If you're trying to choose between beehiiv, Substack, Ghost, and ConvertKit for your newsletter platform, you've come to the right place. We used QBack to analyze over 700+ G2 reviews, dug through Reddit discussions, and compared current pricing across all four platforms to give you a clear picture of which one might work best for you.

This comparison covers everything from pricing and features to what real customers are saying. Whether you're a creator looking to monetize your newsletter, a writer wanting to build an audience, or a business owner needing advanced email marketing tools, we break down the strengths, weaknesses, and true costs of each platform so you can make an informed decision.

Which newsletter platform has the best G2 rating?

G2 Performance Metrics

Source: Substack G2 Reviews, beehiiv G2 Reviews, ConvertKit G2 Reviews, Ghost G2 Reviews

Substack leads with the highest number of reviews (445) and a strong 4.8/5 rating. Users consistently praise its ease of use, simple setup, and built-in network effects that help grow audiences. beehiiv follows with 4.5/5 from 30 reviews, with users highlighting its monetization features and beginner-friendly interface.

ConvertKit has 4.4/5 from 216 reviews, with users appreciating its email marketing automation capabilities. Ghost has 4.1/5 from 39 reviews, with users valuing its open-source nature and customization options, though some note it requires more technical setup.

How much do newsletter platforms really cost?

beehiiv Pricing

Source: beehiiv Pricing

Launch: $0/month

• Up to 2,500 subscribers
• Custom website
• Custom newsletters
• Campaign analytics
• Unlimited email sends
• Recommendation network
• Optimized deliverability
• Custom domains
• Link-in-bio
• AI website designer
• API access (excluding Send API)

Scale: $43/month ($517/year)

• Up to 100,000 subscribers
• Everything in Launch, plus:
• Ad network
• Boosts network
• 0% take rate on paid subscriptions
• Digital products
• beehiiv AI
• Email automations
• Surveys & polls
• Advanced website analytics
• Webhooks
• Teams (3 seats)
• Slack community access
• Human support

Max: $96/month ($1,151/year)

• Up to 100,000 subscribers
• Everything in Scale, plus:
• Remove beehiiv branding
• Sponsorship storefront
• Podcast website
• Audio newsletters
• Digital products (appointments)
• RSS campaigns
• Up to 10 publications
• Teams (unlimited seats)
• Priority human support

Enterprise: Custom pricing

• 100k+ subscriber limits
• Everything in Max, plus:
• Concierge onboarding
• Dedicated account manager
• Dedicated IP addresses
• Send API
• Custom publication limits
• Invite-only webinars with CEO
• VIP human support

Note: Ad Network and Boosts Network may not be available in all regions.

Substack Pricing

Source: Substack Pricing, Substack Support - How much does Substack cost?

Free Publishing: $0/month

• Publishing is free, regardless of subscriber count
• No platform fees for free newsletters
• Simple setup and user-friendly interface

Paid Subscriptions: Revenue share model

• Substack fee: 10% of each paid subscription transaction
• Stripe fees: 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction
• Stripe billing fee: 0.7% for recurring payments (as of July 2024)
• Total fees: Approximately 13-16% of subscription revenue

G2 Feedback: Users note that fees scale with income, which can become expensive as newsletters grow - Substack G2 Reviews

What's included:

• All-in-one platform for publishing, distribution, and payment processing
• Multi-format publishing (text, podcasts, videos)
• Integrated payment system
• Community engagement tools (comments, chats, Notes)
• Audience growth support through Substack network
• User-friendly interface requiring no technical knowledge

Ghost Pricing

Source: Ghost Pricing

Starter: $18/month (billed yearly)

• For solo blogs & newsletters
• Hosted Ghost(Pro) site
• Custom domain support
• Email newsletter sending (unlimited sends)
• 1,000 registered members
• Basic analytics
• Single staff user
• Basic file upload limits
• Free ghost.io subdomain
• Weekly updates
• Worldwide CDN
• Managed security
• Free SSL

Publisher: $29/month (billed yearly)

• For custom publications
• Everything in Starter, plus:
• 3 staff users
• Ability to install custom themes
• Paid subscriptions
• Tips/donations
• Multiple newsletters (up to 3)
• Advanced native analytics
• More integrations
• Increased file upload limits

Business: $199/month (billed yearly)

• For teams scaling up
• Everything in Publisher, plus:
• 15 staff users
• Priority support
• Higher member limits (10,000 members)
• Early access to features
• Special add-ons available

Custom/Enterprise: Custom pricing

• Unlimited staff users
• Advanced configurations
• Dedicated IP address
• 99.9% uptime SLA
• Unlimited members

Hidden costs or add-ons:

