Affiliate disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through links on this page, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tools I've personally tested.
If you're serious about freelance writing income, you need an email list. It's your most owned asset — not social media, not a content platform. Your list. And when it comes to choosing where to build that list, two platforms dominate for writers: ConvertKit and Beehiiv.
Here's how they compare for freelance writers specifically.
Quick Comparison
| ConvertKit | Beehiiv | |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | Up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 2,500 subscribers |
| Paid Starting | $29/month | $32/month |
| Best For | Creators, course builders | Newsletter-first writers |
| Monetization | Digital products, tips | Ad network, subscriptions |
| Automation | Powerful rules & sequences | Sequences + straightforward |
| Landing Pages | ✓ Built-in | ✓ Built-in |
| Import Sources | Mailchimp, Substack, etc. | Substack, others |
ConvertKit — The Creator Standard
ConvertKit has long been the go-to for writers, podcasters, and course creators who want serious monetization power.
Pros
- Better free tier — 1,000 free subscribers (vs Beehiiv's 2,500, but ConvertKit's is more mature)
- Visual automation builder — create complex subscriber journeys with rules, triggers, and delays
- Commerce features — sell digital products, ebooks, and courses directly. Huge for freelance writers diversifying income
- Tag-based subscriber management — granular control over who gets what content
- Mature platform — been around since 2013, very stable
- Cleaner subscriber data — no fake/unconfirmed subscribers inflating your count
Cons
- More expensive at scale — pricing jumps more aggressively than Beehiiv
- Email editor feels dated compared to Beehiiv's modern block editor
- No native paid newsletter/subscription model (you need Gumroad or similar)
- Steeper learning curve for full automation features
Who It's For
Freelance writers building multiple income streams — email list + digital products + courses. If you're thinking beyond just newsletter publishing, ConvertKit gives you the infrastructure.
Beehiiv — The Newsletter-First Platform
Beehiiv launched in 2021 and has rapidly become the newsletter platform of choice for writers who are all-in on newsletters as a business model.
Pros
- Larger free tier — 2,500 subscribers vs ConvertKit's 1,000
- Modern block editor — beautiful emails without fighting the template
- Built-in paid subscriptions — "Beehiiv Boosts" and the ad network let you monetize directly on the platform
- Better analytics — open rates, click rates, and audience growth tracked beautifully
- IPO (now public) platform — funding means rapid feature development
- Easier onboarding — get started in minutes, not hours
Cons
- Limited monetization beyond newsletters — no native digital product/course features
- Automation is less powerful than ConvertKit's visual builder
- Newer platform — fewer integrations than established players
- Their "ad network" model may not suit everyone
Who It's For
Freelance writers focused purely on growing a paid newsletter audience. If your business model is "write → publish → get paid subscribers," Beehiiv removes friction at every step.
Head-to-Head for Freelance Writers
Ease of Use
Winner: Beehiiv — The editor is better, onboarding is faster, everything feels modern.
Free Tier
Winner: Beehiiv — 2,500 subscribers free is more generous than ConvertKit's 1,000.
Monetization Depth
Winner: ConvertKit — Native commerce features for selling ebooks, templates, and courses. Beehiiv's monetization is newsletter-focused.
Deliverability
Winner: Tie — Both have excellent deliverability. ConvertKit has a slight edge on inbox placement for complex automations.
Analytics
Winner: Beehiiv — The dashboard is gorgeous and actually useful for tracking newsletter growth.
Scaling Cost
Winner: Beehiiv — Beehiiv's pricing at scale (5K-10K subscribers) is more competitive than ConvertKit's.
Newsletter-to-Paid Model
Winner: Beehiiv — Native paid newsletter features and the ad network make this seamless.
My Recommendation
For freelance writers starting their email list: Start with Beehiiv. The free tier is more generous, the editor is better, and you'll be publishing in minutes.
For freelance writers selling digital products (courses, ebooks, templates): ConvertKit is the better long-term platform — native commerce features pay for themselves.
Honestly, both are excellent. Many writers (including this blog) use both — Beehiiv for the main newsletter, ConvertKit for product launches and automation-heavy sequences.
Try Both
Last updated: March 2026. Pricing and features may change. I use both platforms and earn affiliate commissions from links above.