Choosing your first email marketing platform can feel like trying to pick the “right” protein powder—there are a million options, and they all claim to be the best. If you’re starting an online business, building a list, or just trying to monetize your side hustle, you’ve likely come across MailerLite and ConvertKit.
Both tools are popular, beginner-friendly, and built for creators. But which one actually gives you the best value when you’re starting out?
Let’s break it down.
🆚 MailerLite vs ConvertKit: Quick Comparison
| Feature | MailerLite | ConvertKit |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes – up to 1,000 subs | ✅ Yes – up to 1,000 subs |
| Email Automation | ✅ Included on free plan | ⚠️ Basic automation only on free |
| Landing Pages | ✅ Unlimited + templates | ✅ Includes several modern templates |
| Drag & Drop Builder | ✅ Yes | ❌ No – text-based editor only |
| Forms & Popups | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Integrations | Basic, Zapier | Advanced + native with creator tools |
| Paid Plans Start At | $10/month | $15/month |
| Best For | Beginners, lean startups | Bloggers, creators, and course sellers |
💡 Where ConvertKit Shines
ConvertKit was built specifically for creators—bloggers, authors, musicians, coaches, and course sellers. It offers:
- 🎯 Tag-based subscriber management for detailed audience segmentation
- 🎥 Strong native integrations with Teachable, Patreon, and more
- 📩 A clean, text-based email editor that helps creators focus on message over design
- 🔁 Powerful automation rules on paid plans (think: funnels that adjust based on behavior)
If you’re already an established content creator or you’re planning to sell digital products soon, ConvertKit’s flexibility and integration options are a major plus.
✅ Why I Recommend MailerLite for Most Beginners
If you’re starting from scratch or on a tight budget, MailerLite gives you more marketing power right out of the gate:
- ✅ Full automation on the free plan
- ✅ Drag-and-drop editor that saves time
- ✅ Unlimited landing pages and popups
- ✅ Super intuitive user interface
While ConvertKit’s strength is in its creator-focused ecosystem, MailerLite offers a better all-around experience for new entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, and side hustlers who want to keep things simple and effective.
Learn how to turn these tools into income Here- From Zero to $10K/Month: A Beginner’s Guide to Affiliate Marketing with AI
🛠️ Real Talk: What You Can Build with MailerLite
With just the free plan, you can already:
- Set up automated email sequences
- Create landing pages and signup forms
- Segment your audience
- Trigger emails based on subscriber behavior
- Embed popups and forms on any site
- How to Use Systeme.io and MailerLite Together to Build an Automated Funnel
It’s a surprisingly full-featured marketing tool, and you don’t pay until you’re ready to grow.
👇 My Recommendation
If you’re brand new to online business and want a powerful, free email marketing tool to grow your list and start automating, MailerLite is the best option for most people.
But if you’re focused on building a creator brand and need deeper integrations with content platforms like Teachable or Patreon, ConvertKit could be the better long-term play.
👉 Click here to sign up for MailerLite free
👉 Click here to check out ConvertKit
🔥 Final Thoughts
There’s no one-size-fits-all tool—but for most beginners, simplicity, automation, and cost matter most. MailerLite offers all of that from day one.
If you’re starting an email list, launching a side hustle, or building your first funnel, give MailerLite a shot—you’ve got nothing to lose and a whole business to build.
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