What's the best tool for sending a newsletter?

For a typical creator-style newsletter, I’d start with beehiiv. It’s built around publishing and growing a newsletter, and its free plan currently includes up to 2,500 subscribers and unlimited email sends. (beehiiv.com)

Pick a different tool if your needs differ:

• Kit — better if you’re a creator who’ll use email automations to sell products; its free plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers. (help.kit.com)
• Mailchimp — a better fit if the newsletter is one part of broader business marketing, like customer campaigns and other marketing workflows. (techradar.com)

Quick rule: publishing and growing a newsletter → beehiiv; creator sales and automations → Kit; broader business marketing → Mailchimp. If you tell me what kind of newsletter you’re sending and roughly how many subscribers you expect, I can narrow it down.

There isn't one best tool. The right choice depends mostly on whether the newsletter is a writing project, a growth-focused business, or one part of broader marketing.

• Substack suits writers who want the least setup. One source describes it as the fastest to launch, but it takes 10% of paid subscription revenue, plus Stripe fees. Its basic analytics are a limitation. Substack: Basic stats (opens, clicks, revenue) only.
• beehiiv suits people who want to grow a newsletter and monetize it. It takes a 0% cut of subscriptions, and one comparison notes it offers multiple built-in monetization tools. Its free tier covers up to 2,500 subscribers, and paid plans start around $49/month.
• MailerLite is the common pick for value. One reviewer calls it a practical choice for small businesses and creators because its free plan is generous and its paid tiers stay affordable as the list grows.
• Mailchimp suits businesses that send newsletters alongside store, service, or lead-generation marketing. It is less of a fit for pure publishing. One B2B review argues it was built for email campaigns and marketing automation, not newsletters specifically.
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is often recommended for creators who want automation, and it has a free plan.

Sources disagree on some free-tier limits. For example, one puts Mailchimp's free tier at 250 contacts and another at 500, so check current pricing on each vendor's site before committing.

A quick way to decide: if you're a writer building a readership, start with Substack or beehiiv. If you run a business and want email tied to sales and marketing, start with MailerLite, Brevo, or Mailchimp. If you tell me your audience size, budget, and whether you plan to charge for the newsletter, I can narrow it to one or two options.

There is no single "best" tool because the right choice depends entirely on what your newsletter is for and how you plan to grow it. To choose the right one, identify which category your project falls into:

1. For Creators & Media Businesses

If your newsletter is the business (e.g., you want to monetize through paid subscriptions, ads, or referrals), these platforms are designed to help you grow an audience.

• Beehiiv: Currently ranked as a top choice for growth-focused creators. It offers a powerful "all-in-one" stack with built-in referral programs, ad marketplaces, and sophisticated audience analytics.
• Substack: The go-to for independent writers who want simplicity. It is free to start and focuses heavily on community building through its own discovery network. It is less about complex automation and more about getting your writing into inboxes.
• Kit (formerly ConvertKit): Excellent for bloggers and creators selling digital products. It balances creator-focused features with more robust automation than Substack.

2. For Small Businesses & General Marketing

If your newsletter is a channel to promote products, services, or updates, you need a tool that handles email marketing, automation, and segmentation well.

• MailerLite: Highly recommended for small teams and solo entrepreneurs. It is known for being user-friendly, affordable, and having a feature-rich free tier that includes automation and landing page builders.
• Mailchimp: A well-known, "all-in-one" option. It is a solid choice if you want a vast ecosystem of integrations and familiar, polished templates, though it can become expensive and complex as you scale.
• Brevo: A strong contender if you want a comprehensive platform that also includes sales/CRM features.

3. For Ecommerce

If you are running an online store, you need tools that track customer behavior (like abandoned carts) and tie directly into your revenue.

• Klaviyo: The industry leader for ecommerce businesses needing deep segmentation and behavior-based automation.
• Omnisend: A great alternative for ecommerce brands that want ready-to-use automations and a more budget-conscious approach.

Quick Decision Guide

A final tip: Don't just look at the price today. Consider how your costs will change as your list grows from 1,000 to 10,000+ subscribers. Many platforms offer generous free tiers but become significantly more expensive as you scale.

For most small businesses or first-time senders, I’d pick MailerLite: it’s relatively simple, offers solid newsletter and automation features, and is often rated as a good-value option. ⁶

There isn’t one best choice for everyone:

• Beehiiv if you’re building a publication and want built-in audience-growth and monetization features. ²
• Kit if you’re a creator selling products or running a paid newsletter. ¹
• Brevo if you want email alongside SMS or other marketing tools on a budget. ¹
• Substack if you want the simplest way to publish and charge readers, and are comfortable with its 10% revenue share on paid subscriptions. ⁵

So, if you just want to send a regular newsletter without a specialized use case, start with MailerLite; if you tell me your audience size and what you’re sending, I can narrow it down.