Last updated: April 2026 | By ToolCrush

Email newsletters matter more in 2026 than ever. Social media algorithms decide who sees your content. Email does not have an algorithm. When someone subscribes to your newsletter you have a direct line to their inbox that no platform can take away.

The question is not whether to build an email list but which platform to build it on.

Beehiiv launched in 2021 and was built by former Morning Brew team members who understood what serious newsletter operators actually needed. It has grown faster than any other newsletter platform in the past two years and now powers some of the largest independent newsletters in the world. The free plan is genuinely usable up to 2500 subscribers with no transaction fees on paid subscriptions.

Substack takes a 10 percent cut of every paid subscription you earn. Beehiiv takes zero on paid plans. Mailchimp is built for email marketing not newsletter publishing and the interface shows it. For creators building a newsletter as a primary product rather than a marketing channel Beehiiv is the most logical choice in 2026.

Start your free Beehiiv account here: Beehiiv

What you will need

  • A free Beehiiv account (Beehiiv)
  • A newsletter name and one line description
  • A profile photo or logo
  • Your first newsletter topic in mind
  • 45 minutes for the complete setup

Part 1: Setting up your Beehiiv publication (10 minutes)

Step 1: Create your account and name your publication

Go to Beehiiv and sign up with email. No credit card needed for the free plan which supports up to 2500 subscribers. The first thing Beehiiv asks for is your publication name. This becomes your URL so choose something you are happy with long term.

You can change the display name later but the URL slug is harder to change once you have subscribers.

Your newsletter name should tell people exactly what they get or establish a memorable brand around a specific topic. Avoid generic names like “John’s Newsletter.” Something like “The Freelance Stack” or “AI Weekly for Marketers” tells a potential subscriber immediately whether this is for them.

Step 2: Configure your publication settings

After creating your account go to Settings in the left sidebar. Fill in your publication description which appears on your subscribe page and in search results. Treat this like a meta description. Make it specific and benefit focused rather than vague.

Set your sending frequency here too even if you are not committing to a strict schedule yet. Weekly is the most common and sustainable starting point for new newsletters.

Upload your profile photo or logo in settings. Newsletters with a recognizable visual identity build trust faster than those with no image. A clean headshot works better than a logo for personal brand newsletters because people subscribe to people they trust before they subscribe to brands.

Step 3: Set up your custom domain (optional but recommended)

Beehiiv gives every publication a free subdomain at yourname.beehiiv.com. For a professional newsletter connect a custom domain so emails come from your own domain rather than Beehiiv’s. Custom domains are available on paid plans and improve deliverability and brand perception significantly for newsletters trying to build authority.

If you are just starting out the free subdomain is completely fine. Do not delay launching your first issue while setting up a custom domain. You can add it later without disrupting existing subscribers.

Part 2: Designing your newsletter (10 minutes)

Step 4: Customize your newsletter template

Go to Design in the left sidebar. Beehiiv gives you a visual editor to customize your newsletter header, footer, colors, and fonts without touching any code. Keep the design simple on your first issue. A clean header with your publication name, your brand color, and a readable font covers everything you need.

Dark backgrounds look distinctive in the inbox but reduce readability on mobile where over 60 percent of newsletters are opened. White or very light backgrounds with a single accent color perform better for click through rates. The most important design decision is font size. Use at least 16px body text so mobile readers never have to zoom in.

Step 5: Set up your subscribe page

Your subscribe page is the URL you share everywhere to grow your list. Go to Grow in the sidebar and click Subscribe Page to customize it. Add a compelling headline that tells visitors exactly what they get, how often, and why it is worth their email address.

Elements of a high converting subscribe page:

  • Headline: specific benefit not vague description. “Weekly AI tool picks for freelancers” beats “My newsletter about AI”
  • Frequency: tell them exactly how often you send. Weekly, biweekly, or daily. Be specific
  • Social proof: subscriber count once you have one. Even “Join 47 readers” works better than nothing
  • Sample issue link: let visitors read a past issue before subscribing. This dramatically increases conversion rate
  • No spam promise: one line stating you never share emails and they can unsubscribe anytime

Part 3: Writing and sending your first issue (15 minutes)

Step 6: Create your first newsletter issue

Click New Post in the top right corner of your dashboard. Beehiiv opens a clean writing editor similar to Notion. You write directly in the interface without complicated formatting menus. Give your issue a subject line first because this is the single most important factor in whether people open your email.

Subject line rules that improve open rates:

  • Keep it under 50 characters so it does not get cut off on mobile
  • Avoid spam trigger words like “free”, “guaranteed”, “click here”, or excessive punctuation
  • Curiosity and specificity outperform cleverness. “The AI tool I use every day” beats “You need to see this”
  • Numbers work well. “5 AI tools worth trying this week” performs consistently above average
  • Test two subject lines using Beehiiv’s built in A/B testing on paid plans

Step 7: Structure your first issue for maximum readability

Newsletter readers scan before they read. Use short paragraphs, clear section headers, and one main idea per section. Your first issue should not try to cover everything. Pick one focused topic and cover it well rather than writing five shallow sections.

Opening hook: 2 to 3 sentences that immediately address the reader’s problem or interest. Main content section: the core value of the issue. A guide, a list, an analysis, or a recommendation. Closing section: with one clear call to action (share the newsletter, follow you on social, reply with a question).

