Best email newsletter software in 2026
Choosing newsletter software is a long-term decision — migrating subscribers later is painful. We compared 7 tools on deliverability, revenue cut, subscriber portability, and pricing so you can choose right the first time.
Try blogrr free — newsletter included →What to look for
Deliverability
Your emails need to reach inboxes, not spam folders. Deliverability depends on the sending infrastructure, your sender reputation, and SPF/DKIM/DMARC setup. Most platforms handle the technical setup automatically — the main differentiator is infrastructure quality.
Revenue cut on paid newsletters
If you plan to charge readers, understand the revenue split before you start. Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue indefinitely. blogrr, Ghost, Beehiiv (Scale), and Buttondown take 0%. On $5,000/month in paid subscriptions, the difference is $6,000/year.
Subscriber portability
Can you export your full subscriber list (email addresses) at any time without restrictions? Platforms that make subscriber export difficult or impossible hold your audience hostage. Always verify export capability before committing.
Blogging integration
A newsletter platform with a blogging component means one tool for both email and web publishing. SEO-friendly blog posts drive organic traffic that converts to email subscribers — a combined platform creates this flywheel.
Free tier limits
Free tiers vary wildly: 500 contacts (Mailchimp), 100 subscribers (Buttondown), 2,500 subscribers (Beehiiv), vs. no limit (blogrr, ConvertKit up to 10k). Understand where you'll hit a paywall and what it costs.
Email newsletter software compared
blogrr
Writers who want blog + newsletter in one place
Price
Free
Revenue cut
0%
Deliverability
Excellent (Resend infrastructure)
Free tier
None on free plan
The only newsletter tool with a built-in AI co-author and blogging platform. Send newsletters, publish blog posts, and accept paid subscribers — all in one place, free to start.
Start for free →Beehiiv
Newsletter operators focused on monetisation and growth
Price
Free (2,500 subs) / $42+/mo
Revenue cut
0% on Scale plan
Deliverability
Excellent
Free tier
2,500 free subscriber cap
Best analytics and ad network for newsletter monetisation. Free plan capped at 2,500 subscribers. Strong choice if growth analytics and ad revenue are priorities.
ConvertKit / Kit
Creators with complex email automation needs
Price
Free (10,000 subs) / $29+/mo
Revenue cut
3.5% + fees on paid content
Deliverability
Excellent
Free tier
Paid content takes 3.5% cut
Best-in-class email automation and deliverability. Primarily an email tool, not a blogging platform. The 3.5% cut on paid content adds up. Higher price at scale.
Mailchimp
E-commerce and transactional email
Price
Free (500 contacts) / $13+/mo
Revenue cut
N/A
Deliverability
Good
Free tier
500 contact free tier
Best for e-commerce and marketing teams sending transactional email. Not designed for creator newsletters or paid subscriptions. Very limited free tier.
Substack
Writers who want built-in discovery network
Price
Free (10% revenue cut)
Revenue cut
10%
Deliverability
Good
Free tier
10% of all paid subscription revenue
Easiest to start and has the strongest built-in discovery network. The 10% revenue cut is the main drawback — on $3,000/month in paid subscriptions, that's $300/month going to Substack indefinitely.
Ghost
Professional publishers who want maximum control
Price
$9–$199+/mo (hosted) or self-host
Revenue cut
0%
Deliverability
Good
Free tier
No free plan
Powerful combination of newsletter and blogging with 0% revenue cut. Starts at $9/month with no free tier. Self-hosting is free but requires server management.
Buttondown
Developers and technical writers who want simplicity
Price
Free (100 subs) / $9+/mo
Revenue cut
0%
Deliverability
Good
Free tier
100 subscriber free tier
Developer-favourite for simplicity and API access. No platform cut. Very limited free tier (100 subscribers). No blogging, no AI. Good for technical writers who want minimal.
Newsletter software that does more.
blogrr bundles your blog, newsletter, and AI co-author. Send newsletters, publish blog posts, earn from paid subscriptions. Free to start, 0% revenue cut.
Start your free newsletter →