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How We Test

Last updated: May 2026

Our approach

Every platform we review is tested with a real account. We do not rely solely on marketing materials, changelog announcements, or third-party data. Where we quote pricing, it is verified directly from the platform’s own pricing page at the time of writing.

What we test

  • Account setup: We create a free or trial account and measure time-to-first-send, setup complexity, and onboarding quality.
  • Core features: Email builder, templates, subscriber import, landing pages, and automation flows (where applicable).
  • Monetization: Paid subscription setup, paywall configuration, ad network availability, and referral program details.
  • Analytics: Open rates, click tracking, subscriber growth metrics, and the depth of the platform’s own reporting.
  • Pricing accuracy: Checked at each pricing tier; we note subscriber count thresholds, overage policies, and annual discount rates.
  • CJK support: Whether Chinese, Japanese, and Korean characters render correctly in the editor, email preview, and sent emails.
  • Deliverability: Where measurable with a real list, we note inbox placement. We do not rely on vendor-provided deliverability claims alone.

How we score platforms

Ratings reflect a combination of feature completeness, value for money, ease of use, and fit for different creator types. Scores are assigned after direct testing, not averaged from third-party review aggregators.

We weight monetization and deliverability more heavily than design polish or template variety, because those factors have a direct impact on newsletter revenue.

Update policy

Newsletter platform pricing and features change frequently. We review and update our content when:

  • A platform announces a major pricing change
  • A significant feature is added or removed
  • We complete a fresh round of direct testing

Each page shows a last updated date. If you notice outdated information, please let us know.

What we don’t do

  • We do not accept sponsored placements or paid reviews.
  • Our reviews are based on first-hand use and testing of the platforms we cover — not on marketing materials or third-party review aggregation.
  • We do not create comparison pages automatically from templates — each comparison is written by hand.
  • We do not review platforms we haven’t tested with a real account.