At a glance
| Feature | MediaPact | Swapstack (beehiiv) |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory scope | Any ESP (beehiiv, Substack, Kit, Ghost, custom) | beehiiv newsletters only |
| Media formats | Newsletter, sponsored content, podcast, direct | Newsletter ads only |
| Affiliate network integration | Yes — Impact, CJ, Partnerize, ShareASale | No |
| Programmatic matching | Manual + AI-assisted | AI-based matching within beehiiv |
| Cost for buyers | Free | Free |
| Publisher lock-in | None | Requires beehiiv hosting |
| Best for | Cross-platform brand + agency buying | beehiiv-only brand tests |
Who Swapstack is built for
Swapstack was founded as an independent newsletter ad network and acquired by beehiiv in 2024. It now operates as beehiiv’s in-platform advertising marketplace. The product is well-suited to:
- Brands that specifically want to advertise in beehiiv-hosted newsletters
- beehiiv creators monetizing through a streamlined in-platform flow
- Tests on curated newsletter inventory without cross-ESP complexity
Where Swapstack is limited
- Inventory restricted to beehiiv newsletters. If your buyer persona reads newsletters on Substack, Kit, Ghost, Mailchimp, or custom providers — and they do, since beehiiv represents ~2–3% of the total newsletter landscape — you can’t reach them through Swapstack.
- Newsletter-only. No sponsored content, podcasts, or direct media deals.
- No affiliate integration. Hybrid flat-fee + CPA structures aren’t supported.
Who MediaPact is built for
MediaPact is platform-agnostic and format-agnostic. Our seller network includes:
- Newsletters across every major ESP (beehiiv, Substack, Kit, Ghost, custom)
- Tier-one enterprise publishers with sponsored content inventory
- Podcast networks
- Affiliate-integrated sites
The result: a brand buyer on MediaPact can execute a single media plan that spans four different newsletter providers + a sponsored article + a podcast placement — all in one workflow, with consolidated reporting.
Pricing
Both platforms are free for advertisers/buyers. Publishers pay commissions on completed transactions. Pricing is set by publishers in both cases.
When to choose each
Choose Swapstack if: You’ve already decided to advertise specifically in beehiiv newsletters and want the simplest in-platform flow.
Choose MediaPact if: You want broader newsletter inventory across all ESPs, need cross-format reach (newsletters + content + podcasts), or want affiliate integration for hybrid deals.
Frequently asked questions
+ Does Swapstack work with newsletters outside beehiiv?
No. Swapstack's inventory is limited to newsletters hosted on beehiiv. To advertise in Substack, Kit, Ghost, or custom newsletters, use a cross-platform marketplace like MediaPact or Paved.
+ Is MediaPact only for newsletters?
No. MediaPact supports newsletter sponsorships, sponsored content, podcast placements, and direct media deals across enterprise publishers.
+ Can I find Substack newsletters on MediaPact?
Yes. MediaPact is ESP-agnostic and includes newsletters hosted on Substack, beehiiv, Kit, Ghost, Mailchimp, and custom platforms.
+ Does MediaPact integrate with affiliate networks?
Yes — Impact, CJ Affiliate, Partnerize, and ShareASale. Hybrid flat-fee + CPA deals are native to the platform.
Bottom line
Swapstack is a solid tool if you’ve already committed to the beehiiv ecosystem. For brands and agencies that want maximum inventory reach across formats and platforms, MediaPact is the cross-ecosystem option.
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