Beehiiv Hot Topics and Community Buzz in 2025
Beyond the core features and comparisons, the beehiiv community is actively discussing several trending topics that are shaping how creators approach newsletter building and monetization in 2025.
The Content Gates Controversy
One of the most debated new features in the beehiiv community is Content Gates, which allows creators to control access to individual website pages, making them available only to newsletter subscribers or paying customers. While this feature has been praised for its monetization potential, it has sparked heated discussions about content accessibility and the ethics of gating information.
Many creators love the flexibility it provides, allowing them to create premium content experiences without forcing users into full subscriptions. However, others argue that content gating goes against the open nature of newsletter content that traditionally drives organic growth through sharing.
The community has developed various approaches to content gating, with some creators using it sparingly for exclusive interviews or in-depth guides, while others gate their entire archive behind subscriber walls. This debate reflects the broader tension between monetization and accessibility that many creators face.
Podcast Integration and Audio-First Strategy
The introduction of beehiiv’s podcast creation tools has transformed how many creators think about content distribution. The ability to transform newsletter content into professionally edited podcasts right within the beehiiv workflow has creators questioning whether text-first or audio-first approaches work better for audience growth.
Community discussions reveal that creators using the podcast feature report 25-40% increases in content consumption, as subscribers can now consume their newsletters during commutes or workouts. However, the feature has also raised questions about content cannibalization, with some creators worried that podcast versions might reduce newsletter open rates.
The most successful creators seem to be using a complementary approach, where podcast episodes provide additional context and personality while newsletters remain the primary content format. This hybrid strategy has become a trending topic among serious newsletter creators.
Custom Paywall Optimization Strategies
The community is buzzing about advanced paywall strategies using beehiiv’s custom paywall features. Creators are sharing A/B testing results and conversion optimization techniques that go far beyond simple “pay to read more” approaches.
Popular strategies being discussed include graduated paywalls that reveal content progressively, seasonal paywall adjustments based on subscriber behavior, and dynamic paywalls that adjust based on traffic sources. Some creators report conversion rate improvements of 150% or more by implementing sophisticated paywall strategies.
These discussions have elevated the conversation around newsletter monetization from basic subscription models to sophisticated revenue optimization, reflecting the maturation of the newsletter creator economy.
AI Ethics and Content Authenticity Discussions
With beehiiv’s comprehensive AI suite, the community is grappling with questions about maintaining authenticity while leveraging artificial intelligence for content creation. Creators are developing personal AI usage policies and sharing frameworks for ethical AI implementation.
The trending approach seems to be using AI for enhancement rather than creation, with successful creators emphasizing that AI helps them express their ideas more clearly rather than generating ideas for them. This philosophy has led to the development of “AI-assisted authenticity” practices that maintain creator voice while benefiting from technological assistance.
Community members frequently share their AI workflows, with transparency about AI usage becoming a badge of honor rather than something to hide. This open approach has helped establish best practices that benefit the entire creator ecosystem.
Revenue Diversification Success Stories
The beehiiv community regularly celebrates creators who have successfully diversified their revenue streams using the platform’s various monetization tools. These success stories have become case studies that other creators study and adapt.
One trending example is Maria Santos, who built a food newsletter that generates revenue through sponsored content, affiliate marketing, subscription tiers, and product sales, all coordinated through her beehiiv setup. Her monthly revenue breakdown posts have become some of the most-shared content in creator forums.
These diverse success stories have shifted community discussions from “how to get subscribers” to “how to maximize subscriber value,” reflecting a more sophisticated approach to newsletter business building.
International Creator Challenges and Solutions
As beehiiv’s global creator base grows, community discussions increasingly focus on challenges faced by international creators, including payment processing limitations, currency conversion issues, and local advertising opportunities.
The community has developed informal support networks where creators from different regions share strategies for overcoming these challenges. These discussions often influence beehiiv’s product development priorities, with international feature requests receiving significant community support.
Non-English newsletter creators are particularly active in sharing localization strategies and discussing how beehiiv’s features adapt to different cultural contexts and business environments.
Why Every Creator Needs to Own Their Audience
Picture this: You’ve spent three years building a massive following on social media. Your content goes viral regularly, brands are reaching out for partnerships, and everything seems perfect. Then overnight, an algorithm change tanks your reach by 80%. Your audience? Gone. Your income? Vanished.
