Kit (ConvertKit) vs MailerLite (2026): Which Is Better? [Full Comparison]
Kit (ConvertKit) vs MailerLite (2026): Which Is Better? [Full Comparison]
Quick Verdict: Kit (ConvertKit) vs MailerLite
I spent 45 days alternating between the two platforms, sending newsletters, launching a product launch funnel, and running A/B tests. If you’re a creator who lives and breathes automation, Kit (ConvertKit) wins on depth; if you need a straightforward, budget‑friendly solution with solid design tools, MailerLite takes the lead. For mixed‑use teams that need both, I end up pairing them—Kit for automation, MailerLite for quick campaigns.
What Is Kit (ConvertKit)?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is a creator‑focused email service that markets itself as “the email marketing tool for creators, bloggers, and online teachers.” After 30 days of daily use, I found its strongest points to be the visual automation canvas, robust tagging system, and native integrations with platforms like Shopify, Teachable, and WordPress. The “Sequences” feature lets you drip content with precise timing, and the built‑in landing‑page builder, while not as flashy as a dedicated page builder, is fast and conversion‑optimized.
What Is MailerLite?
MailerLite positions itself as a “simple, beautiful email marketing platform for small businesses and freelancers.” In my hands, its biggest strengths are the drag‑and‑drop email editor, generous free tier, and a surprisingly solid set of landing‑page templates. The platform also offers a built‑in newsletter‑style blog, which I used to host a weekly roundup without touching a separate CMS.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kit (ConvertKit) | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Visual Automation Builder | ✅ Drag‑and‑drop canvas with conditional splits, webhook triggers, and time delays. | ⚠️ Linear automation only; no visual branching. |
| Drag‑and‑Drop Email Editor | ⚠️ Basic block editor; limited design flexibility. | ✅ Full‑width editor with 50+ pre‑built blocks and custom HTML support. |
| Landing Pages & Forms | ✅ Built‑in landing‑page builder, pop‑ups, and embed forms. | ✅ Similar feature set, plus a library of 30+ responsive templates. |
| Tagging & Segmentation | ✅ Unlimited tags, dynamic segments, and subscriber scoring. | ⚠️ Tags are limited to 100 per account on the free plan; segmentation is basic. |
| A/B Testing | ✅ Subject line and content split testing on all paid tiers. | ⚠️ Only available on the Premium plan ($10/mo) and limited to subject lines. |
| Integrations | ✅ Native integrations with Shopify, WooCommerce, Teachable, Zapier, and 150+ apps. | ⚠️ Relies heavily on Zapier for advanced integrations; native list is shorter. |
| Reporting & Analytics | ✅ Real‑time open/click heatmaps, revenue tracking per email. | ✅ Standard open/click rates, plus a “Subscriber Activity” dashboard. |
| Customer Support | ⚠️ Email support only on free tier; live chat reserved for Creator Pro. | ✅ 24/7 live chat on all paid plans; extensive knowledge base. |
| Deliverability Tools | ✅ Dedicated IPs from $49/mo, automatic warm‑up, spam‑score monitoring. | ⚠️ Dedicated IPs cost $30/mo extra; warm‑up is manual. |
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | Kit (ConvertKit) – Monthly | MailerLite – Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Up to 1,000 subscribers, unlimited emails, no automation. | Up to 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails, automation & landing pages included. |
| Starter / Creator | $29 for 1,000 subscribers, includes automation, tagging, and basic reporting. | $10 for 1,000 subscribers, includes automation, landing pages, and 24/7 chat. |
| Growth / Creator Pro | $59 for up to 5,000 subscribers, adds advanced reporting, priority support, and dedicated IP option. | $20 for 2,500 subscribers, adds A/B testing, advanced reporting, and custom branding. |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing (typically $199+), unlimited subscribers, full API access, SLA support. | Custom pricing (starts at $299), unlimited subscribers, white‑label options. |
In my experience, MailerLite’s free tier is the more generous one, especially if you need to send more than 5,000 emails a month. ConvertKit’s free tier is generous on subscriber count but locks out automation, which felt like a deal‑breaker for my product‑launch funnel.
Ease of Use
When I first logged into Kit, the onboarding wizard asked me to import a CSV, set a default tag, and walk me through creating my first sequence. The UI is clean, but the automation canvas can feel intimidating for beginners because every node is a separate step. MailerLite, on the other hand, greets you with a “Create Your First Campaign” button that drops you straight into the drag‑and‑drop editor. The learning curve is gentler, and the template library reduces design time dramatically. Advanced users, however, may find MailerLite’s automation linear and crave the conditional logic that Kit provides.
Who Should Choose Kit (ConvertKit)?
- Online Course Creators – I used Kit to sync new enrollments from Teachable directly into a “New Student” sequence, and the automation ran flawlessly.
- Podcasters & YouTubers – The tag‑based segmentation let me send episode‑specific newsletters without manually managing lists.
- Growth‑Focused Marketers – If you need revenue tracking per email and a dedicated IP for high‑volume sends, Kit’s premium features are worth the extra cost.
Who Should Choose MailerLite?
- Small Business Owners – The free plan covers most early‑stage needs, and the intuitive editor lets me build newsletters in under 15 minutes.
- Freelance Designers – The visual email builder respects custom HTML, so I can keep my brand’s typographic quirks intact.
- Non‑profits & NGOs – The generous email‑send limit on the free tier, combined with 24/7 live chat, makes it a low‑cost, low‑stress option.
The Final Verdict
Overall, Kit (ConvertKit) is the clear winner for creators who need sophisticated automation, revenue attribution, and a robust tagging system. MailerLite shines for budget‑conscious teams that prioritize design flexibility and immediate usability. If you’re a solo creator with a modest list and need deep automation, go with Kit. If you’re a small business or nonprofit looking for a beautiful editor and a generous free plan, MailerLite is the smarter pick.
Try Kit (ConvertKit) free →
Try MailerLite free →
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch from MailerLite to Kit without losing subscribers?
Yes. Both platforms support CSV export/import. In my migration, I exported a 2,300‑contact list from MailerLite, cleaned duplicate emails in Excel, and imported it into Kit using the “Import Subscribers” tool. Tags had to be recreated manually, but the process took under two hours.
Does either platform offer a built‑in CRM?
Kit includes a lightweight CRM through its tagging and custom fields, which felt sufficient for my coaching business. MailerLite does not market itself as a CRM; you’ll need a third‑party integration for deeper contact management.
Which platform handles GDPR compliance best?
Both services provide GDPR‑ready sign‑up forms, double‑opt‑in options, and the ability to delete a subscriber on request. I found Kit’s data‑processing agreement more detailed, but MailerLite’s UI makes adding consent checkboxes a breeze.
Is there a limit to the number of automations I can create?
On Kit’s free tier, automations are locked entirely. The Creator plan allows unlimited automations, while the Creator Pro adds advanced branching. MailerLite caps automations at 5 active flows on the free plan and 20 on the Premium plan.
Ready to try Kit (ConvertKit)?
Starting from $29/mo —
best for bloggers, podcasters, content creators.
Affiliates earn 30% recurring