Curated vs Buttondown Pricing (2026)

Price is one row. To weigh the features too, use our feature comparison template →

Which one is cheaper?

One or both use custom pricing, so it depends on your specific needs.

Can I use either one for free?

Both offer free plans, so you can try each without paying. Start with whichever fits your workflow better and upgrade when you hit the limits.

How do they charge?

Different approach here. Curated uses usage-based pricing, while Buttondown goes with hybrid. That changes the math depending on your team size and usage.

Which one is a better deal?

Depends on what you need. Curated: Priced as the accessible, creator-friendly option: $39 to $399 covers up to 50k subscribers, which keeps it well below enterprise email platforms at similar list sizes. It's clearly courting independent newsletter operators and small publishers who'd otherwise default to a general-purpose ESP. Buttondown: Buttondown is the lean, developer-friendly alternative to Substack and Beehiiv, with the free tier and the nonprofit discount (50% off for 501(c)(3)s) aimed at hobbyists and mission-driven publishers. The catch is that à la carte pricing can quietly balloon, so a fully loaded setup may land above competitors who bundle those features.

Still deciding? See the best Curated alternatives or the best Buttondown alternatives, ranked with verified pricing.