by Alkan Balkaya · Last updated: 2026-07-03

MailerLite vs ConvertKit: Which Is Better for Creators?

MailerLite and Kit (formerly ConvertKit) both target creators, but they win in different areas: MailerLite offers the stronger free plan and a polished drag-and-drop builder, while Kit leads on monetisation with paid newsletters, tip jars, and a creator network. Your choice depends on whether design or built-in revenue matters more. For the wider field, browse our top Kit alternatives.

This guide compares both platforms across free plans, email builders, automation, landing pages, and pricing at four subscriber tiers. By the end, you will know exactly which one fits your workflow and your budget, along with a third option worth weighing before you commit.

Quick context: Mailsoftly offers transparent pricing, free hands-on migration, and human support. 500 contacts and 2,000 emails per month, no credit card.
Start free with Mailsoftly →

MailerLite vs ConvertKit: what is the difference at a glance?

MailerLite is the “full toolkit on a small budget” pick, and Kit is the “creator monetisation” pick. MailerLite bundles a visual builder, automation, and landing pages into a free plan that genuinely works for solo creators just getting started. Kit (formerly ConvertKit) covers up to 10,000 subscribers on its free plan, but the feature set is deliberately limited until you upgrade.

Here is the head-to-head summary across pricing, free plan, support, and the creator each platform suits best. We have added Mailsoftly as a neutral third reference point for creators who want transparent pricing and human support.

Both platforms target creators, bloggers, and growing businesses. The difference is philosophy. MailerLite bets on visual polish and a generous free tier. Kit bets on helping you earn directly from your audience. If you are exploring even more options beyond these two, our guide to MailerLite alternatives covers platforms suited to different budgets and use cases.

Read enough? Try Mailsoftly free with 500 contacts and 2,000 emails per month, no credit card.Start free with Mailsoftly →

Which has the better free plan, MailerLite or ConvertKit?

Kit has the far higher free subscriber ceiling, and MailerLite’s free tier is small since the June 2026 update: up to 250 active subscribers with 2,500 emails per month. You get the drag-and-drop editor, one landing page, three signup forms, and up to three automations. The main restriction is MailerLite branding on your emails and limited template access.

Kit’s free plan is generous on the subscriber count, supporting up to 10,000 subscribers. However, it limits you to a single automation, adds Kit branding, and restricts you to basic email broadcasts. Advanced features like sequences, visual automations, and subscriber scoring are locked behind the Creator plan. If you want a deep look at what you actually get for free, see our breakdown of the ConvertKit free plan and its real limitations.

The takeaway: if subscriber headroom matters most, Kit wins on the free tier. If you need design flexibility and multi-step automations without paying, MailerLite is the better free plan only while your list stays under 250 subscribers; past that, Kit’s far higher free ceiling wins.

MailerLite or ConvertKit: which email builder is better?

MailerLite wins for design, and Kit wins for personal-feeling plain text. This is where the two platforms diverge most sharply. MailerLite offers a true drag-and-drop email builder with pre-built content blocks for images, buttons, countdown timers, product cards, and social links. You can start from a blank canvas or choose from dozens of templates. The editor is responsive by default, and you can preview how emails render on desktop and mobile before sending.

Kit takes a deliberately minimalist approach. Its editor is text-first, designed to produce emails that look like they were written in a regular email client. You can add images, buttons, and dividers, but the builder does not support complex multi-column layouts or heavily designed templates. Kit’s reasoning is that plain-text-style emails tend to land in the primary inbox tab and feel more personal to subscribers.

If your brand relies on polished visuals (e-commerce newsletters, design portfolios, recipe roundups), MailerLite is the clear winner here. If you write long-form content and want your emails to feel like a note from a friend, Kit’s stripped-back approach works in your favour.

Which has better automation, MailerLite or ConvertKit?

Both are capable, with MailerLite winning on free-tier access and Kit winning on commerce-triggered flows. Both platforms offer visual automation builders on their paid plans. You can create multi-step workflows triggered by signups, link clicks, tag additions, purchases, and custom events. The core automation logic (if/then branching, delays, conditions) is strong on both sides.

MailerLite includes automation on its free plan, though with some step limits. Its visual builder uses a straightforward flowchart approach that is easy to learn. You can trigger automations from forms, landing pages, or manual subscriber imports.

Kit restricts its free plan to just one automation. On Creator and Creator Pro, you get unlimited visual automations with conditional branching, subscriber scoring, and integration triggers. Kit also supports automation based on product purchases, making it stronger for creators who sell digital products directly through the platform.

Verdict: for pure email automation, both platforms are capable. Kit edges ahead if you sell digital products and want purchase-triggered sequences out of the box. MailerLite is better for creators who want automation access without a paid plan.

How do MailerLite and ConvertKit compare on landing pages and forms?

MailerLite gives you more design control, and Kit gives you unlimited pages on every plan. MailerLite includes a dedicated landing page builder with templates optimised for lead magnets, webinars, product launches, and waitlists. Free plan users can create one landing page. The builder mirrors the email editor, using drag-and-drop blocks for headlines, images, countdown timers, and signup forms. You can also build a simple website with up to five pages, which is a unique feature at this price point.

