Our take
Pick beehiiv if writers who will stay on Free at $0 (up to 2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends) while they open a first Compose canvas, then Lite at $49/month yearly ($59 monthly at 1,000) when they need automations and 0% take-rate — not Pro $95 yearly unless they need remove-branding / 10 publications. Pick Buttondown if writers who will stay on Free at $0 (100 subscribers) while they open a first Write draft, then
hosted Visual Editor desk
Best for
beehiiv A newsletter canvas you start at a public $
Buttondown An email editor you start at a public $
Free plan
beehiiv $0 · up to 2,500 subscribers. Unlimited email sends. 1 seat. 1 publication. Newsletters, Website, and Podcast. API (excluding Send API). beehiiv MCP / Agent read access. No card (FAQ)
Buttondown $0 · 100 subscribers
Lowest paid
beehiiv Lite $59/mo
Buttondown Basic $9/mo
Next step up
beehiiv Higher list tiers from $79
Buttondown Standard $29/mo
Coding agent
beehiiv Agent + Tab inside the editor
Buttondown
Runs where
beehiiv Hosted
Buttondown Hosted
Watch out
beehiiv Automations and 0% take-rate print on Lite
Buttondown Free is 100 subscribers
Last checked
beehiiv 2026-10-23 · beehiiv.com/pricing.md
Buttondown 2026-10-23 · buttondown.com/pricing
writers who will stay on Free at $0 (up to 2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends) while they open a first Compose canvas, then Lite at $49/month yearly ($59 monthly at 1,000) when they need automations and 0% take-rate — not Pro $95 yearly unless they need remove-branding / 10 publications.
Read the beehiiv pagewriters who will stay on Free at $0 (100 subscribers) while they open a first Write draft, then Basic at $9/month (1,000 subscribers) — not Standard $29 unless they need 5,000, and not Professional $79 unless they need 10,000.
Read the Buttondown page