Let’s talk about newsletters.
After spending way too many hours researching platforms, I want to share what really matters when picking one. No fancy jargon, just straight talk about what works.
Here’s the truth about building an audience:
- You need tools that don’t get in your way
- Your emails need to actually reach people
- And hey, making some money would be nice
Let me break down the 5 best platforms I’ve researched:
1. Kit (formarly ConvertKit): The Creator’s Best Friend
Price: starts from $25/month
What’s great:
- Super easy to write and send
- Landing pages look professional
- Automation that actually works
- Clean newsletter templates
What’s not:
- A bit pricey when starting out
- Takes time to learn everything
- Basic template designs
I like how Kit keeps things simple. While it’s not the cheapest option, you can tell it’s built for creators who are serious about their newsletter.
2. MailerLite: Budget-Friendly Champion
Price: Free up to 1,000 subscribers, then start from $9/month
What’s great:
- Free plan is actually useful
- Easy drag-and-drop editor
- Good-looking templates
- Built-in photo editor
What’s not:
- Support can be slow
- Some features are hard to find
- Free plan has limits
I love that MailerLite doesn’t feel “cheap” even though it’s free. You get pretty much everything you need to start a solid newsletter without spending a cent.
3. Beehiiv: The New Kid Everyone’s Talking About
Price: start from $34/month, free plan available
What’s great:
- Smart analytics
- Easy to set up and send newsletter for free
- Built-in sponsorship tools
- Good for growing audience
What’s not:
- Customization options for newsletters and websites are limited
- Limitations on integration
I’m really impressed by Beehiiv’s analytics. Finally, a platform that shows me exactly which parts of my newsletter people actually read!
Bonus: If you sign up using my link, you will get 30-day trial to access premium features + 20% off for 3 months
4. Flodesk: Making Newsletters Beautiful
Price: $35/month (unlimited subscribers)
What’s great:
- Beautiful templates
- Unlimited subscribers
- Super easy to use
- Instagram integration
What’s not:
- Free plan doesn’t include email marketing
- Basic features
- Limited automation
I’ve got to say that Flodesk’s templates are just beautiful. If you want your newsletter to look professional without the design headache, Flodesk is the one to go for.
5. Substack: Writer’s Paradise
Price: Free (takes 10% when you charge subscribers)
What’s great:
- Super simple to use
- Built-in way to make money
- Easy to find readers
- Free to start
What’s not:
- Can’t customize much
- That 10% fee adds up
- Basic features only
Similarly to Medium, I really like how Substack keeps things simple. You just write, hit send, and they handle everything else. No fuss, no confusion.
How to Pick Your Platform
Ask yourself:
- What’s your budget?
- Do you need fancy designs?
- Want to make money from subscribers?
- How tech-savvy are you?
Quick Recommendations
- Just starting out? → MailerLite
- Want it to look amazing? → Flodesk
- Ready to make money? → ConvertKit
- Just want to write? → Substack
- Want to grow fast? → Beehiiv
Pick a platform and start writing. You can always switch later if you need to. The most important thing is getting started.
BONUS:
Need hosting for your website? Hostinger is my favourite! And you can get extra 20% off with my link + 2 months free!
And my fav automation tool — Make, just ease my life to handle social media posts.
Disclosure: this post contains affiliate link, which means if you signup using my affiliate links, I might receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you!).
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