adly.news vs Paved: Which Newsletter Advertising Platform is Right for You?
A detailed comparison of adly.news and Paved for newsletter advertising. Compare features, pricing, and approaches to help you choose the right platform for your needs.
If you're exploring newsletter advertising—whether as a creator looking to monetize or a business seeking engaged audiences—you've likely come across both adly.news and Paved. Both platforms connect newsletters with advertisers, but they take different approaches.
Here's an honest comparison to help you decide which platform fits your needs.
Platform Overview
Paved
Paved is an established newsletter advertising marketplace that has been operating since 2019. They've built a large network of newsletters and work primarily with larger brands and media buyers.
adly.news
adly.news is a newer marketplace focused on making newsletter advertising accessible to everyone—from solo newsletter creators to growing businesses. We emphasize simplicity, transparency, and automated matching.
Key Differences
Pricing Model
Paved: Free for advertisers—businesses pay the listed price with no additional fees. For newsletter creators, Paved takes 30% on Marketplace bookings, 40% on Ad Network performance earnings, or 10% on Paved Booker (for sponsorships $500+, free under $500).
adly.news: Also free for businesses—you pay exactly the listed price. Newsletter creators keep 90% of their earnings (just a 10% platform fee) with no monthly fees or subscriptions. That's up to 3x more earnings compared to Paved's Marketplace.
Target Market
Paved: Tends to work with larger newsletters and established media buyers. Best suited for brands with significant advertising budgets.
adly.news: Welcomes newsletters of all sizes and businesses of all budgets. Whether you have 1,000 subscribers or 100,000, you can list your newsletter. Whether you're a startup or enterprise, you can advertise.
Onboarding Process
Paved: May require approval and vetting process to join as a newsletter. Some newsletters report a longer onboarding timeline.
adly.news: Simple self-service signup. Newsletter creators can create their profile and start receiving inquiries within minutes. No approval gates for getting started.
Automated Outreach
Paved: Newsletters need to be discovered by advertisers or actively pitch themselves.
adly.news: We automatically reach out to relevant businesses on behalf of newsletter creators. Our system identifies potential advertisers that match your audience and invites them to view your storefront—bringing opportunities to you.
Booking Flexibility
Paved: Structured booking process through the platform.
adly.news: Multiple booking options including instant booking at list price, bidding system for negotiation, and direct messaging for custom arrangements. Flexibility for both parties to find the right deal.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | adly.news | Paved |
|---|---|---|
| Free for businesses | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Newsletter creator fees | 10% | 30% Marketplace / 40% Ad Network |
| Creator earnings kept | 90% | 70% Marketplace / 60% Ad Network |
| Minimum subscriber requirement | None | May apply |
| Self-service signup | ✅ Yes | Application process |
| Public newsletter storefronts | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| Automated advertiser outreach | ✅ Yes | No |
| Bid/negotiation system | ✅ Yes | Limited |
| In-platform messaging | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Secure payments | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Campaign management | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Who Should Choose Paved?
Paved may be a better fit if:
- You're a large newsletter (100K+ subscribers) looking for enterprise advertisers
- You prefer working with a managed service and account representatives
- You're a media buyer placing large-volume buys across many newsletters
- You want access to their established network of premium brands
Who Should Choose adly.news?
adly.news is likely the better choice if:
- You're a newsletter creator who wants to keep more of your earnings (90% vs 70%)
- You're a growing newsletter looking to start monetizing without barriers
- You value having advertisers come to you through automated outreach
- You're a business looking for targeted newsletter placements with easy discovery
- You prefer self-service tools with flexibility to negotiate deals
- You want a simple, fast onboarding process
For Newsletter Creators
Starting Out
If you're just beginning to monetize your newsletter, adly.news offers a lower barrier to entry. There's no application process—create your profile, set your pricing, and start accepting advertisers. Our automated outreach means you don't have to actively hunt for sponsors.
Maximizing Earnings
The fee difference has a significant impact on your earnings. Here's what you'd keep from a $1,000 sponsorship:
| Platform | Fee | You Keep |
|---|---|---|
| adly.news | 10% | $900 |
| Paved Marketplace | 30% | $700 |
| Paved Ad Network | 40% | $600 |
Over time, this adds up. If you earn $10,000/year in sponsorships, you'd keep $9,000 on adly.news vs $7,000 on Paved Marketplace—that's $2,000 more in your pocket.
Using Both
There's nothing stopping you from listing on multiple platforms. Many creators diversify their monetization channels. Just be mindful of availability and avoid double-booking.
For Businesses
Budget Considerations
Good news: both platforms are free for advertisers. You simply pay the listed sponsorship price—no platform fees, subscriptions, or minimum spend requirements on either platform.
The difference for businesses comes down to features and experience:
Finding the Right Newsletters
Both platforms offer discovery, but through different mechanisms:
- Paved: Larger catalog of established newsletters
- adly.news: Growing catalog with easy filtering by niche and location
Campaign Management
Both platforms offer tools to manage your newsletter advertising campaigns. Consider which interface and workflow feels more intuitive for your needs.
The Bottom Line
Both adly.news and Paved serve the newsletter advertising ecosystem, but with different approaches:
Paved has established itself with larger publishers and brands, offering a managed marketplace experience. Their 30% fee on the Marketplace means creators keep 70% of earnings.
adly.news focuses on accessibility, transparency, and automation—making newsletter advertising work for creators and businesses of all sizes. With just a 10% fee, creators keep 90% of their earnings.
For newsletter creators, the math is simple: you keep significantly more money with adly.news. For businesses, both platforms are free to use—so consider which offers the better discovery experience and newsletter selection for your needs.
Try adly.news Today
Ready to see if adly.news is right for you?
Newsletter creators: Create your free storefront in minutes and let us bring advertisers to you.
Businesses: Browse newsletters, see transparent pricing, and book your first placement with no platform fees.
The best way to evaluate any platform is to try it yourself. We're confident that once you experience our approach, you'll see the difference.
Phil Gabardo
Founder, adly.news
Sharing insights on newsletter advertising and email marketing strategies.
Ready to reach engaged audiences?
Join adly.news to discover newsletters that align with your brand and audience.
Get Started Free