I have made use of a lot of different email list systems throughout the years. In the last number of years, I have actually been a huge supporter of digital sovereignty and possessing your own platform. For that reason (and the remarkable features), I have been making use of Beehiiv Documentation.
So, it is without a doubt an unusual move for me to make a decision to utilize BeeHiiv. Besides, it is a hosted application and I am paying month-to-month for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv review, I intend to discuss why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my e-newsletters. I intend to deal with the concern of digital sovereignty while using the platform and I would certainly likewise such as to address why I picked to use it over Substack.
Allow’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Developed For Newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Leisure activity + A Huge Change In Strategy, I talked about just how and why I made a decision to transform my RV blog into largely a newsletter. I decided that was business version I intended to seek with that home.
But, to purposefully pursue it as an e-newsletter, I desired a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was making use of FluentCRM for the e-mail checklist for Happily RV, but FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation tool and, frankly, using it for e-newsletters is a bit of a waste. A lot more on that in a little bit.
As I stated because problem of the e-newsletter …
Basically, BeeHiiv is a system with devices constructed into it certain to my function. Points such as:
- Capability to release (to the blog) and send out the email concurrently without having it be 2 different actions.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM doesn’t have that and I would certainly require a third-party tool like Sparkloop.
- Integrated ability to do cross-promotions with various other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Hyperlinks”, which are basically one-click subscription links. Great for promo in other newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Links, though, so there are ways to do that.
- Capability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to advertise your newsletter.
- Built-in ad network, if I choose to monetize with advertisements in the newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capacity to run a paid newsletter upgrade and primarily run a premium newsletter. And BeeHiiv does not take a cut.
Primarily, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter publishers with features focused on development. The system was essentially developed by the individuals that accumulated the innovation for Morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the factor right here. BeeHiiv is constructed from the ground up for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a different purpose.
And I ended off with this:.
I might undoubtedly be relocating The Side over to BeeHiiv as well. A minimum of, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I didn’t consider it for long. As a matter of fact, I simply went for it. And actually, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Early morning WP, set off as it’s own residential property to ensure that I can expand it more deliberately too.
The goal is that each e-newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded individually. Happily recreational vehicle was young, so easy to shift. Yet, The Early morning WP (formerly The Edge) was buried in a sea of stuff right here at the Blog Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to grow it on it’s very own. It will obviously constantly be carefully linked with the Blog Marketing Academy, however does not need to belong of it.
I switched over to BeeHiiv because it was built for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Just A Normal Email Checklist
There’s a difference between a newsletter system and just an e-mail list.
You can hold your e-mail checklist just about anywhere you desire and there are a number of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted alternatives like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the distinction?
The primary difference is that, with an e-newsletter system, the act of posting suggests that it is mosting likely to your web site and to your email subscribers simultaneously.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are publishing to that website. But, you are additionally sending to all customers at the same time. The web site and it’s clients are done in one. This makes management of the platform much easier.
With the majority of e-mail systems, any type of e-newsletter you set up is done as an email campaign. It is built totally separately from your website. So, for example, you could publish a write-up to WordPress but after that you would certainly need to independently construct and send out an e-mail to your list to send it to subscribers. These are after that two different collections of archives and two separate actions because blog posts and your e-mails are not naturally connected.
The closest thing that transforms WordPress right into a true e-newsletter system is E-newsletter Glue.
It is a suitable name due to the fact that it pretty much “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress posts and allows them to be the exact same point. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would certainly be a solid alternative if I intended to remain to self-host whatever. Nonetheless, you would certainly lose the growth tools that come with a platform like BeeHiiv.
Posting an e-newsletter naturally comes with a various collection of needs than a normal email list.
You do not typically require much marketing automation. You do not normally need autoresponder series, occasion tracking, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation platform.
What you DO demand, however, is one smooth posting experience and growth tools to help you build your client base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I announced to my subscribers that I was going to change the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had lots of people ask me why I was choosing it over Substack.
To be clear, even besides the truth that I picked to select BeeHiiv, that does not imply I think Substack draws. Actually, since Substack has been about longer, it is elder and has even more features.
Despite the fact that BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a couple things that initially got my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is specifically customized to e-newsletter publishers. Actually, it is essentially constructed by the same individuals that built the innovation behind Early morning Brew. On the other hand, SubStack targets authors. In the real world, doesn’t matter. But, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv towards e-newsletter growth called me out over the more generic positioning of being a “maker”. Development is what I have an interest in here.
- That branding and distinction additionally indicates that BeeHiiv has some fairly huge brand names and big publications using it. Whereas SubStack is intended more at solo makers. Again, it just informs me the client avatar distinction between the two companies.
Sending our my e-newsletter via FluentCRM didn’t specifically draw. The only factor I would certainly consider drinking things up is if I believed I can GROW the checklist much faster. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that objective.
Because of the targeting, I in fact do not watch BeeHiiv and Substack as straight rivals. I think BeeHiiv is targeting a various type of customer. In fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being extra direct rivals.
