Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Mailchimp: Which One Fits Your Solo Dev Stack?
Free tier limits, real costs for 1-10 users, and honest "not for" warnings. The Solo Dev decision guide for Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Mailchimp.
⚡ Quick Verdict
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) edges ahead with a 4.5/5 rating. However, the best choice depends on your team size, budget, and workflow needs. Read on for the full breakdown.
💰 Cost by Team Size
| Team Size | Kit (formerly ConvertKit) | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Solo (1 user) | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Small (5 users) | $25/mo | $20/mo |
| Growing (10 users) | $50/mo | $20/mo |
| Free Tier | ✅ 10,000 subscribers. Unlimited sends. Unlimited landing pages. No automations. | ✅ 500 contacts. 1000 sends/month. 1 audience. Basic templates. |
Pricing Plans
| Plan | Kit (formerly ConvertKit) | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Free Plan | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Creator | $25/mo | $13/mo |
| Creator Pro | $50/mo | $20/mo |
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kit (formerly ConvertKit) | Mailchimp |
|---|---|---|
| Landing Pages | ★★★★☆ | ★★★☆☆ |
Pros & Cons
Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
✅ Pros
- 10,000 subscribers free — most generous in market
- Visual automation builder
- Built-in commerce for digital products
- Tag-based subscriber management
- Creator Network for cross-promotion
❌ Cons
- No free automation (paid tiers only)
- Limited email design templates
- Basic analytics compared to Mailchimp
- No built-in CRM features
- Rebranded from ConvertKit — some confusion
Mailchimp
✅ Pros
- Free tier for up to 500 contacts
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Pre-built automation workflows
- Audience segmentation and tagging
- Built-in landing page builder
❌ Cons
- Free tier reduced to 500 contacts (was 2000)
- Gets expensive as list grows
- Limited automation on lower tiers
- Clunky interface for complex workflows
- Charges for unsubscribed contacts
Who Should Use What?
✅ Choose Kit (formerly ConvertKit) if...
- You are a newsletter creators and bloggers
- You are a course creators selling digital products
- You are a solo creators building an audience
🚫 Skip if...
- E-commerce businesses (Mailchimp better)
- Teams needing advanced reporting
- Those wanting visual email templates
✅ Choose Mailchimp if...
- You are a small businesses starting email marketing
- You are a e-commerce stores with product recommendations
- You are a content creators building a newsletter
🚫 Skip if...
- Large lists (pricing scales poorly)
- Advanced automation needs (use ActiveCampaign)
- Budget-conscious users (try MailerLite)
🏆 Our Verdict
Both Kit (formerly ConvertKit) (4.5/5) and Mailchimp (4.3/5) are excellent tools in their category. Kit (formerly ConvertKit) takes a slight edge overall, but the best choice ultimately depends on your team's specific needs, budget, and existing tool ecosystem.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kit (formerly ConvertKit) better than Mailchimp?
It depends on your needs. Kit (formerly ConvertKit) excels in some areas while Mailchimp has its own strengths. Read our full comparison above to see which tool fits your specific requirements.
How does Kit (formerly ConvertKit) pricing compare to Mailchimp?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) starts at Free / $25/mo, while Mailchimp starts at Free / $13/mo. Both offer different value propositions — check our pricing comparison section for a detailed breakdown.
Can I migrate from Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to Mailchimp?
Yes, most B2B tools offer data import/export features. Mailchimp typically provides migration guides and sometimes even dedicated support for switching from Kit (formerly ConvertKit).
Which is easier to use, Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or Mailchimp?
Ease of use depends on your team's experience and workflow preferences. We evaluated both tools on usability — see our feature comparison scores above for details.
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