Newsletters are the most effective way to connect with audiences, build relationships, and grow your business.

Some people will tell you, it’s social media like TikTok, Instagram, or Twitter.

But they’re wrong. Mostly.

Social media might come in first in sheer numbers of potential followers and subscribers, but it’s way behind on return of investment (ROI) and other crucial factors for building an engaged fanbase and eventually making some real money.

Large isn’t always better.

Picking the right newsletter platform can be a game-changer. But which one should you choose?

Let’s break down the best newsletter platforms of 2025, highlighting what makes each one stand out and which might be the best fit for you.

We’ll cover user experience, pricing, and key features, helping you find the perfect platform to elevate your email marketing game.

Why Newsletters Are Still Essential in 2025

Before diving into the top platforms, let’s take a moment to understand why newsletters are still a crucial tool in the digital marketing world:

1. Direct Access to Your Audience: Unlike social media, where algorithms decide what content gets seen, newsletters give you direct access to your audience’s inbox.
2. High Engagement Rates: Emails tend to have higher engagement rates compared to social media posts, making them ideal for building strong connections.
3. Personalization: Modern newsletter tools allow you to personalize content for each subscriber, increasing the chances of your emails being opened and read.
4. Ownership of Your Audience: Unlike other platforms, when you grow your email list, you own that list—reducing reliance on third-party platforms.

Key Features to Look for in a Newsletter Platform

Choosing the right newsletter platform depends on your specific needs, but here are some key features to consider:

• Ease of Use: Look for a platform that’s user-friendly, with a simple interface that makes creating and managing newsletters a breeze.
• Community and Growth Factors: How easy is it to actually build a following, and how much help do you get from the platform itself?
• Automation Capabilities: Automation can save you time by sending out emails based on triggers, such as welcoming new subscribers or following up on abandoned carts.
• Analytics and Reporting: Good analytics help you understand what’s working and what’s not, so you can improve your strategy over time.
• Personalization and Segmentation: The ability to tailor your content to specific segments of your audience is crucial for engagement.
• Integration Options: Check if the platform integrates with your existing tools, like your CRM, website, or e-commerce platform.

Top Newsletter Platforms of 2025

Here’s a rundown of the top newsletter platforms of 2025, tailored to different needs and preferences.

5. EmailOctopus

Why It’s Great: EmailOctopus stands out as a simple, cost-effective platform that provides all the essential features you need to manage your newsletters.

It’s particularly attractive to those who want a no-nonsense, reliable service without all the bells and whistles that can make other platforms feel overwhelming.

It’s also very affordable and offers a great free plan with automation features.

Key Features:

• User-Friendly Interface: EmailOctopus offers an easy-to-use interface with a straightforward setup, making it perfect for beginners.
• Affordable Pricing: One of EmailOctopus’s biggest selling points is its affordability. It offers generous free plans and low-cost paid options, making it ideal for those on a tight budget.
• Integrations: EmailOctopus integrates with popular platforms like Zapier, WordPress, and Shopify, allowing you to connect your email marketing with other parts of your business.
• Simple Automation and Segmentation: While not as advanced as some other platforms, EmailOctopus still offers basic automation and segmentation features that are more than enough for most users.

Best For: Startups, small businesses, and individuals looking for an affordable, easy-to-use newsletter platform without the frills.

Pricing: EmailOctopus offers a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails per month, with paid plans starting at $8/month, making it one of the most budget-friendly options available.

4. MailerLite

Why It’s Great: MailerLite has carved out a niche as a budget-friendly, user-friendly platform that doesn’t skimp on features.

It’s perfect for small businesses, startups, and creators who need a simple yet powerful newsletter tool without breaking the bank.

Key Features:

• Simple, Clean Interface: MailerLite is known for its intuitive design and straightforward setup, making it easy to get started even if you’re new to email marketing.
• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Create professional-looking emails with ease using MailerLite’s drag-and-drop editor, complete with pre-designed templates.
• Automation and Segmentation: MailerLite offers powerful automation tools, allowing you to create workflows and target specific segments of your audience.
• Website and Landing Page Builder: In addition to newsletters, MailerLite includes a basic website and landing page builder, helping you establish a strong online presence.

Best For: Small businesses, freelancers, and creators who need a feature-rich, affordable newsletter platform that’s easy to use.

Pricing: MailerLite offers a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers, with premium plans starting at $10/month, making it a great value for budget-conscious users.

3. ConvertKit (Kit)

Why It’s Great: ConvertKit (or Kit as it’s rebranding) is designed with creators in mind. Whether you’re a blogger, YouTuber, or podcaster, ConvertKit offers a powerful platform that comes with advanced automation and segmentation features.

It’s particularly known for its visual automation builder, making it easy to set up sequences that nurture your audience.

It’s the most feature-rich and complex tool on this list.

