I have actually made use of a lot of various email list systems for many years. In the last couple of years, I have actually been a huge advocate of digital sovereignty and having your own system. For that reason (and the outstanding features), I have actually been using Beehiiv Premium Subscriptions.
So, it is indeed a weird move for me to decide to use BeeHiiv. Besides, it is a held application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv evaluation, I intend to go over why I made the button to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I intend to attend to the concern of digital sovereignty while using the system and I ‘d likewise like to deal with why I selected to utilize it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Built For E-newsletters
In Problem # 435 of my newsletter called My Pastime + A Big Change In Strategy, I talked about just how and why I decided to transform my RV blog right into mostly an e-newsletter. I chose that was the business design I intended to go after with that said residential or commercial property.
But, to deliberately seek it as an e-newsletter, I wanted a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the e-mail list for Gladly motor home, however FluentCRM is not a newsletter system. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, honestly, using it for newsletters is a little a waste. A lot more on that in a bit.
As I stated because concern of the e-newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a system with devices built into it certain to my objective. Things such as:
- Capacity to publish (to the blog site) and send out the email at the same time without having it be two different activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Integrated capability to do cross-promotions with other newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are primarily one-click membership web links. Great for promo in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, however, so there are ways to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your e-newsletter.
- Integrated advertisement network, if I select to generate income from with ads in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated ability to run a paid e-newsletter upgrade and generally run a premium newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Primarily, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features focused on development. The system was literally developed by the people that accumulated the technology for Morning Mixture. They know what they’re doing.
That is the point right here. BeeHiiv is built from the ground up for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various function.
And I finished off with this:.
I might without a doubt be relocating The Edge over to BeeHiiv too. At least, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. In fact, I just went all out. And as a matter of fact, The side was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, triggered as it’s own residential or commercial property to ensure that I can expand it a lot more deliberately too.
The goal is that each newsletter has the capacity to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded independently. Happily RV was young, so simple to change. But, The Early morning WP (formerly 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 closely connected with the Blog Marketing Academy, but does not need to be a part of it.
I switched to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was developed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
E-newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email List
There’s a difference in between a newsletter platform and simply an e-mail list.
You can hold your email listing anywhere you want and there are a variety of them out there, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted options like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The main distinction is that, with a newsletter system, the act of publishing implies that it is mosting likely to your site and to your email customers at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are releasing to that web site. Yet, you are additionally dispatching to all clients at the same time. The website and it’s subscribers are all in one. This makes monitoring of the platform much simpler.
With the majority of email systems, any type of newsletter you established is done as an e-mail campaign. It is constructed entirely individually from your web site. So, for example, you may publish a post to WordPress but then you would certainly require to individually develop and send out an email to your checklist to send it to customers. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and 2 different activities because blog posts and your emails are not inherently linked.
The closest thing that turns WordPress right into a real newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name since it basically “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress blog posts and allows them to be the very same thing. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid choice if I wished to remain to self-host whatever. Nonetheless, you ‘d shed the development devices that include a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting a newsletter inherently features a various set of requirements than a common email checklist.
You do not normally require much marketing automation. You do not typically require autoresponder sequences, event tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO requirement, however, is one seamless posting experience and growth tools to aid you build your client base that are specific to newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my subscribers that I was going to switch the newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many individuals ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the fact that I chose to select BeeHiiv, that does not suggest I think Substack draws. Actually, due to the fact that Substack has been around longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair things that originally got my focus:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically tailored to e-newsletter authors. Actually, it is actually constructed by the same individuals who built the technology behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, does not matter. However, the noticeable positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter development called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “creator”. Growth is what I want here.
- That branding and distinction likewise means that BeeHiiv has some rather huge brands and large publications using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo designers. Once again, it just informs me the consumer character difference between the two business.
Sending our my e-newsletter through FluentCRM didn’t precisely suck. The only factor I would ponder trembling things up is if I believed I could GROW the list faster. And BeeHiiv spoke precisely to that goal.
Because of the targeting, I in fact don’t view BeeHiiv and Substack as direct rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a various sort of consumer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra straight rivals.
But, allow’s dive deeper than simply the positioning below.
