Newsletter & Publishing Tools

Complete directory of newsletter platforms and publishing tools. Compare 10 leading platforms for email publishing, creator monetization, and content distribution.

10
Tools Indexed
8
Categories
100M+
Combined Subscribers
Free-$$$
Pricing Range

Tool Categories

Newsletter PlatformPublishing CMSCreator Email PlatformSimple Newsletter ToolEmail Marketing PlatformPublishing PlatformB2B Content PlatformDeveloper Publishing

Substack

Newsletter Platform

Start a publication that belongs to you

Substack is the leading newsletter platform for independent writers and creators. Build a direct relationship with your audience through email and web publishing, with built-in paid subscriptions and a growing network effect through Notes and recommendations.

Best for: Independent writers and journalists building a paid newsletter business

Key Features

  • Free hosting and email delivery
  • Built-in paid subscription system
  • Substack Notes for social discovery
  • Podcast and video hosting
  • Custom domains available

Popular Integrations

StripeTwitter/XApple PodcastsSpotify

Pricing: Free to start, 10% fee on paid subscriptions

Ghost

Publishing CMS

Turn your audience into a business

Ghost is an open-source publishing platform that combines a powerful CMS with native newsletter functionality and membership features. Self-host for free or use Ghost(Pro) for managed hosting. Perfect for publishers who want full control over their content and data.

Best for: Publishers and creators wanting ownership and flexibility with their platform

Key Features

  • Open-source and self-hostable
  • Native newsletter and members
  • Beautiful default themes
  • Headless CMS capabilities
  • Zero platform fees on revenue

Popular Integrations

StripeZapierSlackUnsplashCustom integrations

Pricing: Free (self-hosted), Ghost(Pro) from $9/month

beehiiv

Newsletter Platform

The newsletter platform built for growth

beehiiv is a modern newsletter platform built by former Morning Brew operators. Designed specifically for newsletter growth with features like built-in referral programs, recommendation networks, and advanced analytics. The fastest-growing newsletter infrastructure.

Best for: Newsletter operators focused on growth and monetization

Key Features

  • Built-in referral program
  • Recommendation network
  • Advanced segmentation
  • A/B testing
  • Custom website builder

Popular Integrations

StripeZapierSparkloopSegmentConvertKit

Pricing: Free plan available, paid from $42/month

ConvertKit (Kit)

Creator Email Platform

The creator marketing platform

ConvertKit (rebranding to Kit) is an email marketing platform designed specifically for creators. Features visual automation builders, landing pages, commerce tools, and sponsor network. Helps creators earn a living through email marketing and digital product sales.

Best for: Creators selling digital products and courses alongside newsletters

Key Features

  • Visual automation builder
  • Landing pages and forms
  • Creator commerce tools
  • Sponsor network for monetization
  • Tag-based subscriber management

Popular Integrations

TeachableShopifyWordPressZapierGumroad

Pricing: Free up to 1,000 subscribers, paid from $9/month

Buttondown

Simple Newsletter Tool

The simplest way to start a newsletter

Buttondown is a minimalist, developer-friendly newsletter tool that focuses on simplicity and reliability. Write in Markdown, automate with the API, and enjoy clean, fast email delivery. Perfect for developers and writers who value simplicity over complex features.

Best for: Developers and writers who want a simple, no-frills newsletter tool

Key Features

  • Markdown-first editing
  • Powerful API and automation
  • Clean, minimal interface
  • Paid subscription support
  • RSS-to-email automation

Popular Integrations

StripeZapierRSS feedsCustom webhooksGitHub

Pricing: Free up to 100 subscribers, paid from $9/month

Mailchimp

Email Marketing Platform

Turn emails into revenue

Mailchimp is the most widely-used email marketing platform, now part of Intuit. Offers comprehensive email marketing with newsletters, automation, landing pages, and CRM features. A full marketing platform that goes beyond just newsletters.

