A Comparison of ConvertKit vs Beehiiv for Online Creators

From newsletters to paid subscriptions, Beehiiv and ConvertKit offer tools for creators. We’ll explore which platform provides the strongest monetization features in this comprehensive ConvertKit vs Beehiiv comparison.
ConvertKit is an email service provider oriented towards creators and online businesses. Our ConvertKit review covers it in detail but read on for a quick overview.
Its core function is to facilitate audience growth and engagement through:
- Different types of email campaigns,
- Automated email marketing automation workflows,
- Landing page creation.
The platform provides tools for audience segmentation via email tags and lets users design email sequences. It also supports integrations with other online services through its email marketing API function. The platform underwent a rebranding initiative in 2024, adopting the simplified name of Kit.
As its alternative today, we have Beehiiv, which caters to users working on email marketing newsletter creation, distribution, and monetization. It provides tools for writing, designing, and scheduling newsletters. Users can access features for subscriber management, analytics tracking, and revenue generation on this platform.
Key functionalities include:
- Built-in referral programs,
- Paid subscription options,
- Integrations with advertising networks.
Beehiiv aims to provide a comprehensive solution for writers and publishers seeking to unlock sustainable business growth through newsletters. It differentiates itself by offering a suite of features specifically tailored to the needs of newsletter publishers, going beyond basic email marketing functionalities.
Both platforms are popular names online; but if you’re planning on setting up an online business or just expanding an existing one, which one is best for you?
That’s exactly what this ConvertKit vs Beehiiv comparison will help you figure out.
ConvertKit vs Beehiiv Features Comparison



ConvertKit and Beehiiv offer tools for building audiences and monetization, but they cater to slightly different needs. This comparison examines their key features side-by-side, to discover any minor or major differences.
We locked on these 6 features to highlight the contrast between the two platforms:
- Email newsletters,
- Templates,
- Automation,
- Analytics,
- Landing page builder,
- Pricing.
Email Newsletters

ConvertKit has features emphasizing audience growth and engagement, such as seamless subscriber management and automated tags. Its segmentation tools allow for precise targeting based on subscriber behavior, purchase history, and custom attributes.
For newsletter creation, ConvertKit provides basic templates to maintain consistency in email branding (details in the templates section below). The platform’s Creator Network lets users discover collaboration opportunities; it offers opportunities to cross-promote newsletters, tap into new audience segments, and grow their email list organically through partnerships.

Beehiiv offers a more publishing-centric approach to email marketing. The platform’s analytics provide detailed insights into subscriber growth, email engagement patterns, and revenue metrics. Users can create multi-tiered reward programs incentivizing existing subscribers to share content. For more insight, check out our piece covering both good and bad Beehiiv newsletter examples.
The platform’s Ad Network offers publishers direct access to advertisers and simplified sponsorship management. ConvertKit offers a similar feature called “Sponsor Network,” connecting creators with sponsors to generate ad-based revenue.
Both platforms offer monetization tools, but their approaches differ. ConvertKit focuses on direct creator monetization through digital products, paid newsletters, and tip jars. Comparatively, Beehiiv emphasizes advertising revenue and subscription models with features like paywalled content and tiered membership options.
Beehiiv’s Newsletter Spam Fiasco
Beehiiv is currently facing significant scrutiny due to a rising number of spam complaints from users who report receiving unsolicited newsletters. We discussed the Beehiiv spam issue and its implications for the platform and its users on our blog.
Last year, many users on social media platforms, particularly X (formerly Twitter), expressed frustration over receiving newsletters they did not subscribe to. Additionally, analyzing Beehiiv’s emails revealed they use Mailgun to send their own newsletters while newsletters of their users are sent via SendGrid.
At Campaign Refinery, we believe in complete transparency and prioritize ethical email marketing practices. Our unwavering commitment to these best practices has cultivated strong relationships with mailbox providers. This is why our emails consistently land in the inbox.
Back to the comparison, let’s compare
Feature | ConvertKit | Beehiiv |
---|---|---|
Ease of use | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Drag-and-drop email designer | ✅ | ✅ |
Audience growth tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Monetization options | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Verdict: Though Beehiiv may be easier to use, we would still give this round to ConvertKit for cleaner sending practices, given the recent complaints of Beehiiv spam.
Email Templates

ConvertKit takes a minimalist approach to email campaign templates for marketing. It offers text-based customizable templates emphasizing readability and content delivery.
This deliberate limitation stems from their email marketing philosophy between HTML and plain text emails, the latter will achieve better inbox placement. The platform’s library offers clean, text-focused designs to drive better engagement. Users can still get HTML templates from third-party creators and deploy them on ConvertKit’s email builder.
The templates can be modified with brand colors, fonts, and basic layout adjustments. But the platform steers creators away from complex designs that might impact email deliverability or distract from the content.