• Payment processing fees still apply (Ghost charges 0% transaction fees, but Stripe/payment processor fees apply)
• Managed subdirectory install: $50/month add-on (Business plan or Custom)
• Custom SSL certificate: +$50/month on some plans
• Domain registration: One-year free .link registration promotion, renews at standard rates after first year

Reddit Feedback: "Ghost Pro is a predictable monthly fee; some users note tradeoffs vs. percentage-based platforms" - Ghost Reddit Discussion

ConvertKit Pricing

Source: ConvertKit Pricing

Newsletter: $0/month

• Up to 10,000 subscribers
• Unlimited landing pages
• Unlimited opt-in forms
• Unlimited email broadcasts
• Audience tagging & segmentation
• Sell digital products
• Run paid newsletters & subscriptions
• Newsletter feed & website
• API access
• Free Recommendations (required)
• Email support
• 1 basic Visual Automation
• 1 email Sequence
• 1 user

Creator: $33/month ($390/year)

• For 1,000 subscribers
• Everything in Newsletter, plus:
• More advanced Visual Automations
• More email Sequences
• 2 users (for 1,000 subscribers)
• Advanced reporting
• Premium support

Creator Pro: $66/month ($790/year)

• For 1,000 subscribers
• Everything in Creator, plus:
• Subscriber scoring
• Unlimited team members
• More advanced features

Note: Pricing scales with subscriber count. For digital products or subscriptions, there's a 3.5% + $0.30 credit card processing fee (ConvertKit takes 0.6% of total fees). For Paid Recommendations, ConvertKit takes 23.5%.

G2 Feedback: "General criticism about support and price increases" - ConvertKit G2 Reviews

What are the top pain points for each platform?

beehiiv: Top 3 Complaint Categories

1. Limited Web Customization ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Limited code injection for web pages and less appealing web design compared to ConvertKit and Ghost.

Evidence:

• "I was using Ghost and liked it but the analytics were a bit thin. I've just started using beehiiv and I don't like how there's limited code injection for web. I'd like to add a widget to make the web pages more accessible and I can't. Beehiiv doesn't look as nice on web compared to ConvertKit and Ghost." - debbiana, Reddit
• "customization on the lower-tier plans is limited" - Reddit Discussion

Impact: Users who need advanced web customization or want more control over their newsletter website design may find beehiiv limiting.

2. Pricing Concerns ⚠️ Low Severity

Issue: Some users find the pricing structure expensive, especially for smaller creators.

Evidence:

• Pricing concerns mentioned in general feedback, though specific quotes with URLs are limited in the research data.

Impact: Smaller creators may find the paid tiers ($43/month for Scale, $96/month for Max) expensive compared to free alternatives like Substack.

3. Feature Limitations on Lower Tiers ⚠️ Low Severity

Issue: Some advanced features are only available on higher-tier plans.

Evidence:

• Ad Network and Boosts Network are not included in free trial and may not be available in all regions.

Impact: Users on lower-tier plans may miss out on key monetization features.

Substack: Top 3 Complaint Categories

1. Revenue Share Model Fees ⚠️ High Severity

Issue: Fees scale with income, making it more expensive than flat-fee platforms as newsletters grow.

Evidence:

• "But if you're earning $1,000+/month, you'll likely save money with alternatives that charge flat monthly rates instead of revenue shares." - SchoolMaker Blog
• "Fees scale with your income (vs. flat fee platforms)." - Really Good Business Ideas

Impact: As newsletters scale and generate more revenue, Substack's 10% fee plus Stripe processing fees (totaling ~13-16%) can become significantly more expensive than flat monthly fees from competitors.

2. Less Flexibility on Design and Branding ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Limited customization options compared to self-hosted or more flexible platforms.

Evidence:

• General feedback from G2 reviews mentions less flexibility on design and branding compared to alternatives.

Impact: Creators who want more control over their newsletter design and branding may find Substack limiting.

3. Migration Complexity ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Potential complexities when migrating paid subscriptions away from Substack.

Evidence:

• "I moved from Substack to Ghost pro and I know they told [and also fixed it for me] me something about Substack still being able to get money out of the subscriptions that came via Substack. Unfortunately I don't remember exactly what it was and why [I was really flabbergasted when they told me] so make sure you dig into this. Cause if that is the case you may end up loosing money." - Ghost Reddit Discussion

Impact: Users who want to migrate away from Substack may face financial complications with existing paid subscriptions.

Ghost: Top 3 Complaint Categories

1. Learning Curve and Setup Complexity ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Requires more setup than Substack or beehiiv, even on the hosted version.

