ConvertKit is a popular email marketing platform tailored for creators, offering tools to build and monetize audiences through newsletters, landing pages, and automation. However, its pricing—starting at $29/month for 1,000 subscribers—can be steep for beginners, and its free plan is limited to 300 subscribers with basic features. If you’re seeking more affordable or feature-rich alternatives, this guide explores five free ConvertKit alternatives in 2025, perfect for bloggers, small businesses, and creators. We’ll cover their features, who benefits, a step-by-step guide to getting started, pros and cons, and pricing details.
What is ConvertKit?
ConvertKit (now Kit) is a cloud-based email marketing tool designed for creators like bloggers, YouTubers, and podcasters. It simplifies audience growth with features like email sequences, landing pages, and a Creator Network for cross-promotion. While its automation and user-friendly interface are strengths, the limited free plan and high costs for growing lists push many to explore alternatives. Below, we dive into five free options that rival ConvertKit in 2025.
Features of the Top 5 Free ConvertKit Alternatives
Each alternative offers unique features to support email marketing needs. Here’s a quick overview of the key functionalities for each platform:
- Brevo (formerly Sendinblue):
- Unlimited contacts with 300 emails/day on the free plan.
- Drag-and-drop email builder with customizable templates.
- Basic automation (e.g., welcome emails) and transactional emails.
- Multi-channel support (email, SMS, WhatsApp, live chat).
- CRM and audience segmentation tools.
- MailerLite:
- Up to 1,000 subscribers with unlimited emails on the free plan.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and 100+ templates.
- Pop-up forms, landing pages, and embedded signup forms.
- Basic automation (e.g., welcome sequences) and A/B testing.
- Built-in photo editor and file manager for visuals.
- Sender:
- Up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month on the free plan.
- Drag-and-drop email builder with readymade visual blocks.
- Automation for cart abandonment and product recommendations.
- Pop-up forms and embeddable signup forms.
- Detailed analytics for opens, clicks, and conversions.
- beehiiv:
- Up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends on the free Launch plan.
- Drag-and-drop email editor and web hosting for blogs/newsletters.
- Recommendation Network for audience growth.
- Campaign analytics and audience polls.
- Embeddable signup forms and referral programs.
- EngageBay:
- Up to 500 contacts and 3,000 emails on the free plan.
- Drag-and-drop email builder and pre-built templates.
- Marketing automation for drip campaigns and triggers.
- Free CRM, live chat, and helpdesk features.
- Web pop-ups and behavioral targeting for lead capture.
Who Can Benefit from These Alternatives?
These platforms cater to a variety of users, making them ideal for:
- Bloggers: Create newsletters, landing pages, and signup forms to grow and engage audiences (beehiiv, MailerLite, Sender).
- Small Businesses: Automate email campaigns and manage customer relationships affordably (Brevo, EngageBay).
- E-commerce Owners: Set up cart abandonment emails and product recommendations (Sender, Brevo).
- Freelancers: Deliver professional email campaigns for clients on a budget (MailerLite, EngageBay).
- Creators: Monetize newsletters and host content without high costs (beehiiv, Sender).
- Startups: Use all-in-one tools with CRM and multi-channel marketing (EngageBay, Brevo).
These alternatives are beginner-friendly, with generous free plans that scale as your needs grow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Using a Free ConvertKit Alternative
Here’s a general guide to getting started with any of these platforms, using MailerLite as an example due to its simplicity and robust free plan:
Step 1: Sign Up for MailerLite
- Visit MailerLite’s website and click “Sign Up Free.”
- Enter your email, create a password, and provide basic details (name, business name).
- Verify your email to activate your account.
- Complete the onboarding questionnaire to tailor the platform to your needs.
Step 2: Explore the Dashboard
- Log in to MailerLite’s clean, intuitive dashboard.
- Key sections include:
- Campaigns: Create and send emails.
- Subscribers: Manage your contact list.
- Forms: Build pop-ups and landing pages.
- Automation: Set up email sequences.
- Watch the quick tutorial or explore the dashboard to get comfortable.
Step 3: Import or Build Your Subscriber List
- Go to “Subscribers” and manually add contacts or import a CSV file.
- Create a signup form under “Forms” to collect new subscribers:
- Choose a pop-up, embedded form, or landing page.
- Customize the design using the drag-and-drop editor.
- Embed the form on your website or share the link.
Step 4: Create Your First Campaign
- Click “Campaigns” and select “Create Campaign.”
- Choose a template or start from scratch.
- Use the drag-and-drop editor to add text, images, and CTAs.
- Set the subject line, sender name, and preview the email on mobile/desktop.
Step 5: Set Up Basic Automation
- Navigate to “Automation” and click “Create Workflow.”
- Select a trigger (e.g., “Subscriber joins a group”).
- Add an action (e.g., “Send welcome email”).
