ConvertKit vs Beehiiv (2025): Best Email Platform for New Creators
Both platforms are built for creators — but they make very different bets on what you'll care about. Here's how they stack up if you're starting from zero.
Tools mentioned
What each platform is actually optimized for
ConvertKit (now rebranded to Kit) is optimized for selling digital products. It has native commerce features — you can sell ebooks, courses, and coaching directly without needing Gumroad or Stripe separately. The automation builder is powerful and creator-focused.
Beehiiv is optimized for newsletter growth. It has a built-in referral program, a premium subscription paywall, and an ad network called Boosts that pays you per new subscriber referred from other newsletters. If your primary goal is building a large subscriber list fast, Beehiiv's growth features are hard to beat.
Pricing and free tier comparison
ConvertKit is free up to 1,000 subscribers with limited automations. Their Creator plan ($29/month) unlocks automations and integrations, which you'll need pretty early.
Beehiiv is free up to 2,500 subscribers with no feature limits on the free plan — which is unusually generous. The Scale plan ($39/month) adds the ad network and premium subscriptions, but you can genuinely grow on free longer than on ConvertKit.
For someone just starting out, Beehiiv's free tier is objectively better value.
Design and writing experience
Beehiiv has the best newsletter writing experience of any platform right now. It feels like a modern Notion — clean, distraction-free, with a subscriber web app included so readers can browse your archive. The email templates look sharp out of the box.
ConvertKit's email editor is functional but older-feeling. It's more focused on the marketing automation side than the pure newsletter reading experience.
Monetization: when and how
ConvertKit shines here if you're selling products. You can set up a paid community, sell digital downloads, and create funnels — all natively, without needing third-party tools.
Beehiiv's monetization is subscription-first plus ad revenue. The Boosts ad network can generate meaningful passive income if you have a growing list — some creators report $1–3 per referral, which adds up fast with a viral newsletter.
Which one to pick
Start with Beehiiv if you're focused on building a newsletter audience and want to monetize through subscriptions and ads. The free tier is excellent and the growth tools are best-in-class.
Go with ConvertKit if you're a product creator first — selling courses, ebooks, templates, or coaching — and need an email list to support that product business.
Many creators start on Beehiiv to build the list, then use ConvertKit for product funnels. You don't have to pick just one.
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