in their system to necessitate the modification.
Remember, I do not use BeeHiiv as my special email listing. I use BeeHiiv of what it is proficient at, yet I intentionally have points set up to make sure that I also keep my checklist “in residence” inside of FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the very same. It is simply an excellent insurance plan, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your listing will certainly be of high usage (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the question is … should YOU utilize BeeHiiv?
In my point of view, if you are utilizing Substack now, I ‘d most definitely take into consideration switching over to BeeHiiv. It will simply be much more business-friendly. It is targeting various abilities and various needs. Plus, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the switch should be pretty simple.
If you are on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d most likely stay unless you have a big e-mail checklist and are consequently being wooled with their high regular monthly expense. You will not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, but they are repeating quickly. There’s likewise a pretty good possibility you’re not also utilizing several of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you do not even require them. Therefore, BeeHiiv can quickly be a much better and much more budget friendly fit.
Last but not least, if you plan to be extremely intentional regarding growing a newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE platform to consider and keep and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is made to be, it is just one of the very best video games in town right now. This is the platform to enjoy.
BeeHiiv offers a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves taking a look at for yourself. And if you end up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll find the cost-free account to be rather feature abundant.