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Feeling overwhelmed by information overload? CTOs wear many hats and the role requires constant learning and upskilling. But you don't have to go it alone! I've curated a list of the best CTO newsletters to subscribe to in 2024, packed with insights from industry leaders to keep you informed and empowered.

Here's a summary of each newsletter to help you learn who it's for and why it's great.

Best CTO Newsletters Shortlist

Here's a shortlist of the must-read CTO newsletters I think are worth reading in 2024:

  1. Software Lead Weekly — For tech lead productivity
  2. Level Up — For leadership reflections
  3. Tech Manager Weekly — For comprehensive CTO insights
  4. TLDR — For concise tech news
  5. The Leadership Garden Newsletter — For developer productivity
  6. Leadership in Tech — For tech leadership growth
  7. The CTO Club — For exclusive CTO networking and industry collaboration
  8. The Pragmatic Engineer — For seasoned engineering insights
  9. Amazing CTO — For actionable management and leadership strategies
  10. ByteByteGo Newsletter — For system design and architecture expertise
  11. Modern CTO — For the latest in CTO roles and tech innovation
  12. Alphalist — For connecting with tech leaders and startup insights
  13. CIO ASEAN — For strategic IT leadership and trends in ASEAN
  14. CTO Universe — For peer insights and evolving technology discussions
  15. The CTO Advisor — For integrating tech and business strategy
  16. TechCrunch Daily — For general tech news, including crypto and fintech
  17. OODA Loop — For security and risk management updates

Find more details about each community below.

Best CTO Newsletters Overview

1. Software Lead Weekly — For tech lead productivity

Software Lead Weekly subscription page
The Software Lead Weekly newsletter (Source)

Software Lead Weekly is a free email newsletter, aimed at individuals interested in building better teams and companies. 

  • Audience: Tech leads, engineering managers, and those aspiring to leadership roles in software development
  • Size: 31,000+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Software Lead Weekly is invaluable for those in leadership positions or aspiring to be in one. It saves time by providing all the great links about management in one email. The newsletter is highly recommended by industry professionals for its valuable and insightful content on culture, leadership, and management in the software industry. 

2. Level Up — For leadership reflections

Level Up, a CTO newsletter
The Level Up newsletter (Source)

Level Up delivers a curated newsletter for tech leaders, and provides handpicked articles with short summaries, helping readers save time and learn something new every week.

  • Audience: Tech leads, engineering managers, VPs of Engineering, CTOs, and senior engineers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Level Up newsletters are curated by Pat Kua and help readers save time by offering handpicked articles with short summaries. Pat Kua's reputation as an accomplished author and speaker ensures that the advice and stories shared are credible and impactful. By subscribing, you'll receive regular updates that can inspire you to innovate, lead effectively, and continuously improve your skills.

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3. Tech Manager Weekly — For comprehensive CTO insights

Tech Manager Weekly newsletter for CTOs
The Tech Manager Weekly newsletter (Source)

Tech Manager Weekly offers insightful and thought-provoking content on topics such as leadership anti-patterns, tech strategy, and performance reviews.

  • Audience: Technology leaders and managers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Tech Manager Weekly offers you a distinct advantage in staying ahead in the fast-paced world of technology management. You become part of a community of forward-thinking leaders committed to continuous learning and professional growth by subscribing.

4. TLDR — For concise tech news

TLDR, a community for CTOs
The TLDR newsletter (Source)

TLDR offers a daily tech newsletter with summaries of the most interesting stories in startups, tech, and programming. 

  • Audience: Tech enthusiasts, developers, and professionals interested in tech news
  • Size: 1,250,000 subscribers
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

TLDR is ideal for those who want to stay updated on the latest tech news in just 5 minutes a day. With a large subscriber base, the newsletter provides concise and relevant summaries. It is a quick and efficient way to keep up with the fast-paced tech industry.

5. The Leadership Garden Newsletter — For developer productivity

The Leadership Garden Newsletter for tech professionals
The Leadership Garden Newsletter (Source)

The Leadership Garden is a hand-curated newsletter for leaders and managers in tech, helping readers improve their productivity and effectiveness.

