7 Best ConvertKit (Kit) Alternatives in 2026

Last updated: February 2026 · 10 min read

ConvertKit rebranded to Kit in 2024, but the core issues that push creators to look elsewhere have not changed. The pricing jumps significantly once you pass the free tier, the built-in growth tools are limited compared to newer platforms, and the editor still feels clunky for long-form newsletter content.

Kit remains strong for automation workflows and digital product sales. But if your primary goal is growing a newsletter, monetizing through ads, or owning your publishing stack completely, there are better options in 2026.

Short Answer

Beehiiv is the best Kit alternative for newsletter growth. It includes a referral program, ad network, boost system, and SEO-optimized website - none of which Kit offers natively. If full ownership and open-source matter to you, Ghost is the better path.

Why People Leave Kit (ConvertKit)

Pricing scales fast. Kit's free tier covers 10,000 subscribers but limits you to basic features. The Creator plan starts at $25/month for 300 subscribers and climbs to $166/month at 10,000. Beehiiv's $39/month plan covers up to 100,000 subscribers.
No built-in growth engine. Kit has no referral program, no recommendation network, no boost system. Growth depends entirely on your own landing pages and external traffic.
Newsletter editor feels dated. Kit was built as an email marketing tool, not a publishing platform. The writing experience is functional but not pleasant for long-form content compared to Substack, Ghost, or Beehiiv.
No native ad monetization. Kit has no ad marketplace. To monetize without paid subscriptions, you need to find sponsors yourself or use a third-party network.
Website and SEO are an afterthought. Kit landing pages exist but they do not function as a real content hub. SEO capabilities are minimal compared to Beehiiv or Ghost.

1. Beehiiv - Best for Newsletter Growth

Best for: Creators who want built-in tools to grow and monetize a newsletter

Beehiiv was built specifically for newsletter operators and it shows. The platform includes a referral program that lets subscribers earn rewards for sharing, a boost network for cross-promotions with other newsletters, and a native ad marketplace where sponsors come to you. The SEO-optimized website means every post doubles as a searchable web page. No revenue cut on paid subscriptions.

Built-in referral program and boost network
Native ad marketplace for monetization
SEO-optimized web hosting included
$39/month covers up to 100,000 subscribers
Free tier with up to 2,500 subscribers

Try Beehiiv Free

2. Ghost - Best for Full Ownership

Best for: Creators who want to own their entire publishing stack

Ghost is open-source software you can self-host for free or use through Ghost(Pro) managed hosting starting at $9/month. You get complete control over your content, design, and subscriber data. Native memberships and payments are built in with 0% platform fee. The trade-off is a steeper learning curve and more hands-on management, especially if you self-host.

Open-source and self-hostable
0% platform fee on memberships
Full theme customization with Handlebars templates
Native integrations via Zapier, webhooks, and API
Managed hosting from $9/month

Try Ghost

3. Substack - Best for Simplicity

Best for: Writers who want zero setup and a built-in reader network

Substack is the easiest way to start a newsletter. No configuration, no design decisions, no technical setup. The Substack network gives new writers discoverability through recommendations and the Notes feature. The downside is a 10% revenue cut on paid subscriptions, no automations, minimal customization, and no growth tools beyond the network itself.

Zero-config setup, live in minutes
Built-in reader network and recommendations
Paid subscriptions with Stripe integration
10% revenue cut on paid subscriptions
No automations or segmentation

4. Mailchimp - Best for E-Commerce Integration

Best for: Businesses that need deep e-commerce and CRM integration

If you are leaving Kit because you need tighter e-commerce integration, Mailchimp is worth considering. It connects natively with Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, and dozens of other platforms. The email builder is mature and the A/B testing tools are strong. Pricing starts at $13/month but climbs quickly with list size, and the interface is more complex than Kit's.

300+ integrations including major e-commerce platforms
Advanced A/B testing and send-time optimization
Customer journey builder for multi-step automations
Predictive demographics and purchase likelihood scoring

Try Mailchimp

5. Buttondown - Best Minimalist Option

Best for: Developers and writers who value simplicity and transparency

Buttondown is an independent, bootstrapped newsletter tool with a markdown-first editor and a clean interface. It handles paid subscriptions, has a solid API, supports RSS-to-email, and stays out of your way. If you found Kit too bloated, Buttondown is the opposite direction. Built by a single developer, it is opinionated and minimal.

Markdown-native writing experience
Paid subscriptions built in
Excellent API for custom integrations
Starting at $9/month

Try Buttondown

6. ActiveCampaign - Best for Advanced Automation

Best for: Marketers who need enterprise-grade automation and CRM

If you are leaving Kit specifically because you have outgrown its automation capabilities, ActiveCampaign is the step up. It offers the most powerful visual automation builder in the industry, combined with a built-in CRM, lead scoring, and predictive sending. The downside is price: plans start at $29/month for just 1,000 contacts, and the learning curve is significant.

Most advanced automation builder available
Built-in CRM with deal tracking
Predictive sending and machine learning features
Site tracking and event-based triggers

7. MailerLite - Best Budget Alternative

Best for: Creators who need Kit-like features at a lower price

MailerLite offers most of what Kit does at a lower price point. It includes a visual automation builder, landing pages, a website builder, and paid newsletter subscriptions. The free tier supports 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $9/month for up to 500 subscribers with unlimited emails. The editor and automation builder are not as polished as Kit's, but for budget-conscious creators, it covers the essentials.

Free tier with 1,000 subscribers
Visual automation builder
Landing pages and website builder included
Paid plans from $9/month

How to Migrate From Kit (ConvertKit)

Export your subscribers. In Kit, go to Subscribers > Export. You will get a CSV with email addresses, tags, and subscription dates.
Export your automations logic. Screenshot or document your automation workflows. No platform can import Kit automations directly, so you will need to rebuild them.
Choose your new platform. For growth-focused newsletters, start with Beehiiv. For full ownership, try Ghost.
Import your subscriber list. Upload the CSV to your new platform. Most platforms will handle tag mapping during import.
Rebuild your landing pages and forms. Recreate any opt-in forms, landing pages, and embedded signup widgets.
Notify your audience. Send a final email from Kit informing subscribers of the move and confirming they do not need to take any action.