If you’re new to email marketing, choosing the best platform for your business might be difficult. We’ll help you out by walking you through two of the most acclaimed email marketing platforms in this MailerLite vs ConvertKit comparison. Discover their features, pros, cons, and pricing plans.
Written By Henry Walden - Digital Marketing Expert Updated: 09/01/2021 |
| ||
Score | 8.4/10 | 8.1/10 |
Summary | MailerLite is a powerful email marketing platform that offers many advanced features. At the same time, it is intuitive and suitable even for beginners. | ConvertKit offers lots of useful features for marketers of any level, such as granular segmentation or automation, and a user-friendly, step-by-step approach. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Pros |
|
|
Cons |
|
|
Key Features |
|
|
Pricing |
|
|
Support |
|
|
Ease of Use |
|
|
Best fit for | Beginners, small companies | Bloggers, beginner marketers |
Email templates will help you set up your campaigns easier and get the nice and professional look that engages customers.
MailerLite offers more than 24 email templates in its library. Most of them are quite modern and good looking and they come in an HTML format. Every template this platform offers can be customized to fit your needs.
You can also create templates from scratch through HTML coding. You can upload the images you want from your PC or the platform’s library, change the font styles, background colors, layout, or different other elements. You can also create plain text emails from scratch.
ConvertKit is primarily geared toward content creators such as bloggers. For this reason, they try to make everything as easy as possible. ConvertKit, therefore, features no HTML templates. With this platform, you can only create plain text emails. You also get a few text email templates you can customize by choosing different text fonts or alignment options.
MailerLite takes the lead this time thanks to its multitude of options and templates.
Both MailerLite and ConvertKit offer the possibility to create landing pages. Find out what options each platform provides.
MailerLite offers a modular, drag-and-drop editor for landing pages. You can customize these pages in different ways, for example by adding countdown timers or videos. Moreover, you also get useful landing templates. The builder is intuitive and practical, and you can also optimize these pages for SEO purposes or social sharing via Facebook. Once your pages are set up and embedded on your website, you can use MailerLite’s list growth and conversion tracking features to track their success.
ConvertKit allows you to create both landing pages and forms from the same builder, by accessing the ‘forms’ section, and easily embed them on your website. It also allows you to select from different landing page templates. There are approximately 20 visually appealing templates you can use. You can customize them by changing the colors, font size, and different other elements. The platform’s plugin allows you to easily host these landing pages on a WordPress website. However, overall, the landing page building process is a bit more difficult given the lack of drag-and-drop functionality.
MailerLite allows you to customize your landing pages in different ways and also offers an intuitive builder. It deserves to be the winner.
Understanding how contacts respond to different types of email campaigns is critical for your email marketing strategy’s success. Both MailerLite and ConvertKit provide you these insights by allowing you to test your campaigns.
MailerLite offers complex testing capabilities compared to other email marketing platforms. Moreover, their tests are quite logical. You can use the testing features when you set up your campaigns by filling in different email content or sender names. Then, you have to select the criteria that will define the winning email (e.g., click-through rates or the largest number of open rates). You can also customize the period after which winning emails will be sent to the audience that wasn’t included in the test.
ConvertKit offers pretty basic testing features. With this platform, you can test your emails’ subject lines, and the winning criteria will therefore be open rates. To carry out these tests, you need to create a campaign and select the A/B icon located next to the subject line field. Then, you have to add two subject line variations, and you are done.
MailerLite wins in this round thanks to its flexible and more complex testing features.
| You may also like the following comparison: MailerLite vs Mailchimp |
Automated workflows can significantly ease your work. Once you set them, the platform sends messages based on specific user actions, while you only focus on tracking the results.
MailerLite offers a highly intuitive automation-building tool that is based on a visual approach. The workflows allow you to use different actions to branch off your workflows. Some of the actions you can center your workflows on include adding users to a specific segment or moving them up in the workflow. Since the platform offers plenty of reports, you can easily track your workflows’ progress to understand what actions you should use after different triggers.
ConvertKit allows you to easily create emails directly in the automation builder without having to exit the tool and work on the email’s content separately, which helps save time. This platform also features a visual automation builder that is quite flexible.
To start creating a workflow, you first have to select your triggers. You can use different triggers for one workflow and make the sequence as complex as you want to. You can also customize the automation rules from a separate section.
ConvertKit wins in this round because it provides a fluid and flexible automation process you can carry out without leaving the builder.
To be able to send targeted, high-converting emails, you need to segment your audience according to their interests. Learn more about MailerLite vs ConvertKit’s segmentation features.