  • Audience: Leaders and managers in tech
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Leadership Garden Newsletter offers a unique opportunity to cultivate your leadership skills through expertly curated content. By subscribing, you gain access to exclusive content covering a wide range of topics, from effective communication strategies to innovative leadership practices designed to help you thrive in your personal and professional life.

6. Leadership in Tech — For tech leadership growth

Leadership in Tech subscription page
The Leadership in Tech newsletter (Source)

Leadership in Tech is a carefully curated weekly newsletter for CTOs, engineering managers, and senior engineers to become better leaders for their respective tech teams.

  • Audience: CTOs, engineering managers, and senior engineers
  • Size: 24,200+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Leadership in Tech is perfect for tech leaders who want to grow and improve their leadership skills. It provides hand-picked articles with short summaries, helping readers save time and learn something new every week.

7. The CTO Club — For exclusive CTO networking and industry collaboration

The CTO Club newsletter for tech professionals
The CTO Club newsletter (Source)

The CTO Club offers the latest articles, guides, trends, and podcasts from a network of CTOs, engineering directors, and technical leaders from some of the fastest-growing companies around.

  • Audience: CTOs, engineering directors, and technical leaders
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

The CTO Club newsletter provides exclusive insights from seasoned CTOs who have navigated the tech world's challenges. It offers actionable advice, thought-provoking discussions, and cutting-edge trends tailored for technology leaders. Its reputation for excellence ensures access to insider knowledge, innovative strategies, and a vibrant community of professionals. 

8. The Pragmatic Engineer — For seasoned engineering insights

The Pragmatic Engineer, a CTO newsletter
The Pragmatic Engineer newsletter (Source)

The Pragmatic Engineer newsletter covers a wide range of topics related to software development, engineering management, and industry trends.

  • Audience: Software engineering team and tech leaders
  • Size: 670,000+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free (Paid option available)
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

The Pragmatic Engineer newsletter stands out for its insider perspective, crafted by Gergely Orosz, a seasoned engineering manager with experience at top tech companies like Uber and Skype. Subscribing keeps you well-informed, supports professional growth, and connects you with a community of forward-thinking engineers.

9. Amazing CTO — For actionable management and leadership strategies

Amazing CTO newsletter for techs
The Amazing CTO newsletter (Source)

The Amazing CTO is a weekly newsletter for CTOs and engineering managers. It includes curated content on leadership, software development, and people.

  • Audience: CTOs and engineering managers
  • Size: 2,700+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Amazing CTO is valuable for CTOs who offer insights and practical advice, along with commentary from the creator, Stephan. The newsletter covers a broad range of topics, from scaling tech infrastructure to fostering a culture of innovation, making it an indispensable tool for staying competitive and effective in the tech industry.

10. ByteByteGo Newsletter — For system design and architecture expertise

ByteByteGo Newsletter subscription page
The ByteByteGo Newsletter (Source)

ByteByteGo offers a newsletter focused on system design and architecture expertise. It provides valuable resources for software engineers and architects.

  • Audience: Software engineers and architects
  • Size: 500,000+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free (Premium options available)
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe:

ByteByteGo stands out with its deep dives into complex technical subjects, simplifying them into engaging and easily digestible content. Curated by Alex Xu, a renowned author and software engineer, this newsletter brings a wealth of knowledge from his extensive experience in the tech industry.

11. Modern CTO — For the latest in CTO roles and tech innovation

Modern CTO newsletter
The Modern CTO newsletter (Source)

Modern CTO reaches thousands of professionals and provides useful, fun, and intelligent content made just for tech leaders.

  • Audience: CTOs, CIOs, directors of technology, developers, engineers, product executives, and professionals in technology
  • Size: 70,000+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

The Modern CTO newsletter keeps you at the forefront of tech innovation. It stands out by providing strategies directly from leading CTOs and tech experts. With a focus on practical applications and leadership in technology, this newsletter equips you with the knowledge to excel in your career. 

