Best Newsletter Platforms (2026)
Quick Take
Newsletter platforms are distinct from general email marketing tools — they're built for writers and publishers who need clean reading experiences, subscriber growth tools, and monetization options.
Our Top Picks at a Glance
| # | Tool | Best For | Starting Price | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beehiiv | Best overall newsletter platform | $Custom/mo | 7.6/10 |
| 2 | ConvertKit (Kit) | Best for creator newsletters | $0/mo | 8.4/10 |
| 3 | MailerLite | Best value newsletter tool | $Custom/mo | 8.8/10 |
| 4 | Mailchimp | Most established platform | $0/mo | 9.4/10 |
| 5 | Flodesk | Best-looking newsletters | $38/mo | 6.7/10 |
1. Beehiiv — Best overall newsletter platform
Newsletter platform built by ex-Morning Brew team. Monetization features (ad network, paid subscriptions, boosts) set it apart from traditional email tools. Free plan is generous for newsletter operators.
Our take: Built by ex-Morning Brew team. Ad network, boosts, paid subscriptions, and referral programs.
Beehiiv Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Custom | — |
| Launch | $0 | — |
| Scale | $42 | $34/mo |
| Max | $85 | $69/mo |
2. ConvertKit (Kit) — Best for creator newsletters
Built for creators — bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers. Simple automation, excellent deliverability, and a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers. No drag-and-drop builder by design; text-based emails convert better for creators.
Our take: Excellent deliverability, simple automation, and digital product sales.
ConvertKit (Kit) Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter | $0 | — |
| Creator | $29 | $25/mo |
| Creator Pro | $59 | $50/mo |
3. MailerLite — Best value newsletter tool
Clean, simple email marketing at genuinely low prices. Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers with most features included. The best value pick for small businesses that need solid basics without complexity.
Our take: Clean editor, generous free plan, and enough features for most newsletter operators.
MailerLite Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise | Custom | — |
| Free | $0 | — |
| Growing Business | $10 | $9/mo |
| Advanced | $20 | $18/mo |
4. Mailchimp — Most established platform
The most recognized name in email marketing, now owned by Intuit. Free plan is limited but the brand recognition and template library are unmatched. Pricing has crept up since the Intuit acquisition.
Our take: Not newsletter-specific but has the templates and integrations many expect.
Mailchimp Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — |
| Essentials | $13 | $10/mo |
| Standard | $20 | $15/mo |
| Premium | $350 | $280/mo |
5. Flodesk — Best-looking newsletters
Design-first email marketing with flat-rate pricing — $38/mo no matter how many subscribers. Beautiful templates out of the box. Limited automation and no A/B testing, but the pricing model is refreshingly simple.
Our take: Beautiful templates and flat-rate pricing. Limited features but stunning design.
Flodesk Pricing
| Plan | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| $38 | $32/mo | |
| Checkout | $38 | $32/mo |
| Everything | $64 | $54/mo |
How We Ranked These Tools
We evaluated platforms on newsletter-specific features: writing experience, subscriber growth tools, monetization options, analytics, and deliverability. Traditional email marketing features like ecommerce integration matter less here.
Read our full scoring methodology for details.