This nightmare scenario is exactly why smart creators are flocking to newsletter platforms like beehiiv in 2025. After spending months testing every major newsletter platform on the market, I can confidently say that beehiiv isn’t just another email tool—it’s a complete growth engine built specifically for creators who want to own their audience and monetize effectively.
Founded by the brilliant minds behind Morning Brew (yes, the newsletter that scaled to 4+ million subscribers and a $75 million acquisition), beehiiv has emerged as the go-to platform for creators serious about building sustainable businesses. But with so many options available, is beehiiv really worth the investment?
In this comprehensive review, I’ll dive deep into everything you need to know about beehiiv in 2025, including the latest AI features, updated pricing structure, and why thousands of creators are making the switch from platforms like Substack. Let’s explore whether beehiiv deserves a spot in your creator toolkit.
What is Beehiiv? The Morning Brew DNA Behind Newsletter Success
Beehiiv is an all-in-one newsletter platform designed specifically for content creators, independent journalists, and businesses who want to build, grow, and monetize their email audiences. What sets it apart isn’t just its features—it’s the DNA of proven newsletter success baked into every aspect of the platform.
The Origin Story That Changes Everything
The platform was founded in 2021 by Tyler Denk, Benjamin Hargett, and Jake Hurd—three former Morning Brew employees who intimately understood what it takes to scale a newsletter from zero to millions of subscribers. Tyler Denk, who previously served as VP of Product at Morning Brew, recognized a massive gap in the market for creator-focused newsletter tools that could replicate Morning Brew’s explosive growth strategies.
What started as a side project quickly gained traction, leading to a $2.6 million seed round in summer 2021, followed by a $12.5 million Series A in June 2023, and most recently, a $33 million Series B round, bringing total funding to $46.5 million. This isn’t just another startup trying to figure things out—it’s a platform built by people who’ve already cracked the code on newsletter success.
Current Scale and Impact
The numbers speak for themselves. Beehiiv facilitated the sending of over 10 billion emails in 2024, and the platform now hosts thousands of active newsletters with hundreds of millions of monthly impressions. But what’s truly impressive is the success stories: Shaan Puri’s Milk Road scaled to over 250,000 subscribers in just 10 months using beehiiv, leading to a multi-million dollar acquisition.
The Creator-First Philosophy
Unlike traditional email marketing platforms built for businesses, beehiiv was designed from the ground up for creators. This means every feature—from the intuitive editor to the advanced monetization tools—is optimized for people building personal brands and content-driven businesses.
Core Features Deep Dive: Why Beehiiv Dominates in 2025
Newsletter Editor & Design Experience
The heart of any newsletter platform is its editor, and beehiiv absolutely nails this. The email editor feels very similar to tools like Notion, offering a clean, minimalist interface that makes content creation feel natural rather than technical.
Key Editor Features:
- Notion-like editing experience with drag-and-drop simplicity
- Rich media support for images, GIFs, videos, and custom HTML
- Real-time collaboration for team workflows
- Template library with professionally designed layouts
- Mobile-optimized designs that look perfect on any device
What impressed me most is how beehiiv balances simplicity with power. You can create beautiful newsletters without any design experience, but advanced users have access to custom HTML and CSS for complete control.
Website Builder & SEO Capabilities
Beehiiv offers SEO-optimized web hosting for your newsletters, essentially giving you a complete website alongside your email platform. This is where beehiiv shows its creator-focused DNA—understanding that modern newsletter creators need more than just email sending.
Website Features:
- No-code website builder with drag-and-drop interface
- Custom domain support (on paid plans)
- SEO optimization tools including meta descriptions and URL customization
- Newsletter archive with search and filtering capabilities
- Landing page creation for subscriber acquisition
- Branding removal (on Max plan)
For creators serious about list growth, beehiiv gives you more firepower out of the box. Substack posts rank in Google, sure—but they’re missing key SEO capabilities. You can’t edit meta titles or descriptions, customize URL slugs, or add structured data.
