NEWSLETTER CHOICE

Best Newsletter Platforms for Under 1,000 Subscribers

Jul 11, 2025

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3 min

Andrés

`A 2025 guide` to launching your newsletter with the right tool — simple, affordable, and built for growth.

Starting a newsletter is easier than ever, but choosing the right platform when you have fewer than 1,000 subscribers can make a big difference in your momentum and reach. Whether you’re testing an idea, growing an audience, or just writing for fun, the right tool should support your growth — not slow it down or lock key features behind a paywall.

In this guide, we compare the best newsletter platforms for creators starting small. We focus on free-tier limits, monetization options, ease of use, and scalability.

Platform Highlights

LetterBucket

Clean interface, strong focus on ownership, no hidden fees.

Free for up to 1,000 subscribers.
Custom public blog, SEO-friendly URLs.
No platform fee on monetization.

Best for: Creators who want full control and a publishing-first experience.
letterbucket.com.

Substack

Famous for its simplicity and built-in paid subscriptions.

Unlimited free subscribers.
10% fee on paid revenue + Stripe processing.
Public archive and app.

Best for: Writers monetizing early with paid tiers.
substack.com.

Beehiiv

Generous free tier with pro-level features behind upgrades.

Up to 2,500 free subscribers.
Custom website, referral program.
Monetization and automation require paid plan ($39/month).

Best for: Growth-focused newsletters with future monetization in mind
beehiiv.com.

Kit

Powerful toolset for creators who sell products, courses, or memberships.

Free for up to 1,000 subscribers.
Tagging, sequences, and forms.
Some automations and monetization tools require upgrades.

Best for: Creators building an email + product business
convertkit.com.

Mailchimp

The classic marketing platform, still useful for small campaigns.

Free for 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month.
Drag-and-drop templates, landing pages.
Limited in automation and modern monetization.

Best for: Small businesses or legacy marketers.
mailchimp.com.

Quick Comparison: Top Platforms for Small Lists

Platform	Free plan limit	Monetization fees	Key Features	Best for
LetterBucket	1,000 Subs	0%	Clean editor, analytics, public site, custom forms	Beginners valuing ownership
Substack	Unlimited	10 % + Stripe fees	Native monetization, easy to use	Writers with paid content goals
Beehiiv	2,500 Subs	0 % on free plan	Referral, segmentation, analytics (paid tier)	Growth-oriented creators
Mailchimp	500 Subs	N/A	Templates, automations, CRM	Marketers & small businesses
Kit	1,000 Subs	0 % (limited features)	Forms, tags, basic sequences	Creators with product funnels

Which Platform Should You Choose?

If you want to launch fast with full ownership and no fees — go with LetterBucket. It’s creator-friendly and focused on publishing over marketing gimmicks.

If your audience is already asking to pay — Substack is a strong default, despite the revenue share.

If you plan to grow aggressively and are fine with upgrading later — Beehiiv has the infrastructure.

If you’re selling digital products alongside your newsletter — ConvertKit is built for you.

If you need classic email marketing tools — Mailchimp still delivers, especially for business use cases.

Real Creator Feedback

“I started with Substack for the ease of use and payment system. But once I hit 200 paying subscribers, the 10% fee started to feel heavy.”
— Indie writer & journalist

“LetterBucket was the easiest launch I’ve had. I just uploaded my logo, wrote my first post, and hit publish. Everything else was optional.”
— Newsletter creator, tech space

“Beehiiv’s free tier is generous. But if you want to grow with monetization and referrals, you’ll eventually need their Scale plan.”
— Creator in productivity niche.

Resume

Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small. The right platform should give you flexibility, scalability, and control over your audience without charging high fees from day one.

If you’re launching a newsletter with under 1,000 subscribers and want a publishing-first experience, full control, and no revenue share — LetterBucket is a great place to begin.