I have utilized a great deal of various e-mail list systems throughout the years. In the last number of years, I’ve been a huge supporter of digital sovereignty and possessing your very own platform. For that reason (and the awesome features), I have been making use of Superpower Daily Beehiiv.
So, it is indeed a strange move for me to choose to make use of BeeHiiv. Nevertheless, it is a held application and I am paying monthly for it.
Why did I do this?
In this BeeHiiv testimonial, I intend to go over why I made the switch to BeeHiiv for my newsletters. I intend to attend to the concern of digital sovereignty while utilizing the system and I would certainly likewise such as to address why I chose to utilize it over Substack.
Let’s dive in …
BeeHiiv: Developed For E-newsletters
In Concern # 435 of my e-newsletter called My Pastime + A Huge Change In Approach, I discussed exactly how and why I chose to transform my motor home blog into largely an e-newsletter. I determined that was business version I wished to pursue with that building.
Yet, to deliberately pursue it as an e-newsletter, I desired a platform that was purpose-built for that. I was using FluentCRM for the e-mail listing for Gladly RV, but FluentCRM is not an e-newsletter platform. It is constructed to be a CRM and marketing automation device and, frankly, utilizing it for newsletters is a little a waste. More on that in a bit.
As I stated because issue of the newsletter …
Put simply, BeeHiiv is a platform with devices constructed right into it certain to my function. Points such as:
- Ability to publish (to the blog) and send out the email simultaneously without having it be two separate activities.
- Constructed in newsletter referral program. FluentCRM does not have that and I would certainly have needed a third-party device like Sparkloop.
- Built-in capability to do cross-promotions with various other e-newsletters on the BeeHiiv system.
- ” Magic Links”, which are generally one-click membership web links. Great for promotion in various other e-newsletters. FluentCRM has Smart Hyperlinks, however, so there are means to do that.
- Ability to do paid “boosts” on the BeeHiiv network to promote your e-newsletter.
- Integrated ad network, if I select to monetize with ads in the e-newsletter. And I may.
- Integrated capacity to run a paid newsletter upgrade and primarily run a premium e-newsletter. And BeeHiiv doesn’t take a cut.
Generally, BeeHiiv is purpose-built for newsletter authors with features aimed at development. The platform was literally constructed by the people who developed the technology for Early morning Brew. They recognize what they’re doing.
That is the point here. BeeHiiv is built from scratch for the function of running a newsletter. FluentCRM has a various objective.
And I ended off with this:.
I may without a doubt be moving The Side over to BeeHiiv also. A minimum of, I’m highly considering it.
Well, I really did not consider it for long. As a matter of fact, I simply went all out. And as a matter of fact, The EDGE was re-branded over to The Morning WP, triggered as it’s own residential property so that I can expand it much more deliberately too.
The goal is that each newsletter has the capability to be branded as it’s very own media entity and expanded individually. Gladly motor home was young, so easy to change. Yet, The Morning WP (previously The Edge) was buried in a sea of stuff below at the Blog Site Marketing Academy. By separating it off, I can do what I can to expand it on it’s very own. It will certainly always be very closely linked with the Blog Marketing Academy, yet doesn’t need to be a part of it.
I changed to BeeHiiv due to the fact that it was constructed for this objective. FluentCRM was not.
Newsletters Versus Simply A Typical Email Listing
There’s a difference between a newsletter system and just an email list.
You can organize your e-mail list anywhere you want and there are a variety of them around, from Aweber, ActiveCampaign, Drip, ConvertKit … over to self-hosted choices like GroundHogg and FluentCRM.
What’s the difference?
The key difference is that, with an e-newsletter platform, the act of publishing means that it is going to your website and to your e-mail clients at the same time.
With both BeeHiiv and Substack, you have an internet site. You are releasing to that internet site. Yet, you are also sending off to all subscribers at the same time. The internet site and it’s customers are done in one. This makes administration of the system much simpler.
With many e-mail systems, any newsletter you established is done as an email campaign. It is constructed entirely separately from your website. So, for example, you might publish a short article to WordPress but after that you would need to independently construct and send out an e-mail to your list to send it to clients. These are then 2 separate collections of archives and 2 different activities since blog posts and your e-mails are not naturally connected.
The closest thing that transforms WordPress into a true newsletter system is Newsletter Glue.
It is a fitting name due to the fact that it virtually “glues” your newsletter to your WordPress messages and permits them to be the exact same point. Certainly, something like Newsletter Glue would be a solid choice if I wished to remain to self-host every little thing. Nonetheless, you would certainly lose the growth devices that come with a system like BeeHiiv.
