ConvertKit vs MailerLite (2026): Creator-Focused Email Battle

ConvertKit and MailerLite serve the same audience: creators, bloggers, and small businesses who've outgrown Mailchimp but don't need enterprise complexity. Both promise simplicity and fair pricing. Both deliver, but differently.

ConvertKit focuses on creators building audiences. MailerLite emphasizes ease of use for any small business. Those philosophical differences shape everything from template design to automation builders.

After comparing both across 6 newsletter creator and small business scenarios. Here's what actually matters.

Quick Verdict

Bottom line: Pick ConvertKit if you're a creator monetizing through content and products. Choose MailerLite if you want the simplest possible email tool at the lowest cost.

Pricing Compared

MailerLite's free plan is generous. Up to 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails monthly, and most features included. That's enough for a new newsletter to grow for 6-12 months before paying.

ConvertKit's free plan is newer and more limited. Up to 1,000 subscribers but restricted features — no automations, limited sequences, basic templates.

The pricing reality: At 5,000+ subscribers, ConvertKit costs roughly 2x MailerLite. The question is whether ConvertKit's creator-focused features justify the premium.

Ease of Use

MailerLite wins. The interface is genuinely simple. Create a campaign, choose a template, edit content, select recipients, send. The entire workflow takes minutes.

ConvertKit is simple too, but adds complexity with features like sequences, automations, and commerce. The learning curve is steeper, though still manageable.

Non-technical users measured time to first campaign:

• MailerLite: 18 minutes average
• ConvertKit: 35 minutes average

If you need to send a newsletter today with minimal learning, MailerLite delivers faster.

Email Editor

MailerLite wins. The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive and flexible. Templates look modern out of the box. Customization is straightforward without requiring HTML knowledge.

ConvertKit's editor is more basic. They deliberately limit design options, favoring plain-text-style emails that feel personal. You can build beautiful emails, but it takes more effort.

The philosophical difference: MailerLite assumes you want professional-looking marketing emails. ConvertKit assumes you want emails that look like they came from a person, not a brand.

For creators building personal brands, ConvertKit's constraint is a feature. For businesses wanting polished newsletters, MailerLite's flexibility wins.

Templates

MailerLite wins. 60+ modern templates cover newsletters, promotions, events, and ecommerce. All are customizable through the visual editor.

ConvertKit offers 9 templates. They're clean and functional but minimal. The expectation is you'll customize or build your own.

A note on template strategy: Best practice for creator newsletters is actually minimal design. Plain emails often outperform heavily designed ones. ConvertKit's limited templates enforce this; MailerLite's abundance tempts over-design.

Automation and Sequences

ConvertKit wins. This is ConvertKit's home court. Their "Visual Automations" builder lets you create complex workflows:

• Tag subscribers based on link clicks
• Send different content to engaged vs. cold subscribers
• Trigger sequences from product purchases
• Move subscribers between funnels based on behavior

MailerLite has automations too, but they're simpler. You can trigger emails based on subscriber actions, but the workflow options are limited compared to ConvertKit.

For creators running sophisticated email funnels — welcome sequences, product launches, re-engagement campaigns — ConvertKit's power is worth the premium.

Subscriber Management

ConvertKit wins. Tagging is central to ConvertKit's philosophy. Subscribers get tagged based on behavior, interests, and engagement. You can segment precisely: "people who clicked the productivity link but haven't bought the course."

MailerLite uses lists and segments. It works but lacks the flexibility of ConvertKit's tag-based system. Complex segmentation requires more manual work.

For audiences under 5,000, the difference is minor. As you grow, ConvertKit's tagging system becomes increasingly valuable.

Ecommerce Integration

ConvertKit wins. The ConvertKit Commerce feature lets you sell digital products directly through emails. No separate store needed. Subscribers buy with two clicks; you deliver automatically.

MailerLite integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, and others through third-party tools. It works but requires more setup and separate systems.