Kit offers unlimited landing pages on all plans, including the free tier. Its landing page builder uses template-based designs that are clean and conversion-focused, though less customisable than MailerLite’s. Kit also offers embeddable signup forms, pop-ups, and a link-in-bio page called the “Creator Profile” that aggregates your content, products, and newsletter signup.

For forms specifically, both platforms support inline forms, pop-ups, and slide-ins. Kit’s form builder is simpler (which can be a positive for speed), while MailerLite gives you more design control over colours, fonts, and layout.

How much do MailerLite and ConvertKit cost at 1K, 5K, 10K, and 25K subscribers?

Kit’s plans start at $39/mo for Creator and climb to $279/mo for Creator Pro at 25,000 subscribers, while MailerLite stays cheaper at every comparable tier. Below is a side-by-side breakdown using Kit’s verified pricing (as of 2026-04-15). You can confirm the current rates on the official Kit pricing page, and MailerLite publishes its own rates on the MailerLite pricing page. Both platforms offer annual billing discounts.

MailerLite is generally the cheaper option at every tier. Its paid plans start lower and scale more gradually. Kit justifies its premium through creator-specific features like paid newsletters, the creator network, and integrated commerce tools. The question is whether those features generate enough revenue to offset the higher platform cost.

When is MailerLite the better choice?

MailerLite is the better choice when budget and visual design matter most. These scenarios point to MailerLite:

• Budget is the top constraint. MailerLite’s free plan and lower paid tiers leave more room in a tight marketing budget.
• You need visual, branded emails. The drag-and-drop builder and template library outclass Kit’s text-first editor for design-heavy newsletters.
• You want a website builder included. MailerLite’s built-in website and blog tool eliminates the need for a separate hosting setup when you are starting out.
• You rely on A/B testing. MailerLite includes subject line and content A/B testing on its free plan. Kit gates most testing behind paid tiers.

When is ConvertKit (Kit) the better choice?

Kit is the better choice when you want to earn revenue directly from your audience. These situations favour Kit:

• You monetise your newsletter directly. Paid subscriptions, tip jars, and digital product sales are native to Kit. MailerLite does not offer these.
• You want audience growth tools. Kit’s Creator Network lets you recommend and get recommended by other creators, driving organic subscriber growth.
• You prefer plain-text-style emails. If your brand voice is conversational and you want emails that feel personal, Kit’s text-first builder is intentional, not limiting.
• You sell digital products. Kit Commerce handles product delivery, checkout pages, and purchase-triggered automations without a third-party integration. Curious how Kit stacks up against another popular choice? See our ConvertKit vs Mailchimp breakdown for that comparison.

Is there a better third option than MailerLite or ConvertKit?

If neither MailerLite nor Kit feels like the right fit, Mailsoftly offers a different balance built around transparent pricing and human support. The free plan includes 500 contacts and 2,000 emails per month with no credit card required. The paid Basic plan covers 5,000 contacts and 40,000 emails for $39/mo on annual billing.

For a direct feature comparison between Kit and Mailsoftly, read our detailed Kit vs Mailsoftly guide. You can also view the full Mailsoftly pricing page to see how costs compare at every tier.

For the broader landscape, see our full comparison of top Kit alternatives covering every major platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is cheaper, MailerLite or ConvertKit?

MailerLite is cheaper at every comparable tier. Its free plan includes more features (multi-step automations, drag-and-drop builder), and its paid plans scale at a lower price point than Kit’s Creator and Creator Pro tiers. Kit’s free plan supports more subscribers (10,000 vs. 1,000), but the feature limitations push most serious users to a paid plan quickly.

Which has better automation, MailerLite or ConvertKit?

Both platforms offer solid visual automation builders on paid plans. MailerLite wins on free-tier automation since it allows multi-step workflows, while Kit limits free users to a single automation. Kit wins on commerce-triggered automation because purchase events, subscriber scoring, and product delivery sequences are built into the platform natively.

Can I migrate from MailerLite to ConvertKit or vice versa?

Yes. Both platforms support CSV import and export. Kit offers a migration concierge service for Creator Pro subscribers. MailerLite allows direct imports from several competitors. If you are considering a move to a different platform entirely, Mailsoftly provides free hands-on migration assistance regardless of which plan you choose.

Is MailerLite or ConvertKit better for beginners?

MailerLite is usually easier for beginners. Its drag-and-drop builder, template library, and free website tool let a new creator launch a branded newsletter without design skills or extra software. Kit’s text-first editor is simple too, but its strengths (monetisation, sequences, the creator network) matter most once you have an established audience to sell to.

Is ConvertKit the same as Kit?

Yes. ConvertKit rebranded to “Kit” in late 2024. The platform, features, and pricing remain the same. The company made the change to shorten its name and align with its evolving product vision beyond email. Throughout this article, we use both names interchangeably.

Ready to switch?Start free with Mailsoftly →
500 contacts, 2,000 emails per month. Free hands-on migration. No credit card.

Alkan Balkaya

Founder & CEO at Mailsoftly

Alkan is the founder and CEO of Mailsoftly, building email marketing tools for businesses of all sizes. He writes about email marketing strategy, deliverability, and the future of marketing automation.