Presentation of the two platforms
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Beehiiv
Beehiiv, created in 2021, is the creation of Tyler Denk, former growth manager at Morning Brew, a newsletter that has over 2.5 million subscribers.
The story of Beehiiv is that of an explosion. Founded by Tyler Denk, Benjamin Hargett, and Jake Hurd, the platform quickly caught the attention of investors. In October 2021, it raised $2.6 million, a huge vote of confidence for young people.
Beehiiv's figures:
- Over 500,000 subscribers in less than a year
- Exponential growth in the user base
- Partnerships with influential creators
The objective of Beehiiv is simple: to provide content creators with a complete toolbox to build, develop and monetize their newsletters. The platform stands out for its Morning Brew interface, built-in growth tools, and advanced analytics features.
Substack
Substack, launched in 2017, changed the face of paid newsletters. Founded by Chris Best, Jairaj Sethi, and Hamish McKenzie, the platform quickly won over writers and readers.
Substack has a number of successes:
- Impressive fundraising of $65 million in March 2021
- Valuation of 650 million dollars
- Over 1 million paid subscribers in 2022
Substack's mission is broad: to democratize access to a viable business model for independent writers and journalists. The platform stands out for its transparency, with a fixed commission of 10% on creators' earnings.
Substack is distinguished by:
- Podcasting integration
- Powerful community building tools
- The Substack Pro program, which funds some promising authors
By offering a simple and effective platform, Substack has won over both seasoned writers and new talent, redefining the contours of independent journalism in the digital age.
Ease of use and interface
Beehiiv
Beehiiv stands out for its simple user interface.
Design and navigation
Beehiiv's interface is modern and clear. The feature layout, labeled menus, and explicit icons mean that the learning curve is very short for new users. This allows the platform to be used quickly and effectively.
Creation process
Beehiiv offers a smooth creation experience thanks to its drag-and-drop editor. Users can easily personalize their newsletters by adding:
- Images and videos for visual content
- Call-to-action buttons to engage readers
- Custom sections for structured layout
The platform offers more than 50 ready-to-use templates, for various sectors and styles. The visual editor allows you to see the result of the newsletter in real time, so the final result will correspond to the expectations of the author.
Learning curve
Although rich in features, Beehiiv is accessible to beginners. The platform offers:
- Integrated tutorials to get started quickly
- Contextual assistance that guides users through the various functionalities
- Optimization tips based on industry best practices
Substack
Substack focuses on simplicity and minimization, for a writing-centric experience.
Minimalist interface
Substack's interface is deliberately empty, to focus on the content and not the layout. It eliminates distractions and encourages writers to be productive. The menus are reduced to the essentials, so creators can focus on writing them.
Publishing process
Creating content on Substack is straightforward and no frills. The editor looks like a simple word processor, with basic formatting options. Users like:
- The simple editor, like a classic blog
- Publish immediately or schedule publication
- Media integration, less flexible than on Beehiiv
Ease of use
Substack is simple. The learning curve is almost zero, so it's perfect for writers who want to focus only on content. The platform guides users intuitively through the creation and publishing process, even for tech newbies.
In summary, while Beehiiv offers a feature-rich interface with a smooth learning curve, Substack opts for a minimalist approach that focuses on writing. The choice between the two will largely depend on the user's preferences and needs in terms of customization and functionality.
Comparing user interfaces
Content creation features
Beehiiv
Beehiiv stands out for its set of creation tools, to offer users great freedom in the design of their newsletters.
Beehiiv's advanced text editor goes far beyond simple formatting. It allows for a sophisticated layout and the integration of various multimedia elements. Creators can play with columns, boxes, and sections to bring their content to life.
Multimedia integration is a strong point:
- Add images, videos, and GIFs
- Inserting interactive widgets
- Extensive color and font customization
Beehiiv also offers a large library of professional templates. With over 50 templates for various styles and industries, creators can easily give their newsletters a unique visual identity. Customization is pushed to the extreme, you can modify any aspect of the templates, from the layout to the colors.
A major advantage is responsive design: all templates adapt automatically to different devices, for an optimal reading experience for all subscribers.
Some of the advanced features include:
- A/B testing to optimize engagement
- Segmenting content to target different audience groups
- Advanced shipment scheduling
Key Beehiiv features
Substack
Substack, on the other hand, opts for the minimalist approach, focusing on simplicity and efficiency in creating content.
Substack's text editor is designed like a regular blog. It offers essential formatting options like bold, italics, titles, and lists. The integration of images and videos is possible, but with fewer customization options than Beehiiv.
Substack's simple interface aims to minimize distractions while writing, so creators can focus on their content.
