Here's exactly how to start a newsletter in 2026
To start a newsletter, pick a platform, define who you are writing for and how often, set up a signup page, and send a first issue to a small list before you worry about scale. If you want growth and a path to paid subscriptions, Beehiiv is the tool I reach for first; if you are a small business that wants email plus automation, AWeber is the safer pick. Below I rank six tools I have actually used and explain who each one really suits.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv was built by people who ran a large newsletter, and it shows in the growth tooling: a recommendation network, referral programs, and a built-in ad network that can pay you once your list is sizable. The free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers with three publications, which is generous enough to get real traction before paying. The main drawback is that the strongest monetization and analytics features sit behind the Scale plan, so the price jumps once you are serious.
Try Beehiiv free →| # | Tool | Best for | Free plan | From | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beehiiv | Creators who want to grow and monetize | Up to 2,500 subscribers | ~$39/mo (Scale, billed monthly) | Try free |
| 2 | AWeber | Small businesses wanting email plus automation | Up to 500 subscribers | ~$15/mo (Lite) | Try free |
| 3 | Substack | Writers who want zero setup | Free (10% fee on paid subs) | Free; 10% cut of paid subscriptions | Try free |
| 4 | Kit (formerly ConvertKit) | Creators selling digital products | Up to 10,000 subscribers | ~$25/mo (Creator) | Try free |
| 5 | MailerLite | Budget-conscious beginners | Up to 1,000 subscribers | ~$10/mo (Growing Business) | Try free |
| 6 | Ghost | Independent publishers wanting full ownership | None (self-host is free) | ~$11/mo (Ghost Pro Starter) | Try free |
Beehiiv
Creators who want to grow and monetizeBeehiiv was built by people who ran a large newsletter, and it shows in the growth tooling: a recommendation network, referral programs, and a built-in ad network that can pay you once your list is sizable. The free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers with three publications, which is generous enough to get real traction before paying. The main drawback is that the strongest monetization and analytics features sit behind the Scale plan, so the price jumps once you are serious.
Pros
- Free up to 2,500 subscribers with real features, not a crippled trial
- Recommendation network and referral tools that genuinely drive signups
- Built-in ad network and paid subscriptions for monetization
Cons
- Best growth and analytics features require the pricier Scale plan
- Automations are simpler than dedicated email marketing platforms
AWeber
Small businesses wanting email plus automationAWeber has been doing email since the late 1990s and it feels dependable in a way newer tools sometimes do not. It is a strong fit for a small business that needs signup forms, autoresponders, and landing pages without a steep learning curve, and support is reachable by phone and live chat. The free plan handles up to 500 subscribers. The interface looks dated next to Beehiiv or Substack, and the template editor can feel clunky compared with modern builders.
Pros
- Reliable deliverability with a long track record
- Phone and live chat support that actually answers
- Free plan and affordable entry tier for small lists
Cons
- Interface and templates feel dated
- Fewer creator-focused growth features than Beehiiv
Substack
Writers who want zero setupSubstack is the fastest way to go from idea to published newsletter because there is nothing to configure and no monthly fee. It handles free and paid subscriptions, a built-in reader app, and network recommendations that can bring in subscribers you never reached on your own. The catch is the 10% cut of paid revenue plus payment processing, which adds up as you grow, and you have little control over design or true list ownership.
Pros
- No monthly cost to start and publish
- Built-in discovery through the Substack network
- Simple paid subscription setup out of the box
Cons
- 10% fee on paid subscriptions eats into revenue at scale
- Limited design control and automation
Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
Creators selling digital productsKit is aimed at creators who sell courses, ebooks, or memberships, and its tagging and automation model is more flexible than most newsletter-first tools. The free plan is unusually large at up to 10,000 subscribers, though it excludes automations and the visual funnel builder. Digital product and tip-jar selling is built in with a modest transaction fee. The tradeoff is that the email templates are plain, so heavily designed issues take effort.
Pros
- Free plan up to 10,000 subscribers
- Flexible tag-based automations and sequences
- Native selling for digital products and paid recommendations
Cons
- Automations locked out of the free tier
- Email templates are visually plain
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to start a newsletter?
You can start for free. Beehiiv is free up to 2,500 subscribers, Kit up to 10,000, MailerLite up to 1,000, and Substack charges nothing until you take paid subscriptions. Paid plans typically begin around $10 to $15 a month (MailerLite, AWeber) and rise with list size. As of 2026, plan on the free tier carrying you until you have a few thousand engaged readers.
Do I need a website to start a newsletter?
No. Every tool here gives you a hosted signup or landing page, so you can collect subscribers without building a site. Substack and Ghost go further by giving you a full publication page and archive by default. A separate website helps for SEO and credibility later, but it is not required to send your first issue.
Which newsletter platform is best for making money?
Beehiiv is the strongest all-around choice because it combines paid subscriptions, a built-in ad network, and referral growth. Substack and Ghost also handle paid subscriptions well, but Substack takes 10% of your revenue while Ghost takes none. If you sell courses or digital products alongside a newsletter, Kit's native selling is worth a look.
Can I move my newsletter to another platform later?
Yes, and it is easier than most people fear. You can export your subscriber list as a CSV from any of these tools and import it into another. The friction is in re-creating automations and, if you have paid subscribers, migrating billing, which Substack, Beehiiv, and Ghost all have documented import paths for. Warm up your sending on the new platform to protect deliverability.
Substack or Beehiiv for a brand-new newsletter?
Pick Substack if you want to publish today with zero setup and do not mind giving up 10% of any paid revenue. Pick Beehiiv if growth and monetization matter and you want more control over design, referrals, and analytics. For most people planning to treat their newsletter seriously, Beehiiv's free tier makes it the better long-term home.
Which one should you start with?
If your goal is to grow an audience and eventually earn from it, start on Beehiiv and use its free tier until you cross 2,500 subscribers. If you run a small business and want email marketing tied to products and automations, AWeber is a calmer, more affordable home. Whatever you choose, write and send your first issue this week to a handful of real readers, because the platform matters far less than the habit of shipping.
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