ConvertKit vs Buttondown: Which Email Tool Should You Use?

A factual comparison of ConvertKit (Kit) and Buttondown for creators, writers, and small teams sending newsletters — pricing, features, and migration steps.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

ConvertKit

Email marketing platform built for creators

$25month (Creator plan, up to 1,000 subscribers)

Strengths

+Visual automation/sequence builder with conditional logic
+Built-in landing pages and forms for list growth
+Native paid newsletter/subscription monetization

Weaknesses

-Automations and sequences locked behind paid plans
-Pricing scales fast as subscriber count grows
-Interface can feel cluttered for simple newsletter use cases

Best for

Creators who want automations, funnels, and monetization tools built into one platform.

Buttondown

Simple, markdown-first newsletter tool for writers

$9month (starts at ~1,000 subscribers, scales with list size)

Strengths

+Clean, distraction-free markdown editor
+Simple, transparent pricing based on subscriber count
+Fast, minimal interface with no bloat

Weaknesses

-No visual automation builder (automations are limited/basic)
-Fewer native integrations than ConvertKit
-No landing page builder

Best for

Writers and small teams who want a clean, simple newsletter tool without marketing-funnel complexity.

Feature Comparison

Feature	ConvertKit	Buttondown
Free plan subscriber limit	10,000 (broadcasts only)	100 subscribers
Starting paid price	$25/mo (1,000 subs)	$9/mo (~1,000 subs)
Visual automation builder	Yes	Limited (basic rules only)
Landing pages	Yes	No
Markdown editor	No	Yes
Paid newsletters/subscriptions	Yes	Yes
API access	Yes (paid plans)	Yes (all plans)
Native e-commerce integrations	Extensive (Shopify, WooCommerce)	Minimal
Editor complexity	Higher, more features	Minimal, writer-focused
Zapier support	Yes	Yes

The Verdict

ConvertKit is the better choice if you need automations, landing pages, and funnel-building tools baked into your email platform. Buttondown wins if you just want to write and send newsletters without paying for marketing features you won't use — and its pricing scales more gently for small lists.

How to switch from ConvertKit to Buttondown

Full ConvertKit export guide →

1In ConvertKit, go to Grow > Subscribers, select the subscribers or tags you want to migrate, and click Export to download a CSV file of your list.
2Log into Buttondown, go to Subscribers > Import, and upload the CSV file, mapping ConvertKit's tag/custom field columns to Buttondown's subscriber fields.
3Rebuild any critical ConvertKit automations (welcome sequences, tag-based triggers) manually in Buttondown, since it doesn't support multi-step visual automation.
4Reconnect third-party tools (Shopify, landing page forms, signup widgets) to point to Buttondown's API or embed forms instead of ConvertKit's.
5Send a test broadcast from Buttondown to a small internal group to confirm deliverability and formatting before your next full send.
6Once verified, update your website signup forms and any documentation to reference Buttondown, then cancel your ConvertKit subscription.

ConvertKit vs Buttondown: common questions

How do I export my subscriber list from ConvertKit?+

Go to Grow > Subscribers in ConvertKit, select the segment or tag you want, and use the Export button to download a CSV file. The CSV includes email addresses, tags, and custom field data, which you can then upload directly into Buttondown's importer.

What features will I lose moving from ConvertKit to Buttondown?+

You'll lose ConvertKit's visual automation builder, landing page templates, and its deeper e-commerce integrations (Shopify, Teachable, etc.). Buttondown's automation is limited to simple welcome emails and tagging rules, so any multi-step drip sequences will need to be rebuilt manually or replaced with a simpler workflow.

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

Only if your list stays under 100 subscribers, which is unlikely for most active newsletters. Most teams will need at least the $9/mo tier once they pass that threshold, so budget for a paid plan from the start.

Does Buttondown support the same integrations as ConvertKit?+

No — Buttondown has a smaller integration list, though it supports Zapier, Webhooks, and a documented API for custom connections. If you rely on native Shopify or Teachable integrations in ConvertKit, you'll need to rebuild those connections manually via Zapier or API calls.

Will switching to Buttondown actually save money long-term?+

Yes, for most small lists — Buttondown's pricing tiers are generally lower than ConvertKit's at the same subscriber count, and it doesn't charge extra for automation features. However, run the numbers at your specific list size on both official pricing pages before switching, since ConvertKit's free tier can be cheaper at very small scale.