Beehiiv’s template system is more diverse, providing publishers with several modern, mobile-responsive layouts designed specifically for newsletter content.
Both platforms allow HTML customization for advanced users, though Beehiiv provides more visual customization options through its drag-and-drop editor.
A notable distinction is how each platform handles rich media. ConvertKit’s templates focus on optimizing plain text and basic imagery; Beehiiv’s templates include support for embedded videos, social media posts, and interactive elements. A lot of these Beehiiv features are only on the higher plans.
Feature | ConvertKit | Beehiiv |
---|---|---|
Template variety | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Drag-and-drop functionality | ❌ | ✅ |
Customization | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Ease of deployment | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Verdict: Beehiiv wins this round by offering better email templates.
Automation Capabilities

ConvertKit’s automation system offers a canvas-style workflow builder helping creators design subscriber journeys.
Users can create conditional paths based on subscriber behavior, with triggers including:
- Email opens,
- Link clicks,
- Product purchases,
- Custom events.
Its automation rules can segment subscribers, trigger email sequences, and manage tags automatically.
The platform allows creators to set up sophisticated email nurture campaigns to adapt based on subscriber engagement levels or purchase history. The Rules feature enables quick automation setup for common scenarios without needing to build full visual workflows.

Beehiiv approaches automation from a publishing perspective, with tools designed specifically for newsletter workflows. Its automation capabilities focus on content delivery and improving revenue. This includes smart delivery timing — a feature that automatically determines the best time to send emails.
Beehiiv can automatically adjust paywalls based on reader behavior and trigger sponsored content sequences. It can even manage subscriber tier transitions. The referral program automation tracks shares, awards rewards, and upgrades subscriber access levels automatically, based on referral performance.
An important distinction lies in email A/B testing. ConvertKit allows for automated testing of email subject lines, email content, and sending times. Comparatively, Beehiiv’s automation focuses more on optimizing delivery times and email personalization based on subscriber behavior patterns.
Feature | ConvertKit | Beehiiv |
---|---|---|
Workflow builder | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Trigger options | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Referral program | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
A/B testing | ✅ | ✅ |
Integration support | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Verdict: This automation round goes to ConvertKit due to its advanced automation abilities.
Analytics

ConvertKit provides traditional email campaign metrics with a creator-focused twist. Its analytics dashboard tracks standard metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and email unsubscribe rates, but also includes specific data points for creator businesses.
The platform breaks down revenue attribution by sequences and broadcasts, helping creators understand which content drives sales. Growth metrics focus on form performance and subscriber source tracking, though the visualization options are somewhat limited.

Besides basic email metrics, Beehiiv‘s revenue analytics provide unified tracking for multiple monetization streams. This includes paid subscriptions, advertising performance, and referral program success.
A key differentiator is how each platform handles subscriber insights. ConvertKit emphasizes subscriber journey tracking, showing how individuals move through sequences and interact with different content types. Beehiiv, meanwhile, provides cohort analysis tools. These help publishers understand how subscriber behavior evolves over time and across different content categories.
For ROI tracking, ConvertKit focuses on product sales and sequence performance, while Beehiiv’s analytics emphasize subscriber lifetime value and revenue per reader metrics.
Feature | ConvertKit | Beehiiv |
---|---|---|
Campaign metrics | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Subscriber insights | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Revenue analytics | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Advanced tracking | ✅ | ❌ |
Verdict: Both Beehiiv and ConvertKit give you similar insights into performance through their dashboards, making this round a tie.
Landing Page Builder

ConvertKit provides a dedicated landing page builder with a focus on conversion optimization for creators.
Its system includes templates designed specifically for:
- Lead magnets,
- Digital product sales,
- Newsletters,
- Course sign-ups.
The builder uses a block-based editor, allowing creators to drag and drop elements while maintaining mobile responsiveness. While the designs are minimal, they effectively serve their primary purpose of subscriber acquisition.

