# Paid newsletters

> “Start a newsletter people pay for”. Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

A paid newsletter lives or dies on two things: how fast your free list grows and how easily readers can upgrade. Substack is the quickest start, free until you earn, with a network that recommends you to readers of other publications. beehiiv adds referral rewards and an ad network, so sponsors can pay alongside subscribers. Kit, formerly ConvertKit, suits you if you also sell digital products and want automated email sequences from the same account.

Last checked: 2026-10-04

## Ranking

1. **[Kit](https://suiteintent.com/t/kit?m=GB)**: Email marketing for creators, formerly ConvertKit. · Best for: Creators growing a newsletter they can sell to · Free plan · 17% ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/kit))
2. **[beehiiv](https://suiteintent.com/t/beehiiv?m=GB)**: Newsletter platform with growth and monetisation tools. · Best for: Turning a newsletter into income · Free plan · 20% ([Deals](https://suiteintent.com/deals/beehiiv))
3. **[Substack](https://suiteintent.com/t/substack?m=GB)**: Newsletters with paid subscriptions. · Best for: Writers turning readers into paying subscribers · Free plan

## Side by side

| Tool | Price | Ease of use (1-5) | Team size |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Kit | Free plan, Up to 17% off annual | 4 | solo, small team |
| beehiiv | Free plan, Up to 20% off annual | 4 | solo, small team |
| Substack | Free plan | 5 | solo |

## Why these picks

- Independent reviews: [Zapier](https://zapier.com/blog/best-email-newsletter-software/), [EmailToolTester](https://www.emailtooltester.com/en/), [Capterra](https://www.capterra.com/email-marketing-software/), [business.com](https://www.business.com/categories/best-email-marketing-services/) (Last checked: 2026-10-02)
- Prices last checked: 2026-10-04
- Ranked by expert consensus and what people use now; affiliate links never change the order.

## Head to head

- [Kit vs beehiiv: which newsletter platform pays off](https://suiteintent.com/compare/kit-vs-beehiiv)
- [Kit vs Mailchimp: newsletter for creator or shop](https://suiteintent.com/compare/kit-vs-mailchimp)

## Rules that apply

- [EU VAT on digital sales: the €10,000 rule and OSS](https://suiteintent.com/compliance/eu-oss-vat): Selling e-books, courses or downloads to buyers in other EU countries? See when you charge their VAT rate, how the OSS return works and who can file it.

## Questions

### Substack, beehiiv or Kit for a newsletter readers pay for?

Substack suits writers who want to publish and charge with the least setup, and it also hosts a podcast. beehiiv fits if you plan to earn from sponsors as well, since its ad network places them in your issues. Kit is the pick when the newsletter feeds a wider business, with landing pages, sequences and digital products. All three let you switch on paid subscriptions.

### Can I launch a paid newsletter with no upfront cost?

Yes, all three platforms have a free way in. Substack is free to start and you turn on paid tiers once you have readers. beehiiv and Kit each offer a free plan that covers your first steps. Expect to move to a paid plan or pay platform fees once revenue arrives, so check each one's terms before you price your subscription.

### I already send a free newsletter. Can I move my subscribers?

You can export your list as a file from most email tools and import it into Substack, beehiiv or Kit. Tell readers about the move in your last issue from the old tool, so the first send from the new one does not surprise them. Paying subscribers need extra care because their card details sit with the payment provider. Plan the switch at the start of a billing cycle.

### How many free subscribers do I need before charging?

There is no fixed number, but only a small share of free readers usually upgrade. That makes the size of the free list the lever that matters most at the start. Substack's recommendations network and beehiiv's referral programme both help a young list grow. Many writers turn on paid tiers once they publish on a steady schedule and get replies to their issues.

### Do I have to charge VAT on newsletter subscriptions in the EU?

A paid newsletter counts as a digital service, so EU VAT applies at the reader's country rate. Under the OSS scheme you declare those sales in one quarterly return instead of registering in every country. Below a combined €10,000 a year in cross-border EU sales, you can charge your home country's rate. Check with your accountant how your chosen platform handles the tax on each payment.