AI-Powered Content Creation (2025 Game-Changer)
This is where beehiiv truly shines in 2025. Beehiiv is the first newsletter platform to roll out its own suite of AI tools to help users optimize and streamline their content creation. The AI features are built directly into the text editor, making content creation faster and more effective.
AI Feature Breakdown:
| AI Tool | Function | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| AI Writing Assistant | Generate content from prompts with custom tone/length | Scale+ plans |
| AI Text Tools | Auto-correct, complete, rewrite, tone adjustment | Scale+ plans |
| AI Image Generator | Create custom images from text descriptions | Scale+ plans |
| Translation Tools | Translate content into multiple languages | Scale+ plans |
| AI Social Helper | Generate social media posts from newsletter content | Scale+ plans |
Simply describe a desired output, specify the length and tone of voice and… done! Don’t love the result? Try again, or change the tone of voice. The AI isn’t trying to replace your voice—it’s designed to amplify it and handle the heavy lifting so you can focus on strategy and creativity.
Growth & Monetization Arsenal
This is where beehiiv separates itself from every other newsletter platform. The growth tools aren’t afterthoughts—they’re core features built by people who’ve scaled newsletters to millions of subscribers.
Advanced Referral Program
If growing your email list is a priority, beehiiv offers a major advantage: a native referral program built directly into your dashboard. You can set custom rewards (like digital downloads, merch, or 1:1 sessions), track referrals in real-time, and even automate delivery—no third-party tools required.
Boosts Cross-Promotion Network
Boosts by beehiiv is the ultimate tool for newsletter growth and monetization. It’s a feature that allows newsletters to accelerate growth through paid recommendations. This creates a win-win ecosystem where newsletters can both grow their audiences and earn revenue by recommending other quality newsletters.
Native Ad Network
Beehiiv’s Ad Network is the largest native ad network in the newsletter industry, meticulously crafted to deliver results. Publishers can effortlessly monetize their newsletters with premium sponsors. In an average month, beehiiv customers collectively make around $1.2 million monthly in revenues on the platform.
Updated Pricing Analysis 2025: What You Need to Know
One of the most significant changes to beehiiv in 2024 was the transition from a flat pricing model to a tier-based system. We’ve been drastically undercharging for years and we’re still going to be the most affordable option, according to CEO Tyler Denk.
Current Pricing Structure
| Plan | Subscriber Range | Monthly Price | Annual Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | Up to 2,500 | FREE | FREE | Basic editor, website, unlimited sends |
| Scale | 1,000 – 10,000 | $39 – $79 | $34 – $69 | AI tools, ad network, automations, referrals |
| 10,001 – 25,000 | $99 – $149 | $86 – $129 | ||
| 25,001 – 50,000 | $179 – $219 | $156 – $191 | ||
| 50,001 – 100,000 | $279 – $299 | $243 – $261 | ||
| Max | 1,000 – 10,000 | $99 – $139 | $86 – $121 | Everything in Scale + white-label, 10 publications |
| 10,001 – 25,000 | $179 – $219 | $156 – $191 | ||
| 25,001 – 50,000 | $279 – $319 | $243 – $278 | ||
| 50,001 – 100,000 | $379 – $399 | $330 – $348 | ||
| Enterprise | 100,000+ | Custom | Custom | Dedicated support, custom features |
Pricing Changes Impact Analysis
Nearly 70% of users are either receiving a discount to what they were previously paying, or now have access to more features while keeping their monthly billing the same. The changes particularly benefit smaller creators, while larger publishers (approaching 100K subscribers) see more significant price increases.
Value Comparison vs Competitors
Beehiiv vs Substack Revenue Models:
| Platform | Revenue Share | Subscription Fees | Additional Monetization |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beehiiv | 0% platform fee | Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 | Ad network, boosts, referrals |
| Substack | 10% platform fee | Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 | Limited options |
Beehiiv allows creators to keep 100% of their revenue, whereas Substack takes a 10% cut. For a creator earning $10,000/month from subscriptions, this difference saves $1,200 annually—more than covering beehiiv’s subscription cost.
What’s Everyone Talking About? Hot Topics in 2025
The Great Substack Migration
The newsletter creator community is buzzing about a massive trend: established creators leaving Substack for beehiiv. “I’m thankful for the initial start Substack provided, but as our paid subscribers grew, it became clear that their 10% cut wasn’t sustainable for us. Switching to beehiiv gave us more control, flexibility, and profitability—it’s exactly what we needed to scale”.
