Mailerlite vs. beehiiv

beehiiv is the dynamic and modern alternative to Mailerlite, focused on newsletter growth and monetization.

Budget-Friendly Email Marketing vs. Newsletter Growth & Monetization

MailerLite launched in 2010 as a budget-friendly email marketing tool for small businesses. Its DNA is simplicity: basic newsletters, landing pages, and straightforward automations. It's an excellent starting point for beginners.

beehiiv was built in 2021 by the team that scaled Morning Brew to millions of subscribers. Our DNA is publishing: audience growth, content monetization, and the tools newsletter operators actually need to build sustainable businesses.

MailerLite is perfect until you want to monetize. No ad network. No sponsorship tools. beehiiv, on the other hand, includes an ad network that generates over $1 million monthly for publishers, referral programs that drive viral growth, and paid subscriptions with 0% platform fees. It's the difference between a newsletter and a media business.

Quick links

What beehiiv is best for

Pricing comparison

Feature comparison

Case studies

Mailerlite is good for

Creating advanced multi-step automations across more than just email
Template support, including mutliple templates and a template gallery
Transactional messaging including email + SMS

beehiiv is best for

Content-focused newsletters and publications
All-in-one solution for website, email, data analytics, and growth tools
Ownership of your audience and custom aesthetic
Affordable flat-rate pricing that favors growing creators and companies
Enterprise-level solutions made simple and accessible to everyone

Make the switch

compare features

With beehiiv you'll have the same suite of tools used by the world's largest newsletters.

	beehiiv Get started	Mailerlite Full comparison
Monthly Pricing
Monthly email sends	Unlimited	Limited
Free plan up to 2,500 subscribers
Up to 10,000 subscribers	$109	$65.70
Up to 100,000 subscribers	$329	$396
Paid Subscriptions	0%	0%
Content Management Features
Team members
Email sends
Web posts
Publications
Subscribers
Website Features
Web hosting
Subscribe forms
Advanced email capture
Custom domain
Survey forms
Advanced web builder
Podcast sites
Link in bio
Ai website builder
Website analytics
Newsletter Features
Custom builder
Optimized deliverability
Custom fields
Custom HTML
Audience polls
A/B Testing
Content creation AI
Custom mobile apps
Podcasts
Collaborative editing
Inline comments
Dynamic content
Growth
Recommendation network
Magic links
Referral program
Boosts
Monetization
Integrated Ad network
Paid Subscriptions
Boosts
Direct sponsorships
Digital products
Analytics
Campaign analytics
Subscriber metrics
Advanced segmentation
Advanced analytics
Integrations
Giphy
Unsplash
API access
App marketplace
Security
2FA
SSO
Support
Normal support
Priority support
Account manager

Common Questions About Platform Migration

Will I lose subscribers migrating from MailerLite to beehiiv?

No. Your list transfers completely via CSV import. We've helped migrate lists of 500,000+ subscribers without losing a single contact.

What happens to my MailerLite automations when I switch to beehiiv?

Automations need to be rebuilt, but beehiiv's workflow builder is intuitive. Most teams recreate their sequences in a few hours, and our support team can help map complex workflows.

How long does custom domain transfer take when moving to beehiiv?

DNS propagation typically completes in 24-48 hours. We provide step-by-step guides for all major registrars.

How long does it take to migrate from MailerLite to beehiiv?

Technical migration (importing lists, setting up the domain) takes less than a day. Full operational transition, including testing and team training, typically takes about a week.

Can I run MailerLite and beehiiv simultaneously during migration?

Yes. Run both platforms in parallel during transition. Finish out your current campaigns on MailerLite, then switch when ready.

What training and onboarding does beehiiv provide for MailerLite users?

All plans include comprehensive documentation and email support. Max and Enterprise plans add dedicated priority support and a dedicated Customer Success Manager, respectively.

What's the rollback process if I need to return to MailerLite?

Keep your MailerLite account active until you're confident. You can always export your data from beehiiv if needed.

beehiiv is built for

Content Creators

Turn your audience into a business. Built-in monetization through ads, paid subscriptions, and sponsorships. No third-party tools required. No stitching together solutions that barely work.

Media Companies & Publishers

Enterprise-grade infrastructure for scaling publications. Manage multiple newsletters, advanced segmentation, and integrated revenue streams.

Startups & B2B Organizations

Build authority and generate leads through content. Analytics designed for understanding business impact, not just open rates.

Solopreneurs

Everything you need in one platform: growth tools, monetization, and your website. All without stitching together multiple services or writing a single line of code.

How does MailerLite pricing compare to beehiiv as I grow?

MailerLite pricing for 1,000 subscribers starts at $13.50/month. At 10,000 subscribers, you’ll pay approximately $65.70/month. beehiiv is free up to 2,500 subscribers, with paid plans starting at $43 per month, with unlimited sends and monetization tools baked in.

Does beehiiv offer a free plan like MailerLite?

Yes, and it’s more generous. beehiiv's free plan supports up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends. MailerLite's free plan limits you to 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.

How does beehiiv's email deliverability compare to MailerLite?

beehiiv provides enterprise-grade deliverability infrastructure and includes automated domain warm-up and proactive monitoring. MailerLite also provides strong deliverability.

Can I monetize my newsletter on beehiiv?

Yes. This is where beehiiv truly differs. We offer an integrated ad network, paid subscriptions (0% platform fees), and sponsorship management tools. MailerLite has basic Stripe integration for paid subscriptions and digital products, but no native ad network or sponsorship ecosystem.

What newsletter growth tools does beehiiv offer compared to MailerLite?

Yes. Built-in referral programs, a recommendation network for cross-promotion, Boosts for paid subscriber acquisition, and optimized subscribe forms. MailerLite offers landing pages, pop-ups, and forms, but lacks publisher-specific growth tools like referrals and recommendations.

Can I use my own custom domain on beehiiv like MailerLite?

Yes. Custom domains for both sending and website hosting are supported on all beehiiv plans. MailerLite also supports custom domains on paid plans.

What integrations does beehiiv offer compared to MailerLite?

Zapier, webhooks, and a full API. Native integrations for analytics, payments, and CMS platforms. MailerLite offers 150+ integrations, including Stripe, Shopify, WordPress, and WooCommerce.

How do I get started with beehiiv?

Sign up for free, import your subscribers, and send your first newsletter within minutes. Migration support is available if you need help.

Case Studies