Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Beehiiv: which should you choose?
Quick answer: Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is built for creators and newsletters, while Beehiiv suits newsletter operators. For most users Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is the stronger default, but Beehiiv can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
Both Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Beehiiv get recommended a lot, but they solve the job differently. Below we compare them on pricing, strengths and the use cases each one fits, then give a clear verdict.
Side-by-side
| Kit (formerly ConvertKit) | Beehiiv | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Email Marketing | Newsletter Platform |
| What it's known for | Creator-first email marketing with visual automations, landing pages and a built-in commerce/newsletter ecosystem. | Newsletter platform built for growth and monetization (referral program, ad network, paid subscriptions). |
| Pricing | Free up to 10,000 subscribers (limited); Creator from ~$15/mo; Creator Pro from ~$29/mo, scaling with list size. | Free up to 2,500 subscribers; Scale and Max paid tiers scaling with subscribers and features. |
| Best audience | Creators, newsletter writers, coaches and digital-product sellers who value list growth and simple automation over heavy ecommerce features. | Newsletter operators and creators focused on subscriber growth and monetization rather than ecommerce automation. |
| Best for | Creators and newsletters, Coaches and digital product sellers, Visual automation | Newsletter operators, Newsletter monetization, Creators scaling subscribers |
| Entry price | Free | Free |
| Biggest strength | Excellent for creators: one subscriber counted once, clean tagging model. | Purpose-built for newsletter growth and monetization (referrals, ad network). |
| Main caveat | Prices rose roughly 35% in September 2025; now pricier than budget rivals. | Headline price covers only up to ~1,000 subs; cost climbs with list size. |
Features compared
Where they really diverge is in the day-to-day feature set:
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) key features
- Visual automation builder with unlimited automations and email sequences on paid plans
- Built-in landing pages, opt-in forms and a free newsletter/creator hub
- Commerce: sell digital products and paid newsletter subscriptions natively
- Subscriber tagging and segmentation (single subscriber, no list duplication)
Beehiiv key features
- Newsletter + website builder with unlimited email sends on all plans
- Built-in referral program to drive subscriber growth
- beehiiv Ad Network for newsletter monetization
- Paid subscriptions and digital products (0% revenue cut)
Pricing tiers side by side
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter (Free) | $0 | up to 10,000 subscribers, unlimited emails, but only 1 automation/sequence |
| Creator | from ~$25/mo (was ~$15 before Sept 2025 hike); ~$39/mo at 1,000 subs | unlimited automations, removes Kit branding, scales with list size |
| Creator Pro | from ~$50/mo; ~$79/mo at 1,000 subs | engagement scoring, deliverability reporting, newsletter referral system, unlimited team |
Beehiiv plans
| Plan | Price | What's included |
|---|---|---|
| Launch (Free) | $0 | up to 2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends |
| Scale | $43/mo annual (~$49 monthly) | automations, ad network, paid subscriptions, up to 3 publications |
| Max | $96/mo annual (~$109 monthly) | removes branding, dynamic content, priority support, up to 10 publications |
| Enterprise | custom | for 100k+ subscribers |
Tiers compiled from the vendors' published plans and independent reviews; prices are approximate and change often, so confirm current figures (and your region's taxes) on each vendor's site.
Strengths compared
Where Kit (formerly ConvertKit) wins
The default newsletter platform for creators who want tagging, automations and built-in product/subscription selling in one tool.
- Excellent for creators: one subscriber counted once, clean tagging model.
- Generous free Newsletter plan up to 10,000 subscribers.
That makes it the stronger pick for creators, newsletter writers, coaches and digital-product sellers who value list growth and simple automation over heavy ecommerce features.
Where Beehiiv wins
Built by ex-Morning Brew operators specifically to grow and monetize newsletters, with a referral engine and ad network baked in.
- Purpose-built for newsletter growth and monetization (referrals, ad network).
- Takes 0% of paid-subscription revenue (only Stripe fees apply).
That makes it the stronger pick for newsletter operators and creators focused on subscriber growth and monetization rather than ecommerce automation.
Verdict: choose by fit
Pick by fit rather than by an overall score.
- Choose Kit (formerly ConvertKit) if you fit its core audience — creators, newsletter writers, coaches and digital-product sellers who value list growth and simple automation over heavy ecommerce features.
- Choose Beehiiv if you fit its core audience — newsletter operators and creators focused on subscriber growth and monetization rather than ecommerce automation.
FAQ
Is Kit (formerly ConvertKit) better than Beehiiv?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is the stronger default for most users, but Beehiiv can be the better fit depending on your budget and use case.
What is the main difference between Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Beehiiv?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is the default newsletter platform for creators who want tagging, automations and built-in product/subscription selling in one tool. Beehiiv is built by ex-Morning Brew operators specifically to grow and monetize newsletters, with a referral engine and ad network baked in.
Which is cheaper, Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or Beehiiv?
Both Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Beehiiv offer a free tier, so the real comparison is the paid plans above — pick based on the storage, features and limits you actually need.
Sources
Facts above are drawn from these independent reviews and the vendors' own pages for Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Beehiiv: