Kit (fka ConvertKit)

Kit, formerly known as ConvertKit, rebranded in 2024 but kept its focus on the same audience: creators, newsletter operators, and solo entrepreneurs who want to build and monetize an email audience. It is not trying to be a full marketing automation platform, and that focus is its biggest strength.

The core product is straightforward. You build an email list using landing pages and signup forms, organize subscribers with tags, and send broadcasts or automated sequences. The visual automation builder lets you create branching workflows based on subscriber actions like link clicks, tag additions, or purchases. It is simpler than what you would find in ActiveCampaign or HubSpot, but for the creator use case, it covers what matters.

Kit’s free tier is notably generous at 10,000 subscribers, though it limits you to broadcasts only (no automations or sequences). Paid plans start at $25/mo and add automation, third-party integrations, and priority support.

The Creator Network feature is worth noting. It lets newsletter operators recommend each other’s publications, which provides a built-in growth channel that most email tools do not offer. Commerce features let you sell digital products and paid subscriptions directly through Kit, reducing the need for tools like Gumroad or Patreon.

Where Kit does not fit is B2B GTM. There is no CRM integration beyond basic Zapier connections, no lead scoring, no account-level tracking, and no multi-touch attribution. The email editor is intentionally plain-text focused, which works great for personal newsletters but not for branded marketing campaigns.

If you are a creator, solopreneur, or newsletter-first business, Kit is purpose-built for you. If you are running a B2B sales and marketing operation, this is not the right tool.