Beehiiv vs Mailerlite — Pricing, Plans, and Verified Costs (2026)
Beehiiv starts at $49/mo. Mailerlite starts at $12/mo. Mailerlite is $37/mo cheaper on the entry tier than Beehiiv.
See price history: Beehiiv · Mailerlite
How pricing works
These two tools don't price the same way, so the headline numbers below aren't directly comparable until you plug in your own volume.
- Beehiiv (Per Usage) — Beehiiv bills purely on usage — Subscribers. There is no fixed per-seat fee, so the monthly cost depends entirely on how much you consume.
- Mailerlite (Per Usage) — Mailerlite bills purely on usage — Subscribers. There is no fixed per-seat fee, so the monthly cost depends entirely on how much you consume.
Per-minute, per-credit and per-token rates exclude any downstream model, speech or telephony costs unless the vendor states otherwise.
Newsletter platform for creators positioned as the alternative to Substack, ConvertKit, and Mailchimp. Distinctive for its founder pedigree (Morning Brew's co-founders and early employees) and features that generalist tools lack: built-in referral programs, ad network, and 3D analytics. Priced free-$99/mo up to 100K subscribers. Popular with newsletter operators building media businesses (not personal newsletters).
European (Lithuanian) email platform positioned as the value alternative to Mailchimp for SMBs. Distinctive for its transparent pricing (public tiers, no per-contact games) and formerly generous free tier. Restructured June 16, 2026: Growing Business renamed 'Comfort', paid tiers up 10-30% on effective per-subscriber basis (headline held, coverage shrank), free plan cut to 250 subs / 2,500 emails effective July 1, 2026. Priced $9-$12/mo Comfort tier (annual/monthly). Owned by Vista Equity Partners since 2021. Popular with creators and small businesses in Europe.
All plans compared
| Tier role | Plan | Beehiiv monthly | Beehiiv annual | Mailerlite monthly | Mailerlite annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free / starter | Launch / Free | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Entry paid | Scale / Comfort | $49 | $43 | $12 | $10.8 |
| Pro / power | Max / Power | $109 | $96 | $25 | $22.5 |
| Enterprise | Enterprise | Custom | Custom | Custom | Custom |
Tier names differ across vendors. Rows are aligned by tier role, not name. Full tier structures on each tool's page.
What each is best for
Beehiiv is worth it if… newsletter creators (both hobbyist and full-time) who want built-in monetization (paid subs, sponsorships, referrals) plus growth tools baked in — not just ESP-style sending. Launch (free) covers up to 2,500 subscribers; Scale unlocks referrals + custom domains; Max adds AI writer and premium features.
Mailerlite is worth it if… creators and SMBs (post-restructure: under 500 subscribers) who want polished email marketing at lower price than Mailchimp — particularly if you value modern templates and drag-and-drop simplicity. Free covers newsletters with under 250 subs (post-July 2026 cut); Comfort adds landing pages, automations, and covers up to 500 subs.
Bottom line: Similar positioning, closer to a preference call than a strategic one.
Choose Beehiiv over Mailerlite if…
Choose Beehiiv if…
- You want to pay only for actual usage (per usage, from $49/mo).
- You match the profile Beehiiv is built for: newsletter creators (both hobbyist and full-time) who want built-in monetization (paid subs, sponsorships, referrals) plus growth tools baked in — not just ESP-style sending.
- You need a general-purpose marketing & email option rather than a vertical-specific one.
Choose Mailerlite if…
- You want to pay only for actual usage (per usage, from $12/mo).
- You match the profile Mailerlite is built for: creators and SMBs (post-restructure: under 500 subscribers) who want polished email marketing at lower price than Mailchimp — particularly if you value modern templates and drag-and-drop simplicity.
- You need a general-purpose marketing & email option rather than a vertical-specific one.
At a glance
| Beehiiv | Mailerlite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $49/mo | $12/mo |
| Enterprise available | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing model | Per Usage | Per Usage |
| Last verified | September 17, 2026 | September 13, 2026 |
| Full pricing | View full pricing | View full pricing |
Pricing last verified September 17, 2026. Tracked daily.
Frequently asked questions
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Common questions about Beehiiv and Mailerlite
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- How much does Mailerlite cost in 2026?
- Does Mailerlite have a free plan?
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