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Last updated: October 29, 2026
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Kit vs MailerLite (2027): Free Plans, Prices and Which One to Pick
Choose Kit (formerly ConvertKit) if you're a creator who wants to grow a large newsletter for free: its free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited broadcasts, but no automations, and Creator costs $33 a month at 1,000 subscribers on annual billing. Choose MailerLite if you're a small business that wants automation at the lowest price: it's free for 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month with 3 automations, and Comfort starts at $12 a month with 50 active automations. Kit wins on free list size; MailerLite wins on paid price.
- Kit: Newsletter (free) up to 10,000 subscribers, no automations; Creator $33/month at 1,000 subscribers (annual), unlimited automations; Pro adds advanced features.
- MailerLite: Free 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month, 3 automations; Comfort from $12/month (50 active automations, up to 100 steps each); Power from $25; 10% off yearly.
- Billing unit: subscribers on both.
- At 1,000 subscribers with automation: Kit $33/month vs MailerLite Comfort, priced by list size from $12.
- Kit sells digital products and paid newsletters; MailerLite focuses on campaigns, sites and automation.
Kit vs MailerLite at a glance
| Kit | MailerLite | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Up to 10,000 subscribers, no automations | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails, 3 automations |
| Entry paid plan | Creator $33/month at 1,000 (annual) | Comfort from $12/month |
| Automation on entry paid plan | Unlimited | 50 active (up to 100 steps each) |
| Annual saving | Annual pricing shown on page | 10% |
| Selling | Digital products, paid newsletters | Basic selling features |
| Best for | Creators, writers, course sellers | Small businesses on a budget |
Pricing compared
Free plans
Kit's free plan is 40 times larger than MailerLite's: 10,000 subscribers against 250. But Kit's free plan has no automations, while MailerLite's includes 3. A writer sending a weekly newsletter can stay free on Kit for years; a business that needs a welcome sequence can start free on MailerLite.
Paid plans
MailerLite Comfort starts at $12 a month and includes 50 active automations. Kit Creator costs $33 a month at 1,000 subscribers on annual billing and includes unlimited automations. For a 1,000-subscriber list that needs automation, MailerLite usually costs less; check both calculators for your exact list size.
What a real sender pays
| Situation | Kit | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| 200 subscribers, monthly newsletter | Free | Free |
| 3,000 subscribers, weekly newsletter, no automation | Free | Paid plan by list size |
| 8,000 subscribers, weekly newsletter, no automation | Free | Paid plan by list size |
| 1,000 subscribers with welcome and sales sequences | Creator $33/month (annual) | Comfort from $12/month |
The pattern is clear: Kit is cheaper while you don't need automation; MailerLite is cheaper once you do, at small list sizes.
Features that decide the choice
| If you need… | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A free newsletter for thousands of readers | Kit | Free up to 10,000 subscribers |
| Automation on a free plan | MailerLite | 3 automations on Free |
| The cheapest paid automation | MailerLite | Comfort from $12 |
| Selling digital products and paid newsletters | Kit | Built-in creator commerce |
| Landing pages, forms and simple websites | Both | Included on both |
| A simple drag-and-drop editor for business emails | MailerLite | Template-focused editor |
Who each tool is built for
Kit is built for creators: newsletter writers, podcasters, course creators and coaches. Its tagging, sequences and commerce features help turn readers into customers. Its editor is deliberately simple, close to plain text, which suits personal newsletters.
MailerLite is built for small businesses: shops, consultants, local services and startups. Its drag-and-drop editor, templates, landing pages and automation builder cover classic email marketing at a low price.
Three real-world scenarios
A writer starting a weekly newsletter
Kit's free plan covers up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited broadcasts. Cost: $0 while the list grows. MailerLite would require a paid plan after 250 subscribers.
A consultant with 600 subscribers and a lead magnet
A welcome sequence and a lead-magnet sequence are essential. MailerLite Comfort from $12 a month includes 50 active automations. Kit would need Creator.
A course creator with 1,000 subscribers and product launches
Kit Creator at $33 a month (annual) includes unlimited automations, sequences and product sales. One course sale every few months covers the subscription.
