Indie hackers love connecting with their users. One of the best ways to do that? A newsletter. It’s personal, cheap, and super effective for sharing product updates, early feature drops, or just plain old news.
TLDR:
If you’re an indie hacker building something cool, newsletters help keep your users in the loop. This article covers the top 7 newsletter tools that are easy, fun, and built with small creators in mind. Whether you want simple or powerful, there’s a tool here for you. Let’s dive in!
1. Substack – For the Writer at Heart
Substack is a favorite among indie creators. Why? Because it feels like blogging with wings. It blends the love of writing with simple, powerful newsletter tools.
- Perfect for: Those who want to write long-form content
- Setup time: 5 minutes, seriously
- Free tier: Yep! They only take a cut when you go paid
Substack shines when you have a loyal following and want to offer value-packed updates. You can even earn money from subscribers.
2. Mailchimp – Oldie, but Goldie
Mailchimp has been around for a while. But it’s still relevant, especially if you’re growing fast or need more features.
- Perfect for: Makers scaling up with lots of users
- Best feature: Fancy templates and automation
- Downside: Can feel bulky for super simple use cases
If your product is growing and you want tight control over lists, segmentation, and analytics, Mailchimp delivers.
3. ConvertKit – Indie Hacker Favorite
ConvertKit was built with creators in mind. It has that clean, minimal vibe indie hackers love. And it’s packed with features that help grow your audience.
- Perfect for: Creators, bloggers, and solo SaaS makers
- Cool feature: Visual automation that doesn’t need a PhD to use
- Pricing: Free up to 1,000 subscribers
It helps you send updates, launch products, and even run email sequences without stress. Great for building real relationships.
4. Beehiiv – Clean, Modern, and Powerful
Beehiiv is newer, but it’s turning heads. It’s got a slick interface, powerful analytics, and even referral features built in.
- Perfect for: Makers who want to grow fast
- Referral magic: Built-in growth tools
- Why people love it: Modern dashboard and metrics
If you’re sharing updates and want to track growth seriously, Beehiiv is a top pick. It’s built by ex-Morning Brew folks. They know newsletters.
5. Buttondown – Simple and Nerd-Friendly
Buttondown is minimalist and developer-friendly. That means markdown support, fast UI, and even API access.
- Perfect for: Devs who just want to write and send
- Best part: Writing in plain text or markdown
- Nice bonus: Privacy-friendly, too
If you don’t care about templates and just want a no-frills tool to share updates, Buttondown might be your best friend.
6. EmailOctopus – Budget-Friendly and Feature-Rich
EmailOctopus is built for indie wallets. It offers powerful features but keeps things affordable.
- Perfect for: Makers who value price and quality
- List size: Free up to 2,500 subscribers
- Standout features: Easy design tools + reports
EmailOctopus is highly customizable and integrates easily with your favorite tools. Great for sending consistent updates without blowing your budget.
7. Revue – Twitter-Native Simplicity
Revue is the official Twitter (sorry, X) newsletter tool. It’s simple and ties right into your social audience.
- Perfect for: Makers who market via Twitter
- Unique angle: Display your signup link right on your Twitter profile
- Simple UI: Drag and drop your content
Revue makes it easy to turn followers into readers. If Twitter is your main megaphone, this is a no-brainer.
How to Pick the Right One?
So many choices. But don’t stress. Here’s a quick cheat sheet:
- Just Starting? Try Substack or Buttondown
- Engineer Brain? Buttondown or ConvertKit
- Already Have an Audience? Beehiiv or Revue
- Want Cool Automation? Mailchimp or ConvertKit
- On a Budget? EmailOctopus or Substack
Every tool has its style. Pick one that makes you want to hit “Send.” That’s what matters most.
Bonus Tips for Newsletter Success
Picking a tool is step one. Here’s how to level up your newsletter game:
- Keep it short: People are busy. Keep updates quick and clear.
- Be personal: Write like a human, not a robot.
- Add value: Updates are great, but teach or inspire too.
- Be consistent: Once a week or once a month—stick to it.
Don’t overthink it. Your audience wants to hear from you. They signed up for a reason. So hit send and keep building!
Wrapping Up
Newsletters are a gift to indie hackers. They’re simple, direct, and totally yours. From Substack’s simplicity to ConvertKit’s power, there’s a tool here that fits your vibe.
Start small, keep it honest, and keep it going. The road to feedback and fans runs right through your subscriber list. 🚀