Evidence:

• "Not beginner-friendly: Ghost requires more setup than Substack or Beehiiv. Even on the hosted version, you'll need to deal with themes..." - emailtooltester.com
• "Learning curve / need for theme editing for advanced layouts — cited in Reddit/Forum posts" - Ghost Reddit Discussion

Impact: Less technical users may find Ghost more challenging to set up and customize compared to more beginner-friendly platforms.

2. Limited Newsletter Customization ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Newsletter-specific customization options are more restricted compared to website customization.

Evidence:

• "Regarding the newsletter specifically, I'm finding it very restricted. I wish they had themes for the newsletter as well, because there's not a lot you can do to customize it." - Ghost Reddit Discussion

Impact: Users who want extensive newsletter template customization may find Ghost's options limited.

3. Analytics Limitations ⚠️ Low Severity

Issue: Some users find Ghost's analytics less robust compared to competitors.

Evidence:

• "I was using Ghost and liked it but the analytics were a bit thin." - debbiana, Reddit

Impact: Users who need advanced analytics and reporting may find Ghost's native analytics insufficient.

ConvertKit: Top 3 Complaint Categories

1. Lack of Recent Innovation ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Perceived as a "slow-moving dinosaur" with less innovation compared to newer platforms.

Evidence:

• "Kit is a slow-moving dinosaur that has a number of features by virtue of having been around for 12 years or so. They are a safe option, but have done absolutely zero innovation in the three years I've been with beehiiv." - ewhite12, Reddit

Impact: Users looking for cutting-edge features and regular platform updates may find ConvertKit less appealing.

2. Customer Support Concerns ⚠️ Medium Severity

Issue: Some users report issues with customer support quality and responsiveness.

Evidence:

• "General criticism about support and price increases" - ConvertKit G2 Reviews
• Concerns about customer support mentioned in Reddit discussions.

Impact: Users who need responsive support may experience frustration.

3. Price Increases ⚠️ Low Severity

Issue: Some users have concerns about pricing changes and value proposition.

Evidence:

• Price increases mentioned in general G2 feedback and Reddit discussions.

Impact: Existing users may find pricing changes unfavorable, especially when combined with perceived lack of innovation.

What are the strengths and weaknesses of each platform?

beehiiv

Strengths:

• Monetization features: Ad network, boosts network, and 0% take rate on paid subscriptions make it ideal for creators focused on revenue generation
• User-friendly interface: Consistently praised for being easy to navigate, especially for beginners
• Advanced analytics: Strong analytics and growth tools help creators understand and grow their audience
• Comprehensive feature set: Includes ad network, AI features, automations, and advanced website analytics

Proof Point: "If you're looking to monetise your newsletter as a business and hoping to run ads, etc - then Beehiiv all day long. They give you so much more tools and resources." - Tintedlemon, Reddit

Weaknesses:

• Limited web customization: Less flexibility for advanced web design and code injection compared to Ghost and ConvertKit
• Pricing: Can be expensive for smaller creators ($43/month for Scale tier)
• Lower-tier limitations: Some features are restricted on lower-tier plans

Substack

Strengths:

• Ease of use: Consistently praised for simple setup and user-friendly interface
• Built-in network effects: Over 50% of subscriptions originate from within the platform, helping creators grow organically
• Community features: Notes feature allows creators to connect with other writers, creating a unique community aspect
• Free to start: No upfront costs for publishing, making it accessible for new creators

Proof Point: "If you're writing for the love of writing, such as writing a blog or education pieces, and looking to connect with other writers, then Substack is your best bet. Substack has something called Notes, which allows you to connect with other writers which Beehiiv doesn't have." - Tintedlemon, Reddit

Weaknesses:

• Revenue share model: 10% platform fee plus Stripe fees (totaling ~13-16%) can become expensive as revenue grows
• Less design flexibility: Limited customization options compared to self-hosted or more flexible platforms
• Migration complexity: Potential issues when migrating paid subscriptions away from the platform

Ghost

Strengths:

• 0% transaction fees: Ghost charges 0% on paid subscriptions (only payment processor fees apply), making it cost-effective for high-revenue newsletters
• Ownership and control: Open-source nature and emphasis on data ownership appeal to creators who want full control
• Customization: Strong customization options via themes and templates, though may require technical knowledge
• Powerful membership tools: Advanced membership and subscription features with Stripe integration

Proof Point: "Ghost is better than Substack when it comes to monetization. Both tools have memberships that are easy to use. But Ghost has a few more options than Substack." - expressionbytes.com

Weaknesses:

• Learning curve: Requires more setup and technical knowledge than beginner-friendly platforms
• Limited newsletter customization: Newsletter-specific customization is more restricted compared to website customization
• Analytics limitations: Some users find native analytics less robust than competitors

