I've been running my own newsletter for three years, and I've tested nearly every platform on the market. When I started curating software recommendations at curated-software.deals, newsletter tools were one of the first categories I dove deep into—because getting this choice right genuinely matters for solo founders.
Here's what I've learned: the best newsletter tool isn't the one with the most features. It's the one that gets out of your way so you can focus on writing great content.
Why this matters more in 2026
The newsletter space has matured. What used to be a nice-to-have is now essential for building an audience. Whether you're selling products, sharing expertise, or building a community, a newsletter is your direct line to people who actually care about what you do.
But solopreneurs face a specific problem: we don't have time to manage complex workflows or spend hours on design. We need tools that are simple, affordable, and let us send great newsletters in minutes—not hours.
Substack: Still the default for good reason
I know everyone mentions Substack, but it deserves mention because it's genuinely good. No payment processing fees when readers subscribe directly, a clean writing experience, and built-in monetization options. For pure simplicity, it's hard to beat.
The downside? Limited customization and you're somewhat locked into their ecosystem. But if you're just starting and want to focus entirely on writing without worrying about tools, Substack removes friction.
Beehiiv: For those who want growth features
Beehiiv is what I recommend when a solopreneur says, "I want to grow faster." Their referral features are genuinely powerful—they've built growth mechanics directly into the platform. The editor is excellent, analytics are useful, and the free tier is surprisingly generous.
I've seen solo founders double their subscriber list in three months using Beehiiv's built-in growth loops. It's not magic, but it works because they've thought deeply about how newsletters actually grow.
The cost creeps up if you want advanced features, but the base tier handles 99% of what solopreneurs need.
ConvertKit: If you're selling anything
ConvertKit is built for creators who monetize. Their tag system is powerful, automation is straightforward, and landing pages convert well. If you're an online educator, course creator, or selling digital products, ConvertKit's integration with your sales funnel is seamless.
I use ConvertKit myself because I sell courses and digital products. The ability to tag subscribers and create targeted campaigns without feeling like you need an engineering degree matters.
Revue alternative: Ghost
Twitter killed Revue (now folded into X Premium), which left a gap for writers who wanted a simple, affordable option. Ghost fills that gap. It's open-source, you can host it yourself to save money, and it has a clean, distraction-free writing experience.
Ghost is for the technical solopreneur—someone comfortable with hosting and willing to tinker. If that's not you, it's more friction than it's worth.
The decision framework that actually works
I've tested all of these, and here's how I decide: Ask yourself three questions.
First, do I want to focus purely on writing or do I want growth mechanics built in? (Substack vs. Beehiiv).
Second, am I selling anything? (ConvertKit if yes, anything else if no).
Third, how technical am I? (Ghost if you want to self-host, anything else for standard hosting).
That's it. Those three questions will point you to the right tool.
What I'm using in 2026
Personally, I split my newsletters. High-traffic public content goes to Beehiiv for the growth features. Direct customer communication goes to ConvertKit because their automation is tighter for sales workflows. It's not the "correct" way to do it, but it works for my specific situation.
For a solopreneur just starting, I'd pick Beehiiv. You get simplicity, clean design, and growth features that actually matter—all at a reasonable price.
Where to go from here
I've reviewed all of these tools in depth at curated-software.deals, where I test software the way I actually use it—honestly and practically. If you want a deeper breakdown of pricing, feature comparisons, and real-world usage notes, visit curated-software.deals/SEO/best-newsletter-tools-solopreneurs-2026.html.
Choosing the right newsletter tool matters, but choosing quickly and starting matters more. Pick one, send your first newsletter this week, and iterate from there. That's how you actually build an audience.
