Marketing Tools

The Complete beehiiv Guide: Build, Grow & Monetize Your Newsletter in 2026

By Jack • November 26, 2025

beehiiv is a modern newsletter platform designed to help content creators, journalists, and businesses build, grow, and monetize their email audiences. Founded in 2021 by Tyler Denk, Benjamin Hargett, and Jake Hurd—all former Morning Brew team members—beehiiv emerged from real-world experience scaling one of the internet's most successful newsletters.

Unlike traditional email marketing tools that focus on basic campaign sending, beehiiv is purpose-built for newsletter creators who want to turn their content into a sustainable business. The platform combines an intuitive writing interface with powerful growth tools and multiple monetization options, all without taking a cut of your earnings.

Whether you're launching your first newsletter or migrating from another platform, beehiiv provides everything you need in one place: a clean editor, automatic website creation, built-in subscriber acquisition tools, and revenue-generating features that start working from day one.

The Morning Brew DNA

beehiiv wasn't created by typical software developers. It was built by the team that grew Morning Brew to 4 million subscribers before its acquisition. This insider knowledge shaped every feature on the platform, from the editor's simplicity to the sophisticated monetization tools.

Zero Commission on Your Earnings

Unlike platforms that take percentage cuts, beehiiv charges zero platform fees on paid subscriptions. You keep 100% of your subscription revenue, minus standard payment processing fees. This transparent pricing model means your costs don't increase as your income grows.

Built-in Growth Engine

Most email platforms make you cobble together third-party tools for growth. beehiiv includes everything natively—referral programs, cross-promotion networks, paid boost campaigns, and an ad marketplace—all designed to help you find subscribers faster.

Real Results from Real Creators

The platform powers some of the internet's fastest-growing newsletters. There's An AI For That grew to 1.7 million subscribers using beehiiv, while The Neuron grew to over 500,000 subscribers and was acquired just two years after launch.

Key Features That Make beehiiv Different

The writing experience is intentionally minimal. You get a distraction-free interface that makes creating beautiful newsletters effortless, whether you're a design pro or complete beginner. The newsletter builder lets you seamlessly design and style your newsletter as you write.

Every element you need—text, headings, images, buttons, polls, and more—is accessible with simple keyboard commands. Templates let you maintain consistent branding, while the preview feature shows exactly how your newsletter will look on both mobile and desktop devices before you send.

Automatic Website Creation

Every newsletter comes with a built-in website that can be created in minutes. Your subscribers get a professional home to browse past issues, sign up, and share your content. Recent updates include AI-powered website building tools that make customization even easier.

Custom domains are supported, letting you maintain your brand identity. The websites are SEO-optimized by default, helping you attract organic traffic from search engines.

Unlimited Sending, No Tricks

Unlike platforms that charge per email sent, beehiiv's pricing is based purely on subscriber count. Send daily updates, weekly deep-dives, or occasional check-ins—the frequency doesn't change your bill. This encourages you to stay connected with your audience without worrying about costs piling up.

Multiple Publications Under One Account

Manage several newsletters from a single dashboard. The Launch and Scale plans support up to 3 publications, while the Max plan allows up to 10. This makes beehiiv perfect for agencies, media companies, or creators running multiple content verticals.

Built-In Ad Network

beehiiv's ad network automatically matches you with relevant sponsors, sending 3-6 sponsorship opportunities monthly. Brands come to you instead of requiring cold outreach and negotiations.

Real creators with small lists are earning meaningful income—one user made thousands from the ad network with minimal effort by simply accepting offers and inserting ads. The network handles everything from advertiser relationships to payment processing.

Paid Subscriptions with Zero Commission

Create premium tiers for exclusive content. Charge monthly or annual subscriptions, offer free trials, and manage everything within beehiiv. The platform integrates with Stripe for payment processing, giving subscribers a smooth checkout experience.

The difference from competitors like Substack is significant. While Substack charges a 10% fee on paid subscriptions, beehiiv takes zero commission. For creators earning serious income, this adds up to thousands saved annually.

