Choosing the right email platform is one of the most important steps for growing your newsletter in 2025. With the rapid shift toward email-first content and community building, more creators and businesses are prioritizing tools that help them scale, monetize, and engage their subscribers effectively.
In this article, we’ll explore five top newsletter platforms of 2025—based on features, pricing, and user experience. This guide is designed to help creators, freelancers, and businesses choose the best platform that fits their goals, whether that’s growing an audience, selling digital products, or launching a paid subscription model.
Why the Right Newsletter Platform Matters
The email marketing platform you choose will determine how easily you can:
- Design and send beautiful emails
- Capture and manage subscribers
- Automate communication
- Monetize your content
- Track open, click, and conversion rates
According to Litmus (2023), 78% of marketers rate email as important or very important to their overall marketing success, and email provides the highest ROI across digital channels—returning $36 for every $1 spent. However, not all platforms offer the same deliverability, customization, or monetization features (Litmus, 2023).
With that in mind, here are the top tools leading the newsletter market in 2025.
1. Beehiiv: The Growth-Focused Newsletter Platform
Best for: Creators, writers, and small teams focused on fast subscriber growth and referral-based marketing.
Key features:
- Built-in referral program and recommendations engine
- Customizable landing pages and forms
- Built-in analytics and segmentation
- Native monetization options through ads and paid tiers
- Clean editor and newsletter archive
Pricing: Free up to 2,500 subscribers; paid plans start at $42/month (Beehiiv, 2024).
Beehiiv was developed by ex-Morning Brew team members and is designed for fast, organic growth. Its standout feature is the integrated referral engine, which makes it easy for subscribers to invite others in exchange for rewards (Beehiiv, 2024).
2. ConvertKit: Best for Selling Digital Products and Courses
Best for: Content creators, course builders, and solo entrepreneurs who want to combine email marketing with product sales.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop visual automation builder
- Advanced tagging and segmentation
- Integrated product checkout pages
- Email sequences and event-based triggers
- The Creator Network for collaboration and growth
Pricing: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers; paid plans start at $15/month (ConvertKit, 2024).
ConvertKit excels in automation and selling. You can sell eBooks, courses, and other digital products without needing a third-party shopping cart, making it perfect for creators building a business around their content (ConvertKit, 2024).
3. Substack: Best for Writing-First Newsletters with Paid Options
Best for: Journalists, writers, and podcasters who want a simple, monetized writing platform.
Key features:
- No-code email publishing with a minimal layout
- Paid subscriptions built-in (Substack takes 10%)
- Public newsletter archive with SEO benefits
- Discovery via Substack’s built-in reader network
- Substack Notes for social-style engagement
Pricing: Free to use; Substack charges 10% of paid subscriber revenue (Substack, 2024).
Substack is ideal for long-form writing and newsletters that want direct monetization via subscriptions. Many creators also benefit from its network effects, where readers discover new writers organically (Substack, 2024).
4. MailerLite: Best for Small Businesses on a Budget
Best for: Small businesses, bloggers, and nonprofits needing low-cost, professional email marketing.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Built-in landing pages and signup forms
- Marketing automation workflows
- A/B testing and detailed analytics
- Integrations with WordPress, Shopify, and Zapier
Pricing: Free for up to 1,000 subscribers; paid plans start at $10/month (MailerLite, 2024).
MailerLite balances affordability with powerful features, making it a smart choice for teams that need automation and design tools without the higher price tag of more complex platforms (G2, 2024).
5. Mailchimp: Best for Advanced Analytics and eCommerce Integration
Best for: E-commerce brands, agencies, and startups with multichannel campaigns.
Key features:
- Advanced reporting and predictive insights
- Automated customer journeys
- Behavioral segmentation
- Social media and ad integrations
- Built-in templates and design tools
Pricing: Free for up to 500 contacts; paid plans start at $13/month (Mailchimp, 2024).
Mailchimp is a long-standing email platform with enterprise-level features and integrations. While its pricing is higher than most beginner tools, it provides deep analytics and AI-driven optimization that larger brands value (Campaign Monitor, 2023).
Comparison Table: Top Newsletter Platforms (2025)
| Platform | Ideal For | Free Plan | Monetization | Automation | Notable Feature |
| Beehiiv | Growth-focused creators | Up to 2,500 subs | Paid + Ads + Referrals | Moderate | Built-in referrals & growth engine |
| ConvertKit | Digital product sellers | Up to 1,000 subs | Direct product sales | Advanced | Automation + product checkout |
| Substack | Writers and journalists | Unlimited | Paid subscriptions | Basic | SEO blog archive + subscriber discovery |
| MailerLite | Budget-conscious businesses | Up to 1,000 subs | Basic | Moderate | Affordable with advanced features |
| Mailchimp | E-commerce & agencies | Up to 500 contacts | Advanced integrations | Advanced | Predictive insights + multichannel |
How to Choose the Best Platform for Your Needs
To simplify your decision, ask yourself these questions:
- Do you want to monetize with subscriptions or products? → Choose Substack or ConvertKit
- Are you focused on fast subscriber growth? → Use Beehiiv
- Do you need a low-cost platform with good features? → Start with MailerLite
- Are you running an eCommerce business or agency? → Pick Mailchimp
No matter which tool you choose, focus on one that allows:
- Easy integrations with your website or social channels
- Email automation to save time
- Analytics so you can improve over time
Final Tips for Getting the Most from Your Platform
- Start with a free plan, then upgrade as your list grows
- Segment your list by interest or behavior to improve open rates
- Test your subject lines and send times regularly
- Use forms and landing pages from your platform to increase signups
- Track performance weekly and adjust content based on what works
Note
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but there’s definitely a best-fit platform for every type of creator or business in 2025. Whether you’re just starting or looking to scale, the key is to pick a platform that supports your growth, content, and monetization goals—without overwhelming you with complexity.
Choose smart. Test often. And most importantly, stay consistent with your newsletter content. The right tool paired with the right strategy will help you grow your audience and revenue in 2025.
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References
Beehiiv. (2024). Beehiiv features and pricing. https://www.beehiiv.com/
Campaign Monitor. (2023). Email marketing benchmarks by industry. https://www.campaignmonitor.com/resources/guides/email-marketing-benchmarks/
ConvertKit. (2024). Why creators choose ConvertKit. https://convertkit.com/
G2. (2024). Best email marketing software of 2024. https://www.g2.com/categories/email-marketing
Litmus. (2023). 2023 State of Email Report. https://www.litmus.com/resources/email-marketing-statistics/
MailerLite. (2024). Email marketing features and comparison. https://www.mailerlite.com/
Mailchimp. (2024). Plans, features, and automation tools. https://mailchimp.com/
Substack. (2024). Substack publishing and monetization guide. https://substack.com/