Why Creators Are Switching:
| Issue with Substack | Beehiiv Solution |
|---|---|
| 10% revenue cut forever | 0% platform fees |
| Limited design options | Full customization control |
| Basic growth tools | Advanced referral programs, boosts |
| Closed ecosystem | Open integrations and API |
| Limited SEO control | Full SEO optimization |
Beehiiv connects with the tools you use today—and the ones you might need tomorrow. Substack locks you into a closed ecosystem.
AI Integration: Innovation vs Authenticity Debate
The creator community is having heated discussions about AI in newsletter creation. Beehiiv AI is only available to users on Scale and Enterprise plans, positioning it as a premium feature rather than a crutch for low-quality content.
Community Sentiment Breakdown:
- Pro-AI creators: Love the efficiency gains and creative assistance
- Purist writers: Concerned about maintaining authentic voice
- Pragmatic users: Using AI for editing and optimization, not primary content creation
The key insight from successful beehiiv users is that AI works best as an amplifier of creativity, not a replacement for it.
Creator Economy Monetization Evolution
Email newsletters have never been more relevant. With shifting algorithms on social media and search engines, it’s never been more challenging to consistently reach your audience. This has led to an explosion in newsletter-first businesses.
2025 Revenue Stream Diversification:
| Revenue Stream | Beehiiv Support | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Paid subscriptions | ✅ 100% revenue retention | High |
| Native advertising | ✅ Built-in ad network | Medium-High |
| Cross-promotion (Boosts) | ✅ Integrated marketplace | Medium |
| Affiliate marketing | ✅ Advanced tracking | High |
| Product sales | ✅ Custom integrations | High |
| Sponsored content | ✅ Performance analytics | High |
Newsletter vs Social Media Ownership Debate
By 2027, there will be an estimated 4.89 billion email users worldwide. That’s over 50% of the world’s population. This statistic is driving a fundamental shift in how creators think about audience building.
The conversation isn’t just about newsletters vs social media—it’s about owned vs rented audiences. Beehiiv positions itself perfectly in this trend by giving creators complete control over their subscriber data and relationships.
Pros & Cons: The Complete Breakdown
Advantages of Beehiiv
Revenue Optimization Zero platform fees on subscriptions versus 10% on Substack creates massive savings for growing creators. Multiple monetization streams beyond just subscriptions include native advertising, cross-promotion opportunities, and affiliate marketing support. Advanced analytics help optimize revenue performance by showing exactly which content drives the most engagement and conversions.
AI-Powered Efficiency The comprehensive AI suite for content creation and optimization sets beehiiv apart from competitors. Time-saving automation handles routine tasks like editing, tone adjustment, and image generation. Quality enhancement tools powered by artificial intelligence help boost engagement rates and improve content consistency.
Growth-Focused Features Native referral program with advanced tracking makes list building systematic rather than hoping for organic growth. Cross-promotion network through Boosts creates opportunities for exponential audience expansion. SEO optimization capabilities drive organic discovery through search engines, something many newsletter platforms completely ignore.
Design and Customization Full brand control with custom domains and white-labeling options helps creators build professional presence. Professional templates and design flexibility accommodate various content styles and brand aesthetics. Mobile-optimized designs ensure newsletters look perfect across all devices without additional work.
Morning Brew Expertise Proven growth strategies built into the platform come from people who’ve actually scaled newsletters to millions of subscribers. Continuous innovation based on real newsletter experience means new features solve actual creator problems. Creator-focused support and resources provide guidance beyond just technical assistance.
Potential Drawbacks
Cost Considerations No truly free plan exists for serious growth since the launch plan caps at 2,500 subscribers. Significant price jumps occur at higher subscriber tiers, which can strain budgets for rapidly growing newsletters. Additional costs for premium features like AI tools mean the actual monthly expense often exceeds the base plan price.
Learning Curve Challenges Complex feature set can overwhelm beginners who just want to write and send emails. Advanced tools require substantial time investment to master effectively. Migration complexity when switching from other platforms can temporarily disrupt established workflows.
