Both are built for creators, and both give away a large free tier — Kit 10,000 subscribers, beehiiv 2,500. Neither free plan runs a proper welcome sequence: Kit allows one basic automation, beehiiv allows none. The real split is that beehiiv is built to help a newsletter earn money, and Kit is built to help it grow.
Captured 8 August 2026 from both vendors’ pricing pages at 1,000 subscribers, USD, with monthly and annual modes checked on each. No account was opened on either platform, so no claim is made about how they feel to use and no winner is declared.
The Short Version
Kit sells reach — a recommendation network, unlimited sends, tagging and segmentation. beehiiv sells revenue — an ad network that brokers sponsorships into your newsletter, a 0% take rate on paid subscriptions, and a sponsorship storefront. See our Kit review and beehiiv review.
Free Plans Compared
| Kit Newsletter | beehiiv Launch | |
|---|---|---|
| Subscribers | 10,000 | 2,500 |
| Sending | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Automations | 1 basic visual automation | None — starts on Scale |
| Custom domain | Yes | Yes |
| Website / podcast hosting | Newsletter feed and site | Newsletter, website and podcast |
| API access | Yes | Yes, excluding Send API |
| AI assistant connection | Kit MCP on paid tiers | beehiiv MCP, read access on free |
| Sell products on free | Yes | Digital products start on Scale |
Kit’s free tier is four times larger on subscribers. beehiiv’s is more complete on infrastructure — podcast hosting and an AI website builder are unusual giveaways. But beehiiv withholds automations entirely on Launch, so a welcome sequence requires the $49/month Scale plan.
Paid Pricing Compared
| Kit | beehiiv | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry paid, monthly | Creator $39/mo | Scale $49/mo |
| Entry paid, annual | $32.50/mo ($390/year) | $43/mo ($517/year) |
| Top self-serve, monthly | Pro $79/mo | Max $109/mo |
| Annual discount | 17% | About 12% |
| Take rate on paid subscriptions | Not applicable | 0% |
| Transaction fee on products | 3.5% + 30¢, every plan | Standard processor fees |
| Seats | 2 on Creator, unlimited on Pro | 3 on Scale, unlimited on Max |
| Remove branding | Creator | Max only |
Both pricing pages open on the annual view, so the first numbers you see — $33 and $43 — are discounted. The monthly rates are $39 and $49.
The Number That Actually Decides It
How you intend to make money. If it is sponsorships or paid subscriptions, beehiiv’s 0% take rate and ad network are worth more than Kit’s larger free tier — Kit charges 3.5% + 30¢ on every transaction, on every plan including free, and that compounds. If it is digital products sold occasionally, or you simply want the largest free list, Kit wins on cost.
Verdict
beehiiv if the newsletter is the business and you expect revenue from it. Kit if the newsletter supports a business that earns elsewhere, or you are still growing and want the longest possible free runway. Neither free plan will run a welcome sequence, so budget for a paid tier sooner than the subscriber caps suggest.
Disclosure
RightToolHQ has no affiliate relationship with Kit or beehiiv at the time of writing. This page contains no affiliate links. If that changes, this notice will be updated and any affiliate link clearly marked. See our editorial policy and affiliate disclosure.