ConvertKit vs MailerLite
Quick verdict
ConvertKit and MailerLite are both excellent email & newsletter tools, and the right pick depends on what you need. ConvertKit is the email-first operating system for creators, now Kit, while MailerLite is email marketing tools to grow your audience affordably. For most people, ConvertKit is the safer default thanks to its wider adoption — but MailerLite can be the better fit for the right workflow.
If you're choosing between ConvertKit and MailerLite, you're not alone — they're two of the most talked-about email & newsletter tools around, and the differences aren't always obvious from their landing pages.
We track hundreds of email & newsletter tools on DesignBookmark, so we've put them side by side below: what each one is, where they overlap, how they differ, and a clear answer to which you should choose.
No fluff and no fabricated benchmarks — just an honest, practical comparison to help you decide fast.
At a glance
| ConvertKit | MailerLite | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Email & Newsletters | Email & Newsletters |
| Pricing | Freemium | Freemium |
| On DesignBookmark | Featured pick | Listed |
| Categories | 1 | 1 |
Pricing is a general guide and changes often — always confirm current plans on each tool's site.
What they have in common
At a high level, ConvertKit and MailerLite are after the same thing. Both sit in our email & newsletters category, both are aimed at designers, developers and creators, and both are built to make that job faster and more enjoyable.
So if you're only going to use one, you won't be missing out on the fundamentals either way — the question is which one's particular take on email & newsletter tool suits you best. That's what the rest of this comparison digs into.
ConvertKit
ConvertKit bills itself as the email-first operating system for creators, now Kit — and in practice that's exactly what it delivers. What stands out is how focused and dependable it feels: it does what it promises, release after release.
Compared with MailerLite, it's the one to reach for when you'd rather not fight the interface to get started. On the pricing side, ConvertKit is generally freemium — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
MailerLite
MailerLite bills itself as email marketing tools to grow your audience affordably — and in practice that's exactly what it delivers. The team behind it ships steadily, so it keeps improving rather than standing still.
Against ConvertKit, it tends to win people over when simplicity and speed matter more than a sprawling feature list. On the pricing side, MailerLite is generally freemium — always click through to confirm current plans, since they change often.
How to choose between ConvertKit and MailerLite
Pick ConvertKit
Choose ConvertKit if you want the more established, widely-adopted pick that most people reach for first.
Pick MailerLite
Choose MailerLite if its approach to email & newsletter tools matches the way you already like to work.
Pricing & how you'll pay
ConvertKit and MailerLite use broadly similar pricing models, so cost is unlikely to be the deciding factor. Focus instead on which one fits your workflow — and always confirm the latest plans on each site, since pricing changes often.
Workflow & learning curve
The best email & newsletter tool is the one that disappears into your routine. Think about which interface feels more natural to you, which integrates with the apps you already use, and which you'd actually open every day. A short free trial of each tells you more than any feature chart.
Scope — all-rounder or specialist
Both cover similar ground here, so neither is obviously the "bigger" tool. Judge them on how well they do the specific job you care about most, rather than the length of their feature lists.
Momentum & community
A tool is only as good as the team and community behind it. Both ConvertKit and MailerLite are actively maintained and listed on DesignBookmark for that reason — but it's worth a quick look at each one's changelog and community to see which is moving in a direction you like.
Frequently asked questions
Is ConvertKit better than MailerLite?+
Neither is universally "better" — they're both strong email & newsletter tools, which is why people compare them. ConvertKit suits you if you want the email-first operating system for creators, now Kit; MailerLite suits you if you want email marketing tools to grow your audience affordably. The best way to decide is to try both on a real project.
What's the difference between ConvertKit and MailerLite?+
They overlap a lot — both are email & newsletter tools aimed at the same audience. The practical difference is emphasis: ConvertKit is the email-first operating system for creators, now Kit, whereas MailerLite is email marketing tools to grow your audience affordably. That shapes which workflows each one feels best for.
Is ConvertKit or MailerLite cheaper?+
Their pricing models are broadly similar (ConvertKit is freemium, MailerLite is freemium), so cost isn't the deciding factor for most people. Check each site for the current plans, since they change regularly.
Can I use ConvertKit and MailerLite together?+
Often, yes. Plenty of people use more than one email & newsletter tool side by side — one as their main driver and another for the things it does best. There's no rule that says you must pick only one, though most settle on a primary tool over time.
Is there a free version of ConvertKit or MailerLite?+
Both generally offer a free or freemium way in, so you can try ConvertKit and MailerLite before paying for either.
The bottom line
The bottom line: ConvertKit is the easier one to recommend as a default, but there's no wrong answer between ConvertKit and MailerLite — they're both genuinely good email & newsletter tools. Re-read the "how to choose" points above, take whichever one speaks to you for a quick spin, and keep the one that earns a permanent place in your workflow.