PRICES VERIFIED AUGUST 27, 2026
Calculate the real cost of newsletter software before you choose.
Use a four-line worksheet, two audience sizes, and one migration estimate. The result separates what the platform charges from what switching and payment processing cost.
Start with this four-line worksheet
| Cost line | Monthly calculation | Where to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Plan subscription | Current tier price | Provider checkout at your list size and cadence |
| Platform revenue share | Paid revenue × platform percentage | Provider fee documentation |
| Payment processing | Transaction fees + recurring billing fees | Your processor and payment mix |
| Migration allowance | One-time switching cost ÷ evaluation months | Hours, outside help, overlap, and disruption |
1. Find the first limit you will hit
Subscriber capacity is only one reason to upgrade. Sending limits, automations, user seats, branding, support, paid subscriptions, and ad tools can force a paid plan sooner. Write down the three capabilities your newsletter cannot operate without, then remove every tier that lacks them. The list-size calculator compares today with a 12-month audience.
2. Separate the four costs
Record the recurring subscription, any percentage of revenue, payment processing, and one-time migration work as separate lines. Combining them into one number hides why a platform is expensive. Use the percentage-fee calculator for revenue share and the migration calculator for switching payback.
3. Calculate two audience sizes
Run the plan-cost calculator with your list today, then again with a conservative twelve-month list size. This exposes a cheap starting tier that becomes costly or unavailable at the next subscriber band. If our data does not cover that audience size, get a current quote instead of extrapolating.
4. Put a price on switching
A subscriber export is only part of a move. Include templates, forms, domains, suppression lists, automations, integrations, paid-subscription status, testing, and subscription overlap. Divide that one-time total by the monthly saving to see how long the move takes to pay back.
5. Use a go/no-go rule
Write the rule before opening checkout: “We upgrade when the missing feature is worth more than $X per month,” or “We migrate when first-year net savings exceed $Y and payback is under Z months.” This prevents a feature list from becoming the decision.
6. Confirm the live price
The commercial facts in this guide were checked on August 27, 2026. Providers can change prices, limits, and billing terms at any time. Before buying, confirm the subscriber band, billing cadence, sending allowance, taxes, and checkout total on the provider’s site.