Best Newsletter Platforms to Grow Your Audience and Business: The Ultimate Guide
Newsletters are powerful tools for staying connected with your audience, promoting products or services, and sharing valuable insights. Choosing the right platform for your newsletter is essential in making the publishing and distribution process seamless. However, with a lot of options available, selecting the perfect fit for your needs can be daunting. That's where we come in—this guide breaks down eight of the best newsletter platforms, exploring their standout features, strengths, and ideal use cases to help you make an informed decision.
Before we dive in, it’s essential to remember that while these platforms focus on creation and distribution, LetterSub offers a unique space for newsletter promotion. With LetterSub, you can showcase your newsletter to a larger audience and discover newsletters from others in the community. Think of it as a “meet-up” for newsletters, connecting readers and creators on a broader scale without requiring design or distribution tools.
Now, let’s explore some of the best newsletter creation platforms available today.
Kit
Overview
Kit (formerly known as ConvertKit) is a popular choice among content creators, bloggers, and digital marketers due to its focus on audience engagement and list segmentation. With tools to manage subscriber relationships, ConvertKit is especially suited for those who wish to nurture a loyal reader base.
Once you use Kit, it will be best to sign up with LetterSub to help promote your newsletter, learn more in our previous blog here.
Key Features
- Easy-to-use segmentation for targeted content delivery
- Automation tools designed for creators and entrepreneurs
- Landing pages and signup forms for lead generation
- Visual automation builder for creating workflows
- Subscriber tagging for personalization
Ideal For
Bloggers, podcasters, and influencers who prioritize nurturing relationships and delivering targeted content.
Pricing
ConvertKit offers a free plan for up to 300 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $9/month. Also, a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $15/month, depending on subscriber count and feature needs.
Mailchimp
Overview
Mailchimp is one of the most recognizable names in email marketing and is widely used by businesses for its broad set of tools, including pre-designed templates, in-depth analytics, and e-commerce integrations. With its drag-and-drop editor, Mailchimp is beginner-friendly yet offers plenty of depth for seasoned marketers.
If you decide to choose Mailchimp, it will be best to consider signing up for LetterSub to showcase your newsletter to a larger audience and discover newsletters from others in the community. Learn more here.
Key Features
- Intuitive drag-and-drop email editor with customizable templates
- Built-in CRM tools for subscriber management
- Audience segmentation for tailored messaging
- E-commerce integrations, particularly with Shopify and WooCommerce
- Advanced analytics to track campaign performance
Ideal For
Small and medium-sized businesses looking for a well-rounded platform with a mix of automation, design, and analytical tools.
Pricing
Mailchimp’s free plan includes basic features for up to 500 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $13/month for added functionality.
HubSpot
Overview
HubSpot is an all-in-one marketing platform with a powerful email marketing component. While it’s known for CRM and inbound marketing, HubSpot’s email marketing tool is comprehensive and ideal for businesses aiming to unify email with broader marketing campaigns. The platform’s email tool includes templates, automation, and advanced personalization.
If you decide to sign up with Hubspot, to upgrade your newsletter promotion to a larger audience, you can sign up to LetterSub. Learn it here in our previous blog post.
Key Features
- CRM integration to create targeted, data-driven email campaigns
- A/B testing and analytics to optimize email performance
- Workflow automation for personalized customer journeys
- Detailed analytics for tracking conversions and engagement
- Templates that allow easy drag-and-drop customization
Ideal For
Businesses of all sizes that use or are interested in adopting a comprehensive CRM.
Pricing
HubSpot’s email tool is free with limited features; additional marketing tools are available through paid plans starting at $20/month.
Beehiiv
Overview
Beehiiv is a newer platform designed with simplicity and growth in mind, particularly for creators and small businesses. This platform emphasizes ease of use, monetization options, and community engagement. beehiiv’s goal is to provide creators with the tools to grow, monetize, and track their newsletters.
Key Features
- Growth tools including referral programs and audience segmentation
- Built-in analytics for tracking subscriber engagement and growth
- Monetization options such as ads and paid subscriptions
- A clean, user-friendly interface with limited design clutter
- Community-building tools to foster subscriber interaction
Ideal For
Independent creators, bloggers, and small businesses that want simple but effective newsletter growth tools.
Pricing
beehiiv offers a free tier with essential tools, with premium plans starting at $42/month for more advanced features.
Mailer Lite
Overview
MailerLite is known for its simplicity and user-friendly design, which appeals to beginners and those who want a streamlined platform without complex features. Despite its simplicity, MailerLite offers various tools, including automation, landing pages, and email templates, that cater to growing businesses and personal brands.
Key Features
- Drag-and-drop editor for easy newsletter creation
- Automation tools to simplify email sequences
- A/B testing for performance optimization
- Analytics to track open rates, click-through rates, and engagement
- Integration with popular e-commerce and CRM tools
Ideal For
Small businesses, content creators, and entrepreneurs seeking a straightforward platform with essential features.
Pricing
MailerLite offers a free plan with basic features and paid plans starting at around $10/month for additional functionality.
ActiveCampaign
Overview
ActiveCampaign is a comprehensive platform known for its advanced automation and CRM integration, ideal for businesses wanting to maximize marketing efficiency through automation and personalization.
Key Features
· Advanced automation with if/then logic for tailored journeys
· CRM integration for sales and customer tracking
· Split testing and conditional content for email optimization
· Behavior-based tracking and personalization
· Integrations with hundreds of business apps
Ideal For
Medium to large businesses, e-commerce stores, and those prioritizing automation and CRM.
Pricing
ActiveCampaign starts at $29/month for the Lite plan, which includes basic email marketing features.
Brevo
Overview
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) provides a comprehensive suite of tools, including email marketing, SMS campaigns, and CRM features. Known for its budget-friendly pricing, Brevo offers flexibility and scalability for growing businesses.
Key Features
- Email and SMS marketing options
- CRM integration for customer management
- Marketing automation for personalized experiences
- Advanced reporting and analytics
Ideal For
Small to medium-sized businesses looking for an affordable, multi-channel marketing tool with email and SMS capabilities.
Pricing
Brevo offers a free plan with limited features and paid plans starting at $25/month.
GetResponse
Overview
GetResponse is a versatile platform with powerful automation, landing page design, and webinar hosting capabilities. Its all-in-one approach is suitable for businesses seeking to combine email marketing with customer engagement tools.
Key Features
· Automation workflows with behavior-triggered emails
· Webinar and landing page builder for lead generation
· Advanced segmentation and personalization options
· A/B testing for optimized campaigns
· Social media and CRM integration for a holistic approach
Ideal For
Small to medium-sized businesses, e-commerce stores, and those seeking a complete marketing solution with automation, webinars, and sales funnel features.
Pricing
GetResponse offers a free plan with limited features, and paid plans start at $19/month.
Conclusion
Choosing the right newsletter platform depends on your unique business needs, budget, and technical preferences. For instance, creators and bloggers might favor ConvertKit or beehiiv for their ease of use and monetization options, while companies seeking a robust CRM and marketing automation tool might prefer HubSpot or ActiveCampaign. Each platform brings its unique set of features, from simple email-building tools to advanced analytics, segmentation, and CRM integration. Whether you’re a small business owner, a digital creator, or an entrepreneur, these tools can help you build and maintain meaningful connections with your audience.
Once you’ve chosen a platform, remember that LetterSub can enhance your reach by helping you promote your newsletter. LetterSub isn’t a creation platform, but rather a community hub where you can showcase your newsletter to new readers, connect with other creators, and expand your audience. After setting up your newsletter, head over to LetterSub to see how you can maximize your visibility and build a community around your content.
