beehiiv vs ConvertKit
beehiiv is built for newsletter operators. ConvertKit (now Kit) is built for creators. Both serve individual publishers, but with very different approaches.
Last updated: 2026-02-26
⚡ Quick Verdict
beehiiv has rapidly become the best platform for serious newsletter operators. Built-in ad network, referral programs, and subscriber analytics give it a clear edge for monetization. ConvertKit (rebranded to Kit) excels at selling digital products and courses alongside email, making it better for creators with diverse revenue streams.
Newsletter operators, media companies, and writers who want to build and monetize a newsletter business.
Creators selling digital products, courses, and memberships who use email as a marketing channel.
Less mature for selling digital products. Automation is simpler than ConvertKit.
Newsletter-specific features (ad network, referrals, recommendations) lag behind beehiiv.
Choose beehiiv if…
- →Your newsletter IS your product — not a marketing channel for something else
- →You want built-in monetization (ad network, premium subscriptions)
- →Referral programs and recommendation networks matter to you
- →You want a Substack alternative with more control and no platform cut
- →Analytics and growth metrics are central to your strategy
Choose ConvertKit if…
- →You sell digital products, courses, or memberships
- →You need visual automation workflows for customer journeys
- →Landing pages and opt-in forms are core to your funnel
- →You want creator commerce built into your email platform
- →You're a YouTuber, podcaster, or multi-platform creator
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Don't pick beehiiv if…
- ✕You need to sell courses or digital products — beehiiv isn't built for that
- ✕Complex automation workflows are essential to your business
- ✕You need advanced landing page builders with A/B testing
- ✕You're looking for an all-in-one creator platform, not just newsletters
Don't pick ConvertKit if…
- ✕Newsletter growth and monetization are your primary goals
- ✕You want built-in ad network revenue without managing sponsorships yourself
- ✕A referral/recommendation system is important for subscriber growth
- ✕You want modern newsletter analytics (open rates, click maps, subscriber quality)
Feature Comparison
Pricing
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier subscribers | 2,500 | 10,000 |
Newsletter
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter editor | Best-in-class | Good but simpler |
Monetization
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Ad network | Built-in | ✗ |
| Paid subscriptions | Yes (no platform cut) | Yes (3.5% + processing) |
Growth
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Referral program | Built-in | ✗ |
| Recommendation network | Built-in | ✗ |
| Landing pages | Basic | Polished with templates |
| SEO for web posts | Built-in SEO optimization | Limited |
Commerce
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Digital product sales | ✗ | Built-in |
| Course platform | ✗ | Basic course hosting |
Automation
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Visual automations | Basic sequences | Advanced visual builder |
Analytics
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter analytics | Detailed (subscriber quality, growth) | Basic (opens, clicks) |
Features
| Feature | beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Custom domains | Yes | Yes |
| A/B testing | Subject lines | Subject lines |
Honest Tradeoffs
Every tool has tradeoffs. Here's what you're actually choosing between.
Newsletter Focus
Purpose-built for newsletters. Best-in-class writing editor, analytics, and distribution.
Newsletters are one feature among many. Good but not specialized.
beehiiv was founded by Morning Brew's early team. The newsletter DNA shows in every feature. ConvertKit treats newsletters as one channel among many.
Monetization
Built-in ad network, premium subscriptions, referral programs.
Sell digital products, courses, paid newsletters via tip jar.
Different models. beehiiv monetizes the newsletter itself (ads + subscriptions). ConvertKit monetizes through commerce (products + courses). Choose based on your business model.
Automation
Basic automation — welcome sequences, drip campaigns.
Visual automation builder — complex branching, tagging, conditional logic.
ConvertKit's automation is significantly more capable. If you need complex subscriber journeys, ConvertKit is the clear winner.
Growth Tools
Referral program, recommendations network, SEO-optimized web pages.
Landing pages, opt-in forms, integrations with growth tools.
beehiiv's referral program and recommendation network are unique growth levers no other platform matches. ConvertKit relies on traditional opt-in methods.
Pricing
Free (up to 2,500 subscribers). Scale $39/mo. Growth $99/mo.