Start Kit free → Free up to 10,000 subscribers, no card · Affiliate link
Hidden costs to watch
- Kit's free plan has no automations; most creators upgrade once they launch a product.
- MailerLite's free plan stops at 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month.
- List growth raises prices on both; clean inactive subscribers.
- Kit's Pro promotional rate rises after the first year.
- Payment fees apply when selling through Kit.
Alternatives worth comparing
| Tool | Free plan | Entry paid price | Why consider it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | 250 contacts, 500 emails | Essentials $13/month (12-month intro) | Integrations |
| Brevo | 300 emails/day | Starter from about $9/month * | Large lists that send rarely |
| Omnisend | 250 contacts, 500 emails | Standard from $16/month | Ecommerce |
* From 2026 pricing guides. See Kit pricing, MailerLite pricing and best free email marketing software.
How to choose in 5 steps
- Decide whether you need automation in the next six months.
- Count subscribers and estimate growth.
- If no automation: Kit's free plan is hard to beat.
- If automation: price MailerLite Comfort and Kit Creator for your list size.
- Send one real campaign from each before committing.
Terms explained
- Broadcast: a one-off email to your list (Kit).
- Campaign: a one-off email (MailerLite).
- Sequence or automation: a triggered series of emails.
- Tag or group: a label used to segment subscribers.
- Paid newsletter: a subscription product sold to readers.
Deliverability, design and editor
Kit's editor is intentionally minimal, encouraging text-first newsletters that read like personal letters; many creators find these emails land well and feel authentic. MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor offers designed templates, images and blocks, which suit businesses promoting products and events. Both ask you to authenticate your sending domain, and both reward clean lists. If your brand voice is personal and writer-led, Kit's style fits; if your emails are visual and promotional, MailerLite's editor fits better.
Growth features
Kit includes creator growth tools such as a recommendations network, where creators recommend each other's newsletters, and referral features. MailerLite includes landing pages, pop-ups and simple websites to collect subscribers. Both can be enough to grow a list without paid ads.
Our verdict
Kit is the better choice for creators who want to grow a newsletter free up to 10,000 subscribers and sell products or paid subscriptions later. MailerLite is the better choice for small businesses that want automation at the lowest price, from $12 a month with 50 active automations. If you don't need automation yet, start free on Kit; if you do, MailerLite usually costs less.
How we compiled this page
Prices and plan limits come from Kit's and MailerLite's official pricing pages, checked October 29, 2026. Both price by subscribers; use their calculators for your list size.
FAQ
Is Kit better than MailerLite?
For creators, often yes: the free plan covers 10,000 subscribers and Kit is built for selling products and newsletters. For small businesses wanting cheap automation, MailerLite is usually better.
Which is cheaper, Kit or MailerLite?
Kit is cheaper without automation (free up to 10,000 subscribers). With automation at small list sizes, MailerLite Comfort (from $12) is usually cheaper than Kit Creator ($33 at 1,000, annual).
Does Kit's free plan include automations?
No. Automations start on Creator.
Does MailerLite's free plan include automations?
Yes, 3 automations.
Can I move from MailerLite to Kit?
Yes. Export subscribers as a CSV file, import them into Kit and rebuild your automations as sequences.
Which is better for selling courses?
Kit, in most cases, thanks to its creator commerce features and sequences. MailerLite can sell simple digital products but is built more for classic email marketing.
Which has better landing pages?
Both include landing pages and sign-up forms on every plan, including free. MailerLite also offers simple websites; Kit's landing pages are designed around newsletter and product sign-ups.
Do both price by subscribers?
Yes. Both raise prices as your subscriber count grows, so cleaning inactive subscribers saves money on both.
Which is better for a small shop?
MailerLite, usually: its templates and low-cost automation suit product promotions.
Sources
kit.com/pricing and mailerlite.com/pricing, checked October 29, 2026.
Related
- MailerLite vs Mailchimp (2027): Which Is Cheaper & Better?
- Kit (ConvertKit) Pricing 2027: Free to 10,000 Subscribers
- MailerLite Pricing 2027: Free, Comfort & Power Explained