Yet, let’s dive much deeper than simply the positioning here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
On the whole, BeeHiiv appears like it was developed by individuals who recognizing e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack appears more geared towards developers.
For example, BeeHiiv offers customized fields on customers. Now, it isn’t as created as something like FluentCRM. Yet, it has it. Substack does not.
BeeHiiv uses Automations. Actually, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a great deal like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation functionality is still early-phase. It is still quite limited in triggers and the only action is the ability to send out an email. However, improvements are coming. Quickly sufficient, automations will have brand-new triggers along with new actions, such as changing personalized fields, sending out webhooks, and so on. I have actually already seen improvements to their automations just given that I started making use of the platform. As an example:
- Capability to set off automations based on which specific embed form they can be found in on.
- Capability to immediately do re-engagement (and take care of people based on opens up and non-opens).
- Capability to do fundamental conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations such as this. Likely, it never ever will. Substack just can’t do this since the target market of Substack just wouldn’t think to approach this like an e-mail marketing professional.
When it involves composing your e-newsletters, the creating user interface of BeeHiiv is simply a lot more tailored towards newsletters. Actually, it really has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in exactly how it functions. I discover it to be more instinctive, personally.
Substack’s creating user interface behaves and tidy, however it would certainly be more equivalent to the classic editor for WordPress. Toolbar on top.
This distinction is greater than simply type. For example, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Area” and then put anything you want in it. Then, you can put Exposure alternatives on that particular section to show it only to paid subscribers, hide it from e-mail, hide from subscribers, reveal only to customers, etc. Substack uses absolutely nothing such as this.
And when/if the time comes that I begin a costs registration design, BeeHiiv does not take any type of earnings. Actually, you literally link as much as your own Stripe account and it charges straight to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your profits. Depending upon how many subscribers you obtain, that 10% can be a fair bit more cash than the month-to-month price of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This might seem nerdy, however what it suggests is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can actually make BeeHiiv deal with the outdoors utilizing devices like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack essentially has … absolutely nothing. No integrations at all.
Overall, I simply seemed like BeeHiiv was more constructed toward real e-mail marketing. It was developed by people who “get it”. Also the opt-in kinds and the landing page makes appear better constructed for conversions. Growth is the name of the game with BeeHiiv.
Although there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the direction it is going more than Substack.
Things That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have stated, Substack positions itself toward “developers” greater than e-mail marketing experts and e-newsletter proprietors. For that reason, you see some things geared more toward people who just believe in regards to web content production.
As an example, Substack supports podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Also, while BeeHiiv does sustain numerous publications, they are treated fairly independently. Whereas Substack does have the ability to cross-post to numerous magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, but … cool for people who might need it.
Substack likewise has even more social performance built-in. For instance, it has a chat feature to host chats with clients. It additionally has a “Notes” function which functions sort of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share things from other “Stacks” you’re reading. Fascinating. In general, Substack is established to be more like a social media which sustains long-form content.
Overall, Substack is also extra … minimal. You either take care of that or do not. Personally, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the goal is simplicity of interface and, truthfully, features … Substack functions pretty well.
Yet, I’ll be clear here …
When it pertains to actual marketing, I don’t assume there’s much question that BeeHiiv is much better matched. I searched for more factors that make Substack far better than BeeHiiv, however truthfully … I have a tough time discovering them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are often via to be the closest competitors, I actually see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer rivals. Both are going after the exact same target audience and have comparable abilities.
ConvertKit is also placed at designers (like Substack), however it is a lot more strongly dealing with people that do it for organization. ConvertKit has great visual automation building, it’s very own business system, and more. ConvertKit is a truly good platform.
I’m not mosting likely to birthed you with a complete feature-by-feature malfunction below. ConvertKit is popular already. Yet, below’s exactly how I feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit compare …
Points ConvertKit Is Better At …
Currently, ConvertKit has a lot more adaptability when it pertains to it’s automations. I will likewise say that I locate ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a little bit extra intuitive than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains labeling. This is simply a standard function of email lists that enables segmentation in an even more adaptable way than BeeHiiv currently does. I expect BeeHiiv to sustain labeling at some time soon, frankly. It feels like an oversight that it is missing out on Beehiiv Documentation.
ConvertKit does now give the capability to market points via their own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is necessary to you, it may be a big deal for you. For me, nonetheless, I would always choose a much more direct option anyway. For me, I favor to utilize my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has actually been about a lot longer and for that reason has way more integration options. Lots of web-based tools and WordPress plugins incorporate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their own WordPress plugin that is fairly powerful. For instance, their plugin now also supports member-gated web content as well as auto-embed of your e-newsletter archives right into your website. Basically, this extra carefully puts ConvertKit into direct competition by having you be able to release to your site and your email checklist at the same time.