Free (up to 10,000 subscribers). Creator $25/mo. Creator Pro $50/mo.
ConvertKit's free tier is more generous (10K vs 2.5K subscribers). Paid plans are comparable, but beehiiv includes more growth features at the Scale tier.
Pricing
Pros & Cons
beehiiv
Pros
- +Best newsletter writing and publishing experience available
- +Built-in ad network — monetize without managing sponsors directly
- +Referral program drives organic growth without extra tools
- +Recommendation network cross-promotes between newsletters
- +SEO-optimized web pages for every newsletter issue
Cons
- −No digital product or course selling functionality
- −Automation is basic compared to ConvertKit
- −Younger platform — some features still maturing
- −Free plan limits you to 2,500 subscribers
- −Landing page builder is functional but not as customizable
ConvertKit
Pros
- +Visual automation builder — best-in-class for creator workflows
- +Built-in commerce — sell digital products, courses, and subscriptions
- +Generous free tier — up to 10,000 subscribers
- +Beautiful, customizable landing pages and opt-in forms
- +Strong creator community and ecosystem
Cons
- −Newsletter-specific features (referrals, ad network) are lacking
- −Analytics aren't as detailed for newsletter operators
- −No recommendation network for cross-promotion
- −Email editor is more basic than beehiiv's
- −Rebrand to Kit has caused confusion
What the Data Says
Real numbers, real quotes, real outcomes — not marketing copy.
beehiiv powers over 20,000 active newsletters and has facilitated millions in ad revenue through its built-in ad network.
Source: beehiiv Company Stats, 2025
ConvertKit (Kit) serves over 600,000 creators and has processed $2B+ in creator earnings through its commerce features.
Source: Kit Blog, 2025
"beehiiv is what Substack should have been — all the newsletter tools without the platform taking a cut of your paid subscribers."
Source: Twitter/X, 2025
A newsletter operator switched from ConvertKit to beehiiv and grew subscribers 40% faster using the referral program and recommendation network.
Source: VersusStack analysis
Detailed Breakdown
Newsletter Growth
beehiiv winsbeehiiv's growth toolkit is unmatched. The referral program (think Morning Brew's famous referral system) lets subscribers earn rewards for sharing. The recommendation network connects you with similar newsletters for cross-promotion. SEO-optimized web pages bring organic traffic. ConvertKit relies on traditional opt-in forms and landing pages — effective but not innovative.
Monetization
ConvertKit winsBoth offer paid subscriptions, but beehiiv also includes a built-in ad network that matches you with advertisers. ConvertKit lets you sell digital products and courses — a fundamentally different monetization model. If you monetize through content (ads + subscriptions), beehiiv. If you monetize through products, ConvertKit.
Automation & Sequences
ConvertKit winsConvertKit wins here, no contest. Its visual automation builder supports complex branching, conditional logic, tagging, and multi-step sequences. beehiiv's automation is basic — welcome sequences and simple drip campaigns. If your business depends on sophisticated email workflows, ConvertKit is the better tool.
Writing Experience
beehiiv winsbeehiiv's editor is designed specifically for newsletters. It's clean, fast, and supports modern formatting. ConvertKit's editor is functional but feels like an afterthought compared to its other features. For writers who spend hours crafting each issue, beehiiv's editor is a genuine pleasure.
Switching Costs
Already using one? Here's what it takes to switch.
beehiiv → ConvertKit
Easy — a few hoursConvertKit → beehiiv
Easy — a few hoursSubscriber lists export as CSV. Both support importing with tags. The hard part is rebuilding automations (ConvertKit → beehiiv loses complexity) and recreating templates.
FAQ
Is beehiiv better than Substack? ▾
Did ConvertKit change its name? ▾
Can I sell courses on beehiiv? ▾
Which grows subscribers faster? ▾
Neither feels right?
Consider Substack — Substack is simpler than both — zero setup, built-in discovery. But it takes 10% of paid subscriber revenue and gives you less control.
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Ready to choose?
Both tools offer free plans. Try them and see which fits.