ConvertKit vs beehiiv
Two platforms built for newsletter creators. ConvertKit (now Kit) has years of trust. beehiiv is the newer player with aggressive free-tier features and built-in monetization.
Updated 2026-02 · 2026
ConvertKit
Email marketing platform built for creators
Strengths
- +Proven deliverability track record over many years
- +Visual automation builder for complex email sequences
- +Excellent tagging and segmentation for targeted campaigns
Weaknesses
- -No free tier for sending broadcasts (free plan is very limited)
- -Newsletter landing pages and design templates feel dated
- -Gets expensive quickly once you pass 1,000 subscribers
Best for
Established creators who rely on email automations, sequences, and selling digital products to their audience.
beehiiv
Newsletter platform with built-in growth and monetization
Strengths
- +Generous free tier with up to 2,500 subscribers
- +Built-in ad network lets you monetize from day one
- +Referral program and recommendation engine drive growth
Weaknesses
- -Email automation is less mature than ConvertKit
- -Shorter track record, still proving long-term reliability
- -Premium features locked behind $49/mo Scale plan
Best for
New and growing newsletter creators who want built-in monetization tools and a strong free tier to start with.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | Limited (no broadcasts) | 2,500 subscribers with broadcasts |
| Paid starting price | $29/mo (1K subs) | $49/mo (Scale, unlimited) |
| Email automations | Advanced visual builder | Basic, improving |
| Built-in ad network | No | Yes, beehiiv Ad Network |
| Referral program | No (third-party needed) | Built in |
| Custom website/blog | Basic landing pages | Full website builder |
| Subscriber tagging | Excellent | Good |
| Analytics | Basic open/click rates | Detailed with click maps |
The Verdict
ConvertKit is the safer pick if you already have an audience and rely on complex automations and sequences to sell products. beehiiv is the better starting point for new creators because the free tier is genuinely useful and the growth tools (referrals, recommendations, ads) help you build and monetize simultaneously. If you are starting from zero, beehiiv. If you are migrating an existing business, ConvertKit.
Beyond both: self-host Listmonk
High-performance newsletter and mailing list manager. Single Go binary, handles millions of subscribers, completely free.
listmonk.app →