Pricing checked on official pages on October 18, 2026. Plans change; confirm before deciding. No affiliate links. This site uses AWeber for its own list.
The main options
- Substack: free to start; keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue plus card fees. Built-in reader network.
- beehiiv: free up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends; Lite from $49/month billed yearly adds paid subscriptions (0% take rate) and automations.
- Kit: free up to 10,000 subscribers; Creator from $33/month billed yearly.
- Ghost(Pro): Starter $18/month billed yearly; Publisher $29 adds paid subscriptions.
- AWeber: 14-day trial; Lite from $12.49/month and Plus from $19.99/month billed annually, priced by list size.
Match the platform to your model
| If you mainly... | Look at |
|---|---|
| Sell paid newsletter subscriptions | Substack, beehiiv, Ghost |
| Sell your own services or courses | Kit, AWeber or another email service |
| Want growth from other newsletters | Substack, beehiiv |
| Want your own branded site | Ghost |
Referral and recommendation ecosystems
Substack and beehiiv both let newsletters recommend each other, which can bring subscribers from outside YouTube. See newsletter referral programs.
What a YouTube-driven business needs
- A clean signup page you can link in your description.
- A welcome email or short sequence.
- A way to tag subscribers by the video that brought them.
- Reasonable cost as you grow.
Dave's view
Dave uses Substack and beehiiv and notes that classic email services such as ActiveCampaign, AWeber and GetResponse also work well. His point: the platform matters less than consistently emailing a list you own.
Comparisons
For side-by-side detail, see Substack vs beehiiv, beehiiv vs Kit, Substack vs Ghost and AWeber vs Kit.
Switching later
Most platforms let you export subscribers. Recreate forms and automations, and tell readers about any change.
Growing beyond your channel
A newsletter platform with built-in recommendations can bring readers who never watched your videos. See newsletter referral programs.
Thinking long term
If you hope to build toward a core of highly engaged readers, choose a platform you're comfortable using for years. See 1,000 true fans.
A quick decision rule
If you're stuck, pick the platform whose free plan or trial lets you send your first issue this week. You can move later; the subscribers and habit you build now are what matter.
Paid newsletters vs free newsletters
If you plan to charge readers, compare how each platform takes its cut: a percentage of revenue (Substack) versus a monthly plan with no take rate (beehiiv paid plans, Ghost Publisher). At low paid revenue, a percentage may cost less; as revenue grows, a flat plan may cost less. Run the numbers with your own expected figures. See paid newsletters.
Watch out
Common mistakes
- Picking a platform before deciding how you'll earn.
- Comparing only starter prices.
- Ignoring the cost of a percentage fee as paid revenue grows.
- Spending weeks choosing instead of sending.
Dave’s take
A principle I keep coming back to
"Until you get them on your free newsletter, you don't own that audience. YouTube continues to own that audience." (Dave)
AI shortcut
How can AI speed this up?
AI tools and plans checked October 18, 2026. They change often, so confirm on each tool's own page. No affiliate links.
- Built-in AI. Check Substack's and beehiiv's current AI features.
- Requirements list. ChatGPT turns your goals into a platform checklist.
- Verify. Confirm features on official pages.
Tools mentioned:
- Substack: free to publish; keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue, plus Stripe fees.
- beehiiv: free up to 2,500 subscribers; paid plans add more tools; takes 0% of your subscription revenue.
- ChatGPT: free plan, Go ($8 a month in the US) and Plus ($20 a month).
AI is great for first drafts. Always edit the result so it sounds like you and is accurate for your business.
Key takeaways
- There's no single best platform; match it to how you earn.
- Substack and beehiiv have built-in referral and recommendation ecosystems.
- Classic email services suit sequences and selling your own services.
- Compare fees at your expected list size and paid revenue.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform does Dave use?
Dave uses Substack and beehiiv for newsletters and has used a classic email service for many years. This site uses AWeber for its own list. Use whatever fits your business; the habit of emailing matters more than the tool.