Design Limitations Limited template variety compared to design-focused platforms means less visual diversity out of the box. Less drag-and-drop flexibility than some competitors requires more manual design work. Custom coding becomes necessary for advanced design needs that go beyond standard options.
Platform Maturity Concerns Newer platform status means less established ecosystem compared to veterans like Mailchimp or Substack. Smaller community provides fewer resources for troubleshooting and best practice sharing. Fewer third-party integrations available, though the number grows rapidly as the platform matures.
Use Cases: Who Should Choose Beehiiv?
Perfect Candidates for Beehiiv
🎯 Business-Minded Creators If you’re treating your newsletter as a serious business venture rather than a hobby, beehiiv’s comprehensive monetization tools make it the clear choice. The platform is built for creators who want to maximize revenue through multiple streams.
📱 Content Creators Leaving Social Platforms Creators tired of algorithm changes and platform dependency find beehiiv’s audience ownership model liberating. You control your subscriber data, content, and monetization completely.
📰 Independent Journalists & Publishers Independent journalism will continue to rise in 2025, breaking up the former strongholds of big media and big tech to ensure independent publishing thrives. Beehiiv’s professional features and SEO capabilities make it ideal for serious publishers.
🚀 Existing Newsletter Creators Ready to Scale If you’re currently on platforms like Mailchimp, ConvertKit, or even Substack and feeling limited by growth tools, beehiiv offers the upgrade path you need.
When Beehiiv Might Not Be Right
👶 Complete Newsletter Beginners If you’re just testing the newsletter waters and aren’t ready to invest in growth, Substack’s simplicity might be a better starting point.
✍️ Simple Content Writers Writers who just want to write and share without focusing on business metrics might find beehiiv’s feature set overwhelming.
💸 Extremely Budget-Conscious Users While beehiiv offers excellent value, users who absolutely need free service for larger lists might need to start elsewhere.
Beehiiv vs The Competition: 2025 Comparison
Beehiiv vs Substack: The Creator’s Dilemma
| Feature | Beehiiv | Substack |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Share | 0% platform fee | 10% platform fee |
| Growth Tools | Advanced referrals, boosts, ad network | Basic recommendation system |
| SEO Control | Full optimization capabilities | Limited SEO options |
| Design Flexibility | High customization | Minimal customization |
| AI Features | Comprehensive AI suite | No AI features |
| Discovery Network | Boosts marketplace | Built-in feed discovery |
| Ease of Use | Moderate learning curve | Very simple |
| Community | Growing creator community | Large established network |
Bottom Line: Beehiiv is better than Substack regarding SEO, customization, tools for growing a newsletter, and monetization. Choose beehiiv for business growth, Substack for writing simplicity.
Beehiiv vs ConvertKit/Kit
| Feature | Beehiiv | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Newsletter Focus | Purpose-built for newsletters | General email marketing |
| Website Builder | Integrated website creation | Requires separate tools |
| Monetization | Multiple native revenue streams | Basic subscription support |
| AI Features | Advanced AI content tools | Limited automation AI |
| Pricing | Competitive for newsletter creators | Similar pricing, fewer newsletter features |
| Landing Pages | Built-in with SEO optimization | Advanced landing page builder |
Beehiiv vs Ghost
| Feature | Beehiiv | Ghost |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | More user-friendly interface | Technical setup required |
| Newsletter Features | Built specifically for newsletters | Blog-first with newsletter features |
| Hosting | Fully managed platform | Self-hosted or managed options |
| Customization | Good customization within platform | Unlimited customization potential |
| Pricing | More competitive pricing | Higher costs for comparable features |
| Growth Tools | Advanced newsletter growth features | Basic newsletter functionality |
Getting Started with Beehiiv: Your Step-by-Step Guide
Initial Setup Process
Step 1: Account Creation Sign up for beehiiv’s 30-day free trial of the Scale plan. No credit card required initially, giving you full access to test premium features.