MailerLite’s segmentation is centered around Groups. This feature is basically what you would call tags with other email marketing platforms. You can create groups either manually or automatically and there is no limit to the number you can use. Moreover, the same subscriber can be added to multiple groups and the platform eliminates the possibility to send emails twice to subscribers located in two groups.
The second segmentation process, which is more advanced, is called Segments. Segments are created based on dynamic variables (location, active/inactive status, the group a subscriber is in, open rates, sign-up source or date, or filled-in forms). This granular segmentation process is very effective and allows you to build highly personalized emails.
ConvertKit’s broad segmentation categorization is also called Segments. You can include subscribers from different forms in your segments. You can edit and customize segments as per your needs. The platform also allows you to apply different tags to your contacts, which is currently the easiest and most popular type of segmentation. Tags can be added either manually or automatically. For automated tagging, you need to set up certain rules, for example, links customers need to interact with or forms they have to complete. Segments are broader groups that basically include various tags and all the users those tags were assigned to.
We choose ConvertKit this time as it features a more user-friendly approach.
Pricing matters when you choose software for your email marketing endeavors. Here are the different options you get from Mailerlite vs ConvertKit.
This platform offers a free plan for up to 1,000 contacts and a sending limit of 12,000 per month. The free plan includes email building options (you won't be able to remove MailerLite's logo from your emails, however), email support, landing pages, forms, subscriber management features, A/B test, reports.
For the paid plans, there is no email sending limit. The prices vary based on how many contacts you've got. For a maximum of 1,000 subscribers, the fee is $10, for 2,500 subscribers, you have to pay $15. The extra features included in the paid plans are live chat support, HTML editor, email templates, custom domains, promotion pop-ups, autoresponders, send-time optimization, dedicated IP, click maps, and more advanced reports, etc.
There are three different plans you can access:
The free plan
ConvertKit's free plan is available for lists that don't exceed 1,000 subscribers. This plan allows you to use some basic features to create, customize, and send emails. However, you can't use the automation builder or reports with this plan.
Creator plan
The platform's first paid plan costs $29 per month if your list has 1000 contacts. The price keeps rising with your contacts numbers, for example, for 5,000 contacts, the price is $79. This plan unlocks features such as automation and reports.
Creator Pro plan
ConvertKit's premium plan costs $59 for 1,000 contacts. For $110, you can use it with up to 10,000 contacts. With this plan, you get additional features such as Facebook audience customization, a wider array of reports such as deliverability reports, newsletter referral system, free migration, or redirect links.
Overall, MailerLite is more affordable, and it also offers plenty of useful features with the free plan.
Let’s see how easy it is to use MailerLite vs Convertkit, a factor that might influence your decision.
MailerLite is highly appreciated for its intuitive user interface, which makes it a suitable option for newbies. The dashboard is very well-organized, with all the main tools visible and easy to access. The main features you are most likely to (campaigns, automation, forms, subscribers) are featured in the platform’s main horizontal menu. After you select one of these options, you’ll automatically reach the separate dashboard for each feature. There is also a visible button that shows you the main task for each category.
The email editor has drag-and-drop functionality, which is the easiest way to create email campaigns. Furthermore, MailerLite provides numerous training resources that can help you familiarize yourself with its features. Moreover, on the platform, most features are accompanied by a short introductory sentence that describes them.
ConvertKit also features a user-friendly interface. As this platform is mainly geared towards bloggers, providing a straightforward tool was one of ConvertKit’s priorities. Although this platform’s automation is quite complex, Convertkit manages to provide a user-friendly approach and help you leverage them with ease.
This platform’s email builder is also based on drag-and-drop functionality, which makes it easy to use even by newbies. The features are also displayed logically and easy to access, and the platform’s customer support department is always ready to assist you if you need further guidance.
Both platforms are easy to use, we consider it a tie.
Integrations allow you to extend your email marketing platform’s capabilities by allowing you to connect your account to different third-party apps.
MailerLite integrates with Zapier, which allows you to create connections to different other third-party services. CRM systems such as Salesforce also integrate with this platform. Content management systems such as WordPress are also easy to connect to your MailerLite account. Shopify, WooCommerce, Facebook, Prolific Works, MailerCheck, OptinMonster, Privy, Integromat, Squarespace, PayPal, Thrive, Gleam, PopupDomination, Landingi, Upscribe, BookFunnel, ConvertPlug, Sumo, SendOwl, EasyStore, Convrtful, and plenty other tools can be found on MailerLite’s integrations list. In total, MailerLite offers around 100 integrations.