Publishing a newsletter naturally includes a various set of demands than a common e-mail checklist.
You do not generally need much marketing automation. You don’t generally require autoresponder sequences, occasion monitoring, and all the bells and whistles of a marketing automation system.
What you DO need, though, is one smooth posting experience and development devices to help you develop your client base that are specific to e-newsletters.
BeeHiiv vs Substack
When I revealed to my subscribers that I was going to switch the e-newsletter over to BeeHiiv, I had many people ask me why I was picking it over Substack.
To be clear, also besides the truth that I selected to choose BeeHiiv, that does not indicate I think Substack draws. In fact, due to the fact that Substack has been around much longer, it is elder and has more features.
Even though BeeHiiv is more youthful, there are a pair points that initially got my interest:.
- BeeHiiv is especially customized to e-newsletter publishers. Actually, it is actually built by the exact same individuals that constructed the modern technology behind Early morning Mixture. On the other hand, SubStack targets writers. In the real life, does not matter. But, the evident positioning of BeeHiiv toward newsletter growth called me out over the even more generic positioning of being a “creator”. Development is what I want here.
- That branding and distinction also implies that BeeHiiv has some relatively big brand names and huge magazines using it. Whereas SubStack is aimed even more at solo makers. Once again, it just informs me the consumer avatar distinction in between the two firms.
Sending our my newsletter through FluentCRM really did not precisely suck. The only reason I would consider trembling things up is if I assumed I might expand the listing much faster. And BeeHiiv spoke specifically to that goal.
Due to the targeting, I in fact do not watch BeeHiiv and Substack as straight rivals. I believe BeeHiiv is targeting a different type of customer. As a matter of fact, if anything, I see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being a lot more direct competitors.
However, allow’s dive much deeper than just the positioning here.
Points That Make BeeHiiv Better Than Substack
Generally, BeeHiiv looks like it was built by individuals who understanding e-mail marketing. On the other hand, SubStack seems a lot more tailored towards designers.
For instance, BeeHiiv offers customized fields on subscribers. Currently, it isn’t as developed as something like FluentCRM. But, it has it. Substack doesn’t.
BeeHiiv provides Automations. As a matter of fact, it is an aesthetic automation builder that works a lot like what we have inside of FluentCRM.
To be clear, the automation capability is still early-phase. It is still fairly restricted in triggers and the only action is the capability to send an e-mail. Nonetheless, enhancements are coming. Quickly sufficient, automations will have brand-new triggers along with new activities, such as customizing personalized fields, sending webhooks, and so on. I’ve currently seen enhancements to their automations just considering that I started making use of the system. As an example:
- Capability to activate automations based upon which details embed type they came in on.
- Capacity to automatically do re-engagement (and deal with individuals based on opens up and non-opens).
- Capability to do standard conditional reasoning branches.
Substack does not have automations similar to this. Likely, it never will. Substack simply can’t do this due to the fact that the target audience of Substack simply would not believe to approach this like an email marketer.
When it concerns creating your e-newsletters, the creating interface of BeeHiiv is simply much more tailored towards e-newsletters. Actually, it actually has resemblances to the WordPress block builder in how it works. I find it to be a lot more intuitive, personally.
Substack’s composing interface is nice and clean, yet it would be extra equal to the timeless editor for WordPress. Toolbar at the top.
This difference is more than just kind. For instance, with BeeHiiv you can place a “Section” and after that put anything you desire in it. Then, you can place Exposure alternatives on that section to show it only to paid customers, conceal it from email, hide from clients, show only to clients, and so on. Substack uses nothing like this.
And when/if the time comes that I start a costs registration model, BeeHiiv doesn’t take any type of revenue. Actually, you actually link as much as your very own Stripe account and it bills directly to it. With Substack, they will certainly take 10% of your earnings. Relying on the number of clients you get, that 10% can be a fair bit more cash than the monthly expense of BeeHiiv.
Lastly, BeeHiiv has an API. This might appear nerdy, but what it indicates is that there are integrations with BeeHiiv. You can really make BeeHiiv collaborate with the outdoors making use of tools like Zapier or Make.com. This is HUGE. Substack actually has … absolutely nothing. No integrations in any way.
In general, I simply felt like BeeHiiv was extra constructed toward real e-mail marketing. It was developed by individuals who “get it”. Also the opt-in types and the landing page creates appear better built for conversions. Growth is nitty-gritty with BeeHiiv.
Even though there are still features I would like to see BeeHiiv add, I such as the direction it is going more than Substack.