Things That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv looks like it was built by individuals that understanding e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears more tailored towards designers.
As an example, BeeHiiv offers custom-made areas on subscribers. Now, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv offers Automations. As a matter of fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that functions a lot like what we have within FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still quite restricted in triggers and the only action is the ability to send an e-mail. Nonetheless, enhancements are coming. Quickly enough, automations will have brand-new triggers along with new actions, such as modifying personalized fields, sending webhooks, and so on. I’ve already seen enhancements to their automations just since I started making use of the platform. For example:
- Ability to cause automations based upon which particular embed kind they can be found in on.
- Capability to automatically do re-engagement (and take care of individuals based on opens up and non-opens).
- Capability to do fundamental conditional logic branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack simply can’t do this due to the fact that the target audience of Substack just wouldn’t think to approach this like an e-mail marketing expert.
When it pertains to composing your e-newsletters, the composing user interface of BeeHiiv is simply extra tailored toward newsletters. As a matter of fact, it actually has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it works. I find it to be a lot more intuitive, directly.
Substack’s creating interface is nice and tidy, however it would certainly be a lot more comparable to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This difference is more than just type. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Area” and after that put anything you want in it. Then, you can put Presence alternatives on that particular area to show it only to paid customers, conceal it from email, hide from clients, show just to subscribers, etc. Substack provides absolutely nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a premium registration version, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any kind of earnings. As a matter of fact, you literally attach up to your very own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your income. Depending on the amount of clients you obtain, that 10% can be a fair bit even more money than the monthly cost of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This could appear nerdy, however what it indicates is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can in fact make BeeHiiv work with the outside using devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … nothing. No integrations at all.
Generally, I just seemed like BeeHiiv was much more built toward real email marketing. It was built by people that “get it”. Even the opt-in types and the landing page develops seem better built for conversions. Growth is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Even though there are still features I wish to see BeeHiiv add, I like the instructions it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually stated, Substack settings itself toward “makers” greater than e-mail marketing professionals and newsletter proprietors. For that reason, you see some things tailored extra toward individuals who just believe in terms of content development.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does support several magazines, they are dealt with fairly independently. Whereas Substack does have the capacity to cross-post to numerous publications at the same time. This isn’t something I need, yet … trendy for people that may need it.
Substack additionally has more social functionality built-in. For example, it has a conversation feature to host talks with clients. It also has a “Notes” feature which works kind of like a social media newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. Generally, Substack is established to be a lot more like a social media network which supports long-form content.
In general, Substack is also more … minimalist. You either look after that or do not. Personally, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the objective is simplicity of interface and, honestly, features … Substack functions rather well.
But, I’ll be clear here …
When it concerns real marketing, I don’t assume there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is better matched. I searched for more factors that make Substack better than BeeHiiv, but honestly … I have a tough time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are often through to be the closest competitors, I actually see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are pursuing the same target market and have comparable abilities.
ConvertKit is likewise placed at designers (like Substack), however it is a lot more strongly satisfying people that do it for company. ConvertKit has good visual automation building, it’s very own business system, and a lot more. ConvertKit is a truly wonderful platform.
I’m not going to bore you with a full feature-by-feature malfunction here. ConvertKit is well known already. But, right here’s exactly how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Points ConvertKit Is Better At …
Already, ConvertKit has more adaptability when it comes to it’s automations. I will also state that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit extra instinctive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit supports labeling. This is simply a standard feature of e-mail checklists that enables division in an even more adaptable way than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to support identifying eventually quickly, honestly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing Beehiiv Premium Subscriptions.
ConvertKit does now give the capacity to market things via their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is very important to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would constantly pick a much more direct alternative anyhow. For me, I like to utilize my very own platform powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been around a lot longer and because of that has way a lot more integration options. Tons of online devices and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is rather effective. For example, their plugin currently even sustains member-gated content along with auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your website. Basically, this extra very closely puts ConvertKit right into direct competitors by having you have the ability to publish to your site and your email list at the same time.
