If you're starting to learn about email marketing and looking for the right software to use, you've probably seen the names ConvertKit and MailerLite pop up many times. These two platforms are very popular and used by people around the world to send emails, grow businesses, and build communities. But just because they’re both good doesn’t mean they’re the same. In fact, each has its own set of strengths and is better suited to different kinds of users.
This article is here to guide you through everything you need to know about ConvertKit and MailerLite. We’ll explain what these tools do, how they’re different, what they have in common, and most importantly—how to decide which one is best for you. Whether you're a student learning about digital tools, a new entrepreneur, a content creator, or just someone curious about email marketing, this guide is written in a way that’s easy to understand and full of useful tips.
By the end of this article, you’ll not only know which software matches your needs best, but you'll also have a clearer picture of how email marketing works and how these tools can help you reach your goals. Whether you care most about saving time, growing your audience, or making money online, this comparison will give you the knowledge to choose wisely.
What is Email Marketing?
Email marketing is the practice of sending emails to a group of people with the goal of promoting your content, products, or services. It is one of the most effective ways to maintain a connection with your audience, keep them informed about news or offers, and grow your business or personal brand over time. By regularly reaching out to your subscribers, you build trust and encourage loyalty.
Examples of Email Marketing in Action:
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A local business sends special promotions and discounts to loyal customers to encourage repeat purchases and reward their support.
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A blogger shares weekly updates, popular posts, or exclusive tips with readers to keep them engaged and returning to the site.
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A content creator like a YouTuber emails fans about new videos, merchandise launches, or special events to increase views and sales.
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A teacher or online coach sends lessons, study materials, and helpful resources to students to support their learning journey.
To manage these tasks smoothly and effectively, you need the help of reliable email marketing software. This software automates many processes, making it easier to grow your audience, send targeted messages, and track results efficiently.
What is ConvertKit?
ConvertKit is an email marketing tool made especially for content creators. That means bloggers, YouTubers, podcasters, authors, and people who sell digital products like courses or eBooks. It's designed to help you grow and manage your audience while making money through digital content.
Top Features:
Quick email sending to your subscribers.
Tools to create landing pages and opt-in forms.
Smart automation to send emails based on actions.
Subscriber tagging for better targeting.
Sell digital products directly with ConvertKit.
Countdown timers and call-to-action buttons in emails.
In-depth analytics to track results.
What is MailerLite?
MailerLite is a user-friendly and versatile email marketing platform ideal for small business owners, freelancers, bloggers, and beginners. It focuses on making design easy while providing powerful features.
Top Features:
Drag-and-drop editor for visually appealing emails.
Send regular newsletters or promotions.
Create landing pages, forms, and pop-ups.
Automate email workflows based on behaviour.
A/B test subject lines and email content.
Track performance metrics like open and click rates.
Add surveys and quizzes to your emails.
Integrate with platforms like Shopify and WordPress.
Why Do You Need Email Marketing Software?
Using email marketing software makes your work much faster, more efficient, and more organized. It helps you save time and energy while reaching more people effectively. Here’s a detailed look at why you need this kind of software:
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Automation: You can schedule emails ahead of time to be sent automatically, or set up triggers so emails go out based on specific subscriber actions, like signing up or clicking a link. This means your messages always reach the right people at the right moment without manual effort.
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Grow Your List: Using pop-ups, landing pages, and customizable forms, you can attract new subscribers easily. These tools help capture email addresses from website visitors or social media followers, growing your list steadily.
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Build Relationships: Consistent and regular communication through email helps build trust and rapport with your audience. You can nurture your contacts with helpful content, updates, and personalized messages that keep them engaged.
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Increase Sales: Email marketing makes it simple to promote your products or services directly to interested customers. You can send special offers, product announcements, or discount codes that encourage purchases and increase your revenue.
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Analyze Results: With detailed reports and analytics, you can see how many people open your emails, click on links, and make purchases. This helps you understand what works best and improve your strategies.
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Improve Engagement: By segmenting your audience into different groups and personalizing emails, you make your content more relevant. Personalized emails lead to higher open rates, more clicks, and better overall engagement with your audience.
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Save Time and Reduce Errors: Automating repetitive tasks helps reduce human errors and ensures your campaigns run smoothly without constant supervision.
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Track Subscriber Behavior: Many email marketing tools let you monitor how subscribers interact with your emails, such as which links they click or what products they view, helping you tailor your messages better.
