The right email platform for your business.
Five platforms compared. No clear winner. Just the right fit for where you are and what you need. Pricing, automation ratings, AI features, and a 'pick this if' for each one.
What's inside
Quick comparison
| Platform | Starting Price | Automation | AI Features | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Free (1K subs) | ●●●●○ | ●●●○○ | Creators and solopreneurs |
| Mailchimp | Free (500 contacts) | ●●●○○ | ●●●●○ | Small businesses starting out |
| Flodesk | $38/mo flat | ●●○○○ | ●○○○○ | Design-focused creators |
| ActiveCampaign | $15/mo (1K contacts) | ●●●●● | ●●●●○ | Businesses that need complex automation |
| MailerLite | Free (1K subs) | ●●●○○ | ●●●○○ | Budget-conscious creators |
Platform 01
Kit (ConvertKit)
The creator's email platform. Kit was built for people who make things online. Newsletters, courses, digital products. The free tier is generous. The paid tiers are straightforward. No surprise charges based on list size tiers.
Free up to 1,000 subscribers. Creator $29/mo. Creator Pro $59/mo. Pricing scales with subscriber count.
You're a creator, course maker, or digital product seller and you want email plus commerce in one tool. This is what I use.
"Kit has a lot of customization and the landing pages and forms are a big plus as well."
Platform 02
Mailchimp
The name everyone knows. Mailchimp has been around forever and it shows, both in features and in complexity. The free tier is limited now but the tool itself covers more ground than most competitors.
Free up to 500 contacts (1,000 emails/mo). Essentials $13/mo. Standard $20/mo. Premium $350/mo. Pricing based on contact count.
You want one platform for email plus basic marketing tools and you're okay with paying more as you grow. Good for small businesses, less ideal for pure creators.
Platform 03
Flodesk
The beautiful one. Flodesk exists because most email tools make ugly emails unless you fight them. Flat pricing regardless of list size is the other big selling point. No penalizing you for growing.
$38/mo flat. Unlimited subscribers. Unlimited emails. No free tier but has a trial.
Your brand is visual, your emails need to look incredible, and you don't need complex automation. Popular with photographers, designers, and lifestyle brands.
Platform 04
ActiveCampaign
The automation powerhouse. ActiveCampaign is what you move to when Kit or Mailchimp can't handle what you're trying to build. CRM, sales automation, lead scoring, and the deepest automation builder in the space.
Starter $15/mo (1,000 contacts). Plus $49/mo. Pro $79/mo. Enterprise $145/mo. Pricing scales with contacts.
You have a sales process, need CRM functionality, or your automation needs have outgrown simpler tools. This is where service businesses and agencies land.
Platform 05
MailerLite
The quiet overachiever. MailerLite doesn't get the hype of Kit or the brand recognition of Mailchimp, but it delivers a surprising amount of capability for the price. The free tier is one of the best in the market.
Free up to 1,000 subscribers (12,000 emails/mo). Growing Business $10/mo. Advanced $20/mo. Enterprise custom.
You want the most capability for the least money and you don't need the deepest automation. Great for bootstrapped businesses and side projects.
Your next step
DM Automation Starter Guide
Picked your platform? Connect it to your DMs so new subscribers come to you on autopilot. No code required.
Want this looked at for your business?
The Foundation Audit is a deep dive into how your business actually runs. You get a specific recommendation based on your setup, your budget, and where you actually are right now.