- Save and activate the workflow to automate your emails.
Step 6: Send and Track Your Campaign
- Review your campaign and send a test email to yourself.
- Schedule or send the campaign to your subscriber list.
- Check the “Analytics” tab to track opens, clicks, and unsubscribes.
Step 7: Grow Your Audience
- Promote your signup form on social media, blogs, or websites.
- Use A/B testing to optimize subject lines or content.
- Leverage MailerLite’s landing page builder to capture more leads.
Note: Other platforms follow similar steps, with slight variations in interface or terminology. Check each platform’s help center for specific guides.
Pros and Cons of Each Alternative
1. Brevo
Pros:
- Unlimited contacts on the free plan, ideal for large lists.
- Multi-channel marketing (email, SMS, WhatsApp).
- Transactional emails included for free.
- User-friendly interface with robust CRM.
- Affordable paid plans starting at $9/month.
Cons:
- 300 emails/day limit on the free plan can be restrictive.
- Limited analytics unless on higher-tier plans.
- Email deliverability scores lower than competitors.
- Extra costs for additional users.
2. MailerLite
Pros:
- Generous free plan with 1,000 subscribers and unlimited emails.
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and landing page builder.
- Affordable pricing (starts at $9/month for 1,000 subscribers).
- 24/7 support, even on the free plan.
- Strong deliverability and A/B testing features.
Cons:
- Limited automation complexity compared to premium tools.
- Fewer integrations than competitors like Mailchimp.
- Branding on free plan emails.
3. Sender
Pros:
- High free plan limits (2,500 subscribers, 15,000 emails/month).
- Modern email builder with dynamic content options.
- E-commerce-friendly automation (e.g., cart abandonment).
- Free forever plan with no credit card required.
- Transparent pricing starting at $7/month.
Cons:
- Fewer templates compared to MailerLite or Brevo.
- Limited advanced analytics on the free plan.
- Smaller community and fewer tutorials.
4. beehiiv
Pros:
- Free plan supports 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends.
- Built-in blog/newsletter hosting and monetization tools.
- Recommendation Network boosts audience growth.
- Excellent analytics for campaign performance.
- Clean, creator-focused interface.
Cons:
- Limited automation features on the free plan.
- Fewer integrations than Brevo or Mailchimp.
- Learning curve for non-bloggers unfamiliar with hosting.
5. EngageBay
Pros:
- All-in-one solution with free CRM, live chat, and helpdesk.
- Behavioral targeting and web pop-ups for lead capture.
- Affordable paid plans starting at $14.99/month.
- Easy-to-use automation for drip campaigns.
- Responsive support, even on the free plan.
Cons:
- Free plan limited to 500 contacts and 3,000 emails.
- Fewer email templates than competitors.
- Limited third-party integrations.
Pricing Plans for Each Alternative
All platforms offer free plans with robust features, but paid plans unlock additional capabilities. Pricing below reflects monthly billing for up to 1,000 subscribers (annual billing often offers 10-20% discounts).
- Brevo:
- MailerLite:
- Free: 1,000 subscribers, unlimited emails, basic features.
- Growing Business: $9/month for 1,000 subscribers, advanced automation.
- Advanced: $18/month for 1,000 subscribers, priority support.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for large teams.
- Sender:
- beehiiv:
- EngageBay:
Note: Pricing may vary based on subscriber count or additional features. Check each platform’s pricing page for details.
Tips for Beginners Using These Alternatives
- Start with the Free Plan: Test all features to ensure the platform meets your needs before upgrading.
- Optimize Signup Forms: Use dead links Use pop-ups or landing pages to grow your list quickly.
- Leverage Automation: Set up welcome emails or drip campaigns to engage subscribers automatically.
- Track Performance: Monitor open and click rates to refine your campaigns.
- Test Emails: Use A/B testing (where available) to improve subject lines or content.
- Check Deliverability: Ensure emails land in inboxes by avoiding spam triggers (e.g., excessive exclamation marks).
- Explore Help Centers: Use tutorials, blogs, or support to master the platform.
Conclusion
In 2025, Brevo, MailerLite, Sender, beehiiv, and EngageBay stand out as powerful free alternatives to ConvertKit, offering generous subscriber limits, user-friendly interfaces, and robust features for email marketing. Whether you’re a blogger building a newsletter (beehiiv, MailerLite), a small business automating campaigns (Brevo, EngageBay), or an e-commerce owner targeting conversions (Sender), these platforms provide cost-effective solutions to grow your audience.
Each platform’s free plan is ideal for beginners, with paid plans that scale affordably as your needs evolve. Experiment with their free trials or plans to find the best fit, and use the step-by-step guide above to launch your first campaign. Ready to start? Sign up for Brevo, MailerLite, Sender, beehiiv, or EngageBay today and take your email marketing to the next level!