Boost Program: Get Paid for Referrals

The boost marketplace lets you recommend other newsletters to your subscribers and earn money for each new subscriber you generate. It's passive income that works even when you're not actively sending content.

Sponsorship Sales

Sell direct sponsorships if you prefer personal relationships with advertisers. beehiiv provides the tools to track performance and prove ROI to sponsors, making it easier to command premium rates as your audience grows.

Growth Tools That Actually Work

Integrated Referral Program

Turn your existing subscribers into your best marketing channel. The built-in referral system rewards readers for sharing your newsletter with friends. You set the incentives—exclusive content, merchandise, consulting calls—and beehiiv handles the tracking and fulfillment automation.

Recommendations Network

Cross-promote with other newsletters in your niche. When readers subscribe to your publication, they see recommended newsletters that might interest them. In return, your newsletter gets recommended to their audiences. It's organic growth without paid advertising.

Magic Links for Cross-Promotions

Partner directly with other creators using magic links. These special URLs let you track exactly how many subscribers come from specific partnerships, making it easy to identify which collaborations drive the best results.

Paid Boosts

When organic growth needs a jumpstart, paid boosts put your newsletter in front of targeted audiences within the beehiiv network. You set your budget and target criteria, and beehiiv distributes your newsletter to interested readers.

One food newsletter grew from zero to 100,000 engaged subscribers in under one year using a combination of these growth tools plus consistent social media promotion.

Analytics That Guide Your Strategy

3D Analytics Dashboard

beehiiv's dynamic dashboard offers real-time, visual data on performance metrics like open rates, click-through rates, subscriber growth, churn, and user engagement. Unlike basic analytics that just show numbers, beehiiv's visualizations help you spot trends and make informed decisions.

Subscriber Profiles

Individual subscriber profiles show you exactly how each person engages with your content. See which issues they opened, what links they clicked, and how they found your newsletter. This granular data helps you understand your most engaged readers.

A/B Testing

Test different subject lines, content formats, and send times to optimize performance. The platform makes experimentation easy, automatically splitting your audience and measuring which version performs better.

Advanced Features for Serious Creators

Audience Segmentation

Send targeted content to specific subscriber groups based on location, engagement level, subscription type, or custom tags. Segmentation increases relevance and improves metrics across the board.

Email Automations

Set up automated welcome sequences, re-engagement campaigns, and triggered messages based on subscriber behavior. Automations work 24/7, nurturing your audience even when you're not actively writing.

Polls and Surveys

Engage directly with your audience using one-click polls embedded in emails or comprehensive survey forms. Use surveys to find out what topics interest your subscribers, what challenges they face, and what type of content they want more of.

Native Podcast Hosting

Recent updates include podcast hosting integrated directly into your newsletter. Publish audio content alongside written posts, giving subscribers multiple ways to consume your ideas.

API Access and Integrations

Connect beehiiv with your existing tools through Zapier, webhooks, or the public API. Popular integrations include Google Analytics, Stripe, Discord, Slack, and CRM platforms.

beehiiv Pricing: What You'll Actually Pay

Launch Plan: Free Forever

Perfect for getting started. The free plan includes:

Up to 2,500 subscribers
Unlimited email sends
Website builder with custom domain support
Up to 3 publications
Basic analytics
API access
Audience segmentation

You won't get access to monetization features, A/B testing, or email automations on the free tier, but it's legitimately useful for testing the platform or running a small newsletter without any costs.

Scale Plan: $39/Month (Billed Annually)

The Scale plan starts at just $39 per month and includes powerful features like the Referral Program, Boosts, Ad Network, and Automations. This tier is designed for creators ready to grow seriously and start monetizing.

Additional features include:
- A/B testing
- Surveys and polls
- AI writing assistant
- Email automations
- Ad network access
- Boost program participation
- Priority email support

Pricing scales with your subscriber count, but you'll always pay less than competitors while keeping 100% of your earnings.