That structure works consistently across every newsletter niche.

Step 8: Preview and send your first issue

Before sending click Preview to see exactly how your newsletter looks on desktop and mobile. Check that images load, links work, and the formatting looks clean on both screen sizes. Send yourself a test email before sending to your full list. This catches formatting issues that preview mode sometimes misses.

When you are ready click Send or Schedule. Beehiiv lets you schedule issues in advance which is useful for maintaining a consistent sending schedule without being tied to your desk on publishing day. Tuesday through Thursday between 8am and 10am in your audience’s timezone consistently produces the highest open rates across most newsletter niches.

Part 4: Growing your subscriber list (ongoing)

Step 9: Use Beehiiv’s built in growth tools

Beehiiv has growth features built directly into the platform that most newsletter tools charge extra for or do not offer at all. The referral program lets subscribers earn rewards for referring friends. Activate this from the Grow section and set a reward that makes sense for your audience. Even a simple “refer 3 friends and get my resource guide” creates a viral growth loop that compounds over time.

The Boosts feature lets you recommend other Beehiiv newsletters to your subscribers and get recommended in return. This cross promotion between newsletters in complementary niches is one of the fastest ways to grow from zero without paid advertising. It is available on free and paid plans.

Step 10: Embed your subscribe form everywhere

Beehiiv generates an embeddable subscribe form you can add to any website, blog, or landing page. Go to Grow, click Forms, and copy the embed code. Add it to your website footer, your blog sidebar, the end of every blog post, and your social media bios. The more places it appears the faster your list grows passively.

Part 5: Monetizing your Beehiiv newsletter

Step 11: Enable paid subscriptions

Once you have an engaged audience Beehiiv lets you charge for premium content through paid subscriptions. Go to Monetize in the sidebar and connect Stripe to enable payments. Beehiiv takes zero percent of your subscription revenue on paid plans. You keep everything minus Stripe’s standard processing fee of around 2.9 percent.

Do not launch a paid tier before you have at least 500 engaged free subscribers and a consistent publishing track record of at least three months. Paid newsletters need an established trust relationship before readers will pay. Launching too early almost always results in zero paid conversions and discourages continued publishing.

Step 12: Apply to the Beehiiv ad network

Beehiiv operates its own ad network that connects newsletters with advertisers. Once you reach a qualifying subscriber threshold you can apply and start earning from sponsored placements in your issues. This is separate from paid subscriptions and provides a second revenue stream that does not require your audience to pay.

Beehiiv free plan vs paid plans: which do you need?

  • Free plan: Up to 2500 subscribers, unlimited email sends, basic analytics, Beehiiv subdomain. Covers everything you need to launch and grow your first newsletter to a meaningful size before paying anything.
  • Scale plan ($39 per month): Custom domain, advanced analytics, A/B testing, referral program, automation sequences, and premium design options. Worth upgrading when you are consistently publishing and want to optimize growth and monetization.
  • Max plan ($99 per month): Everything in Scale plus priority support, advanced segmentation, and higher sending limits. Relevant for newsletters with large lists and complex audience segmentation needs.

Start free and upgrade when your newsletter outgrows the free plan: Beehiiv

Beehiiv vs Substack vs Mailchimp: quick comparison

  • Beehiiv versus Substack: Substack is simpler to start but takes 10 percent of paid subscription revenue. Beehiiv takes zero percent and gives you significantly more growth and analytics tools. For anyone planning to monetize through paid subscriptions Beehiiv is the better long term choice.
  • Beehiiv versus Mailchimp: Mailchimp is an email marketing platform built for promotional emails not editorial newsletters. The interface is designed around campaigns and lists not issues and subscribers. Beehiiv is built specifically for newsletter publishing which shows in every part of the product.

Frequently asked questions

Is Beehiiv really free?

Yes. The free plan supports up to 2500 subscribers with unlimited email sends and no credit card required to sign up. There are no transaction fees on paid subscriptions even on the free plan. You only pay when you choose to upgrade to access advanced features.

How long does it take to set up a Beehiiv newsletter?

The basic setup takes under an hour following the steps in this tutorial. Writing and sending your first issue adds another 30 to 60 minutes depending on length. Most people who start have their first issue sent within the same day they sign up.

Can I migrate from Substack or Mailchimp to Beehiiv?

Yes. Beehiiv has a dedicated migration tool that imports your subscriber list, past issues, and settings from both Substack and Mailchimp. The migration takes a few hours and Beehiiv’s support team assists with the process on paid plans. Your existing subscribers do not need to re confirm their subscription in most cases.

How does Beehiiv make money if it is free?

Beehiiv earns revenue from paid plan subscriptions, their ad network, and Boosts. The cross promotion feature where newsletters pay to be recommended to other newsletters’ audiences. The free plan is genuinely free because Beehiiv’s business model does not depend on taking a cut of creator revenue the way Substack does.

The best time to start a newsletter was a year ago and the second best time is today. Beehiiv removes every technical barrier. The only thing standing between you and your first issue is sitting down and writing it. Sign up for the free plan, follow the steps in this tutorial, and have your first issue sent before the end of the week.

Looking for tools to grow your newsletter faster? Browse our full AI tools directory.

Related: Best AI tools for content creators in 2026

Start your free Beehiiv newsletter today: Beehiiv

Questions about setting up your newsletter?
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