12. Alphalist — For connecting with tech leaders and startup insights

Alphalist, a CTO newsletter
The Alphalist newsletter (Source)

Alphalist offers a fortnightly newsletter with the latest news, articles, and resources. It provides practical solutions and advice, exclusive events, a job marketplace, tool comparisons, and co-founder opportunities.

  • Audience: CTOs, SVPs, VP of Engineering, and other technical leaders
  • Frequency: Fortnightly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

Alphalist offers a rare glimpse into the strategies and technologies driving the future. By subscribing, you'll gain access to innovative approaches to solving complex problems, all designed to help you excel in your role and keep your organization at the forefront of technological advancement.

13. CIO ASEAN — For strategic IT leadership and trends in ASEAN

CIO ASEAN newsletter website
The CIO ASEAN newsletter (Source)

CIO ASEAN offers newsletters covering AI in the enterprise and key news, insights, and advice for CIOs and IT leaders. The newsletters are sent out every Tuesday and Thursday.

  • Audience: CIOs and IT leaders in the ASEAN region
  • Frequency: Weekly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

CIO ASEAN offers unparalleled access to a network of senior IT leaders across the ASEAN region. Members benefit from exclusive insights into cutting-edge technologies, best practices, and strategic guidance tailored to the unique challenges of ASEAN's diverse markets.

14. CTO Universe — For peer insights and evolving technology discussions

CTO Universe newsletter
The CTO Universe newsletter (Source)

CTO Universe is a collection of industry-leading thought leadership across blogs, webinars, and resources.

  • Audience: IT professionals and leaders
  • Size: 48,000+ subscribers
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

CTO Universe focuses specifically on the needs of CTOs and senior technology professionals. Gain exclusive access to interviews, case studies, and best practices that keep you ahead in the fast-paced tech landscape. It offers personalized content like white papers and eBooks.

15. The CTO Advisor — For integrating tech and business strategy

The CTO Advisor newsletter website
The CTO Advisor newsletter (Source)

The CTO Advisor newsletter provides information and resources on application modernization, containers, and hybrid infrastructure. 

  • Audience: IT professionals and architects
  • Frequency: Monthly
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

The CTO Advisor is ideal for staying updated on application modernization and hybrid infrastructure. Subscribing to The CTO Advisor newsletter is a must for tech executives who want to stay ahead in the industry. Curated by renowned IT advisor Keith Townsend, it offers exclusive insights into cloud computing, cybersecurity, digital transformation, and more.

16. TechCrunch Daily — For general tech news, including crypto and fintech

TechCrunch Daily, a CTO newsletter
The TechCrunch Daily newsletter (Source)

TechCrunch Daily is a daily newsletter with the latest news in tech, including crypto and fintech. 

  • Audience: Tech enthusiasts, developers, and professionals interested in tech news
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscriber Here

Why Subscribe: 

TechCrunch Daily newsletter keeps you informed with high-quality content from a trusted source. The newsletter provides concise and relevant summaries of the most interesting stories in the tech industry. Stay ahead of the curve with expert analysis, exclusive interviews, and comprehensive coverage of the tech world.

17. OODA Loop — For security and risk management updates

OODA Loop newsletter for tech professionals
The OODA Loop newsletter (Source)

OODA Loop offers a newsletter focused on security and risk management updates. It provides valuable insights and practical advice for security and risk management professionals.

  • Audience: Security and risk management professionals
  • Frequency: Daily
  • Cost: Free
  • Subscribe Here

Why Subscribe: 

OODA Loop is a resource for security and risk management professionals who want to stay updated on the latest trends in the field. The newsletter offers advice and insights from experienced professionals to improve security and risk management strategies.

Join for More Insights

Boost your SaaS growth and leadership skills. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest insights for CTOs and aspiring tech leaders. We'll help you scale smarter and lead stronger with guides, resources, and strategies from top experts!

Katie Sanders

As a data-driven content strategist, editor, writer, and community steward, Katie helps technical leaders win at work. Her 14 years of experience in the tech space makes her well-rounded to provide technical audiences with expert insights and practical advice through Q&As, Thought Leadership, Ebooks, etc.