Max Plan: $99/Month (Billed Annually)

For established creators who need advanced capabilities:

Everything in Scale
Up to 10 publications
Remove beehiiv branding
Priority support from real humans
Access to NewsletterXP course (previously sold for $999)
Advanced customization options

Enterprise: Custom Pricing

Beyond 100,000 subscribers, you transition into custom billing and enterprise support. Enterprise includes white-label options, dedicated support, custom integrations, and priority feature requests.

How beehiiv Compares to Alternatives

beehiiv vs Substack

Substack charges a 10% fee on all paid subscriptions, while beehiiv takes zero commission. For a creator earning $10,000/month from subscriptions, that's $1,000 kept in your pocket instead of Substack's.

Substack is simpler and more focused on pure writing. beehiiv offers more growth tools, better analytics, and flexibility with monetization strategies beyond just paywalled content. If you want to build a media business, beehiiv provides more options.

beehiiv vs ConvertKit (formerly Kit)

ConvertKit excels at automation and selling digital products like courses and ebooks. It's been around longer and has deeper integration options with e-commerce platforms.

beehiiv is specifically designed for newsletters with built-in features for subscriber growth and content monetization that ConvertKit lacks, like the ad network and recommendation system. Beehiiv's current growth momentum puts them on a potential trajectory to pass ConvertKit in revenue.

beehiiv vs Mailchimp

Mailchimp is a general-purpose email marketing tool optimized for businesses running promotional campaigns. It has more templates and e-commerce integrations but feels bloated and complicated for newsletter creators.

Creators who switched from Mailchimp to beehiiv immediately upgraded their newsletter aesthetic, launched referral programs, and started driving meaningful engagement. Mailchimp's complex interface and expensive pricing don't make sense if you're primarily publishing content.

Real Success Stories: What's Possible with beehiiv

There's An AI For That: 1.7M Subscribers

The team built their newsletter exclusively on beehiiv from day one, citing unbeatable pricing for large lists and features like advanced analytics that made scaling to a million-plus subscribers possible. They now command $6,000-$8,000 per newsletter placement from sponsors.

The Neuron: Zero to Acquisition in Two Years

Founded in 2023, The Neuron grew to over 500,000 subscribers and evolved into a full media company before being acquired in January 2025. The founders focused on quality content that was "five times better than the competition" and used beehiiv's tools to execute efficiently.

SOIRÉE by Pepper: 5-10x ROI

A food newsletter grew from zero to 100,000 subscribers in under one year and now generates 5-10x ROI monthly through beehiiv's Ad Network. The newsletter serves as both a community-building tool and a significant revenue stream for the Pepper app.

Small Creators Winning Too

One creator with just 1,200 active subscribers made thousands from the ad network and over $5,000 from the beehiiv partner program, proving you don't need a massive audience to generate meaningful income.

Step 1: Set Up Your Account

Create your free account and complete your profile. Add a profile picture, bio, and social links. These details appear on your newsletter's public website.

Step 2: Configure Publication Settings

Name your newsletter, write a compelling description, and set your branding colors. Connect a custom domain if you have one, or use beehiiv's subdomain to start.

Step 3: Design Your Template

Create a reusable template that reflects your brand. Add your logo, choose typography, set up sections, and establish a consistent structure. Templates save time on every future issue.

Step 4: Write Your First Post

Use the clean editor to draft your first newsletter. Include text, images, links, and any special elements like polls or embedded videos. Preview how it looks on different devices.

Step 5: Set Up Growth Tools

Enable the referral program and set rewards. Join the recommendation network. Create embeddable signup forms for your website or social media profiles.

Step 6: Launch to Your First Subscribers

Import existing contacts if you have them, or start building your list from scratch. Promote your newsletter on social media, your website, and through personal networks.

Best Practices for beehiiv Success

Write Consistently

The most successful newsletters publish on a regular schedule. Pick a frequency you can maintain—whether daily, weekly, or monthly—and stick to it. Consistency builds trust and habit with your audience.

