Our Top Picks
AWeber
Automation on the free plan, 24/7 support and Stripe sales pages, with Lite from $25 a month at 1,000 subscribers.
beehiiv
Ad network, paid subscriptions and a newsletter website on its paid plans.
MailerLite
Low entry pricing with three automations on its free plan.
For most creators and coaches who want sequences, support and a simple way to sell, we'd start with AWeber.
Why Creators Leave Kit
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is well liked by creators, but a few situations push people to look elsewhere:
- No sequences on the free plan. Kit's free plan allows up to 10,000 subscribers but doesn't include sequences or visual automations.
- Cost of automation. The Creator plan, which adds them, costs $33 a month at 1,000 subscribers, or $390 a year.
- Support on free. Free users get email support; 24/7 chat starts on Creator.
- Different monetization goals. Writers who want an ad network may prefer a newsletter-first platform.
Kit Alternatives Compared
| Tool | Best for | Free plan | Automation access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Creators selling digital products | Up to 10,000 subscribers | Creator plan, from $33/month at 1,000 |
| AWeber | All-round creator email with support | 500 subscribers, 3,000 sends/month | 1 free, 3 on Lite, unlimited on Plus |
| beehiiv | Monetized newsletters | Up to 2,500 subscribers | Paid plans |
| MailerLite | Tight budgets | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month | 3 active on free |
| GetResponse | Webinars and courses | Limited free account after a trial | 1 on Starter, unlimited on Marketer |
| systeme.io | All-in-one courses and funnels | 2,000 contacts | 1 rule on free |
| Mailchimp | Broad marketing suite | 250 contacts, 500 sends/month | Paid plans |
- AWeber: Best All-Round Kit Alternative
AWeber gives creators an automation on its free plan, so new subscribers get a welcome sequence from day one. At 1,000 subscribers, Lite costs $25 a month with three automations, and Plus costs $45 a month with unlimited automations, segments and no AWeber branding.
Creators also get RSS-triggered emails for new posts, podcasts or videos, a Newsletter Assistant that drafts weekly emails and Stripe-powered sales pages for digital products and memberships. Add 24/7 support and free migration help, and switching is low-risk. See AWeber vs Kit.
Want a welcome sequence without paying for it? AWeber's free plan includes an automation.
Try AWeber Free
- beehiiv: Best for Newsletter Monetization
beehiiv suits writers whose newsletter is the product. Its free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers, and Lite at $49 a month on yearly billing adds paid subscriptions, an ad network and automations, with a newsletter website on every plan.
Choose it if you'll earn from sponsors and paid subscribers rather than your own products. See AWeber vs beehiiv.
- MailerLite: Best for Tight Budgets
MailerLite's free plan includes 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails a month and three automations, and paid plans start at $12 a month. It's a capable, low-cost option with a clean editor.
Choose it if price is your main concern and you're comfortable with self-serve help. See AWeber vs MailerLite.
- GetResponse: Best for Webinars and Courses
GetResponse's Creator plan, at $69 a month, adds webinars for up to 100 attendees, a course creator and premium newsletters. Marketer, at $59 a month, unlocks unlimited automation workflows.
Choose it if you run regular webinars and want them in the same tool as your email. See AWeber vs GetResponse.
- systeme.io: Best All-in-One Budget Option
systeme.io bundles funnels, courses, email and affiliate tools. Its free plan includes 2,000 contacts, three funnels and one course, and paid plans start at $17 a month with unlimited email sends.
Choose it if you're launching a course business from scratch and want everything in one place. See AWeber vs systeme.io.
- Mailchimp: Best for a Broad Marketing Suite
Mailchimp offers a wide marketing platform, but its free plan is small, with 250 contacts and 500 sends a month and no automation flows. It suits creators who want several marketing channels in one tool.
Choose it if you need its broader suite. Otherwise, its free plan is more limited than Kit's. See AWeber vs Mailchimp.
How to Switch From Kit
Kit's tag-based structure makes switching straightforward. Export your subscribers with their tags, then recreate those tags in your new tool. Sequences become workflows or automations, and forms need rebuilding.
If you move to AWeber, its free migration team can transfer your lists, templates and automations. Keep your Kit account until your forms and welcome sequence are working. See AWeber migration.
Bring your Kit subscribers and tags to AWeber, with automation on the free plan and 24/7 support.
Kit Alternatives FAQs
What is the best alternative to Kit?
For most creators who want sequences and support, AWeber. For monetized newsletters, beehiiv. For tight budgets, MailerLite.
Is there a free Kit alternative with automation?
Yes. AWeber's free plan includes one automation and MailerLite's includes three.
Is AWeber cheaper than Kit?
At 1,000 subscribers, AWeber Lite ($25/month) costs less than Kit Creator ($33/month). AWeber Plus ($45/month) costs more but includes unlimited automations and priority support.
Can I move my Kit tags to another platform?
Yes. Export subscribers with tags and recreate them in your new tool.