Newsletter pricing, compared

beehiivFree

Monthly prices from the pricing page's subscriber slider (bands 1k, 2.5k, 5k, 10k, 25k, 50k, 75k, 100k for Lite; Pro continues to 150k, 200k, 250k). Yearly billing saves up to 20%: Lite $49–$399/mo and Pro $95–$869/mo billed yearly. Pro ($109 at 1k up to $699 at 100k monthly) is omitted below 100k — same subscribers as Lite at a higher price, with more features (no branding, 10 seats, webhooks). Unlimited email sends on every plan. Above 250k is Enterprise.

Monthly prices from the pricing page's subscriber table (bands to 500,000; modeled to 105,000). Yearly billing is 10 months' price for 12 (e.g. Creator 1k $390/year). Pro ($79 at 1k, $189 at 10k, $879 at 105k monthly) is omitted — same subscribers as Creator at a higher price, with more features (unlimited users, referral system, deliverability reporting). The revenue rate is Kit's 0.6% share of its 3.5% + 30c fee; the card-processing part and the 30c per sale are left out, as for every other tool here.

SubstackSubstack

No subscription fee and no subscriber limit stated; the cost is a 10% share of paid subscription revenue, modeled on the revenue driver (at $0 revenue it's free). Credit card processing (Stripe) is charged separately on top and isn't modeled, as for every other tool here.

ButtondownButtondown 5k

Monthly prices from the pricing page's subscriber calculator: up to 1k $9, 5k $29, 10k $79, 20k $139, 40k $239, 60k $319, 80k $379, under 100k $459; at 100k+ it says contact us. The plans model the base price only — with Automations (+$29) a list under 1,000 pays $29, not $9. Yearly is 10× the monthly price (shown as 18% off). 50% off for registered non-profits. The pricing page lists no platform fee on paid subscriptions; not checked elsewhere.

Monthly prices from the pricing page's subscriber table (bands to 200k; modeled to 100k). Yearly billing is 10% off (Comfort 2.5k $29.70/mo). Power ($25 at 500, $49 at 2.5k, $489 at 100k monthly) is omitted — same subscribers at a higher price, with unlimited sends and seats; a list that sends more than 10 emails per subscriber band ceiling per month needs it. MailerLite's own cut of paid newsletter or digital product sales wasn't found on the pricing page, so revenue isn't priced here.

GhostPublisher 2.5k

Ghost(Pro) managed hosting — a website and newsletter together; Ghost itself is open source and can be self-hosted. Monthly prices from the pricing page's member slider. Yearly billing: Starter $180/year ($15/mo), Publisher from $348/year ($29/mo) at 1k to $3,288/year at 100k. Business ($239/mo up to 10k members, $479 at 100k) is omitted — same members as Publisher at a higher price, with 15 staff users and 10 newsletters.