If you're a creator or a small business owner looking for an email tool that prioritizes simplicity and clean design, ConvertKit and MailerLite are two names you'll keep coming across. Both are built for non-designers — but they take different paths to get there.
This guide breaks down pricing, automation capabilities, deliverability, and the overall experience of each platform.
1. At a Glance
| Dimension | ConvertKit | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (1k subs, unlimited emails) | Free (1k subs, 12k emails/mo) |
| Paid From | $25/mo (1k subs, Creator plan) | $13/mo (Business plan, unlimited) |
| Automation | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Visual builder (rules-based) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Advanced triggers |
| Templates | ⭐⭐ Minimal (focus on plain text) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Drag & drop builder |
| Landing Pages | ✅ Built-in | ✅ Built-in |
| Newsletter Format | Plain-text focused | Drag & drop design |
| Best For | Creators & authors | Small business & publishers |
2. Pricing
ConvertKit Free: 1,000 subscribers, unlimited emails, all automation features. Creator ($25/mo) adds unlimited landing pages and subscriber scoring.
MailerLite Free: 1,000 subscribers, 12k emails/month. Business ($13/mo) removes email cap and adds advanced automation.
MailerLite is cheaper per subscriber at every level. ConvertKit charges a premium for its creator-focused ecosystem.
3. Core Features
ConvertKit
ConvertKit is built around tags and segments — a system that rewards thoughtful email strategy. Its visual automation builder is clear and easy to audit. The subscriber scoring feature helps identify your most engaged readers.
MailerLite
MailerLite offers a more traditional drag-and-drop email builder with beautiful templates. It also includes a website builder, landing pages, and a basic CRM. The automation builder is capable, though it trails ConvertKit in sophistication.
4. Deliverability
Both tools have excellent deliverability (97-99%). ConvertKit invests heavily in sender reputation and works with dedicated IPs on higher tiers. MailerLite focuses on list health tools (built-in verification, auto-cleaning) to keep your sender score high.
5. Ease of Use
MailerLite wins for beginners — the interface is familiar, templates are plentiful, and getting started takes minutes. ConvertKit has a steeper conceptual learning curve (tags vs lists), but once understood, it's incredibly powerful for audience growth.
6. Verdict
• You want a tag-based system for granular audience management
• You send primarily plain-text emails that feel personal
• You need robust subscriber scoring
• You prefer designing beautiful emails with templates
• You need a simple, intuitive tool for a traditional small business
• You want landing pages & website builder included
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