Beehiiv Review 2026
The newsletter platform built for growth.
The Verdict
Beehiiv is the newsletter platform built by people who actually run newsletters. Created by early Morning Brew employees, it understands the business of newsletters — growth, monetization, and audience engagement — in a way competitors don't.
The referral system is beehiiv's killer feature. It lets readers share your newsletter and earn rewards, creating organic growth loops that other platforms can't match easily. The ad network connects you with sponsors, the analytics are detailed, and the writing experience is clean.
Compared to Substack, beehiiv gives you more control. Compared to Ghost, it's easier to set up. Compared to ConvertKit, it's more newsletter-focused. If email newsletters are your primary content channel, beehiiv is purpose-built for what you're doing.
✓Pros
- +Incredible growth tools
- +Great SEO
- +3D analytics
✕Cons
- −Newer platform
- −Design is somewhat fixed
Pricing & Plans
| Plan | Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Launch | Free | 2,500 subscribers · Web hosting |
| Grow | $49/month | 10,000 subscribers · Polls |
Who Should Use Beehiiv
- →Newsletter creators who want built-in growth tools like referral programs and recommendation networks.
- →Media entrepreneurs building ad-supported or sponsor-supported email businesses.
- →Content creators who want more control than Substack without the complexity of Ghost.
- →Teams running multiple newsletters who need a platform designed for newsletter operations.
Who Should NOT Use Beehiiv
- ✕Bloggers who need a website with their newsletter — beehiiv's web presence features are limited.
- ✕Businesses that need complex email automation and segmentation — ConvertKit or ActiveCampaign are better.
- ✕Users who want a simple, already-established audience network — Substack's built-in discovery is stronger.
What to Consider
- ●The free plan supports up to 2,500 subscribers with beehiiv branding. Paid plans start at $49/mo.
- ●The referral and growth tools are the main reason to choose beehiiv over alternatives.
- ●Web hosting for newsletter archives is functional but basic — it's not a website builder.
- ●beehiiv's ad network can generate revenue even with smaller audiences, which is unique.
Conclusion
beehiiv is the best all-in-one newsletter platform for creators who treat their newsletter as a business. The growth tools, monetization options, and analytics are best-in-class.
If you're serious about growing and monetizing an email newsletter, beehiiv should be your first choice.
Try Beehiiv →Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beehiiv better than Substack?
At a Glance
- Free Plan
- Yes
- Skill Level
- Beginner
- Best For
- newslettersbloggingcreators