beehiiv
Web archive, growth tools; free to 2,500 subscribers.
- Free to 2,500
- Web archive
- Growth tools
Marketing
beehiiv vs MailerLite: which should you use?
Short version: beehiiv is better if your newsletter is the product: every issue gets a web page and growth tools like referrals and recommendations are built in, free up to 2,500 subscribers. MailerLite is better for small businesses sending promotions, with an easy drag-and-drop editor, signup forms, landing pages and automations.
beehiiv treats your newsletter like a publication, with a website and archive; its free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers and monetization tools are on paid plans. MailerLite has a free plan too, but its limits have changed over time, so check the current caps on its pricing page.
Based on FTC · Kit pricing · beehiiv pricing +1 more
Which one should you buy?
MailerLite
Drag-and-drop editor, forms, landing pages, automations.
- Free plan
- Drag-and-drop
- Automations
Prices are official list prices as of October 2026 and can change. Links on this page go to official sites with no affiliate tag. How we choose.
The short answer: beehiiv for newsletter publishers who want SEO-friendly web archives and growth tools. MailerLite for shops and service businesses running campaigns and automations.
This is a focused guide. For the full category with every pick, read the best email marketing software.
beehiiv vs MailerLite: side by side
Swipe the table sideways to see both →
| Spec | Best for newslettersbeehiiv | Best for small businessMailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 2,500 subscribers | Yes (limits on official site) |
| Focus | Newsletter publishers | Small businesses |
| Automations | Yes (paid) | Yes |
| Pages | Publication website | Sites, landing pages |
| Best for | Newsletters | Small-business campaigns |
| Plans | See plans | See plans |
Why pick beehiiv?
Every beehiiv issue gets its own web page, which builds a searchable archive, and referral and recommendation tools help readers bring in more readers.
It isn’t built for e-commerce automations; monetization tools need a paid plan.
Great if you
- Publish a newsletter
- Want a web archive for SEO
Skip it if you
- Need e-commerce automations
Key specs
- Free plan
- Up to 2,500 subscribers (Oct 2026)
- Includes
- Website, newsletter editor, analytics
beehiivPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site Why pick MailerLite?
MailerLite is straightforward for running promotions: a clean editor, signup forms, landing pages and basic automations.
Check its current free-plan subscriber and email caps before you plan around it.
Great if you
- Run promotions and newsletters
- Want an easy editor
Skip it if you
- Need creator commerce features
Key specs
- Free plan
- Yes; see current limits
- Includes
- Editor, forms, landing pages, automations
MailerLitePrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site How to choose between beehiiv and MailerLite
Ask whether your emails are the product (beehiiv) or a way to sell something else (MailerLite).
Model
Publication vs marketing campaigns.
Free plan
beehiiv: up to 2,500 subscribers; MailerLite: check current limits.
Web presence
beehiiv publishes issues as web pages.
Law
Follow CAN-SPAM on either platform.
beehiivPrices are list prices on each official site as of October 2026; taxes, promotions and renewals vary. These are not affiliate links.
See plans on the official site beehiiv vs MailerLite: common questions
Is beehiiv better than MailerLite?
For newsletter publishing, yes. For small-business campaigns and automations, MailerLite fits better.
Is beehiiv free?
Up to 2,500 subscribers (October 2026).
Does MailerLite have a free plan?
Yes; check its pricing page for current limits.
Can I move from MailerLite to beehiiv?
Yes. Export subscribers as CSV and import them, keeping consent records.
How we compared them
We compared beehiiv and MailerLite official pricing pages and the FTC CAN-SPAM guide as of October 2026.
We have not hands-on tested these products; we compare published specifications, independent measurements and manufacturer documentation, and we update this page when models change. Read the full methodology.
What sources did we use?
- FTC: CAN-SPAM Act compliance guide (accessed October 23, 2026)
- Kit pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- beehiiv pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)
- MailerLite pricing (accessed October 23, 2026)