BeeHiiv is significantly doing not have in these kinds of third-party integrations presently. It’ll arrive. However, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also hectic tackling the development devices of BeeHiiv. As an example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not only incentivize people to share your newsletter with advantages, however you can additionally pay per lead within the interior ad network of BeeHiiv to expand your list. These are actually amazing features of BeeHiiv. However …
Did you understand ConvertKit acquired Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most well known viral promotion platforms for e-newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the composing on the wall of what this means for the platform moving forward.
Things BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Beehiiv Documentation
BeeHiiv is a lot previously in it’s item cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that indicates less features and much less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nevertheless, it also indicates that they are quickly creating.
In the short time that I have been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually observed nearly weekly release of brand-new features into the system. And these aren’t undersized little features … but huge features that are fairly crucial. Their speed of growth now has actually gone over.
I likewise quite value just how responsive they are. Actually, among their product statements about some layout improvements to the web design features in fact had a tiny problem with the material size. I merely responded to that e-mail to tell them. I swiftly got a reply straight from the CEO:.
That very same day, the issue was dealt with.
Couple of days later on, I provided one more recommendation …
Sure enough, in a bit over a week of that exchange, the capacity to trigger automations based on the embed kind made use of was included in the system.
That kind of responsiveness and straight involvement of the group is something I truly appreciate.
Another major factor of distinction below is the rate. Both platforms use totally free plans, nonetheless the BeeHiiv free plan provides a lot more capacity and even more customers (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you most likely to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is likewise FAR more positive. ConvertKit seems less costly at first glance because their pricing web page shows reduced numbers, nevertheless the subscriber restrictions are much reduced and your cost swiftly enhances as your list grows.
With BeeHiiv, your very first level paid plan begins at $42/mo (paid annually), however you can have up to 10,000 clients. That same size checklist is mosting likely to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you update to the “Range” plan with BeeHiiv (their ideal plan and the one I directly make use of), you can expand your list up to 100,000. A listing of that dimension would run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you want their referral network, as well, that places you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay yearly, also. With BeeHiiv, you can get all that for just $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv remains in a completely different organization when it comes to pricing (in a great way).
Will BeeHiiv ultimately increase rates? They may as time goes on. Yet, I’m thinking individuals like myself who are already in will be locked-in. We’ll see exactly how things proceed.
Things I Would Certainly Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among the things you definitely require to bear in mind is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to advance instead promptly and make brand-new item announcements rather commonly, yet there are some standard features I actually desire they had that I need to simply await.
One is that they require to have a setup on subscription kinds where I could select an automation to run right at the type level. That would certainly be amazing for so many factors. Currently, membership forms look OK, yet there’s extremely little settings for them to help in division.
It would certainly behave to have identifying at the subscriber level. This would be powerful.
I assume webhooks need to become part of automations to make built-in automations easier and lower reliance on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are likewise some small management interface adjustments that would certainly be handy. For instance:
- Ability to mass edit/remove customers.
- Ability to mass edit posts (for example, to mark a lot of them at the same time).
- Having a couple of standard areas as common on subscribers (like the name).
- Some more modification choices for the internet site (such as even more adaptable color options, headline control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some shortcomings. Points I hope they make with it in the future. BeeHiiv is respectable, but it isn’t excellent and certainly not nearly as developed as something like FluentCRM or any other genuine CRM product.
It most likely never ever will certainly be, either. As I stated, the function is various so it would not a lot a great deal of sense for BeeHiiv to become a complete marketing automation platform. I presume you never ever know, though.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Testimonial
I such as BeeHiiv fairly a lot. Sufficient where I determined to switch my very own newsletters over to the platform despite my individual choice for digital sovereignty and owning my own platform.
Put simply, for the e-newsletter publishing design particularly, I saw adequate value in their platform to require the adjustment.
Remember, I do not use BeeHiiv as my exclusive e-mail listing. I make use of BeeHiiv wherefore it is efficient, but I intentionally have points establish to ensure that I also maintain my listing “in home” inside of FluentCRM.
If you utilize BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the exact same. It is simply a great insurance plan, for one. However, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your list will certainly be of high use (FluentCRM is a full 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 viewpoint, if you are making use of Substack right now, I ‘d most definitely think about switching to BeeHiiv. It will merely be much more business-friendly. It is targeting different capacities and various needs. And also, BeeHiiv also has import devices for Substack, so the switch ought to be quite uncomplicated.
If you are on ConvertKit now, I ‘d probably sit tight unless you have a huge email listing and are therefore being wooled with their high month-to-month expense. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, yet they are iterating rapidly. There’s additionally a respectable opportunity you’re not even making use of a few of those fancier functions of ConvertKit and you don’t even require them. For that reason, BeeHiiv can quickly be a better and more cost effective fit.
Finally, if you plan to be really deliberate concerning growing a newsletter, I think BeeHiiv is THE system to take into consideration and maintain and eye on for you.
If you utilize BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is made to be, it is one of the best games in town now. This is the platform to enjoy.
BeeHiiv provides a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It is worth looking into 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.