Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs MailCheap (2026)
The creator-economy email platform — against — Open-source newsletters priced per email sent, not per subscriber. Same table, same scoring system, clear verdict.
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Head-to-head
Pricing and terms last verified 31 October 2026 — vendors change them often.
| Kit (formerly ConvertKit) 🏆 | MailCheap | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: free up to 10,000 subscribers (limited features) | No |
| Paid from | Paid tiers scale with list size (typically from around $29/mo) | From $19/mo for 20,000 emails and 10,000 active subscribers |
| Free trial | 14 days | None |
| Automations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✗ | ✗ |
| Our score | 4.3/5 | 4/5 |
Choose Kit (formerly ConvertKit) if…
- You're primarily coaches, writers and creators selling digital products
- Creator-specific features: paid newsletters, tip jars, sponsor network
- You can live with: cheapest paid tier jumps quickly once you need advanced features
Choose MailCheap if…
- You're primarily newsletters with large, partly inactive lists
- Pay for emails sent, so dormant subscribers cost nothing
- You can live with: no free plan or trial; cloud starts at $19/mo
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs MailCheap: FAQ
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or MailCheap — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching Kit (formerly ConvertKit)'s strengths (coaches, writers and creators selling digital products), Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is the stronger choice — it scores 4.3/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose Kit (formerly ConvertKit) for coaches, writers and creators selling digital products, and MailCheap for newsletters with large, partly inactive lists.
Is Kit (formerly ConvertKit) cheaper than MailCheap?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) has a free plan (Paid tiers scale with list size (typically from around $29/mo)), while MailCheap has no permanent free plan (From $19/mo for 20,000 emails and 10,000 active subscribers). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to MailCheap (or back)?
Yes. Subscribers export as CSV/JSON from either platform and import into the other. Automation sequences usually need rebuilding — map your tags and forms before migrating.