ConvertKit boasts more than 90 useful integrations, and it also integrates with Zapier. This will enable you to expand the range of integrations. Some of the most common types of tools you can integrate with ConvertKit include content management platforms, webinar services, CRMs, lead capture tools, eCommerce platforms. Shopify, Crowdcast, Teachable, LeadsTunnel, Bandsintown, n8n, Monday.com, DeBounce, Pabbly, Typeform, CrowSurf, Personizely, Flow.ly are just some of the available integrations.
Both platforms provide great integrations, and the numbers are similar, so they both win.
Reports are essential for a robust email marketing strategy. By knowing how many people have opened your emails or have unsubscribed, you’ll be able to improve your campaigns.
MailerLite provides you with all the campaign metrics you might want to get such as open rates, unsubscribes, bounces, or clicked links. The reports are easy to understand as the platform logically displays them.
The most important metrics are featured at the top of the reporting dashboard. You can also get deliverability reports to understand how many of your emails reach contacts’ inboxes. Spam complaints reports are available, and all the reports are easy to generate and export.
ConvertKit offers great open rate tracking capabilities. Other key metrics related to email campaigns are also available: click rates, the links that got the biggest number of clicks, the number of unsubscribes, etc. You can also track your forms’ efficiency by viewing the conversions they generated. Website visit statistics, top referees, or various reports for integrated apps are also available.
ConvertKit tries to make things simple by mainly focusing on basic campaign metrics. However, to make data-driven decisions, you might need more than this. Our winner is MailerLite.
| You may also like the following comparison: ConvertKit vs Constant Contact |
Customer support is always important when you purchase new software. Find out what customer support options you can get with MailerLite vs ConvertKit.
MailerLite offers support via email or live chat. This service is available 24/7, but you can only access it if you’re on one of the platform’s paid plans. You can also get a dedicated account manager if you pay an extra fee, which will also offer you priority in the live chat queue.
MailerLite also offers an extensive knowledge base with articles and videos that help you find answers to the most common navigation questions. If you start searching for a topic, you will automatically get suggestions.
ConvertKit offers customer support via email and live chat. You can access live chat and email support from 7 AM to 6 PM every day. You can even attend live seminars where you will learn how to use the platform and improve your email marketing strategy. There is a comprehensive knowledge base with articles and tutorials and an FAQs section where you can find lots of information. Another option is to connect to the platform’s staff via social media channels.
It’s a tie once again as both platforms offer similar options.
The two email marketing software services we're focusing on in this review have their pros and cons. Here is a quick summary.
MalierLite is a very intuitive platform that requires little or no previous experience. You can easily create emails by relying on one of the beautifully designed templates. You also get multiple options to personalize and set up landing pages or forms. Although this platform provides a fast and easy automation building process, their workflows lack the complexity you can find in other tools such as ActiveCampaign. Also, the onboarding process is a bit time-consuming as approval is necessary at different stages.
ConvertKit offers subscription prices, especially if you pay annually, as well as a free plan that covers basic email marketing needs. Reliable customer support is another advantage, together with the platform's clean interface and efficient approach - ConvertKit tries to make email and automation building as simple as possible.
When it comes to downsides, ConvertKit doesn't offer HTML templates, just basic text emails, which limits your customization options, even though it suits ConvertKit's ideology - making emails look natural and personal.
Each one of these two tools is more suitable for a particular audience.
MailerLite is a simple and efficient email marketing platform that is suitable for marketers of any level, especially beginners, given its ease of use. This tool is also great for small companies or anyone who wants to access a free plan. In fact, except for the fact that MailerLite's logo can't be removed with the free plan, there are very few disadvantages in using this type of subscription if you have less than 1000 contacts.
ConvertKit is usually marketed as a tool for bloggers and is especially useful for those who have a limited subscriber list. If you have a limited subscriber list, you can benefit from ConvertKit's free plan (max. 1000 subscribers). With its simple email design options and easy segmentation process, it is a good choice for beginners. The platform's effective and user-friendly automation builder also makes it a good choice for eCommerce businesses or small companies.
If you're still not sure whether one of these platforms is suitable for you, here are three great alternatives to MailerLite vs ConvertKit.
After carrying out this MailerLite vs ConvertKit comparison, we concluded that MailerLite deserves to be the final winner as it provides more email and landing page design options, affordable pricing plans, and an array of reports.
Check out our other comparisons
 |  |  |