Best for: Small businesses needing comprehensive email marketing beyond newsletters

Key Features

  • Drag-and-drop email builder
  • Marketing automation
  • Audience segmentation
  • Landing pages and forms
  • E-commerce integrations

Popular Integrations

ShopifyWooCommerceSalesforceCanvaGoogle Analytics

Pricing: Free up to 500 contacts, paid from $13/month

MailerLite

Email Marketing Platform

Create email marketing your audience will love

MailerLite is an affordable email marketing platform with a clean interface and powerful features. Offers email automation, landing pages, and a website builder. Known for excellent deliverability and customer support at competitive prices.

Best for: Cost-conscious creators and small businesses wanting reliable email marketing

Key Features

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
  • Website and blog builder
  • Email automation workflows
  • A/B split testing
  • Excellent deliverability

Popular Integrations

ShopifyWordPressStripeZapierWooCommerce

Pricing: Free up to 1,000 subscribers, paid from $9/month

Medium

Publishing Platform

Where good ideas find you

Medium is a publishing platform with a built-in audience of millions of readers. Writers can earn through the Partner Program based on member reading time. Offers newsletter functionality to build direct relationships with followers alongside the discovery benefits of the platform.

Best for: Writers wanting built-in audience discovery and the Medium network effect

Key Features

  • Built-in audience discovery
  • Clean, distraction-free writing
  • Partner Program monetization
  • Newsletter to followers
  • Publications and collections

Popular Integrations

Twitter/XFacebookCustom domainsRSS feeds

Pricing: Free to publish, Partner Program for monetization

Letterdrop

B2B Content Platform

Content that ranks and converts

Letterdrop is a B2B content publishing platform focused on SEO and demand generation. Combines content planning, SEO optimization, and multi-channel distribution. Helps B2B companies create content that ranks in search and converts visitors to leads.

Best for: B2B marketing teams focused on SEO-driven content and demand generation

Key Features

  • SEO content optimization
  • Content planning and calendar
  • Multi-channel distribution
  • LinkedIn automation
  • AI writing assistance

Popular Integrations

LinkedInHubSpotSalesforceSlackWordPress

Pricing: From $500/month

Hashnode

Developer Publishing

Blog on your own domain for free

Hashnode is a developer blogging platform that lets you blog on your own domain with zero configuration. Features built-in newsletter functionality, a developer community for discovery, and headless CMS capabilities. The go-to platform for developer content creators.

Best for: Developers and tech writers wanting a free, developer-focused publishing platform

Key Features

  • Free custom domain hosting
  • Built-in newsletter feature
  • Developer community discovery
  • GitHub backup and sync
  • Headless CMS mode

Popular Integrations

GitHubCustom domainsGoogle AnalyticsFathom Analytics

Pricing: Free, Pro from $9/month

Choosing the Right Newsletter Platform

For Independent Writers

Choose Substack for the easiest start with built-in monetization and discovery. Ghost offers more control and no platform fees.

→ Substack, Ghost
📈

For Growth-Focused Operators

Pick beehiiv for built-in growth tools like referral programs. ConvertKit excels at selling digital products alongside newsletters.

→ beehiiv, ConvertKit
💻

For Developers & Tech Writers

Use Buttondown for Markdown-first simplicity and API power. Hashnode offers free hosting with built-in developer community.

→ Buttondown, Hashnode

Common Use Cases

Paid Newsletter Business

Launch a subscription newsletter with built-in payments, manage free and paid tiers, and grow a sustainable writing business.

SubstackGhostbeehiiv

Creator Business with Digital Products

Combine newsletters with course sales, digital downloads, and coaching to build a diversified creator income.

ConvertKitMailchimpGhost

B2B Content Marketing

Create SEO-optimized content that ranks, build an email list, and nurture leads through content-driven demand generation.

LetterdropMailchimpMailerLite

Developer & Tech Blogging

Share technical content, tutorials, and insights with a developer audience. Build authority in the tech community.

HashnodeButtondownMedium

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