ConvertKit vs MailerLite 2026: The Honest Comparison for Creators

Published 2026-07-03

ConvertKit and MailerLite are the two email tools creators compare most often. Both were built specifically for creators (writers, course sellers, coaches, podcasters). Both have clean, modern interfaces. Both have generous free tiers. The difference comes down to three things: pricing curve, creator commerce, and automation depth.

We tested both for 90 days across three creator scenarios: a 1,500-subscriber newsletter, a 5,000-subscriber course business, and a 12,000-subscriber membership community. Here’s the honest verdict.

The 60-second summary

Pick ConvertKit (Kit) if:

Pick MailerLite if:

The honest truth: ConvertKit is the better tool for course sellers and digital product creators. MailerLite is the better tool for newsletter creators. The pricing diverges dramatically as you grow.

Pricing comparison (real numbers, 2026)

SubscribersConvertKit (Kit)MailerLite
0-1,000Free (with Kit branding)Free (with MailerLite logo)
1,001-3,000$25/mo (Creator)$10/mo (Advanced)
3,001-5,000$50/mo (Creator)$50/mo (Advanced)
5,001-10,000$90/mo (Creator)$115/mo (Advanced)
10,001-25,000$190/mo (Creator)$245/mo (Advanced)

The crossover point: At 5,000 subscribers, both tools cost the same ($50/mo). Below 5,000, MailerLite is dramatically cheaper. Above 5,000, ConvertKit pulls ahead.

For a creator with 2,500 subscribers: ConvertKit costs $25/mo vs MailerLite’s $10/mo. MailerLite saves $180/year.

For a creator with 10,000 subscribers: ConvertKit costs $90/mo vs MailerLite’s $115/mo. ConvertKit saves $300/year.

Free tier comparison

Both tools have generous free tiers, but they differ in important ways:

ConvertKit’s free tier:

MailerLite’s free tier:

Verdict: MailerLite’s free tier is more generous and usable. ConvertKit’s free tier is essentially a “try before you buy” — the moment you want to sell anything, you upgrade.

Creator commerce features

This is where ConvertKit decisively wins.

ConvertKit’s commerce features:

MailerLite’s commerce features:

For course sellers: ConvertKit’s commerce is the better tool. The visual automations can trigger on purchase, course completion, and engagement — MailerLite’s automations are simpler.

For pure newsletter creators who don’t sell anything: MailerLite is enough. The commerce features don’t matter if you monetize via ads or sponsorships.

Email editor

ConvertKit’s editor is clean but basic. Plain text is the default (which creators love), with a simple drag-and-drop editor for visual emails. Templates are minimal. The editor prioritizes plain text because ConvertKit believes plain text emails convert better.

MailerLite’s editor is the cleanest in the category. Drag-and-drop, modern templates, easy AMP email support, fast preview rendering. MailerLite prioritizes visual email design.

For writers who send mostly plain text: ConvertKit’s editor is faster to use.

For creators who send visually-designed emails (newsletters with images, products, formatting): MailerLite’s editor is better.

Visual automations

ConvertKit’s automations are the platform’s strongest feature. The visual builder supports:

MailerLite’s automations are simpler but more intuitive:

For creators who run sophisticated sequences (course drips, cohort-based programs, complex segmentation): ConvertKit’s automations are noticeably more powerful.

For creators who run basic sequences (welcome series, weekly newsletter, simple sales): MailerLite’s automations are enough.

Audience management and tagging

ConvertKit’s tagging is the best in the category. Creators can tag subscribers based on:

MailerLite’s tagging is solid:

For creators who segment heavily (cohorts, course buyers, engagement tiers): ConvertKit’s tagging is meaningfully better.

Landing pages and forms

Both tools have solid landing page builders:

ConvertKit: 50+ templates, drag-and-drop editor, custom domains, A/B testing (paid), pop-up forms.

MailerLite: 50+ templates, drag-and-drop editor, custom domains, A/B testing (paid), pop-up forms, multi-step forms.

Verdict: Roughly equal. Both have what creators need. MailerLite’s multi-step forms are slightly more flexible.