Publishing on Substack is very easy:
- Immediate or scheduled publication
- Automatic distribution to subscribers by email
- Online archiving on a dedicated web page
Substack stands out for a few unique features:
- Integrated podcasting
- Feedback and discussion tools to engage the community
- Flexible paywall to mix free and paid content
In summary, Beehiiv offers a lot of flexibility and advanced tools for creators who want to control everything about the look and structure of their content. Substack, on the other hand, prefers simplicity and efficiency, it is perfect for writers who prefer to focus on content rather than form. The choice between the two will largely depend on your priorities as a content creator.
Monetization
Beehiiv
Beehiiv offers multiple monetization options so that content creators can make money with their audience in multiple ways.
Paid subscriptions
The platform allows you to create paid subscriptions in a few clicks. Creators can offer multiple levels of access to provide flexibility in their offering.
- Flexible pricing: Possibility to define monthly or annual prices
- Exclusive content: Option to reserve certain content for paid subscribers
Embedded advertising
Beehiiv stands out for its native advertising tools. This feature allows creators to integrate ads into their newsletters:
- Dashboard to monitor campaign performance
- Targeting options for better ad relevance
Affiliate programs
The platform allows you to create affiliate programs. Creators can thus earn money by recommending products or services.
Monetization options on Beehiiv
Substack
Substack takes a simpler, more straightforward approach to monetization, centered on paid subscriptions.
Subscription model
The core of Substack's business model is paid subscriptions. The platform takes 10% of the revenue generated, plus transaction fees.
key points
- Create subscriptions in a few clicks
- Definition of flexible prices
- Secure payments via Stripe
Mixed content
Substack allows creators to offer free and paid content. This approach attracts new readers while monetizing loyal audiences.
Creators can choose which items will be:
- Free
- For paid subscribers only
This makes it possible to build an audience while earning money.
Donations and supports
In addition to subscriptions, Substack allows readers to make one-time donations. This is especially appreciated by creators who prefer a voluntary support model.
Beehiiv offers more revenue sources than Substack, Substack is simpler and more straightforward when subscribing. The choice between the two will depend on the content creator's monetization strategy.
Analysis and growth tools
Beehiiv
Beehiiv has advanced analytics tools and built-in growth features so creators have visibility into their performance.
Dashboard
The Beehiiv dashboard provides detailed and clear metrics. Creators can follow in real time:
- Evolution of subscribers
- Open and click rates
- Revenues by source
The platform goes beyond numbers to offer insights. For example, it can suggest the best times to send your newsletters based on the reading habits of your audience.
Growth tools
Beehiiv offers a series of tools to accelerate the growth of your audience.
Among these features:
- Customizable signup forms to maximize conversions
- 1-click registration system with Magic Links
- Referral system to encourage existing subscribers to share your newsletter
- Easy integration with social networks to expand your audience
These tools are directly integrated into the platform to simplify the growth process for creators.
Substack
Substack is more minimalistic in analytics, focuses on metrics that are essential for writers.
Substack growth tools
Basic statistics
The platform provides a set of basic statistics that are sufficient for most content creators. The main statistics:
- Total subscribers (free and paid)
- Open and click rates
- Subscription revenue
This data is clear and accessible so writers can focus on creating content and not analyzing complex data.
Growth tools
Less elaborate than Beehiiv's, Substack still offers tools to accelerate audience growth:
A recommendation system that highlights your newsletter to readers with similar interests
Built-in social sharing options to share your content
Substack is minimalistic, creators can focus on writing and benefit from basic tools to keep up with their growth and engagement.
Pricing plans
Beehiiv
Beehiiv offers a range of price plans adapted to different needs and budgets. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned writer, there's a plan that's right for you.
For starters, Beehiiv offers a free plan. This is ideal for testing the platform or for newsletters in the launch phase. You have access to basic features and can manage a limited number of subscribers without paying a cent.
If your audience grows, you can upgrade to the Pro plan at $49 per month. This plan unlocks more powerful tools:
- Advanced monetization
- Detailed analyses
- Priority support
For large-scale newsletters, the $99 per month Growth plan is the ideal choice. It includes:
- Advanced audience management
- Extensive customization
- Dedicated support
Beehiiv also offers the possibility of paying per year, which gives you an attractive discount.
Beehiiv price plans
Substack
Substack takes a different approach with a simple and transparent pricing model. No fixed monthly fees here, but a system based on the revenue you generate.
The idea is simple: Substack takes 10% of the revenue from your newsletter subscription. You only pay when you make money. It is a very attractive model for beginning creators or those who prefer to avoid initial financial risks.
Here are a few things to remember about the Substack model:
- No cost to start
- Access to all features from the start
- Cost growth based on your success
However, note the transaction fees of Stripe, the payment processor used by Substack. This fee, typically 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction, is in addition to Substack's commission.
A major advantage of Substack is that all features are available to everyone, regardless of whether your newsletter is free or paid for. So you can take advantage of podcast hosting, community building tools, and basic analytics at no additional cost.
