ConvertKit rebranded to "Kit" in 2024, but everyone still calls it ConvertKit. I have used it for two years. Here is the unfiltered truth about what it is actually like.
Quick Verdict
The free plan is the best in the industry (10,000 subscribers, unlimited emails). The paid plans are expensive and the billing practices are aggressive. If you have under 10K subscribers, start here and stay free. If you are over 10K, be prepared to pay.
What Is ConvertKit (Kit)?
ConvertKit started in 2013 as an email platform built specifically for creators. The founder, Nathan Barry, was a designer and writer who built the platform he wished existed.
It is now used by 400,000+ creators including big names like James Clear, Tim Ferriss, and Gretchen Rubin.
The focus: creators over corporations. Simplicity over complexity.
The Free Plan (Best in Class)
This is why most people start with ConvertKit:
10,000 subscribers Unlimited emails Unlimited forms and landing pages Basic automation No credit card required
The catch: Required "Recommendations" feature (Kit promotes other creators in your emails), Kit branding, only 1 basic automation.
Compare this to:
- Mailchimp free: 500 contacts, NO automations
- MailerLite free: 500 contacts
- beehiiv free: 2,500 contacts
ConvertKit wins free tier by a mile. If you have under 10,000 subscribers, there is literally no reason to pay for email marketing.
The Pricing Shock (When You Outgrow Free)
Here is where things get painful.
Creator Plan: $39/month for up to 300 subscribers Creator Plan: $79/month for up to 1,000 subscribers Creator Plan: $159/month for up to 10,000 subscribers
The pricing jumps are aggressive. One G2 reviewer: "Prices have more than quadrupled over six years."
Another: "The auto-upgrade when your list grows is frustrating. You pay more for doing well."
The billing complaints focus on three things:
- Auto-upgrades happen without warning
- No auto-downgrade when list shrinks
- Annual plans auto-renew without notice
- Prices increased after the ConvertKit-to-Kit rebrand
The G2 vs Trustpilot Mystery
G2 rating: 4.5/5 (184 reviews) Trustpilot rating: 2.0/5 (64 reviews)
This is a massive gap. What it means:
- G2 reviews may be incentivized or curated
- Trustpilot captures raw user frustration
- The truth is somewhere in the middle
The product is solid (hence G2 4.5/5). The billing and support experience is frustrating (hence Trustpilot 2.0/5).
What ConvertKit Does Well
1. Creator Network (Unique Feature)
Built-in cross-promotion marketplace. You can grow your list by getting recommended by other creators, or monetize by recommending others.
This does not exist anywhere else at this price point.
2. Visual Automation Builder
Drag-and-drop automation workflows. Easy to set up:
- Welcome sequences
- Product launch sequences
- Tag-based segmentation
- Behavioral triggers
Not as powerful as ActiveCampaign, but easier to use.
3. Built-in Commerce
Sell directly through ConvertKit:
- Digital products
- Paid newsletters
- Tip jars
- Courses (through integrations)
This is why course creators love it. One platform does email + payments.
4. Sponsor Network
Get matched with sponsors for your newsletter. Similar to beehiiv ad network but newer.
Less mature than beehiiv, but growing fast.
What ConvertKit Does Poorly
1. Account Suspensions (Recurring Complaint)
Multiple 2024-2025 reviews report accounts suspended without warning, especially for:
- New accounts
- Affiliate marketing content
- "Suspicious" activity patterns
One Trustpilot review: "Account suspended day before launch. No explanation given. Support took 5 days to respond."
2. Support on Free Plan
Free plan users get:
- No human support
- Chatbot only
- Email support only if you upgrade to paid
One reviewer: "This is why I left Substack. I am leaving these guys too."
3. The "Kit" Rebrand Confusion
The rebrand to "Kit" in 2024 caused:
- Confusion among existing users
- Pricing increases
- Website navigation issues
- Integration disruptions
Some users felt like beta testers for a rebrand they did not ask for.
4. Learning Curve for Advanced Features
The basics are easy. Advanced features (segmentation, complex automations) take time to learn.
One positive reviewer: "I estimate I use only about 30% of the features. The rest is overkill."
Who Should Use ConvertKit?
Perfect for:
- Course creators
- Product sellers
- Bloggers with funnels
- Creators under 10,000 subscribers (stay on free plan)
- Anyone who wants built-in commerce
Not ideal for:
- E-commerce stores (Klaviyo is better)
- High-volume senders (GetResponse is cheaper)
- Technical marketers wanting advanced automation (ActiveCampaign is stronger)
- Budget-conscious users over 10K subscribers (MailerLite is cheaper)
The Break-Even Math
At what point does paid ConvertKit make sense?
Free plan: $0 for 10,000 subscribers Creator plan: $159/month for 10,000 subscribers
If you sell a $50 course:
- 10% conversion on 10,000 subs = 1,000 sales
- $50,000 in revenue
- $159/month platform fee is negligible (0.3%)
If you sell nothing:
- $159/month is pure cost
ConvertKit paid plans only make sense when you are monetizing. If you are building an audience without selling yet, stay on free as long as possible.
ConvertKit vs Competitors
| Platform | Free Tier | Paid Starts At | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ConvertKit | 10,000 subs | $39/mo | Course creators |
| beehiiv | 2,500 subs | $43/mo | Newsletter businesses |
| MailerLite | 500 subs | $9/mo | Budget users |
| Mailchimp | 500 subs | $13/mo | Beginners |
| ActiveCampaign | Trial only | $15/mo | Automation power |
| Substack | Unlimited | 10% fee | Pure writers |
Final Verdict
ConvertKit has the best free plan in the industry. Period.
If you have under 10,000 subscribers, start here and enjoy it. The 10,000 free subscribers with unlimited emails is unbeatable.
When you cross 10,000 subscribers, the decision gets harder:
- If you are monetizing well, the paid plans are worth it
- If you are not monetizing yet, consider MailerLite or beehiiv for lower paid tiers
The product is solid. The commerce features are excellent. The Creator Network is unique.
The billing is aggressive. The support is nonexistent on free. Account suspensions happen without warning.
Start with ConvertKit free. Grow your audience. Monetize. Then decide if the paid tiers are worth it for your business.
Start free on ConvertKit →