ConvertKit

Strengths:

• Advanced email automation: Highly regarded for sophisticated email marketing automation and segmentation capabilities
• Creator-focused tools: Strong focus on helping creators sell digital products and run paid newsletters
• Proven track record: Established platform with 12+ years of experience and comprehensive feature set
• Integration ecosystem: Over 100 app integrations available

Proof Point: "Do you want to make money by primarily promoting paid offers in your newsletter? Go with Kit (formerly ConvertKit)." - Sad-Matter2770, Reddit

Weaknesses:

• Lack of innovation: Perceived as slow-moving with less recent innovation compared to newer platforms
• Customer support: Some users report issues with support quality and responsiveness
• Pricing concerns: Price increases and value proposition concerns from some users

How do these platforms position themselves for different creators?

beehiiv: The Monetization-First Platform

Positioning: beehiiv positions itself as the "one place to build" for newsletters, with a strong focus on helping creators monetize their audiences through ads, paid subscriptions, and digital products.

Target Audience: Creators, writers, and content creators looking to build a newsletter as a business, from beginners to those with millions of subscribers.

Key Differentiators:

• Comprehensive suite of monetization tools (ad network, boosts, paid subscriptions)
• Regular feature releases (mentioned as every two weeks)
• Advanced analytics and growth tools
• Beginner-friendly interface

Best For: Creators who prioritize monetization and want an all-in-one platform with strong growth and revenue tools.

Substack: The Community-First Platform

Positioning: Substack empowers creators to focus on their audience rather than chasing clicks or advertisers, with built-in network effects that help grow audiences organically.

Target Audience: Independent creators, writers, journalists, and content creators who want to build and monetize their audience through subscriptions without technical expertise.

Key Differentiators:

• Built-in audience growth through Substack network (50%+ of subscriptions from within platform)
• Community features (Notes for connecting with other writers)
• Simple, user-friendly interface
• Free to start with revenue share model

Best For: Writers and creators who want simplicity, community connection, and built-in audience discovery, especially those early in their journey.

Ghost: The Ownership-First Platform

Positioning: Ghost is an open-source publishing platform that emphasizes ownership, control, and customization, with 0% transaction fees on paid subscriptions.

Target Audience: Writers, publishers, and content creators who want a self-hosted newsletter with more control, advanced membership features, and a focus on monetization without platform fees.

Key Differentiators:

• Open-source platform with ownership-first model
• 0% transaction fees (only payment processor fees)
• Strong customization and control options
• Powerful membership and subscription tools

Best For: Creators who want full ownership of their audience and data, are comfortable with some technical setup, and prioritize cost-effectiveness for high-revenue newsletters.

ConvertKit: The Automation-First Platform

Positioning: ConvertKit is an email marketing automation tool for creators, designed to help creators build sophisticated funnels, segment audiences, and sell digital products.

Target Audience: Creators, including writers, artists, musicians, and online educators, who want to build an audience, sell digital products, and automate their email marketing.

Key Differentiators:

• Advanced email marketing automation and segmentation
• Strong focus on selling digital products and running paid newsletters
• Comprehensive integration ecosystem (100+ apps)
• Established platform with proven track record

Best For: Creators who need advanced email automation, sophisticated audience segmentation, and tools for selling digital products and courses.

Feature comparison

Sources & links

Competitor Pricing Pages

beehiiv:

• Pricing
• Website

Substack:

• Pricing
• Support - How much does Substack cost?
• Website

Ghost:

• Pricing
• Website

ConvertKit:

• Pricing
• Website

G2 Reviews

• beehiiv G2 Reviews
• Substack G2 Reviews
• Ghost G2 Reviews
• ConvertKit G2 Reviews

Reddit Discussions

• r/Newsletters - Should I use Substack, ConvertKit or beehiiv for a newsletter?
• r/Newsletters - Has anyone tried both beehiiv and ConvertKit?
• r/Newsletters - Why I switched to beehive for my newsletter
• r/Blogging - How's your experience with beehiiv?
• r/Substack - So what does Substack cost?
• r/Ghost - Migrating from Substack - seamless shift of paid subscriptions
• r/Ghost - Thinking of moving paid Substack to Ghost - advice?
• r/Ghost - Do any of you use Ghost for a newsletter?
• r/Emailmarketing - beehiiv vs ConvertKit for starting an email list

Additional Resources

• SchoolMaker Blog - Substack Pricing
• Really Good Business Ideas - Substack Pricing
• expressionbytes.com - Ghost vs Substack
• emailtooltester.com - Substack Alternatives
• feather.so blog - Substack vs ConvertKit