Ultimately, choosing between Beehiiv and Substack will depend on your needs, budget, and preferred revenue model. Beehiiv offers more flexibility and advanced tools, Substack favors simplicity and a model without initial risks.
Support and community
Beehiiv
Customer support and community engagement are two integral parts of the Beehiiv experience. The platform must support its users at each stage of their journey.
Beehiiv's technical support is known for being fast. Users can count on:
- Fast email support
- A live chat for urgent questions
- A detailed knowledge base
Beehiiv goes beyond simple technical support by offering personalized support. Creators benefit from advice to optimize their newsletters and maximize their growth.
The Beehiiv community is also a major asset. The platform hosts forums and discussion groups where creators can:
- Exchange tips
- Sharing their experiences
- Building partnerships
These exchange spaces promote mutual learning and create a feeling of belonging appreciated by users.
Beehiiv support and community
Substack
Substack takes a different approach to support and community, focusing on the autonomy of creators while offering valuable resources.
Substack's customer support is mostly based on email. While this may seem limited compared to Beehiiv, Substack makes up for it by:
Comprehensive and well-structured online documentationVideo tutorials that are regularly updated
Substack's strength lies in its vibrant community. The platform frequently animates:
- Educational webinars
- Q&A sessions with successful creators
- Writing challenges to stimulate creativity
A unique aspect of Substack is its mentoring program. Experienced creators can sponsor newcomers, creating an ecosystem of mutual support that is beneficial for all.
Substack also encourages collaboration between creators. The platform facilitates:
- Cross-recommendations between newsletters
- Collaborations for special projects
This helps create a strong sense of belonging among Substack users, in part offsetting the less personalized technical support.
In summary, Beehiiv and Substack have different approaches to support and community. Beehiiv relies on robust technical support and personalized support, while Substack relies on the strength of its community and the autonomy of creators. The choice between the two will depend on your preferences in terms of support and community interaction.
Strengths and weaknesses of each platform
Beehiiv
Beehiiv quickly established itself as a major player in the field of newsletters.
Here is an overview of its main strengths and areas for improvement.
Forces
One of the strengths of Beehiiv lies in its integrated growth tools. The platform offers:
- Customizable registration forms
- Advanced SEO features
- Integrations with social networks
These tools allow creators to grow their audience organically and effectively.
Beehiiv also stands out for his intuitive user interface. The platform was designed to be easy to learn, even for beginners. Users particularly appreciate:
- The simplicity of creating newsletters
- Extensive customization options
- The complete analytics dashboard
Weaknesses
Despite its numerous advantages, Beehiiv has a few areas for improvement:
La learning curve for advanced features may be steep for some users.
Paid plans may represent a significant investment for beginning creators or small structures.
Substack
Substack has revolutionized the world of paid newsletters. Let's look at its main strengths and weaknesses.
Forces
La simplicity is the key word of Substack. The platform shines by:
Its refined interface, centered on writing, made it easy to set up paid subscriptions.Its transparent pricing model (10% commission)
Substack also stands out for its active community. Creators benefit from:
- A dynamic mutual aid ecosystem
- Opportunities for collaboration between newsletters
- Increased visibility thanks to cross-recommendations
Weaknesses
Despite this, Substack has a few limitations:
The are less extensive than on Beehiiv. Creators have less control over how their newsletters look.
The sTechnical supportI can sometimes lack responsiveness, especially for free users.
Substack Take a 10% fixed commission on revenue, which can crush the margins of successful creators.
Ultimately, choosing between Beehiiv and Substack will depend on your priorities as a creator. Beehiiv offers more flexibility and growth tools, while Substack focuses on simplicity and a strong community.
FAQs
What is the main difference between Beehiiv and Substack?
Beehiiv offers more tools for growth and customization, while Substack focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
Which is the most lucrative?
Beehiiv may be more lucrative in the long run with its varied monetization options, but Substack is more accessible for newbies with its no-upfront fee model.
Can I migrate my newsletter from Substack to Beehiiv?
Yes, both platforms allow the import and export of subscriber lists and content.
How much does Beehiiv cost?
Beehiiv offers plans ranging from free to 99 USD per month, depending on the functionalities and needs of the user.
Conclusion
Choosing between Beehiiv and Substack is not a decision to be taken lightly. Each platform has its advantages and is suitable for different types of creators.
Beehiiv is ideal for:
- Creators looking for advanced growth tools
- Those who want maximum control over the appearance of their newsletter
- Newsletters that need detailed analysis
Substack is ideal for:
- Writers who value simplicity and a focus on content
- Newbies who want to get started with no upfront costs
- Creators who value an active community and opportunities for collaboration
Whatever you choose, remember that the success of a newsletter depends above all on the quality of your content and your commitment to your audience. The platform is just a tool to help you reach your goals.
Take the time to assess your needs, try both platforms if possible, and choose the one that best fits your vision and creative style. With persistence and creativity, you can succeed on either of these great platforms.
