Buttondown vs ConvertKit (Kit): Which Newsletter Tool Should You Use in 2026?

A side-by-side comparison of Buttondown and ConvertKit (now Kit) covering pricing, features, and which one fits solo writers vs. creators building a business.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

Buttondown

The simplest way to write and send an email newsletter

Free up to 100 subscribers, then from $9/momonth, scales with subscriber count

Strengths

+Clean, minimal writing interface with Markdown support
+Transparent, developer-friendly pricing with no hidden automation paywall
+Built-in RSS-to-email and API access on all paid plans

Weaknesses

-Fewer landing page and opt-in form design options
-Automation/sequence features are basic compared to competitors
-Smaller ecosystem of native integrations

Best for

Solo writers, developers, and indie newsletter authors who want a distraction-free tool for sending plain, well-formatted emails.

ConvertKit (Kit)

Email marketing and monetization platform for creators

Free up to 10,000 subscribers, Creator plan from $25/momonth, scales with subscriber count

Strengths

+Generous free tier (up to 10,000 subscribers) for broadcasts and forms
+Visual automation builder for sequences and tagging
+Built-in landing pages, forms, and creator monetization (products, tipping)

Weaknesses

-Automations and advanced segmentation are paid-only
-Pricing rises quickly once you cross a few thousand subscribers
-Interface has more surface area to learn than a simple email tool

Best for

Creators who want to grow, segment, and eventually monetize an audience with courses, products, or paid subscriptions.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Buttondown	ConvertKit (Kit)
Free plan subscriber limit	100 subscribers	10,000 subscribers
Markdown editor	Yes	No (rich text editor)
Landing pages	Basic	Advanced, customizable
Automation/sequences	Basic (paid plans only)	Visual automation builder (paid plans)
Paid newsletter/subscriptions	Yes	Yes
Digital product sales	No	Yes
RSS-to-email	Yes	Yes
API access	Yes, all plans	Yes, paid plans
Native integrations	Limited (Zapier-based)	Extensive (Shopify, Teachable, WordPress, etc.)
Pricing model	Flat per-subscriber tiers	Per-subscriber tiers, jumps at 1k/3k/5k+
Support	Email support	Email + live chat on paid plans

The Verdict

Buttondown wins if you just want to write and send emails without fighting a bloated interface or paying for features you don't use. ConvertKit (Kit) makes more sense once you need automations, monetization, and a bigger free subscriber ceiling to grow an audience. If you're a solo writer optimizing for simplicity and cost, start with Buttondown; if you're building a creator business, ConvertKit's ecosystem pays for itself faster.

How to switch from Buttondown to ConvertKit (Kit)

1In Buttondown, go to Subscribers and click 'Export subscribers' to download a CSV file containing emails, names, and tags.
2Create a free or paid ConvertKit (Kit) account and go to Subscribers > Import Subscribers to upload the CSV, mapping email and custom fields correctly.
3Recreate your tags and segments in ConvertKit manually, since tag structures don't transfer automatically from the CSV import.
4Rebuild any Zapier automations or API-based integrations using ConvertKit's API and native app integrations, since Buttondown's automations won't carry over.
5Set up your welcome sequence and any RSS-to-email automation in ConvertKit's visual automation builder before sending your first campaign.
6Update your signup forms, embedded widgets, and DNS/sender authentication (SPF/DKIM) to point to ConvertKit, then send a test email to your team before the full cutover.

Buttondown vs ConvertKit (Kit): common questions

How do I export my subscriber data from Buttondown to import into ConvertKit?+

Go to Buttondown's Subscribers page and use the 'Export subscribers' option, which downloads a CSV with emails, names, and tags. In ConvertKit, go to Subscribers > Import Subscribers and upload that CSV, mapping fields like email and custom fields as you go. Double-check tag names since Buttondown and ConvertKit don't use identical tagging structures.

What do I lose by switching from Buttondown to ConvertKit?+

You lose Buttondown's Markdown-first writing experience and its flat, transparent pricing tied purely to subscriber count. You'll also need to rebuild any custom API integrations, since ConvertKit's API structure and webhook events differ from Buttondown's.

Is ConvertKit's free plan enough for a small newsletter or team?+

Yes, if you're under 10,000 subscribers and only need broadcasts, forms, and landing pages — the free plan covers that. But if you need automations, sequences, or multiple team seats, you'll hit the paywall and need the Creator plan starting at $25/mo.

Will my existing integrations (Zapier, Shopify, etc.) still work after switching?+

Zapier integrations need to be rebuilt since Buttondown and ConvertKit use different triggers and actions in their Zapier apps. If you're on Shopify, Teachable, or WordPress, ConvertKit has native plugins that are generally easier to set up than Buttondown's API-based workarounds.

Is ConvertKit actually cheaper or more expensive than Buttondown long-term?+

At small list sizes (under a few hundred subscribers), Buttondown is usually cheaper or free. Once you cross a few thousand subscribers and need automation, ConvertKit's paid tiers often cost more per month than Buttondown's equivalent tier, so run your actual subscriber count through both pricing pages before committing.