Best email newsletter software in 2026
Compare email newsletter software options and see what each tool does before choosing one for publishing and sending emails.
Uncommon Comforts is published by the team behind Connections, whose products are compared here alongside other tools.
Email newsletter software can help publish posts, send emails, and manage subscribers. The right choice depends on the type of publishing and subscriber management a reader needs.
| Option | Publishing and subscriber details |
|---|---|
| Mailchimp | Mailchimp lets customers cancel or downgrade to a basic Free plan at any time. [1] |
| Substack | Substack says creators always own their intellectual property, mailing list, and subscriber payments. [2] |
| beehiiv | beehiiv offers unlimited email sends. [3] |
| Kit | Kit provides email marketing features built for creators. [4] |
| Connections Newsletter | Every publication gets a public page with its archive, an RSS feed, and an iframe form you can embed on your own site. [5] |
How to read this list
The options in this list are tools for creating and sending newsletters or publishing content by email. Each option has different features, so the right choice depends on what a person wants to do with a newsletter. Some options focus on creator publishing, some focus on email marketing, and some provide tools for managing subscribers and sending updates. Check the details that matter most, such as publishing methods, subscriber controls, sending options, and any costs connected to the features needed. The descriptions below only include stated facts about each option.
Mailchimp: sending email with plan limits
Mailchimp lets customers cancel or downgrade to a basic Free plan at any time. [1] Mailchimp says businesses with 10,000+ contacts can save 15% on their first 12 months. [1] Mailchimp offers a Standard plan that can send up to 6,000 emails each month. [6] Mailchimp offers a Premium plan that can send up to 150,000 emails each month. [6] Mailchimp says SMS is an add-on to paid plans in select countries and requires application and approval before purchase. [1]
Substack: a platform where creators keep ownership and control
Substack offers a way to start a Substack. [2] Substack says creators always own their intellectual property, mailing list, and subscriber payments. [2] Substack says creators have full editorial control and no gatekeepers. [2] Substack describes its platform as having discussions. [2] Substack says users can join the most interesting and insightful discussions. [2]
beehiiv: sending email with templates and analytics
beehiiv offers unlimited email sends. [3] beehiiv provides email templates. [3] beehiiv provides landing pages. [3] beehiiv provides API and integrations. [3] beehiiv provides newsletters with templates, a custom editor, and analytics built in. [3]
Kit: an email marketing and newsletter platform for creators
Kit is an email marketing and newsletter platform that helps creators turn audience insights into revenue. [4] Kit offers a 14-day free trial with no credit card required. [4] Kit provides email marketing features built for creators. [4] Kit includes migration with its paid plans. [4] Kit provides marketing automation features for welcome campaigns and nurture campaigns. [4]
Connections Newsletter: a newsletter tool made by the team that publishes this site
Connections Newsletter is made by the team that publishes this site. Making publications is free, and free sends cover about 300 emails a week. [5] [5] A post can be published to the public page and sent by email as separate actions. [5] Every publication gets a public page with its archive, an RSS feed, and an iframe form that can be embedded on an existing site. [5] New subscribers start as pending and become active through double opt-in. [5] A subscriber list can be downloaded as a CSV whenever it needs to be taken elsewhere. [5]
How to choose
Choose based on the publishing process and subscriber tasks that matter most. Mailchimp may be relevant for readers who need the stated Mailchimp sending and plan options. [6] [6] Substack may be relevant for readers interested in a platform that describes creator ownership and discussions. [2] [2] beehiiv may be relevant for readers looking at features such as unlimited email sends, landing pages, and API and integrations. [3] [3] [3] Kit may be relevant for readers looking for creator focused email marketing features. [4] Connections Newsletter may be relevant for readers who want public pages, email sending, and subscriber list export options. [5] [5] [5] Before choosing, check the features needed for publishing, subscriber growth, sending, and any payment or plan requirements that apply to the chosen option.
Frequently asked questions
Which email newsletter software should a small publisher choose?
The choice depends on the publishing needs and subscriber tasks involved. Connections Newsletter provides public pages, email sending, and subscriber export options. [5] [5] [5] Other tools in this list describe different features, so compare the stated capabilities before choosing.
Does Mailchimp offer a free plan option? [[f:mailchimp-b232a3e0]]
Mailchimp lets customers cancel or downgrade to a basic Free plan at any time. [1] Mailchimp also describes sending limits for some plans, including a Standard plan that can send up to 6,000 emails each month. [6] Check Mailchimp's current details for the option being considered.
Can a newsletter have a public archive page?
Connections Newsletter provides every publication with a public page containing its archive, an RSS feed, and an iframe form that can be embedded on an existing site. [5] Public archive needs can differ by tool, so check the specific publishing features of any other option.
How does subscriber approval work in Connections Newsletter?
New Connections Newsletter subscribers start as pending and become active through double opt-in. [5] The term the tool uses is double opt-in, and a welcome email with a subject and message can be turned on for new subscribers. [5] [5]
What should be checked before choosing newsletter software?
Check how each option handles publishing, sending, subscriber management, and any features needed for the intended use. Connections Newsletter lets publishers choose everyone or only subscribers with any of some tags when sending. [5] Other options may describe different tools and plans, so compare the stated details carefully.
Making publications is free; there is no paid tier for creating a publication. [5] Free sends about 300 emails a week. [5]
Try Connections NewsletterSources
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