Buttondown review

Buttondown is a small, self-funded newsletter tool that favors simplicity. It is free for the first 100 subscribers, and every plan includes a rich text or Markdown editor, sending from a custom domain and hosted newsletter archives. Extra features are sold as add-ons listed on the pricing page, such as paid subscriptions, analytics, RSS-to-email, comments and surveys at $9 per month each, and automations, sponsorships and multiple newsletters at $29 per month each. Writers who like Markdown and an API will find it comfortable: the REST API covers what the app does and supports webhooks. Its sponsorship tool lets sponsors book and pay through Stripe, and Buttondown takes no cut. The add-on model keeps a basic newsletter cheap but means the bill grows as you add features that beehiiv or Kit bundle in. We could not confirm the base plan price in USD on the visible pricing page, so the starting price is marked pending.

Who it is for

Technical writers who want Markdown, an API and simple pricing

Price

See vendor pricing (USD check pending).

US price check pending. See the vendor pricing page.

Key features

• Free for your first 100 subscribers
• Rich text or Markdown editor, custom sending domain and hosted archives on every plan
• Add-ons for paid subscriptions, analytics, RSS-to-email, comments and surveys
• Sponsorship booking where sponsors pay through Stripe and Buttondown takes no cut
• Documented REST API with webhooks

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Billing counts only active subscribers
• Strength: Registered nonprofits get a 50% discount
• Strength: You keep 100% of sponsorship revenue minus Stripe fees
• Weakness: The free plan stops at 100 subscribers
• Weakness: Paid subscriptions, analytics and automations are paid add-ons
• Weakness: Prices assume at most one email a day to the whole list

Key facts

• Free plan: Yes, first 100 subscribers
• Founded: 2017
• Nonprofit discount: 50%
• Sponsorship cut: 0%, Stripe fees apply

Where it ranks

Buttondown is No. 6 in our Best Newsletter Platforms verdict.