Points That Make Substack Better Than BeeHiiv
As I have actually stated, Substack settings itself toward “developers” more than e-mail marketing professionals and e-newsletter proprietors. Because of that, you see some points geared extra towards individuals who just believe in terms of content development.
For example, Substack sustains podcasts. BeeHiiv does not.
Likewise, while BeeHiiv does support numerous magazines, they are dealt with fairly individually. Whereas Substack does have the capability to cross-post to multiple magazines at the same time. This isn’t something I need, yet … amazing for people who might require it.
Substack additionally has even more social capability built-in. For example, it has a chat function to host chats with customers. It also has a “Notes” function which functions kind of like a social media sites newsfeed where you can share points from various other “Stacks” you read. Intriguing. In general, Substack is set up to be a lot more like a social media network which supports long-form web content.
On the whole, Substack is also much more … minimalist. You either take care of that or do not. Personally, I don’t. Nevertheless, if the goal is simplicity of interface and, honestly, features … Substack works rather well.
Yet, I’ll be clear here …
When it involves actual marketing, I don’t believe there’s much doubt that BeeHiiv is better matched. I looked for more points that make Substack much better than BeeHiiv, but honestly … I have a tough time finding them.
BeeHiiv Vs ConvertKit
While BeeHiiv and Substack are usually through to be the closest competitors, I really see BeeHiiv and ConvertKit being the closer opponents. Both are pursuing the exact same target market and have comparable abilities.
ConvertKit is also positioned at makers (like Substack), but it is much more strongly accommodating people that do it for organization. ConvertKit has good aesthetic automation building, it’s own commerce platform, and much more. ConvertKit is a really great system.
I’m not mosting likely to bore you with a complete feature-by-feature failure here. ConvertKit is popular already. But, here’s just how I really feel BeeHiiv and ConvertKit contrast …
Points ConvertKit Is Better At …
Already, ConvertKit has extra flexibility when it pertains to it’s automations. I will certainly also claim that I discover ConvertKit’s automation builder to be a bit a lot more user-friendly than that of BeeHiiv.
ConvertKit sustains labeling. This is just a fundamental feature of email checklists that enables segmentation in an even more versatile way than BeeHiiv currently does. I anticipate BeeHiiv to sustain identifying at some time soon, honestly. It seems like an oversight that it is missing Superpower Daily Beehiiv.
ConvertKit does currently provide the ability to sell points by means of their very own system. BeeHiiv does not. If that is essential to you, it might be a big deal for you. For me, however, I would constantly pick an extra direct option anyway. For me, I like to use my own system powered by WooCommerce.
ConvertKit has been around a lot longer and for that reason has way more integration options. Lots of online tools and WordPress plugins integrate with ConvertKit. ConvertKit also has their very own WordPress plugin that is quite powerful. For instance, their plugin currently even sustains member-gated material in addition to auto-embed of your newsletter archives right into your site. Basically, this extra closely places ConvertKit right into direct competitors by having you have the ability to release to your site and your email checklist at the same time.
BeeHiiv is drastically lacking in these type of third-party integrations right now. It’ll get there. But, we’re not there yet with it.
ConvertKit is also active tackling the growth devices of BeeHiiv. For example, BeeHiiv has the referral program and the Recommendation Engine where you can not just incentivize people to share your newsletter with perks, but you can additionally pay per lead within the inner advertisement network of BeeHiiv to grow your checklist. These are actually remarkable features of BeeHiiv. Yet …
Did you recognize ConvertKit got Sparkloop? Sparkloop is one of one of the most well known viral promo systems for newsletters … and ConvertKit bought it. You can see the creating on the wall of what this suggests for the platform going forward.
Points BeeHiiv Is Much Better At … Superpower Daily Beehiiv
BeeHiiv is much earlier in it’s product cycle than ConvertKit. Part of that means less features and less integrations, which is natural for this phase of the cycle. Nonetheless, it likewise indicates that they are swiftly establishing.
In the short time that I have actually been a customer of BeeHiiv, I have actually observed virtually regular launch of new features into the platform. And these aren’t weak little features … however big features that are rather essential. Their rate of growth at this moment has gone over.
I additionally very much appreciate just how receptive they are. Actually, one of their item statements about some design enhancements to the website design features actually had a tiny trouble with the content size. I simply replied to that e-mail to tell them. I quickly obtained a reply directly from the chief executive officer:.
That very same day, the problem was dealt with.
Couple of days later on, I gave them an additional tip …
Certainly, in a little bit over a week of that exchange, the capability to cause automations based upon the embed form utilized was added to the system.