Beehiiv treats landing pages as full publishing destinations. The page builder integrates newsletter content directly into the landing page, automatically displaying recent issues and creating article archives. This approach helps with email SEO.
Both platforms support custom domains and basic SEO settings, but Beehiiv’s system offers advanced features such as meta tag customization and built-in analytics for page performance. ConvertKit compensates with better form customization options. It also offers more flexible integration capabilities with external tools and payment processors.
Neither platform requires coding knowledge for basic page creation, though both allow custom CSS for advanced customization.
Feature | ConvertKit | Beehiiv |
---|---|---|
Design flexibility | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Custom domains | ✅ | ✅ |
Prebuilt landing pages | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Conversion tools | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
SEO features | ❌ | ✅ |
Verdict: Beehiiv is the better choice for landing pages thanks to its SEO features.
Before we get into the final section — pricing — check out these detailed write-ups analyzing the top competitors of both platforms:
Below, we have shared comparisons of ConvertKit and Beehiiv with other big names in the industry.
Additional Reading and Research
Below are additional resources to give you additional insight into the ConvertKit vs Beehiiv topic:
ConvertKit vs. Beehiiv Pricing Comparison
With a clearer understanding of what ConvertKit and Beehiiv offer, it’s time to consider the financial aspect. This section breaks down the pricing models of both platforms, allowing you to determine which offers the most cost-effective solution for your specific needs and growth trajectory.
ConverKit Pricing Plans

Check out how ConvertKit charges its customers:
ConvertKit plan | Monthly price | Features |
---|---|---|
Free | $0 | ‣ 1,000 subscribers, ‣ 1 account user, ‣ Unlimited landing pages, ‣ Unlimited forms, ‣ Unlimited broadcasts, ‣ Tagging and segmentation. |
Creator | $29 | ‣ All of the above + ‣ 2 account users, ‣ Autoresponders, ‣ Visual automation controls, ‣ Third-party integration support, ‣ Live Chat, ‣ Email support. |
Creator Pro | $59 | ‣ All of the above + ‣ Unlimited account users, ‣ Referral program on their network, ‣ Advanced performance metrics. |
Beehiiv Pricing Plans

