Honest take: Is Buttondown right for you?

Buttondown is a refreshingly simple newsletter platform. Markdown support, clean interface, fair pricing, and a developer-friendly API. It does email newsletters well without the bloat.

But simple means fewer features. Here's when alternatives make sense:

If you want monetization: Beehiiv

Buttondown supports paid newsletters, but Beehiiv has an actual ad network, referral programs, and tools for building a media business. If making money from your newsletter is the priority, Beehiiv is purpose-built for that.

If you want discovery: Substack

Substack has network effects - readers can find you through recommendations and the app. Buttondown doesn't have this. If organic discovery matters, Substack's network is valuable.

If you want visual editing: ConvertKit

Buttondown is Markdown-first, which developers love but others don't. ConvertKit, Beehiiv, and MailerLite offer visual drag-and-drop email builders.

If you want full control: Ghost

Ghost is open-source and can be self-hosted. You own everything. Built-in memberships, beautiful themes, and complete independence.

The pricing comparison

At 10,000 subscribers:

• Buttondown: around $29/month
• Beehiiv: $99/month (Max plan)
• Substack: Free (10% of paid subs)
• Ghost: $25/month (managed)
• ConvertKit: $119+/month
• MailerLite: $50/month

When Buttondown is still the right choice

Stick with Buttondown if:

• You love Markdown and want to write in it
• Minimal and simple is a feature, not a limitation
• You're a developer who appreciates clean APIs
• Paid subscriptions are enough monetization

Buttondown is built by a small, profitable, self-funded team. They're not going anywhere, and they care about doing email newsletters right without the complexity.