That type of responsiveness and direct involvement of the group is something I really value.
One more significant point of differentiation here is the cost. Both systems use cost-free plans, however the BeeHiiv free plan offers more capacity and more clients (2,500 vs 1,000) than ConvertKit.
When you go to paid plans, the pricing of BeeHiiv is additionally FAR more favorable. ConvertKit seems cheaper in the beginning glance because their pricing web page reveals reduced numbers, nevertheless the client limitations are FAR reduced and your price rapidly enhances as your list expands.
With BeeHiiv, your initial level paid plan starts at $42/mo (paid every year), nonetheless you can have up to 10,000 customers. That same dimension listing is going to run you $100/month with ConvertKit.
If you upgrade to the “Scale” plan with BeeHiiv (their best plan and the one I personally make use of), you can grow your checklist as much as 100,000. A listing of that dimension would certainly run you $566/month with ConvertKit. If you desire their referral network, as well, that puts you at the $733/month plan. That’s if you pay annually, as well. With BeeHiiv, you can obtain all that for simply $84/month if you pay each year.
BeeHiiv remains in a completely various organization when it pertains to pricing (in a great way).
Will BeeHiiv at some point increase rates? They might as time goes on. But, I’m thinking individuals like myself that are already in will certainly be locked-in. We’ll see just how points continue.
Points I Would Like BeeHiiv To Include
Among things you most definitely need to remember is that BeeHiiv is reasonably young. They do appear to develop rather promptly and make new product news rather frequently, however there are some standard features I really wish they had that I require to simply wait on.
One is that they need to have a setting on subscription forms where I can pick an automation to run right at the kind degree. That would certainly be AWESOME for numerous factors. As of now, subscription kinds look OK, yet there’s extremely little setups for them to aid in division.
It would certainly be nice to have marking at the customer level. This would certainly be powerful.
I assume webhooks need to belong to automations to make built-in automations simpler and minimize dependence on outdoors devices like Zapier.
There are likewise some minor administrative interface adjustments that would certainly be handy. For example:
- Capacity to bulk edit/remove clients.
- Ability to bulk edit messages (as an example, to label a bunch of them at the same time).
- Having a few basic fields as typical on subscribers (like the name).
- Some even more customization alternatives for the website (such as even more versatile shade options, heading control, and so on).
So, yeah … there are some drawbacks. Points I wish they do with it in the future. BeeHiiv is pretty good, however it isn’t excellent and certainly not virtually as established as something like FluentCRM or any other real CRM item.
It possibly never ever will be, either. As I stated, the function is different so it would not much a lot of feeling for BeeHiiv to come to be a complete marketing automation platform. I guess you never ever recognize, though.
Final Ideas On This BeeHiiv Review
I like BeeHiiv rather a lot. Enough where I determined to change my own e-newsletters over to the system despite my individual preference for digital sovereignty and having my very own system.
Put simply, for the e-newsletter posting model particularly, I saw enough worth in their platform to necessitate the change.
Remember, I do not utilize BeeHiiv as my special email checklist. I make use of BeeHiiv for what it is efficient, however I intentionally have things establish so that I likewise maintain my listing “in house” inside of FluentCRM.
If you use BeeHiiv, I suggest you do the exact same. It is just a good insurance policy, for one. Yet, having a full-featured marketing automation platform for your listing will certainly be of high usage (FluentCRM is a full marketing automation platform and BeeHiiv is not and likely never will be).
So, the question is … should YOU utilize BeeHiiv?
In my opinion, if you are using Substack now, I ‘d most definitely take into consideration switching to BeeHiiv. It will just be extra business-friendly. It is targeting various abilities and various demands. Plus, BeeHiiv even has import tools for Substack, so the switch should be quite uncomplicated.
If you get on ConvertKit now, I ‘d possibly sit tight unless you have a large email listing and are consequently being fleeced with their high regular monthly costs. You will certainly not (yet) have every feature of ConvertKit with BeeHiiv, however they are repeating promptly. There’s additionally a respectable opportunity you’re not even using some of those fancier features of ConvertKit and you don’t also need them. Therefore, BeeHiiv can conveniently be a better and extra budget friendly fit.
Finally, if you plan to be really intentional about growing a newsletter, I believe BeeHiiv is THE platform to take into consideration and keep and eye on for you.
If you use BeeHiiv with eyes wide open concerning what it is made to be, it is just one of the most effective games around right now. This is the system to view.
BeeHiiv supplies a 14-day trial on their paid plans. It deserves having a look at on your own. And if you wind up not sticking with the paid plan, you’ll locate the free account to be fairly feature rich.