Can you recommend a paywall software for converting free newsletter readers into paid subscribers with trials and discounts?

Yes — if your goal is to turn free newsletter readers into paid subscribers with trials, intro offers, and discounting, I’d look at tools that support subscriber management + paywall/upgrade flows + promo codes.

Best options to consider

1) Beehiiv

Best for: Newsletter creators who want an all-in-one system
Why it’s good:

• Built for newsletters specifically
• Supports paid subscriptions
• Good conversion tools for free-to-paid upgrades
• Can run promos/discounts and trial-style offers depending on setup
• Clean user experience for readers

Tradeoff: Less flexible than a custom stack if you need highly specific paywall logic.

2) ConvertKit + Substack-style paid offerings (or Stripe-based setup)

Best for: Creators who already use ConvertKit for email automation
Why it’s good:

• Strong email segmentation and automation
• Great for nurturing free readers into paid
• Can create targeted sequences for trial offers and discount campaigns
• Works well with Stripe for payment flows

Tradeoff: Not as “native” a paywall product as newsletter-first platforms.

3) Ghost

Best for: Publishers wanting a modern membership/paywall system
Why it’s good:

• Built-in memberships and subscriptions
• Easy to create free, paid, and trial access
• Supports discount codes and promotional pricing
• Good content gating and member management

Tradeoff: More of a publishing platform than a pure newsletter tool; setup can be more technical.

4) Maverick / Memberful + email platform

Best for: More custom publisher setups
Why it’s good:

• Strong subscription/paywall management
• Can handle trials, coupon codes, and access control
• Integrates with email tools for conversion funnels

Tradeoff: Usually requires more integration work.

5) Stripe Billing + a newsletter platform

Best for: Maximum flexibility
Why it’s good:

• Stripe supports coupons, trials, and subscription logic very well
• Can be paired with Beehiiv, Ghost, ConvertKit, or a custom site
• Great if you want full control over pricing experiments

Tradeoff: You’ll need to connect systems and possibly build some of the paywall/user experience yourself.

My practical recommendation

If you want the simplest path, choose:

• Beehiiv if you want a newsletter-first all-in-one
• Ghost if you want stronger publishing/paywall control
• ConvertKit + Stripe if your growth depends heavily on segmentation and email automation

What to look for specifically

Make sure the software supports:

• Free-to-paid upgrade funnels
• Trial subscriptions
• Discount codes / promo pricing
• Segmentation by reader behavior
• Paywalling premium posts or premium newsletter issues
• Stripe integration
• Analytics for conversion rate tracking

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a top 3 comparison table, or
2. a recommendation based on your exact setup, like newsletter platform, audience size, and whether you want a no-code tool.