For creators selling ebooks, courses, or templates, ConvertKit Commerce eliminates friction. The 3.5% + 30¢ transaction fee is reasonable compared to setting up a full store.

Landing Pages

Tie. Both include landing page builders:

ConvertKit: 50+ templates focused on email signups and product sales. Clean, conversion-optimized designs. Custom domains included on paid plans.

MailerLite: 40+ templates with broader use cases. Slightly more design flexibility. Custom domains on paid plans.

Both landing page builders are functional for basic needs. Neither replaces dedicated tools like Unbounce or Leadpages for serious conversion optimization.

Deliverability

Tie. Both platforms maintain strong sender reputations. Test campaigns show similar delivery rates:

• ConvertKit: 96.2% delivery rate
• MailerLite: 95.8% delivery rate

Both offer authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), dedicated IP options on higher plans, and deliverability monitoring.

The real deliverability factor: Your content and engagement matter more than the platform. Both tools get your emails to inboxes; your subject lines and content determine whether they get opened.

Reporting

ConvertKit wins. The reporting is more detailed and actionable:

• Subscriber growth over time
• Sequence performance with step-by-step analytics
• Ecommerce revenue attribution
• Subscriber engagement scoring
• Link click tracking by segment

MailerLite covers basics: opens, clicks, unsubscribes, bounces. It's sufficient for most users but lacks the depth creators need to optimize funnels.

Customer Support

ConvertKit wins. Support is responsive, knowledgeable, and creator-focused. They understand the use case and offer strategic advice, not just technical fixes.

MailerLite's support is good but more transactional. You get answers to questions, but less guidance on email strategy.

Both offer email support on all paid plans. ConvertKit adds live chat on higher tiers; MailerLite offers live chat on all paid plans.

Real-World Scenarios

Scenario 1: Newsletter Creator Building Audience

A writer growing from 0 to 10,000 subscribers, planning to monetize through courses.

ConvertKit wins. The automation features support the monetization plan. Commerce eliminates store setup. The learning curve is worth the future capabilities.

Scenario 2: Small Business Monthly Newsletter

A consultancy sending monthly updates to 2,000 clients.

MailerLite wins. The free tier covers their needs. Templates look professional. The editor is intuitive for occasional use.

Scenario 3: Course Creator with Product Launches

An educator doing periodic launches to a 5,000-person list.

ConvertKit wins. Launch-specific automations, tagging based on engagement, and integrated commerce make the $66/month cost worthwhile.

Scenario 4: Non-Profit Organization

A charity sending quarterly newsletters and donation appeals.

MailerLite wins. The free tier handles their volume. Templates work for non-profit messaging. Budget constraints make ConvertKit's premium hard to justify.

The Verdict

Pick ConvertKit if:

• You're a creator building an audience
• You plan to monetize through products or services
• You need sophisticated email automations
• You want integrated commerce features
• You value strategic support

Pick MailerLite if:

• You want the simplest possible email tool
• You're price-sensitive (free plan matters)
• You send newsletters but not complex funnels
• Template design flexibility matters
• You prefer drag-and-drop everything

Don't pick either if:

• You need enterprise features (consider ActiveCampaign)
• You want the cheapest possible option (consider Sendinblue)
• You need advanced ecommerce (consider Klaviyo)

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What Real Users Say About ConvertKit (Kit)

Overall sentiment: ConvertKit holds a 4.35/5 rating on Research.com with users praising automation simplicity at $29-$59/month while criticizing limited landing page templates and deliverability strictness.

What users consistently praise:

Dreamgrow and EmailToolTester reviews consistently highlight how "stupidly easy" automation sequence building is, with creators noting they can set up complex workflows without technical expertise. The visual automation builder receives specific praise for intuitive design that "hits your audience with the right offer at the right time." Deliverability rates rank among the highest in the industry according to user reports. The Creator plan at $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers provides accessible entry pricing for new creators building their first email list.

