ConvertKit vs MailerLite: Which Email Platform Should You Use in 2026?

A factual comparison of ConvertKit (now Kit) and MailerLite covering pricing, features, automation, and migration steps for creators and small teams.

Updated 2026-09 · 2026

ConvertKit

Email marketing built for creators and writers

Free up to 10,000 subscribers, then from $25/moper month

Strengths

+Strong creator-focused features: paid newsletters, tipping, digital product sales built in
+Free plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers (broadcast-only, no automation)
+Visual automation builder is flexible and easy to read

Weaknesses

-Automation and tagging require a paid plan even at low subscriber counts
-Fewer built-in design templates than MailerLite
-Pricing climbs quickly once you pass a few thousand subscribers

Best for

Solo creators, newsletter writers, and course/digital product sellers who want monetization tools built into their email platform.

MailerLite

Affordable email marketing with a generous free tier

Free up to 1,000 subscribers, then from $10/moper month

Strengths

+Free plan includes automation, landing pages, and A/B testing (not just broadcasts)
+Cheaper paid tiers than ConvertKit at equivalent subscriber counts
+Drag-and-drop editor with more built-in templates

Weaknesses

-Free plan caps at 1,000 subscribers, much lower than ConvertKit's free tier
-Fewer creator-monetization features (no built-in paid newsletters)
-Advanced segmentation requires higher-tier plans

Best for

Small businesses and teams that want full automation and landing pages without paying for it, and who don't need creator monetization tools.

Feature Comparison

Feature	ConvertKit	MailerLite
Free plan subscriber limit	10,000 (broadcasts only)	1,000 (includes automation)
Automation on free plan	No	Yes
Landing pages	Yes, basic templates	Yes, more template variety
A/B testing	Paid plans only	Available on free plan
Paid newsletters / subscriptions	Yes, built in	No
Digital product / tip jar sales	Yes, built in (Commerce)	No native equivalent
Website builder	No	Yes
Starting paid price	$25/mo (0-1,000 subs)	$10/mo (500 subs, Growing Business)
Email template library	Smaller, minimal designs	Larger, more visual templates
Tagging & segmentation	Yes, on paid plans	Yes, on paid plans
Support	Email/chat, priority on higher tiers	24/7 chat on all paid plans

The Verdict

ConvertKit is worth paying for if you're a creator who wants to sell newsletters or digital products directly through email — that's what you're actually paying the premium for. If you just need reliable automation, landing pages, and broadcasts at the lowest cost, MailerLite's free and entry-level plans do more for less money.

How to switch from ConvertKit to MailerLite

Full ConvertKit export guide →

1In ConvertKit, go to Subscribers, filter by tag or segment if needed, and click Export to download a CSV file of your subscriber list with tags and custom fields.
2In MailerLite, go to Subscribers > Import subscribers, upload the CSV, and map ConvertKit's fields (email, tags, custom fields) to MailerLite's fields.
3Recreate your ConvertKit automations manually in MailerLite's Automation builder, since sequences and triggers don't transfer automatically.
4Rebuild any integrations (Shopify, WordPress forms, Zapier zaps) to point to MailerLite instead of ConvertKit, and test each one before going live.
5Update embedded signup forms on your website with MailerLite's form or landing page embed code, replacing ConvertKit's.
6Run both platforms in parallel for one send cycle to confirm deliverability and automation triggers work correctly before canceling your ConvertKit subscription.

ConvertKit vs MailerLite: common questions

How do I export my subscriber list from ConvertKit?+

Go to Subscribers in ConvertKit, select the segment or tag you want, and use the 'Export' button to download a CSV file. This includes email addresses, tags, and custom fields, which you can then import directly into MailerLite's subscriber import tool.

What features will I lose by switching from ConvertKit to MailerLite?+

You'll lose ConvertKit's built-in paid newsletter/subscription tools and Creator Network cross-promotion, since MailerLite doesn't have direct equivalents. Automation logic and tags won't transfer automatically either — you'll need to rebuild sequences manually in MailerLite's automation editor.

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

If your list is under 1,000 subscribers, yes — the free plan includes automation, landing pages, and A/B testing, which ConvertKit doesn't offer for free. Once you cross 1,000 subscribers you'll need a paid plan, but it's still generally cheaper than ConvertKit at the same size.

Does MailerLite integrate with the same tools ConvertKit does?+

MailerLite integrates with most major platforms including Shopify, WordPress, Zapier, and Stripe, covering the common use cases ConvertKit users rely on. Some niche creator tools (like certain course platforms with native ConvertKit integrations) may require a Zapier workaround instead of a direct connection.

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

For lists under roughly 5,000-10,000 subscribers, yes — MailerLite's paid tiers are consistently cheaper than ConvertKit's equivalent subscriber brackets. Above that range the gap narrows, so it's worth comparing your exact subscriber count on both pricing pages before committing.