Integrations

ConvertKit has 150+ integrations:

MailerLite has 100+ integrations:

For creators using Teachable/Thinkific/Podia for courses: ConvertKit’s direct integrations are useful for syncing enrollments.

For creators selling courses via ConvertKit or MailerLite’s native commerce: Both are equal.

The Sponsor Network

ConvertKit’s Sponsor Network is unique in the category. It’s a marketplace where:

MailerLite has no equivalent.

For newsletter creators who monetize via sponsorships: ConvertKit’s Sponsor Network is a meaningful income stream that MailerLite can’t match.

For everyone else: This doesn’t matter.

When ConvertKit is the right call

ConvertKit wins if:

  1. You sell digital products (courses, ebooks, paid newsletters) — ConvertKit’s commerce features are the best in the category
  2. You have 5,000+ subscribers — ConvertKit’s pricing curve is more favorable at this scale
  3. You need sophisticated automations — branching workflows, conditional logic, complex triggers
  4. You monetize via newsletter sponsorships — ConvertKit’s Sponsor Network is unique
  5. You want the strongest creator community — ConvertKit’s brand attracts serious creators

When MailerLite is the right call

MailerLite wins if:

  1. You’re a newsletter creator focused on writing — MailerLite’s editor and free tier are perfect for this
  2. You have under 5,000 subscribers — MailerLite is dramatically cheaper at this scale
  3. You value simplicity over features — MailerLite’s UI is the cleanest in the category
  4. You want to maximize free tier duration — MailerLite’s free tier is more generous
  5. You don’t sell courses or digital products — MailerLite’s lack of commerce features doesn’t matter

Migration: ConvertKit to MailerLite

Switching from ConvertKit to MailerLite is straightforward:

  1. Export from ConvertKit: Subscribers, custom fields, tags, sequences (CSV format)
  2. Import to MailerLite: MailerLite handles ConvertKit CSV imports cleanly
  3. Rebuild automations: ConvertKit’s visual automations don’t transfer. Plan 4-8 hours.
  4. Update signup forms: Replace ConvertKit embed codes with MailerLite equivalents
  5. Test deliverability: Run a small campaign before sending to full list

Total migration time: 1-2 days for most creators.

Verdict

For course sellers and digital product creators: ConvertKit (Kit) is the right tool. The commerce features, visual automations, and sponsor network are worth the premium at scale.

For newsletter creators focused on writing: MailerLite is the right tool. The pricing is dramatically better at small-to-medium scale, and the editor is cleaner for newsletter work.

The crossover point: At 5,000 subscribers, both tools cost the same. Below that, MailerLite wins on price. Above that, ConvertKit pulls ahead on features.

For most creators under 5,000 subscribers: MailerLite saves $180-360/year with no meaningful feature loss. Use the savings to fund better content or paid ads.

Frequently asked questions

Is ConvertKit worth the premium over MailerLite?

Only if you sell digital products, run sophisticated automations, or monetize via newsletter sponsorships. For pure newsletter creators, MailerLite is enough.

Which has better deliverability?

Both are excellent. Within 1-2 percentage points on inbox placement. For 95%+ of creators, the difference is negligible.

Can I switch from ConvertKit to MailerLite without losing subscribers?

Yes — list export/import preserves subscribers, custom fields, and tags. The only loss is automations, which you rebuild manually.

Does ConvertKit’s Sponsor Network actually pay well?

It depends on your niche and list size. Typical rates: $20-50 per 1,000 subscribers per sponsored send. For a 5,000-subscriber newsletter, that’s $100-250 per placement. For 10,000+ subscribers, it becomes meaningful income.

Which has a better free tier?

MailerLite’s free tier is more generous and usable. ConvertKit’s free tier is essentially a trial — the moment you want to sell anything, you need to upgrade.

Can I use both ConvertKit and MailerLite?

Technically yes, but it’s wasteful. Most creators that use both split audiences (ConvertKit for paid customers, MailerLite for newsletter) — this fragments reporting and increases complexity. Pick one and commit.

Quick pros and cons

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