Best newsletter platform UK 2026: beehiiv vs Substack vs Mailchimp vs Kit
The best newsletter platform in the UK for most people is beehiiv. It's free to start, it has a website, a podcast and an ad network built in, and on its paid plans it takes no cut of your paid subscriptions. If you just want to charge for posts with zero setup, pick Substack. Shops should look at Mailchimp, and Kit has the biggest free plan, with room for up to 10,000 subscribers.
Our picks link to the brands through their affiliate programmes. Buy through them and we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. Our picks are our own: no brand pays to be listed. How this works
the biggest free planThe biggest free plan, with room for 10,000 subscribers
The biggest free plan, with room for 10,000 subscribers
This guide is for UK creators, writers, coaches, side hustlers and small businesses who want a newsletter that grows and earns. Before you choose, check three things. First, how many subscribers the free plan allows. Second, how much of your paid subscription money the platform keeps. Third, whether you're billed in pounds or dollars. Then pick the platform that fits what you want from your newsletter.
Pick 1 · beehiivbeehiiv
beehiiv
Best for growing and earning from a newsletter
beehiiv is a newsletter platform with a website, a podcast and the beehiiv Ad Network built in, next to paid subscriptions. Your newsletter can grow and make money without you stitching extra tools together.
Who it's for: It suits creators and side hustlers who want their newsletter to become a real income.
The facts that matter
The Free plan is free forever, with no credit card needed, for up to 2,500 subscribers.
A website, a podcast and the beehiiv Ad Network are built in, alongside paid subscriptions.
Paid plans add automations and a 0% take rate, so beehiiv takes no cut of your paid subscriptions.
Why it made the list: The Free plan is free forever, with no credit card needed, for up to 2,500 subscribers. Paid plans add automations (emails that send themselves) and a 0% take rate, so beehiiv keeps none of your paid subscription money. Our code HONESTCODES is applied when you sign up through our link, which opens the partner offer shown below.
Worth knowing: Plans are billed in US dollars, and the Free plan stops at 2,500 subscribers.
The deal: Our code HONESTCODES: 20% off your first 3 months of Lite or Pro, plus a 14-day trial of paid features. The link applies it for you.As shown on the brand's site on 23 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
Substack lets you set up paid subscriptions in a few minutes, with no tech knowledge needed. You write, and readers pay to get your posts.
Who it's for: It suits writers who want to start charging for their work today, without any setup.
The facts that matter
You can set up paid subscriptions in a few minutes, with no tech knowledge needed.
You choose which posts are free and which are only for paid subscribers.
You own all of your content and your subscriber list.
Why it made the list: You choose which posts are free and which are only for paid subscribers, so you control what's behind the paywall. You own all of your content and your subscriber list. The catch: Substack keeps 10% of your subscription revenue, and card fees come off on top.
Worth knowing: Substack keeps 10% of your subscription revenue, and card fees come off on top.
The plans: Free to start; writers keep 90% of their revenue minus card fees.As shown on the brand's site on 23 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
Mailchimp is an email marketing platform built for shops and businesses. You can run your customer emails and your newsletter from one place.
Who it's for: It suits small businesses and online shops that already send a lot of marketing email.
The facts that matter
There is a basic Free plan, and you can try the Standard plan free for 14 days.
Plans are priced in pounds for UK buyers, with a 15% saving at 10,000+ contacts.
You can cancel or downgrade to the Essentials or Free plans at any time.
Why it made the list: There is a basic Free plan, and you can try the Standard plan free for 14 days. Plans are priced in pounds for UK buyers, so you won't get any currency surprises, and you can cancel or move down to the Essentials or Free plans at any time. Watch your limits, because overage charges apply if you go over your plan's contact or email send limit.
Worth knowing: Overage charges apply if you go over your plan's contact or email send limit.
The plans: Standard plan free for 14 days, then from £15.06 a month.As shown on the brand's site on 23 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is a newsletter platform whose Free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers. You can build a big list before you pay anything.
Who it's for: It suits creators who want lots of room to grow on a free plan.
The facts that matter
The Free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers.
You can run a paid newsletter with simple product pages, automated fulfilment and low transaction fees.
Migrations from another platform are free, and paid plans come with a 14-day free trial.
Why it made the list: You can run a paid newsletter with simple product pages and automated fulfilment, so buyers get what they paid for without you lifting a finger. Moving from another platform is free, and paid plans come with a 14-day free trial. Paid plans are priced in US dollars and rise with your subscriber count.
Worth knowing: Paid plans are priced in US dollars and rise with your subscriber count.
The plans: Free up to 10,000 subscribers; paid plans from $33 a month for 1,000 subscribers, billed yearly.As shown on the brand's site on 23 October 2026. Offers change: check the final price before you pay.
We shortlisted the newsletter platforms UK readers search for most. Then we picked on each brand's own published features, plans and terms, read on 23 October 2026, and gave each pick one honest catch. beehiiv is our partner pick. Substack, Mailchimp and Kit are honest comparison picks, and we earn nothing from them.
Each platform wins for a different need: earning, simplicity, shops or a big free plan. Check these before you choose:
How many subscribers the free plan allows
The take rate, meaning the cut the platform keeps from your paid subscriptions
Whether you're billed in pounds or US dollars
Whether you own your content and subscriber list, and whether moving it is easy
Frequently asked questions
What is the best newsletter platform in the UK?
For most people it's beehiiv. It's free to start, has a website, podcast and ad network built in, and on its paid plans it takes no cut of your paid subscriptions. If you want the simplest way to charge for posts, pick Substack.
Which newsletter platform takes no cut of my paid subscriptions?
beehiiv. Its paid plans have a 0% take rate, so it keeps none of your paid subscription money. Substack keeps 10% of your subscription revenue, and card fees come off on top.
Which newsletter platform has the biggest free plan?
Kit. Its Free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers. beehiiv's Free plan stops at 2,500 subscribers.
Which newsletter platform is best for a small online shop?
Mailchimp. It's built for shops and email marketing, and its plans are priced in pounds for UK buyers. Overage charges apply if you go over your plan's contact or email send limit.
Can I move my newsletter to another platform?
Yes. Kit moves you over from another platform for free. On Substack you own all of your content and your subscriber list.
Do newsletter platforms charge in pounds or dollars?
It depends on the platform. Mailchimp prices its plans in pounds for UK buyers. beehiiv and Kit bill their paid plans in US dollars.