Beamer vs Headway: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Beamer and Headway? Both are popular changelog & product updates tools. Below we compare them on pricing, free tiers, features, and pros & cons so you can pick the right fit for your stack.
Quick verdict
Both are solid changelog & product updates options. Headway is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need.
Beamer vs Headway — Side by Side
| Beamer | Headway | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Changelog & Product Updates | Changelog & Product Updates |
| Pricing | Free · paid from $49/mo | Free · paid from $29/mo |
| Starting price | Free tier available | Free tier available |
| Free tier | ||
| Rating | 4.5 | 4.4 |
| Best for | Changelog & Product Updates — release-notes, announcements | Changelog & Product Updates — release-notes, free |
Pros & Cons
- Mature in-app widget with push and email
- Segment updates by user attributes
- Usable free plan for early products
- Priced by MAU, so cost climbs with growth
- Overlaps with onboarding tools you may already pay for
- Widget design is less flexible than custom-built
- Genuinely useful free plan
- Flat price with no MAU limits
- Set up in minutes
- No segmentation or email digests
- Fewer widget formats than Beamer or AnnounceKit
- Slow pace of new features
Key Features Compared
Beamer
- 5,000 MAU
- Segmentation
- Push notifications
Headway
- Custom domain and white-label
- Slack and Twitter integrations
- Team, scheduling, private changelogs
Choose Beamer if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Mature in-app widget with push and email
- Segment updates by user attributes
- Usable free plan for early products
Choose Headway if…
- You want a free tier to validate before paying.
- Budget is tight — paid plans start lower ($29/mo vs $49/mo).
- Genuinely useful free plan
- Flat price with no MAU limits
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Beamer better than Headway?⌄
Both are solid changelog & product updates options. Headway is cheaper to start, but the right choice depends on the specific features and integrations you need.
What is the difference between Beamer and Headway?⌄
Beamer — Changelog and in-app announcement widget with segmentation, push notifications and engagement analytics. Free up to 1,000 MAU. Headway — Simple changelog page and in-app widget with a free plan for unlimited changelogs. Pro is $29/month flat. Both are changelog & product updates tools; the comparison table above breaks down pricing, free tiers, and what each is best for.
Beamer vs Headway: which is cheaper?⌄
Beamer pricing: Free · paid from $49/mo. Headway pricing: Free · paid from $29/mo. Confirm current pricing on each tool's official site, as plans change.
Which is rated higher, Beamer or Headway?⌄
In our catalog, Beamer rates 4.5 out of 5 and Headway rates 4.4 out of 5, so Beamer has a slight edge on reviews.
See more options in our guide to the best changelog & product updates tools for startups.
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