Letterbird

What Letterbird is

Letterbird is a web newsletter platform for writers who want to publish and earn through paid subscriptions. Its editor handles images, embeds, and formatting, and built-in analytics show opens, clicks, and subscriber growth. Writers can connect Stripe and choose a price for paid subscriptions. Letterbird takes a 5% fee on paid subscriptions; free subscriptions cost $0. Stripe fees are approximately 3%, and Letterbird says it does not control that charge. Reader comments and reactions are available, with controls to turn them off. Writers can import subscribers from Substack or Mailchimp. The free plan includes unlimited subscribers and posts, analytics, and a custom domain, and it requires no credit card. There is no trial period. Letterbird has a newsletter website and supports custom domains. Both listed plans cost nothing: Free newsletters includes its unlimited publishing and audience features, while Paid newsletters adds Stripe payments, subscriber management, and revenue analytics. Letterbird says it was built by a small team that writes newsletters too.

Who it suits

Letterbird suits writers who want a web-based place to publish newsletters, track engagement, and bring subscribers from Substack or Mailchimp. It also fits writers who want to offer paid subscriptions through Stripe while retaining the option to disable comments and reactions.

Limits

The free plan includes unlimited subscribers and posts, analytics, and a custom domain. Paid subscriptions carry a 5% Letterbird fee, and Stripe takes approximately 3%.

Getting started

1. Open the Letterbird website.
2. Use the web platform to create a newsletter.
3. Choose Free newsletters or Paid newsletters; both are listed as free.
4. For paid subscriptions, connect Stripe and set a subscription price.
5. Import subscribers from Substack or Mailchimp if needed.

Verdict

Choose Letterbird if you want a web newsletter platform with free publishing, audience analytics, and an option to earn through paid subscriptions. Look elsewhere if you need a platform other than web or want to avoid the stated fees on paid Stripe subscriptions.