Quick Reference Guide: The Best ESPs & Newsletter Platforms for Recruiter Publishers & Career Content Creators

Choosing the right Email Service Provider (ESP) or newsletter management platform is one of the most important decisions for recruiter publishers and career content creators. The right platform can streamline audience growth, improve deliverability, and open up monetization opportunities. Whether you’re launching your first newsletter or scaling an existing one, understanding your options is key.

Below, we compare ten top ESPs and newsletter platforms, considering features, pricing, best use cases, and whether free or paid plans make the most sense.

1. Beehiiv

Best for: Rapidly scaling newsletters with built-in monetization features

Beehiiv has quickly become a top choice for newsletter creators, offering powerful automation, referral programs, and audience segmentation. With built-in monetization features like ad network integration and paid subscriptions, Beehiiv is a strong contender for recruiter publishers who want an all-in-one solution.

• Free plan available? Yes
• Paid plans start at: $42/month
• Notable features: Advanced automation, analytics, integrated referral programs
• When to use: If you want an easy-to-use, scalable platform that supports both free and paid monetization options

2. Kit

Best for: Simple, AI-powered email marketing

Kit is an emerging ESP with AI-powered tools to automate email marketing and optimize content. It’s a great option for those who want to maximize engagement with minimal manual effort.

• Free plan available? Yes
• Paid plans start at: $10/month
• Notable features: AI-powered content optimization, segmentation, automated sequences
• When to use: If you want a simple, AI-driven ESP that makes email marketing effortless

3. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

Best for: Transactional emails + automation

Brevo is a hybrid email marketing and CRM tool that’s great for businesses that need robust automation and transactional email capabilities.

• Free plan available? Yes (up to 300 emails/day)
• Paid plans start at: $25/month
• Notable features: SMS marketing, workflow automation, robust integrations
• When to use: If you want a well-rounded ESP with both marketing and transactional email capabilities

4. Medium

Best for: Blogging-focused content distribution

Medium is not a traditional ESP but can be a great alternative for those who want to build a personal brand and share long-form content with a built-in audience.

• Free plan available? Yes
• Paid plans start at: $5/month (to access partner program earnings)
• Notable features: Built-in audience, SEO-friendly, Partner Program for earnings
• When to use: If you want to focus on thought leadership with built-in distribution

5. Ghost

Best for: Open-source publishing with full control

Ghost is an open-source platform that allows creators to own their content and monetization. It’s excellent for those who want flexibility in how they distribute content and earn revenue.

• Free plan available? No
• Paid plans start at: $9/month (self-hosted) or $36/month (managed hosting)
• Notable features: Full content ownership, built-in subscriptions, SEO optimization
• When to use: If you want complete control over your newsletter and website

6. Substack

Best for: Paid newsletters with a built-in audience

Substack is well-known for its simplicity in launching paid newsletters. It handles payments, subscriptions, and distribution, making it a great choice for recruiter publishers who want to monetize immediately.

• Free plan available? Yes
• Paid plans start at: 10% of paid subscriptions
• Notable features: Built-in payment processing, easy-to-use interface, audience discovery
• When to use: If you want a straightforward way to monetize your newsletter

7. MailerLite

Best for: Budget-conscious creators who need advanced features

MailerLite is a great option for those who need a balance between affordability and advanced functionality, offering automation and landing pages.

• Free plan available? Yes (up to 1,000 subscribers)
• Paid plans start at: $9/month
• Notable features: Email automation, landing page builder, drag-and-drop editor
• When to use: If you want advanced features on a budget

Choosing the Right Platform

Each platform has strengths that make it suitable for different kinds of recruiter publishers and career content creators. If you’re focused on monetization, Beehiiv and Substack are strong choices. For full ownership, Ghost stands out. If affordability is your main concern, MailerLite and SendFox are solid options.