How Web Design

Best Newsletter Platforms in 2026

Updated February 2026•7 Builders Tested

I've tested every major newsletter platform — from free tools to enterprise solutions. Your email list is the most valuable asset you can build online, because unlike social media followers, you actually own it. Here are the platforms that make building and sending newsletters the easiest.

Editor's Choice
#1
B

Beehiiv

★4.9/ 5

The newsletter platform built for growth.

Best For:newslettersbloggingcreators
4.9/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review
#2
S

Substack

★4.6/ 5

The home for great writing.

Best For:newsletterswritingcommunity
4.6/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review
#3
K

Kit

★4.8/ 5

The creator marketing platform.

Best For:newsletterscreatorsblogging
4.8/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review
#4
G

Ghost

★4.7/ 5

Independent technology for modern publishing.

Best For:bloggingnewslettersjournalism
4.7/ 5
Starting at
$9/mo
Visit SiteRead Review
#5
M

Mailchimp

★4.5/ 5

Turn emails into revenue.

Best For:newsletterssmall businessecommerce
4.5/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review
#6
M

Medium

★4.2/ 5

Where good ideas find you.

Best For:bloggingwritingaudience
4.2/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review
#7
W

WordPress.org

★4.5/ 5

The most popular CMS in the world.

Best For:bloggingpublishersdevelopers
4.5/ 5
Starting at
Free
Visit SiteRead Review

Head-to-Head Comparison

FeatureBeehiivSubstack
Starting PriceFrom $16From $23
Editor Rating★ 4.8/5★ 4.7/5
Best ForBeginner FriendlyIntermediate
Support24/7 Phone & ChatEmail Only
Money Back Guarantee✓ 14 Days✓ 30 Days

Comparing our top picks: Beehiiv vs Substack

How to Choose a Newsletter Platform

Email newsletters are making a huge comeback. Between Substack, Beehiiv, and ConvertKit, creators are building six-figure businesses entirely on email. Here's how to pick the right tool.

What to Look For

  • Ease of Use: You should be able to write and send a newsletter in under 30 minutes. The editor matters — look for a clean, distraction-free writing experience with drag-and-drop design tools.
  • Subscriber Management: As your list grows, you need segmentation (grouping subscribers by interest), automation (welcome sequences, drip campaigns), and analytics (open rates, click rates).
  • Deliverability: This is the unsexy but critical metric — what percentage of your emails actually land in inboxes vs. spam folders? Established platforms like ConvertKit and Mailchimp have strong deliverability reputations.
  • Monetization: Can you charge for subscriptions? Run ads? Accept sponsorships through the platform? Substack and Beehiiv have these features built in.
  • Free Tier Limits: Most platforms offer free plans up to a certain subscriber count — usually 300-1,000 subscribers. This matters a lot when you're starting.

    • Newsletter-First vs. Email Marketing Platforms

  • Newsletter-first platforms (Substack, Beehiiv, Ghost) are designed for creators and writers. They have built-in landing pages, subscription management, and often monetization tools. Simple and opinionated.
  • Email marketing platforms (ConvertKit, Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign) are more powerful but complex. They handle automations, e-commerce integrations, landing pages, and complex segmentation. Better for businesses.

    • Our Recommendations

  • Best for Beginners: Substack — Free to start, beautiful reading experience, built-in paid subscriptions. Just start writing.
  • Best for Creators: Beehiiv — Powerful growth tools (referral programs, recommendations), monetization, and a clean editor. Free up to 2,500 subscribers.
  • Best for Businesses: ConvertKit — Smart automations, landing pages, and the best deliverability for creators. Free up to 1,000 subscribers.
  • Best All-Purpose: Mailchimp — The most well-known platform with excellent templates and integrations. Free up to 500 contacts.

    • How to Start an Email Newsletter (Step by Step)

    Email is the most direct way to reach your audience. No algorithm deciding who sees your content. Here's how to start.

    Step 1: Choose Your Platform

    If you just want to write and build an audience, start with Substack (free) or Beehiiv (free up to 2,500 subs). If you need automations and business integrations, go with ConvertKit or Mailchimp.

    Step 2: Define Your Newsletter

    Before you send anything, answer these questions:

  • Who is it for? Define your target reader in one sentence.
  • What will they get? A specific benefit — industry news, actionable tips, curated links, personal stories.
  • How often? Weekly is the sweet spot for most newsletters. Daily is ambitious. Monthly is forgettable.

    • Step 3: Set Up Your Landing Page

    You need a page where people can subscribe. Most newsletter platforms include a hosted landing page. It should have:

  • A clear headline explaining what subscribers get
  • One or two sentences of social proof (subscriber count, testimonials)
  • A simple email signup form
  • An example of what a typical issue looks like

    • Step 4: Write and Send Your First Issue

    Your first issue should introduce yourself, explain what the newsletter is about, and deliver immediate value. Keep it under 800 words. Include one clear call-to-action at the end — ask readers to reply, share, or check out a resource.

    Step 5: Grow Your List

    The hardest part is getting your first 100 subscribers. Here's what works:

  • Share on your social media with a link to your signup page
  • Add a signup link to your email signature
  • Cross-promote with other newsletter creators
  • Write a few guest posts or threads on topics your audience cares about

    • Consistency is everything. Show up in their inbox on the same day, every week. The subscribers will come.

    Which newsletter platform is best for beginners?
    Substack is the easiest to start with — it's completely free, has a beautiful reading experience, and includes paid subscription support. You can literally start writing in 5 minutes with no design decisions.
    How many subscribers do I need before I can make money?
    It depends on your monetization strategy. With paid subscriptions (Substack, Beehiiv), even 100 paying subscribers at $5/month is $500/month. With sponsorships, you typically need 5,000+ subscribers to attract advertisers.
    How often should I send my newsletter?
    Weekly is the sweet spot for most newsletters — frequent enough to stay top-of-mind, infrequent enough that you're not annoying. Start with weekly and adjust based on your audience's engagement.
    Can I switch newsletter platforms later?
    Yes, but it requires some work. You can export your subscriber list as a CSV from any platform and import it to another. Your archive of past issues usually stays on the old platform unless you manually migrate them.

    Methodology: We selected these builders based on over 100 hours of testing specifically for email newsletters. Our rankings consider ease of use, pricing, feature set, and customer support quality.