Our verdict
Authors need three things from a newsletter: a way to hand out a reader magnet such as a free novella or chapter, an automated sequence that warms new readers up before a launch, and optionally a paid tier for bonus content. No single plan wins on all three at every list size, so the right pick depends on which job matters most.
For launches on a budget, MailerLite Comfort is the value pick: automations with up to 100 steps, landing pages and paid newsletters via Stripe. [1] [2] [3] For the largest free list, Kit Free holds 10,000 subscribers but has no sequences. [6] For a paid tier with no platform cut, beehiiv Lite or Pro. [4]
Reader magnets, launches and paid tiers compared
| Job | MailerLite | beehiiv | Kit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reader magnet delivery | Automation on form completion sends the email [2] | Automations from Lite up (10 live on Lite) [4] | Download in the confirmation email [7] |
| Landing pages | Free: 1 site and 1 landing page; Comfort: 10 each [1] | Free: 1 custom page; Lite: 5; Pro: unlimited [4] | Unlimited on all plans [5] |
| Launch sequence | Free: 3 automations, 5 steps; Comfort: 50, 100 steps [1] | None on Free; 10 on Lite; unlimited on Pro [4] | Paid plans only [6] |
| Paid tier | Stripe on Comfort or Power [3] | Lite and Pro, not Free; 0% take rate outside a trial plus Stripe fees [4] | Subscriptions on all plans; 3.5% + 30 cents listed [5] |
| Free plan list limit | 250 subscribers [1] | 2,500 subscribers [4] | 10,000 subscribers [6] |
Worked cost: a 3,000-reader list
At 3,000 subscribers, MailerLite's next slider tier is up to 5,000: Comfort is $49 a month, or $44.10 a month billed yearly ($529.20 a year), with 50,000 emails a month; Power is $69, or $62.10 billed yearly. [1] beehiiv's "Up to 5,000" tier is $109 a month or $1,140 a year for Lite, and $199 a month or $2,028 a year for Pro. [4]
Kit's pricing page shows only the 1,000-subscriber tier, but Kit's billing article uses the 3,000-subscriber Creator tier in an example at $59 a month, or $590 a year on annual billing, which Kit describes as 12 months for the price of 10. [5] [8] Kit Free also holds 3,000 readers at $0 if you only send broadcasts. [6]
| Plan at 3,000 readers | Monthly billing | Yearly billing (total) | Sequences or automations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit Free | $0 | $0 | No [6] |
| MailerLite Comfort (up to 5,000) | $49 [1] | $529.20 [1] | Yes, 50 active [1] |
| Kit Creator (3,000 tier) | $59 [8] | $590 [8] | Yes [6] |
| MailerLite Power (up to 5,000) | $69 [1] | $745.20 [1] | Unlimited [1] |
| beehiiv Lite (up to 5,000) | $109 [4] | $1,140 [4] | 10 live [4] |
| beehiiv Pro (up to 5,000) | $199 [4] | $2,028 [4] | Unlimited [4] |
Paid tiers: what the fees mean for an author
Suppose 150 of those 3,000 readers pay $4 a month for bonus chapters, $600 a month in charges. On beehiiv's stated terms the platform takes 0% (outside a trial) and Stripe charges 2.9% plus 30 cents, which is 150 times ($0.116 plus $0.30), or $62.40 a month. [4] Kit lists 3.5% plus 30 cents, inclusive of card processing, which is 150 times ($0.14 plus $0.30), or $66 a month, and lets you sell on Kit Free. [5]
MailerLite's Stripe article does not state a MailerLite transaction fee. It requires the Comfort or Power plan, products created in Stripe, a minimum price of $0.50, and card-only payment for recurring subscriptions. [3] Small per-subscriber prices lose a large share to the fixed 30 cents, so a yearly option at a higher price keeps more of each payment.
Running a book launch sequence
A practical launch flow is four to six emails over two to three weeks: cover reveal, an excerpt, a behind-the-scenes note, preorder or launch-day news, and a reminder. In MailerLite, start it from a group join or a date trigger and add delays between emails; the Free plan's 5-step cap is tight for this, so most authors will want Comfort. [2] [1]
In Kit, a paid sequence delays each email by days and respects a send schedule, and you can exclude readers who already bought, using a tag or segment. [9] On beehiiv, automations start on Lite, which allows 10 live custom automations. [4]
- Set up the reader magnet first, so new readers join the list on launch day already.
- Tag readers by series so a launch email reaches the right fans.
- Exclude buyers from the reminder emails.
- Keep the sequence short; one launch should not need more than six emails.
Who fits each platform, and who should skip
- MailerLite fits authors who want launch automations and landing pages at the lowest paid price. Skip it if you will not pay and have more than 250 readers. [1]
- beehiiv fits authors building a paid newsletter who want no platform take rate. Skip it if your list is over 2,500 and you want free sending, or if $1,140 a year is too much for your list's size. [4]
- Kit fits authors with a large free list who mostly send broadcasts or sell products. Skip Kit Free if you need an automated reader-magnet follow-up or launch sequence. [6]
Questions before you decide
What does a 3,000-reader list cost on each platform?
Billed yearly: Kit Free $0 but without sequences; MailerLite Comfort $529.20; Kit Creator $590 in Kit's billing example; beehiiv Lite $1,140. beehiiv Free stops at 2,500 subscribers and MailerLite Free at 250.
How do I deliver a reader magnet?
In Kit, upload the file as a download in the confirmation email settings. In MailerLite, use an automation triggered when a form is completed to send the email with the link.
Which platform is best for a paid newsletter?
beehiiv lists a 0% take rate on paid subscriptions for Lite and Pro, with Stripe fees of 2.9% plus 30 cents. Kit lists 3.5% plus 30 cents. MailerLite sells paid newsletters through Stripe on Comfort and Power.
Can I run a launch sequence on a free plan?
Only on MailerLite Free, within 3 active automations of 5 steps each and 250 subscribers. Kit Free excludes sequences and beehiiv Free has no live custom automations.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- MailerLite pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- MailerLite: Email marketing automation features Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- MailerLite Help: How to sell digital products through MailerLite using Stripe Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- beehiiv pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Kit pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Kit Help: The Kit Free plan Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Kit Help: The confirmation email Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Kit Help: Billing at Kit Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Kit Help: Creating and sending an Email Sequence in Kit Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.