Using email marketing software is a smart way to grow your audience, improve communication, and boost sales, all while saving you valuable time and effort.
ConvertKit vs. MailerLite: A Detailed Feature Comparison
| Feature | ConvertKit | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Creators (bloggers, digital sellers) | Beginners, small businesses |
| Free Plan | Yes (limited features) | Yes (more generous features) |
| Automation | Very flexible | Simple, effective |
| Email Templates | Basic, text-based | Modern, highly customizable |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes |
| Forms | Yes | Yes with more designs |
| A/B Testing | Subject lines only | Subject lines and content |
| Pricing | More expensive | Budget-friendly |
| Support | Good on paid plans | Excellent, includes live chat |
| Integrations | Creator-focused tools | E-commerce and CMS tools |
Key Things You Can Do With ConvertKit
Grow Your Subscriber List
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Use opt-in forms and landing pages to collect emails easily.
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Add forms to your website or social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to reach a wider audience.
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Customize the look and feel of your forms to match your brand style, making them more appealing and increasing sign-ups.
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Offer lead magnets such as free eBooks, checklists, or templates to encourage people to subscribe.
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Send Email Campaigns
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Share updates about your blog posts, product launches, or news with your subscribers.
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Personalize emails based on subscriber interests or past actions to improve engagement and build trust.
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Schedule campaigns in advance to maintain a consistent communication schedule without last-minute stress.
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Use simple text-based emails or add images and call-to-action buttons to make your messages more effective.
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Sell Products Directly
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Upload and sell digital products like eBooks, online courses, or memberships directly through ConvertKit without needing a separate platform.
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Manage payments and product delivery all in one place, making it easier for you and your customers.
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Offer special discounts or limited-time deals to your email list to boost sales.
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Track which products perform best and adjust your marketing strategies accordingly.
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Automate Sequences
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Schedule welcome emails that greet new subscribers automatically.
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Create nurture campaigns to slowly educate and build relationships with your audience over time.
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Design product funnels that send a series of emails leading subscribers towards making a purchase.
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Send automated emails based on subscriber behavior, like clicking a link or making a purchase.
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Segment Your Contacts
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Use tags and filters to organize your subscribers into different groups based on interests, actions, or demographics.
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Send targeted and personalized emails that speak directly to each group’s needs.
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Improve your open and click rates by making sure the right people get the right message at the right time.
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Visual Automation Builder
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Use a drag-and-drop interface to visually map out your entire email marketing workflow.
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Easily add, remove, or change steps in your automation sequence without coding knowledge.
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See how subscribers move through your email funnel and where they drop off, helping you optimize for better results.
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Key Things You Can Do With MailerLite
Design Stunning Emails
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Choose from many professionally designed templates or create your own using the drag-and-drop editor.
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Customize colors, fonts, images, and layouts to perfectly fit your brand identity.
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Create mobile-responsive emails that look great on smartphones, tablets, and desktops.
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Add videos, buttons, and countdown timers to make your emails more engaging and interactive.
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Build Your Email List Quickly
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Use pop-ups, landing pages, and embedded forms to capture email addresses from your website visitors.
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Integrate forms with your social media profiles and pages to attract followers and fans.
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Offer free giveaways, discounts, or exclusive content to encourage signups.
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Use exit-intent pop-ups to catch visitors before they leave your site.
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Send Targeted Campaigns
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Segment your audience based on interests, location, or past behavior to send highly relevant emails.
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Schedule your campaigns to send at the best times based on when subscribers are most active.
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Personalize emails using dynamic content to address subscribers by name or include custom offers.
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Use resend-to-unopened features to improve open rates by reminding inactive subscribers.
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Run A/B Tests Easily
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Test different subject lines, email designs, or calls-to-action to see which version performs better.
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Use the test results to improve future campaigns and increase engagement and conversions.
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Experiment with different sending times or days to find the optimal schedule for your audience.
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Track metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to measure success.
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Automate Emails
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Set up automation workflows triggered by subscriber signups, purchases, or clicks on links.
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Automatically send welcome messages, follow-ups, or re-engagement emails.
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Build multi-step sequences with conditions to tailor content based on subscriber actions.
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Use automation to nurture leads and move them closer to buying your products or services.