Get a better idea of Beehiiv costs from this table:
Beehiiv plan | Monthly Price | Features Included |
---|---|---|
Launch | $0 | ‣ Up to 2,500 subscribers, ‣ Custom Website, ‣ Custom Newsletters, ‣ Campaign Analytics, ‣ Unlimited Email Sends, ‣ Up to 3 Publications, ‣ Recommendation Network, ‣ Optimized Deliverability, ‣ Subscriber Tagging, ‣ Audience Segmentation, ‣ Custom Domains, ‣ API Access. |
Scale | $39 | ‣ Everything on the Launch plan + ‣ Ad Network, ‣ Boost Network, ‣ Paid Subscriptions, ‣ Email Automation, ‣ Referral Program, ‣ 3D Analytics, ‣ Beehiiv AI, ‣ Survey Forms & Polls, ‣ Teams (3 Seats), ‣ Slack Community Access, ‣ Webhooks, ‣ Live Support. |
Max | $99 | ‣ Everything on the Scale plan + ‣ Remove Beehiiv Branding, ‣ Teams (Unlimited Seats), ‣ Up to 10 Publications, ‣ Priority Live Support, ‣ Audio Newsletter, ‣ RSS to Send, ‣ NewsletterXP Course. |
Enterprise | Custom pricing | ‣ Everything on the previous plan + ‣ Concierge Onboarding, ‣ Designated Account Manager, ‣ Dedicated IP Addresses, Infinite Subscribers. |
Beehiiv has a more enticing free plan, but the higher tiers are priced similarly to ConvertKit. That said, ConvertKit can get much more expensive as you scale — the tiers depend on your email list size to charge you more.
ConvertKit vs Beehiiv, Which Offers More?
Let’s take a final look at the features of the two platforms:
Feature | ConvertKit | Beehiiv |
---|---|---|
Deliverability | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
User interface | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Monetization options | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Template library | ⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Split testing | ✅ | ✅ |
Automation features | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Segmentation tools | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
Page and form builder | ✅ | ✅ |
Third-party integration | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Analytics | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
From a price perspective, Beehiiv makes more sense. It also simplifies the process of running newsletters. Beehiiv offers various monetization features to attract newsletter senders and has a more user-friendly UI.
For those seeking better automation or looking to build complex landing pages, ConvertKit may be more suitable. ConvertKit also integrates with more third-party tools than Beehiiv does. The e-commerce features on ConvertKit are superior to what Beehiiv offers.
Another factor you must consider is Beehiiv’s ethics as an email platform. Would you really want to be a Beehiiv sender when there are growing complaints about users getting spam?
As mailbox providers clamp down on spam senders, you can’t afford to build an audience on Beehiiv. You risk your followers accusing you of adding them to spam lists. Consider this point before you make a choice between the two platforms.
Here’s How Campaign Refinery is Better Than ConvertKit and Beehiiv
For serious email marketers and content creators, Campaign Refinery outshines ConvertKit and Beehiiv with its robust automation, advanced segmentation, and detailed analytics.
Unlike simpler platforms, Campaign Refinery offers granular control over campaigns and customer journeys. This translates to higher engagement and ensures your messages reach the intended audience consistently.
Our secret is industry-dominating email deliverability — more information below.
Campaign Refinery Beats ConvertKit and Beehiiv at Reaching Inboxes
What can Campaign Refinery offer content creators and newsletter marketers besides sky-high deliverability rates?
An impressive list of features:
- Pay-Per-Send: Unlike platforms charging for list size, Campaign Refinery lets you store unlimited contacts. You only pay for the emails you send, making it a cost-effective solution for growing audiences.
- Superior email infrastructure: We employ strict best practices, robust infrastructure, and proprietary techniques to ensure your emails reach the inbox, not the spam folder.
- Mandatory domain authentication: We require all clients to implement SPF, DKIM, and DMARC domain authentication. While this initial setup requires effort, it significantly strengthens sender reputation.
- Automated email validation: Our automatic list cleaning system proactively identifies and removes invalid emails, spam traps, bots, and other harmful entries, ensuring a healthy and engaged subscriber list without manual effort.
- Engagement-boosting gamification: Drive unprecedented engagement with our built-in email gamification feature. With proven results like 72.76% click rates and a 0% complaint rate, gamification transforms passive subscribers into active participants.
- Powerful automation: Streamline your campaigns with pre-built automation templates or easily create custom sequences from scratch. Our intuitive, tag-based system gives you complete control over your email marketing workflows.
Is Campaign Refinery Affordable?
Our platform caters to everyone from small businesses j to high-volume senders sending millions of emails monthly.
Campaign Refinery pricing plans are designed to provide access to all features, regardless of your sending volume. You get the full power of the platform, even on our most affordable plan — no more feature restrictions based on pricing tiers.
Campaign Refinery Plan | Monthly price | Credits | Features |
---|---|---|---|
Business | $99 | 50,000 | ‣ Unlimited contacts ‣ Campaign library ‣ Segmentation tools ‣ Automatic list cleaning ‣ Gamification ‣ Evergreen Flash Sales ‣ Advanced automation features |
Growth | $299 | 200,000 | ‣ Unlimited contacts ‣ Campaign library ‣ Segmentation tools ‣ Automatic list cleaning ‣ Gamification ‣ Evergreen Flash Sales ‣ Advanced automation features + ‣ Disable Campaign Refinery branding ‣ Higher volume of API access |
Enterprise | +$1,000 | 1 million | ‣ Unlimited contacts ‣ Campaign library ‣ Segmentation tools ‣ Automatic list cleaning ‣ Gamification ‣ Evergreen Flash Sales ‣ Advanced automation features ‣ Disable Campaign Refinery branding + ‣ Dedicated Success Manager ‣ Custom API volumes |
Is Migrating to Campaign Refinery Challenging?
Migrating to a new platform can feel daunting, but at Campaign Refinery, we’ve designed a seamless transition process. We provide comprehensive support every step of the way, from detailed documentation to dedicated Campaign Refinery support techs who are ready to assist you.
We’re committed to ensuring a smooth onboarding experience so you can quickly start achieving your email marketing goals and growing your business.
Ready to experience the difference? Sign up with Campaign Refinery today!