Step 2: Brand Setup
- Choose your publication name and URL
- Upload your logo and set brand colors
- Configure your custom domain (if available)
- Set up your newsletter template design
Step 3: Content Planning
- Plan your content calendar and posting frequency
- Set up your welcome email sequence
- Create your first newsletter using the AI-assisted editor
- Configure your website and landing pages
Migration from Other Platforms
From Substack: Download a CSV of your existing email list and upload it directly to beehiiv. Drop your current URL into the content import tool and beehiiv will do the rest. Your readers won’t be notified of the switch—their payment method, billing cycle, and other settings will all remain unchanged.
From ConvertKit/Mailchimp: Export your subscriber list and import into beehiiv. You’ll need to recreate your email sequences, but the AI tools can help speed up this process significantly.
Optimization Tips for New Users
- Start with AI assistance: Use the AI writing tools to overcome writer’s block and maintain consistency
- Set up referrals immediately: Even with a small list, referral programs compound growth over time
- Optimize for SEO: Configure meta descriptions and custom URLs for better organic discovery
- Join the ad network: Once eligible, the native ads can provide passive revenue
- Experiment with Boosts: Cross-promotion can accelerate growth significantly
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beehiiv Worth the Cost?
For Growth-Focused Creators: Absolutely. The revenue optimization features alone can pay for the subscription multiple times over. One user reported making over $5,000 from the beehiiv Partner Program simply by talking about their experience with the platform.
How Does Beehiiv’s AI Compare to ChatGPT?
Beehiiv’s AI is specifically trained for newsletter content creation, making it more effective for email writing than general AI tools. The AI Writing Assistant helps do the heavy lifting when it comes to writing emails. Users provide a brief description of the email they want to create, select the tone and length, and the AI Writing Assistant will do the rest.
Can I Really Make Money with Small Lists?
Yes! Even with a 1,000 email list, creators can monetize through beehiiv’s various revenue streams. The ad network, affiliate opportunities, and cross-promotion features work even for smaller audiences.
How Easy Is Migration from Substack?
The migration process is designed to be seamless, with beehiiv handling content import and subscriber transfer without notifying your readers. Most creators complete the process in under an hour.
What About Deliverability?
Users report improved open rates after switching to beehiiv, with one creator seeing a 65% increase in open rates. The platform’s infrastructure is built for optimal deliverability.
Final Verdict: Is Beehiiv Right for You in 2025?
After extensive testing and research, I can confidently say that beehiiv is the best newsletter platform for creators serious about growth and monetization. The combination of Morning Brew’s proven expertise, comprehensive AI tools, and creator-friendly monetization makes it a standout choice in 2025.
Choose Beehiiv If You:
Want to build a newsletter-based business, not just a hobby. Need multiple revenue streams beyond subscriptions. Value audience ownership and data control. Are ready to invest in professional growth tools. Want AI assistance without sacrificing authenticity.
Consider Alternatives If You:
Are just starting out and want maximum simplicity, in which case try Substack first. Have an extremely limited budget and need to start with free options. Don’t need advanced growth or monetization features. Prefer established ecosystems with larger communities.
The Investment Perspective
While beehiiv isn’t the cheapest option, it’s arguably the best value for creators treating newsletters as serious business ventures. The revenue optimization alone—keeping 100% of subscription revenue instead of paying Substack’s 10% fee—can save thousands annually.
The platform’s rapid growth, continuous innovation, and creator success stories suggest it’s positioned to dominate the newsletter space for years to come. With email users expected to reach 4.89 billion by 2027, investing in the right newsletter platform now could pay dividends for years.
Ready to Transform Your Newsletter Strategy?
The creator economy is evolving rapidly, and newsletter ownership has become a critical component of sustainable creator businesses. Beehiiv offers the most comprehensive toolkit for creators ready to take their newsletters seriously.
Take Action Today: Start your 30-day free trial of beehiiv’s Scale plan to test all premium features. Import your existing content and subscriber list using the seamless migration tools. Experiment with AI tools to streamline your workflow and improve content quality. Set up monetization streams including the ad network and referral program to start generating revenue. Join the beehiiv community to learn from successful creators and share experiences.
The question isn’t whether you can afford to try beehiiv—it’s whether you can afford not to. With the newsletter renaissance in full swing and creator economy opportunities expanding, having the right tools can make the difference between struggle and success.
Ready to own your audience and maximize your creator potential? Start your beehiiv journey today and join thousands of creators building sustainable, profitable newsletter businesses.
