Beehiiv vs Mailchimp (2026)

The newsletter growth platform with monetization vs the general email marketing tool — updated April 2026.

Quick Verdict: Beehiiv wins 7-5 for newsletter creators. Its growth tools (referral program, boosts, ad network), free plan for 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends, and monetization features are unmatched. Mailchimp wins for business email marketing beyond newsletters.

Best for Newsletter Creators

Beehiiv

Newsletter platform with built-in growth and monetization

⭐ 4.7/5

Pros

Free plan: 2,500 subs, unlimited sends
Built-in referral program
Paid subscription tiers
Beehiiv Ad Network access
Web publication built in

Cons

Fewer integrations than Mailchimp
Less suitable for e-commerce or business email
Automations require paid plan

Free (2,500 subs) or from $39/mo

Try Beehiiv Free →

Best for Business Email

Mailchimp

General-purpose email marketing with advanced tools

⭐ 4.3/5

Pros

Works for any type of business
Advanced analytics and A/B testing
300+ integrations
Large template library
Free plan available

Cons

No newsletter-specific growth tools
No paid subscription or monetization
Free plan now limited to 500 contacts

Free (500 contacts) or from $13/mo

Try Mailchimp Free →

Side-by-Side Comparison

Category	Beehiiv	Mailchimp
Free Plan Subscribers	2,500 (unlimited sends)	500 contacts
Referral Program	✅ Built-in	❌
Paid Subscriptions	✅	❌
Ad Network	✅ Beehiiv Network	❌
Web Publication	✅	Basic
Analytics	Newsletter-focused	✅ Advanced general
Automation	Paid plan	✅ All plans
A/B Testing	✅	✅
Integrations	50+	300+
E-commerce Tools	Limited	✅
Growth Tools	✅ Excellent	Basic
Score	7/10	5/10

Which do you use?

Beehiiv

Mailchimp

Who Should Choose Each Tool

Choose Beehiiv if you…

Run a newsletter as your primary business
Want to monetize through subscriptions or ads
Need a built-in referral/growth program
Want a web publication alongside email

Choose Mailchimp if you…

Run business email marketing (not newsletter-first)
Need advanced automation for e-commerce
Want 300+ integrations with business tools
Need analytics beyond subscriber growth

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Beehiiv better than Mailchimp for newsletters?

Yes. Beehiiv is purpose-built for newsletter creators with a built-in web presence, referral program, subscriber growth tools, paid subscription tiers, and ad network access. Mailchimp lacks most of these newsletter-specific features.

Is Beehiiv free?

Beehiiv has a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited email sends. Paid plans start at $39/mo (Scale) for advanced features like automations and custom domains.

Can you make money with Beehiiv?

Yes. Beehiiv offers multiple monetization paths: paid subscriptions, ad network (Beehiiv Ad Network), boosts (paid referrals from other newsletters), and premium content gating.

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Methodology: Scores are based on feature depth, pricing value, user reviews from G2 and Capterra, and hands-on testing. Updated April 2026.

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Last updated: April 10, 2026