BeeHiiv is significantly lacking in these kinds of third-party integrations right now. It’ll arrive. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is even busy dealing with the growth devices of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Referral Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your newsletter with perks, however you can also pay per lead within the internal advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your list. These are really outstanding features of BeeHiiv. But …
Did you recognize ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is just one of the most popular viral promotion systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the writing on the wall surface for what this means for the system going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Premium Subscriptions
BeeHiiv is much previously in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that indicates much less features and less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nonetheless, it likewise implies that they are quickly developing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have experienced almost regular release of new features right into the platform. And these aren’t undersized little features … however big features that are rather important. Their rate of advancement now has been impressive.
I likewise very much value exactly how responsive they are. As a matter of fact, among their product news regarding some design improvements to the website design features really consisted of a tiny trouble with the web content size. I just replied to that email to tell them. I quickly obtained a reply straight from the CEO:.
That exact same day, the concern was dealt with.
Couple of days later, I gave them another pointer …
Sure enough, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the ability to activate automations based upon the embed form used was added to the system.
That type of responsiveness and straight involvement of the team is something I really appreciate.
An additional significant factor of distinction here is the cost. Both platforms offer free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan supplies a lot more capability and more subscribers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is also even more beneficial. ConvertKit appears less costly in the beginning glimpse because their pricing page shows reduced numbers, however the subscriber limitations are much reduced and your cost quickly raises as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your first degree paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid yearly), nevertheless you can have up to 10,000 clients. That same dimension listing is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their finest plan and the one I personally utilize), you can expand your listing approximately 100,000. A listing of that dimension would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, as well, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay each year, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay yearly.
BeeHiiv is in a totally various organization when it pertains to pricing (in an excellent way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately raise costs? They may as time goes on. Yet, I’m guessing individuals like myself that are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how things continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Add
One of the things you certainly need to keep in mind is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to develop instead quickly and make new item announcements somewhat often, but there are some fundamental features I really want they had that I need to simply await.
One is that they need to have a setup on membership types where I could pick an automation to run right at the type level. That would be amazing for many factors. Currently, registration types look OK, but there’s really little setups for them to assist in segmentation.
It would be nice to have tagging at the client degree. This would be effective.
I assume webhooks must become part of automations to make built-in automations simpler and lower reliance on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are also some minor administrative interface adjustments that would be handy. For example:
- Ability to bulk edit/remove subscribers.
- Ability to bulk edit posts (as an example, to tag a number of them at the same time).
- Having a few fundamental fields as typical on customers (like the name).
- Some more personalization choices for the site (such as more versatile shade choices, heading control, etc).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Points I hope they finish with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t perfect and certainly not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other actual CRM item.
It possibly never will be, either. As I said, the function is various so it wouldn’t a lot a lot of sense for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation system. I presume you never understand, however.
Last Thoughts On This BeeHiiv Review
I such as BeeHiiv quite a whole lot. Sufficient where I decided to change my own newsletters over to the system despite my individual choice for digital sovereignty and having my own system.
Basically, for the e-newsletter publishing model particularly, I saw enough value in their system to call for the adjustment.
Bear in mind, I do not make use of BeeHiiv as my special email listing. I use BeeHiiv wherefore it is good at, but I intentionally have things establish to ensure that I likewise keep my list “in home” inside of FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I recommend you do the same. It is just a good insurance plan, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation system for your checklist will certainly be of high use (FluentCRM is a complete marketing automation system and BeeHiiv is not and likely never ever will certainly be).
So, the question is … should YOU utilize BeeHiiv?
In my viewpoint, if you are making use of Substack now, I ‘d most definitely consider changing to BeeHiiv. It will simply be much more business-friendly. It is targeting various capabilities and different needs. And also, BeeHiiv even has import devices for Substack, so the switch needs to be pretty simple.
If you get on ConvertKit currently, I ‘d most likely sit tight unless you have a huge e-mail listing 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 iterating swiftly. There’s additionally a pretty good opportunity you’re not even utilizing a few of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t even require them. Because of that, BeeHiiv might quickly be a better and extra cost effective fit.
Finally, if you plan to be really deliberate concerning growing an e-newsletter, I assume BeeHiiv is THE system to consider and maintain and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open about what it is made to be, it is among the best games in town now. This is the system to see.
BeeHiiv provides a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves taking a look at on your own. And if you end up not sticking to the paid plan, you’ll discover the free account to be quite feature abundant.