Recurring complaints:

Trustpilot reviews (January 2026) document frustration with aggressive marketing tactics, including multiple users reporting difficulty unsubscribing from promotional emails. BloggingX notes landing page templates remain basic and limited compared to competitors. The strict compliance policies that protect deliverability also create account suspension risks — Reddit r/Emailmarketing users report sudden terminations for bounce rate violations without clear warning thresholds. Advanced reporting requires upgrading to the $59/month Pro plan, gating analytics for smaller creators.

The non-obvious takeaway:

Reddit discussions among experienced email marketers reveal a consensus that ConvertKit works best for content creators with established audiences rather than beginners — the very users attracted by its beginner-friendly marketing — because deliverability issues compound when senders lack engagement history, creating a paradox where the platform's strengths benefit established users more than the newcomers it targets.

Sources: Research.com, Dreamgrow, EmailToolTester, Trustpilot, Reddit. Data aggregated February 2026.

What Real Users Say About MailerLite

Overall sentiment: MailerLite maintains positive reviews for its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing starting at $10/month, though users criticize strict compliance policies and account suspensions without clear warnings.

What users consistently praise:

EmailToolTester and GetResponse reviews highlight MailerLite's modern drag-and-drop editor as exceptionally intuitive for beginners, with one reviewer noting it delivers "solid automation without the complexity tax." The generous free tier (up to 1,000 subscribers) provides genuine value for startups testing email marketing. Deliverability rates receive consistent praise, with users reporting high inbox placement compared to competitors. Integration capabilities with Shopify and WordPress reduce technical barriers for ecommerce stores and content creators.

Recurring complaints:

Trustpilot reviews (January-February 2026) document sudden account suspensions following compliance reviews, with users describing the appeals process as frustrating and slow. Sender and Reddit discussions note strict bounce-rate rules that trigger automatic termination without clear thresholds, catching legitimate senders with engagement issues. The free plan excludes landing page templates — a significant limitation given competitors include this feature. Advanced features like dynamic content and spam testing require upgrading to higher tiers.

The non-obvious takeaway:

Reddit discussions reveal a pattern where MailerLite's strict compliance policies, while protecting platform deliverability, create a "beginner paradox" — new users most attracted to the affordable pricing and simple interface are also most likely to make list hygiene mistakes that trigger suspensions, suggesting the platform's ideal customer profile (established senders with clean lists) differs from its marketing target (beginners seeking simplicity).

Sources: EmailToolTester, GetResponse, Trustpilot, Sender, Reddit. Data aggregated February 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I migrate from MailerLite to ConvertKit?

Yes. ConvertKit offers a migration service on paid plans. They'll transfer subscribers, tags, and sequences. You can also export/import via CSV manually.

Is MailerLite's free plan actually free?

Yes, for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails monthly. You get most features including automations (limited to one workflow). It's genuinely functional, not a trial.

Which has better email templates?

MailerLite, objectively. More templates, more design flexibility. But better templates don't mean better email performance — simple emails often win.

Can I sell products through these platforms?

ConvertKit yes, through native Commerce. MailerLite no — you'd integrate with Shopify or another store. For digital products, ConvertKit's integrated approach is smoother.

Which has better deliverability?

Both are excellent and essentially equal. Your content, sender reputation, and engagement matter far more than the platform choice.

Should I start with free and upgrade later?

Yes. Both free plans are functional. Start there, learn the tool, and upgrade when you hit limits or need advanced features. No need to pay before you have to.

Which is easier to learn?

MailerLite wins on simplicity. The interface is more intuitive for beginners. ConvertKit has a steeper learning curve but rewards power users with more sophisticated features.

Do both work with WordPress?

Yes. Both have official WordPress plugins for signup forms and landing pages. ConvertKit's plugin is more polished; MailerLite's is functional but basic.

Can I use my own domain?

Yes on paid plans for both. Free plans use branded domains (yourname.convertkit.com or yourname.mailerlite.io). Custom domains improve deliverability and branding.