Key Features:

• Visual Automation Builder: ConvertKit’s visual editor allows you to create complex email sequences with ease, making it simple to set up welcome series, product launches, or any other type of automated email.
• Tagging and Segmentation: Keep your audience organized with tags and segments, allowing you to send highly personalized emails based on subscriber behavior.
• Landing Pages and Signup Forms: ConvertKit includes tools to create landing pages and forms, helping you grow your subscriber list without needing additional software.
• Commerce Integration: Sell digital products and paid subscriptions directly through ConvertKit, making it easy to monetize your audience.

Best For: Content creators, small business owners, and anyone looking for a platform with powerful automation capabilities and a creator-friendly interface who aren’t afraid of paying some money for a great tool.

Pricing: ConvertKit offers a free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $25/month, making it accessible for creators at any stage.

2. Beehiiv

Why It’s Great: Created by former Morning Brew employees, Beehiiv is a platform designed specifically for newsletter creators looking to grow and monetize their audience.

It’s a fantastic choice for those who want more control and customization options, along with robust tools to drive subscriber growth.

Beehiiv is a hybrid of a writing platform and a marketing tool.

Key Features:

• Growth-Oriented Tools: Beehiiv provides advanced audience segmentation, A/B testing, and referral programs to help you fine-tune your content and grow your audience.
• Monetization Opportunities: Whether you want to introduce paid subscriptions, sell ads, or find sponsors, Beehiiv gives you multiple ways to earn from your newsletter.
• Custom Domains: Use your own domain to create a professional-looking, branded newsletter that stands out.
• Detailed Analytics: Beehiiv offers comprehensive analytics to track open rates, clicks, and subscriber behavior, allowing you to make data-driven decisions.

Best For: Content creators, bloggers, and entrepreneurs who are focused on growing their audience and monetizing their newsletters.

Pricing: Beehiiv offers a free plan with basic features, with paid plans starting at $39/month, which includes access to premium growth tools and monetization options.

1. Substack

Number 1 might surprise a lot of folks, because it’s the least marketingy platform here, it also has no automation or advanced email marketing functionality.

It’s still king for multiple reasons 2025.

Why It’s Great: Substack has become synonymous with newsletters, especially for independent writers, journalists, and creators looking to monetize their content.

Its simplicity, powerful monetization options, and community features have made it the go-to platform for anyone wanting to start a paid newsletter without dealing with complex technical setups.

The killer feature isn’t an actuall single feature but the mixture of a large community, social media aspects with Susbtack Notes, recommendations, discover, and a current hype around the platform.

Key Features:

• Ease of Use: Substack’s interface is incredibly straightforward, making it easy to start writing, publish your newsletter, and manage subscribers without a steep learning curve.
• Monetization Made Easy: One of Substack’s standout features is its seamless monetization system. You can easily set up paid subscriptions, and Substack handles the billing and payment processing.
• Community Engagement: Readers can engage directly with writers through comments, fostering a sense of community around your content.
• Cross-Promotion Tools: Substack encourages cross-promotion between writers, helping you grow your subscriber base organically.

Best For: Blogger, independent writers, journalists, and content creators who want to focus on writing and building a paying audience.

Pricing: Substack is free to use, but they take a 10% cut of your paid subscriptions, which means you only pay when you earn.

How to Choose the Right Newsletter Platform for You

With so many great options, it can be challenging to pick the right platform.

Here are some tips to help you make the best decision:

1. Define Your Goals: Are you focused on growing a large subscriber base, or are you more interested in monetizing a smaller, highly engaged audience? Your goals will guide your choice.
2. Consider Your Budget: Platforms like Substack are free to start but take a cut of your revenue, while others like ConvertKit and Beehiiv have more predictable pricing structures with upfront costs.
3. Evaluate Ease of Use: If you’re new to newsletters, you’ll want to start with a platform known for its simplicity, like EmailOctopus or MailerLite. For those looking for more features, ConvertKit or Beehiiv may be better fits.
4. Look at Integration Needs: If you need your newsletter to connect with other tools like your website, CRM, or e-commerce store, check the platform’s integration capabilities.
5. Test Them Out: Most platforms offer free trials or basic plans.
6. Marketing Needs: Do you need automation and sequences based on triggers? Or do you just want to write?

If you answer those questions, the perfect platform will quickly arise.

My two cents

If you just want to write blogs and newsletter issues and gain traction, Substack is a no-brainer.

If your newsletter is an addition to your business (like selling products), you may want a simple tool with marketing and automation features. MailerLite fits nicely here.

If you want all the bells and whistles of email marketing, ConvertKit is your choice.

If your looking for a Substack and email marketing hybrid, Beehiiv is perfect.

And if you just want to add a few email sequences with triggers or some simple forms, EmailOctopus is the perfect cost-effective solution.