Focus on Value First

Success comes from quality content delivered to the right audience. Before worrying about monetization or growth hacks, make sure every issue genuinely helps or entertains your readers.

Leverage the Referral Program Early

The referral program is an excellent way of gaining new subscribers by providing your existing audience with an incentive to share your content. Even a small list can grow exponentially when motivated readers become advocates.

Use Data to Improve

Pay attention to your analytics. Which subject lines get opened more? What content gets the most clicks? Which days have the highest engagement? Let data guide your editorial decisions.

Test Monetization Strategies

Don't wait until you have 10,000 subscribers to start monetizing. Join the ad network early, experiment with Boosts, and test if your audience responds to premium content. Income can start with just hundreds of engaged readers.

Build Community, Not Just an Audience

Use polls to ask questions. Respond to replies. Make readers feel heard and valued. Success is not just about the numbers but about fostering genuine connections with readers.

Common Questions About beehiiv

Can I migrate from another platform?

Yes. beehiiv provides tools and guides for importing subscribers and content from platforms like Substack, Mailchimp, ConvertKit, and others. For large lists or complex migrations, beehiiv offers onboarding support.

How does the ad network work?

After joining, you'll receive 3-6 sponsorship opportunities monthly from brands in beehiiv's network. You review each offer, accept the ones that fit your audience, and insert the ads into your newsletters. beehiiv handles billing and pays you directly.

Is there a mobile app?

Currently, beehiiv is web-based. You can access it from any browser on mobile devices, but there's no dedicated mobile app for creators. Subscribers read your newsletters through email as normal.

Can I customize everything?

You have significant control over design, branding, and content structure. However, some aspects are standardized to ensure reliability and performance. The Max plan offers the most customization, including the ability to remove beehiiv branding.

What happens if I exceed my subscriber limit?

You'll automatically move to the next pricing tier. beehiiv sends notifications before this happens so you're never surprised. You can also manually upgrade anytime to access additional features.

Do I own my subscriber data?

Completely. You can export your full subscriber list anytime. beehiiv believes in data portability—you're never locked in.

Who Should Use beehiiv?

Content Creators and Writers

If you're building a personal brand through content, beehiiv gives you everything needed to publish, distribute, and monetize your ideas without technical complexity.

Journalists and Independent Publishers

Former journalists are using beehiiv to build direct relationships with readers, free from editorial constraints and algorithm changes on social platforms.

Niche Media Companies

Small media operations benefit from managing multiple publications under one account, using the ad network to generate revenue, and leveraging growth tools to expand reach.

Course Creators and Educators

If you teach or coach, a newsletter keeps your audience engaged between programs. The automation features nurture prospects, while segmentation ensures relevant communication.

Agencies Managing Client Newsletters

The multi-publication features and team collaboration tools make beehiiv practical for agencies running newsletters for multiple clients from one dashboard.

The Bottom Line: Is beehiiv Worth It?

For newsletter creators serious about building a sustainable content business, beehiiv represents one of the best values in the market. The combination of creator-friendly features, transparent pricing, and actual monetization opportunities sets it apart from traditional email platforms.

The free plan is legitimately useful for starting out or running small newsletters. When you're ready to grow and monetize, the paid tiers provide professional-grade tools at prices significantly lower than competitors—and unlike Substack, you keep 100% of what you earn.

The platform isn't perfect. It's younger than established alternatives, so some integrations and features are still developing. If you need deep e-commerce capabilities or extremely complex automation workflows, specialized tools might serve you better.

But if your goal is publishing great content, growing an engaged audience, and generating income from your newsletter, beehiiv delivers everything you need in one place. The success stories are real, the pricing is fair, and the platform keeps improving at an impressive pace.

Start with the free Launch plan, create your first newsletter, and experience why thousands of creators have made beehiiv their home for building newsletter businesses.

Ready to start your newsletter journey? Create your free beehiiv account today and join the community of creators who are building, growing, and earning through their content.

Table of Contents

What is beehiiv? A Newsletter Platform Built for Creators

Why Newsletter Creators Choose beehiiv Over Competitors