Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Substack (2026)
The creator-economy email platform — against — Publish, charge and grow — zero upfront cost. 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) 🏆 | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| 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) | No monthly fee — revenue share instead |
| Free trial | 14 days | None |
| Automations | ✓ | ✗ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✓ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce features | ✗ | ✗ |
| Our score | 4.3/5 | 4.1/5 |
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 Substack if…
- You're primarily writers who just want to publish
- Simplest possible start: write and publish in minutes
- You can live with: no automations — email sequences are impossible
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Substack: FAQ
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) or Substack — 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 Substack for writers who just want to publish.
Is Kit (formerly ConvertKit) cheaper than Substack?
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) has a free plan (Paid tiers scale with list size (typically from around $29/mo)), while Substack has no permanent free plan (No monthly fee — revenue share instead). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from Kit (formerly ConvertKit) to Substack (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.