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Beehiiv vs Substack: Which Newsletter Platform Makes You More Money?

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Affiliate disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you sign up through my links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I’ve personally tested or thoroughly researched.

Beehiiv vs Substack: Which Newsletter Platform Makes You More Money?

Look, I’ve been there. Staring at two seemingly identical platforms, wondering which one will actually help me turn my words into, you know, *actual money*. I spent months building newsletters on both Beehiiv and Substack, running experiments, and tracking every single dollar. So, let me break down the real differences for you.

As The 4 Minute Workday preaches, it’s all about maximizing output with minimal effort. Choosing the right platform is a HUGE part of that.

The honest answer is, both Beehiiv and Substack let you create and send newsletters. But when it comes to actually *making* money? There’s a clear winner. And I’m Will Buckley.

Quick Verdict

Beehiiv wins on revenue potential for anyone serious about monetization. Period.

Why? We’ll get into the nitty-gritty, but the big picture is this: Beehiiv gives you more ways to monetize, takes a smaller cut of your earnings (or no cut at all), and provides better tools to grow your audience faster. That’s the short version. Now, let’s dive in.

Beehiiv: The Growth-Focused Powerhouse

Beehiiv is built for creators who are serious about building a large, engaged audience and, crucially, monetizing that audience effectively. It’s got a modern interface, a robust feature set, and a clear focus on growth.

Think of it as the platform for newsletter entrepreneurs. The people who want to build a real business around their content. And, for the readers among you, you can sign up for Beehiiv right here.

Substack: The OG Newsletter Platform

Substack was one of the first platforms to make it easy for writers to publish and monetize newsletters. It’s simple, straightforward, and has a loyal following. The appeal is the ease of use: write, publish, and collect payments. No fuss, no muss.

Substack is a good option for writers who prioritize simplicity and community over advanced features and aggressive monetization.

Head-to-Head: Beehiiv vs. Substack

Alright, let’s get down to the brass tacks. Here’s a detailed comparison of the key factors that impact your earning potential:

Monetization Options

  • Beehiiv: Offers multiple monetization avenues, including paid subscriptions, native advertising through their ad network, and “Boosts” (a way to pay other newsletters to promote your newsletter).
  • Substack: Primarily relies on paid subscriptions as the main monetization method.

Advantage: Beehiiv. The more ways you can make money, the better. Beehiiv’s ad network and Boosts provide valuable additional revenue streams.

Fees Taken

  • Beehiiv: Takes 0% of your subscription revenue on all plans. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
  • Substack: Takes a 10% cut of your subscription revenue.

Advantage: Beehiiv. This is HUGE. That 10% Substack takes adds up fast. Imagine earning $10,000 in subscriptions. With Beehiiv, you keep the whole $10,000. With Substack, you only get $9,000. That’s a $1,000 difference. No brainer.

Growth Tools

  • Beehiiv: Built-in referral program, segmentation tools, advanced analytics, and integrations to help you grow your audience.
  • Substack: Basic referral program and limited segmentation.

Advantage: Beehiiv. Beehiiv’s growth tools are far more sophisticated, allowing you to target specific segments of your audience and incentivize referrals effectively. Plus, read this article on newsletter monetization: here.

Analytics

  • Beehiiv: Provides detailed analytics on open rates, click-through rates, subscriber growth, and revenue.
  • Substack: Offers basic analytics.

Advantage: Beehiiv. Data is king. Beehiiv’s comprehensive analytics give you the insights you need to optimize your content and marketing efforts.

Pricing

  • Beehiiv: Has a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers. Paid plans start at $49/month.
  • Substack: Free to use, but they take a 10% cut of your paid subscriptions.

Advantage: Beehiiv. If you’re serious about monetizing, Beehiiv’s free plan gives you a generous head start. And even the paid plans can be cheaper than Substack, depending on your subscription revenue.

And again, if you want to sign up for Beehiiv, you can do so here.

Who is Beehiiv Best For?

Beehiiv is ideal for:

  • Creators who want to build a serious newsletter business.
  • Those who want multiple monetization options.
  • Anyone who wants to keep 100% of their subscription revenue.
  • Users who need advanced analytics and growth tools.

Who is Substack Best For?

Substack is a good fit for:

  • Writers who prioritize simplicity and ease of use.
  • Those who are just starting out and don’t need advanced features.
  • Creators who are comfortable giving up 10% of their revenue.

Final Verdict

Let me be straight with you, if you’re thinking about building a newsletter as a side hustle to earn passive income, the choice is simple: Beehiiv wins on revenue potential. The 4 Minute Workday is all about maximizing your profits with the least amount of work. Beehiiv’s multiple monetization options, zero-fee policy, and powerful growth tools make it the clear winner for anyone who wants to turn their newsletter into a real money-making machine.

Will Buckley is the author of The 4 Minute Workday — the no-fluff guide to replacing your income with automated systems. For free tools and strategies, visit 4minuteworkday.com.

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