Best Newsletter Software for Authors

Email marketing is an essential tool for authors. Your mailing list belongs to you and usually comprises subscribers who are fans of your work. It is also a more direct way to communicate compared to social media, which has an abysmal organic reach. We are so spoilt for choice that it can be almost impossible to decide which newsletter software for authors is best suited to our needs.

Choosing your newsletter platform is one of the many decisions you’ll have to make when you start to market your book. You need to consider your needs and budget.

When I first started my author career back in 2013, everyone seemed to be using Mailchimp. So naturally, I started there. It turned out that the monkey drove me demented, so I migrated to MailerLite a few years later and have been with them ever since. I did briefly consider switching to Substack in 2023, but the lack of an automation sequence deterred me. I had a six-step automation sequence that introduced new subscribers to my work, and I wasn’t prepared to sacrifice that. Flash forward to 2024 and I have very recently migrated my entire subscriber base to Substack. I have no intention of monetizing my readership, but Substack is free and I like the functionality and social edge.

In the world of mailing platforms, authors are spoilt for choice. There are so many platforms to choose from and each offers its own unique features and pricing. For now, I’ll focus on the 3 I have used personally and am most familiar with: Mailchimp, MailerLite, and (most recently!) Substack.

**I have used a new list example of 500 subs to compare pricing, as more established authors would probably have their preferred mailing software already 🙂

Mailchimp

Despite my personal vendetta with the waving monkey, there is a reason that Mailchimp is one of the most well-known email marketing platforms. It offers a variety of tools for both beginners and more advanced users and is known for its versatility. The automations are also fantastic.

Pricing	Pros	Cons
Free Plan: up to 500 subscribers and 1,000 monthly emails	User-Friendly: Intuitive interface makes it easy for beginners	Expensive for larger lists: Pricey for lists that are growing quickly
Essential: starts at $13/month for 500 subscribers	Automation: Ideal for authors wanting to set up advanced automations	Limited Free Plan: Free for only very small lists, authors may outgrow the free plan fast
Standard: starts at $20/month for 500 subscribers (with more advanced automation)	Templates: a wide variety of email templates to choose from
Premium: starts at $350/month for 10,000 subscribers (aimed at larger businesses needing customized automation)	All-in-One: Offers tools beyond email, such as landing pages, CRM and social media integration

MailerLite

MailerLite is a well-rounded, budget-friendly option that provides advanced features for a fraction of the cost. It’s simplicity is attractive to someone like me, who is not tech-savvy :). I find this platform is great for creators, or SMEs who don’t want to overcomplicate things.

MailerLite’s pricing has changed a lot over recent years and is dependent on the number of subscribers your list has, so it’s best to use the pricing slider on their website and get an exact quote for your intended list.

Pricing	Pros	Cons
Free Plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails	Affordable Plans: MailerLite’s pricing is budget-friendly, even as your list grows	Limited Templates: Fewer Templates than competitors
Growing Business: Starts at $10/month for 500 subscribers with limited emails	Clean and Simple Design: the interface is streamlined and very easy to use	Automation Complexity: While automation is offered, they are not as advanced as MailChimp
Advanced: Starts at $20/month for 500 subscribers (more tools and priority support)	Rich Features: Provides automation, landing pages, pop-ups, and a drag-and-drop editor	Limited Integration: Fewer integrations compared to Mailchimp and other big platforms
	Great Support: Known for helpful and responsive customer service

Substack

Substack is newer to the market, and this newsletter software platform seems to focus on authors. With Substack, you can monetize your newsletter by setting up subscription options. Their pricing is also uniquely structured in that they charge as a percentage. Which means your cost depends on what you charge your subscribers.

Pricing	Pros	Cons
Free Plan: 0% fee for free newsletters	Ideal for Monetization: Has built-in tools for paid subscriptions and reader management	Limited Customization: the design options are basic with limited branding
Paid Subscription: Substack takes 10% of subscription revenue	Easy to Use: Perfect for creators who prefer a simple set up	No Automation: limited advanced marketing tools
	No Upfront Costs: No fees incurred until you start earning	High Fees once monetized: the 10% revenue cut adds up quickly once you gain a subscriber base
	Sense of Community: Readers can comment and interact, which gives a community feel and gives Substack a social edge

Aside from the 3 platforms mentioned, there is also ConvertKit and SendinBlue to consider, but I haven’t had personal experience with these so cannot offer any insight into their pros and cons.

Which Newsletter Software is Right for You?

Ultimately, there is no best newsletter software for authors. It depends entirely on your needs. You should choose the right email marketing platform based on your goals and budget.

•  For Beginners: MailerLite offers intuitive designs and affordable entry-level options.

•  For Advanced Users: Mailchimp provides the depth of features needed for more complex marketing strategies.

•  For Monetization: If your goal is to build a paying audience, Substack is an ideal starting point.

Selecting the best newsletter software is a key step toward building your brand, engaging your audience, and even generating revenue. Take advantage of free trials when possible and remember that the best platform is one that aligns with both your short-term needs and long-term growth.