*Free guides · Updated November 2026* # Run a privacy-friendly newsletter from your own website Build your website with an AI coding tool, host it in the EU and collect subscribers with double opt-in. My main guide uses phpList on your own webspace. A second guide covers Brevo, which is easier technically, but I don't recommend it. ## Why these guides exist Running a newsletter as an individual is surprisingly hard. Platforms like Substack exist, but your newsletter then lives on their platform, not on your own website. If you want a newsletter that runs directly from your own homepage, for example to build in public or to keep users of your open source tool up to date, you need to set it up yourself. These guides show you the **cheapest** and **technically easiest** ways I found. Know a better option? [Email me](mailto:huebnerlukas@t-online.de?subject=Newsletter%20guide%20feedback), and I'll update the guides. :::warning **⚠️ Important: this is not legal advice** These guides are for general information only. They are **not legal advice** and do not replace a review by a qualified lawyer. You are responsible for your own legal notice, privacy policy and the GDPR compliance of your website and newsletter. Details about providers, prices and limits can change at any time, so always check them with the provider directly. ::: :::success ### No time or patience for the tech? I'll set up either version for you and hand over a finished, working setup. 👉 **[Ask me to set it up](mailto:huebnerlukas@t-online.de?subject=Website%20%2B%20newsletter%20setup)** <small>Just send me an email. The setup is a technical service, not legal advice.</small> ::: ## Your options :::warning **Why I don't recommend the Brevo version** I checked the privacy policy text that the free generator creates for Brevo myself. It doesn't seem to fit a simple double opt-in newsletter, and editing legal text yourself is risky. So this version is **probably not possible without asking a lawyer**. The generator's general newsletter text fits the phpList version much better, though you still have to check it. This is only my own assessment. It is not legal advice. ::: ### Recommended: ALL-INKL + phpList Your website and the free, open source newsletter software phpList, both on your own ALL-INKL webspace. **Upsides** - ✅ Subscriber data stays on your own webspace - ✅ No logo, your emails are fully yours - ✅ No per-subscriber costs as your list grows - ✅ No dependence on a newsletter company **Downsides** - ➖ More setup: install phpList and a cron job - ➖ You must install security updates promptly - ➖ Sending speed limited by your host's mail limits - ➖ Needs a bigger hosting plan (PrivatPlus or higher) 👉 **[Open the phpList guide](https://md.ha.si/s/isnpltD-z)** ### Not recommended: netcup + Brevo Your website on netcup, your newsletter in Brevo's free plan. The only technical step is adding a few DNS records. **Upsides** - ✅ Fastest setup, no server software - ✅ No cron jobs, no updates to install - ✅ Brevo takes care of deliverability - ✅ Smallest hosting plan is enough - ✅ Free up to 300 emails per day **Downsides** - ➖ Privacy policy probably needs a lawyer (see above) - ➖ Brevo logo in every email on the free plan - ➖ Over 300 subscribers: you resend each campaign over several days, or pay - ➖ Brevo stores your subscribers' data (with a DPA) - ➖ You depend on Brevo's pricing, terms and account rules 👉 **[Open the Brevo guide](https://md.ha.si/s/c3FP00Tck)** ## Side by side | | ALL-INKL + phpList | netcup + Brevo | |---|---|---| | Technical difficulty | Moderate: install software, set up cron | Low: copy DNS records | | Hosting plan | PrivatPlus or higher | Smallest plan | | Newsletter cost | Included in hosting | Free up to 300 emails per day | | Maintenance | Install phpList updates yourself | None, Brevo handles it | | Where subscriber data lives | On your webspace (Germany) | At Brevo (France) | | Branding in emails | None | Brevo logo on the free plan | | Privacy policy from the generator | General newsletter text fits better, still needs checking | Brevo text doesn't seem to fit, probably needs a lawyer | | Email tracking | On by default. Can be switched off completely | On by default. Per-subscriber tracking can be stopped, but there's no documented full off switch | | Sending limits | Your host's hourly limit | 300 per day on the free plan | | Deliverability | Your host's shared mail servers | Brevo's sending reputation | | Signup form on your site | Form from phpList | Plain HTML form from Brevo | | Can switch later? | Yes, move subscribers to Brevo | Yes, move subscribers to phpList | <small>Both versions use an AI coding tool such as Claude Code, Codex, Antigravity or Cursor to build the website, and a free privacy policy generator. Check its text in both versions.</small> ## Which one is for you? **Pick ALL-INKL + phpList if…** - you don't want a third party holding your subscribers' data - you want emails without someone else's logo - you expect your list to grow beyond a few hundred people - you're comfortable installing updates when an alert arrives **Only consider netcup + Brevo if…** - you're prepared to ask a lawyer about your privacy policy - you really can't install software or maintain updates - your list will stay small for a while - you don't mind a small Brevo logo in your emails **Still unsure?** Start with phpList. It's my main recommendation, and it avoids the privacy policy problem with Brevo. :::warning **⚠️ Once more: this is not legal advice** All content on these pages is non-binding information, with no guarantee of accuracy, completeness or timeliness. It does not replace individual legal advice. ::: :::success ### Rather have it set up for you? Tell me which version you prefer, or ask me to help you choose. I'll handle the complete setup. 👉 **[Ask me by email](mailto:huebnerlukas@t-online.de?subject=Website%20%2B%20newsletter%20setup)** ::: --- [ALL-INKL + phpList guide](https://md.ha.si/s/isnpltD-z) · [netcup + Brevo guide](https://md.ha.si/s/c3FP00Tck)