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Engage with Surveys and Quizzes
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Create surveys to gather feedback or learn more about your audience’s preferences.
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Use quiz results to segment your list and personalize future emails.
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Add interactive quizzes to entertain subscribers and increase engagement.
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Use data from surveys and quizzes to improve your products, services, and marketing strategies.
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Pricing Breakdown
ConvertKit (2025):
Free: Up to 1,000 contacts, limited features.
Creator Plan: Starts at $15/month (for 300 subscribers).
Creator Pro: Starts at $29/month with advanced tools.
MailerLite (2025):
Free: Up to 1,000 contacts with most features.
Growing Business: Starts at $10/month.
Advanced Plan: Includes more integrations and support.
Verdict: MailerLite offers more value at a lower cost for most users.
Usability: Which One Feels Easier?
ConvertKit: Clean and minimal design focused on simplicity, but it has a noticeable learning curve for new users, especially those who are unfamiliar with email marketing tools. Some users might need to spend extra time exploring its features to use it effectively. While the interface is straightforward, mastering advanced automation and tagging can take practice.
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MailerLite: Extremely intuitive and beginner-friendly, with drag-and-drop features that make designing emails and setting up campaigns quick and easy. Its interface is designed to help users get started immediately without confusion. It’s ideal for people who want to create professional-looking emails without spending much time learning the software.
Winner: MailerLite is more beginner-friendly and easier to use for those new to email marketing or those who want to quickly create professional-looking emails without a steep learning curve.
Pros and Cons
ConvertKit Pros:
Tailored specifically for content creators such as bloggers, authors, and online educators.
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Strong automation capabilities that allow for complex email sequences and behavior-based triggers.
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Allows direct product sales, including digital products, without the need for third-party tools.
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Simple and clean user interface designed to focus on content and productivity.
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Excellent tagging and targeting tools that help segment audiences for personalized marketing.
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Good integration with popular creator tools and platforms.
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Provides in-depth analytics to help optimize campaigns.
ConvertKit Cons:
Fewer visual design options, focusing more on plain-text and simple emails.
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Pricing can get expensive as your subscriber list grows.
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Limited variety of email templates compared to competitors.
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Some users report a learning curve for mastering advanced automation features.
MailerLite Pros:
Affordable pricing plans suitable for small businesses and startups.
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Wide variety of customizable email designs and modern templates.
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Effective A/B testing tools for both subject lines and email content.
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Outstanding customer support including live chat and extensive documentation.
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Easy to learn and use, especially for beginners with no prior email marketing experience.
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Includes useful additional features like surveys, quizzes, and pop-ups.
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Mobile-friendly email editor and responsive designs.
MailerLite Cons:
Automation features are more basic compared to ConvertKit's advanced options.
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Not ideal for selling digital products directly; requires integration with external tools for ecommerce.
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Some advanced segmentation and tagging features are limited compared to ConvertKit.
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Fewer options for deep analytics and detailed reporting.
Who Should Use ConvertKit?
Content creators focused on building a personal brand.
People who want advanced automation.
Users who sell digital products directly.
Who Should Use MailerLite?
Beginners in email marketing.
Small business owners or side hustlers.
People who value beautiful design and ease of use.
Final Verdict
Both ConvertKit and MailerLite are excellent, but serve different needs.
Pick ConvertKit if you’re a creator who needs advanced automation and product sales.
Pick MailerLite if you want something affordable and user-friendly.
Try the free plan of each and see what suits you better. You can always upgrade or switch as your business grows.
FAQ Section
1. Are ConvertKit and MailerLite free?
Yes, both offer free plans for up to 1,000 subscribers.
2. Can I switch platforms later?
Yes, you can move your email list from one platform to another.
3. Are they mobile-friendly?
Yes, both tools have responsive designs and can be accessed from your phone.
4. Do they integrate with website builders?
Yes, they work well with WordPress, Shopify, and many more.
5. Which is better for online stores?
MailerLite, because of its lower cost and ecommerce features.
6. Which is better for selling digital content?
ConvertKit, since it has built-in sales and delivery features.
Conclusion
Email marketing is an essential skill for growing an online presence or business. With the right tool, you can save time, connect with your audience, and grow your revenue.
ConvertKit is perfect for creators who want strong automation and product sales. MailerLite is great for beginners and small businesses looking for simplicity and design.
Start simple, explore features, and grow your list with confidence.