In today’s digital landscape, email marketing remains a crucial tool for businesses to connect with their audience. Two popular platforms that often come up in discussions are Mailerlite vs Convertkit. This article will provide an in-depth comparison of these email marketing giants, helping you make an informed decision for your business needs.

Quick Comparison/Overview

Mailerlite vs Convertkit are both robust email marketing platforms, but they cater to slightly different audiences. Mailerlite is often favored by small businesses and beginners due to its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing. Convertkit, on the other hand, is popular among content creators, bloggers, and those who need more advanced automation features.

Key Features of Mailerlite

Mailerlite offers a range of features that make it a compelling choice for many marketers:

1. Drag-and-drop email editor
2. Landing page builder
3. Automation workflows
4. A/B testing
5. Surveys and polls
6. Website builder
7. Pop-ups and embedded forms

Mailerlite’s strength lies in its simplicity and the breadth of features available even on its free plan.

Key Features of Convertkit

Convertkit prides itself on being the go-to platform for creators:

1. Visual automation builder
2. Customizable opt-in forms
3. Tagging and segmentation
4. Landing page builder
5. Subscriber-centric data model
6. Commerce features for digital product sales
7. Advanced reporting and analytics

Convertkit’s standout feature is its powerful automation capabilities, which allow for intricate subscriber journeys.

Pricing Comparison

When comparing Mailerlite vs Convertkit, pricing is often a decisive factor.

Mailerlite offers a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers, which includes most of its features. Paid plans start at $10/month for up to 1,000 subscribers and increase based on subscriber count.

Convertkit’s pricing is generally higher, starting at $29/month for up to 1,000 subscribers. They offer a free plan, but it’s limited to 1,000 subscribers and doesn’t include their visual automation builder.

Both platforms offer annual discounts, but Mailerlite tends to be more budget-friendly, especially for smaller lists.

Ease of Use Comparison

Both Mailerlite vs Convertkit prioritize user experience, but they approach it differently.

Mailerlite’s interface is clean and intuitive, making it easy for beginners to navigate. Its drag-and-drop editors for emails and landing pages are particularly user-friendly.

Convertkit’s interface is minimalist and focuses on efficiency. While it may have a slight learning curve for absolute beginners, it’s designed to help users work faster once they’re familiar with the platform.

Customer Support Comparison

Quality customer support can make or break your experience with an email marketing platform.

Mailerlite offers 24/7 email support, with live chat available on higher-tier plans. They also provide an extensive knowledge base and video tutorials.

Convertkit provides email support 7 days a week, with an average response time of 3 hours. They also offer live chat support and have a comprehensive help center filled with articles and guides.

Both platforms are known for their responsive and helpful support teams.

Integration Capabilities Comparison

In the battle of Mailerlite vs Convertkit, integration capabilities can be a crucial differentiator.

Mailerlite offers integrations with over 130 third-party apps, including popular tools like WordPress, Shopify, and Zapier.

Convertkit boasts over 90 direct integrations and can connect to thousands more through Zapier. They have particularly strong integrations with platforms popular among creators, such as Teachable and Gumroad.

Customer Reviews for Mailerlite

Mailerlite generally receives positive reviews from users. Many praise its:

• User-friendly interface
• Affordable pricing
• Comprehensive feature set on the free plan

Some users have reported occasional deliverability issues, but these seem to be isolated cases rather than a widespread problem.

Customer Reviews for Convertkit

Convertkit also enjoys favorable reviews from its user base. Common praises include:

• Powerful automation capabilities
• Excellent customer support
• Subscriber-centric approach

Some users find the pricing steep, especially for larger lists, but many feel the features justify the cost.

How to Get Started with Mailerlite

Getting started with Mailerlite is a straightforward process:

1. Visit the Mailerlite website at https://www.mailerlite.com/
2. Click on the “Sign Up Free” button in the top right corner
3. Fill in your details and create an account
4. Download the Mailerlite mobile app from your app store (optional)
5. Set up your account by following the onboarding process
6. Create your first email campaign or landing page

Mailerlite’s setup wizard will guide you through the initial steps, making it easy to hit the ground running.

How to Get Started with Convertkit

To begin your journey with Convertkit:

1. Navigate to the Convertkit website at https://convertkit.com/
2. Click on the “Start Free” button
3. Enter your information to create an account
4. Download the Convertkit mobile app if desired
5. Follow the setup process to customize your account
6. Start building your first form or email sequence

Convertkit’s onboarding process is designed to help you set up your first campaign quickly and efficiently.

Mailerlite Convertkit Integration

While Mailerlite and Convertkit are separate email marketing platforms, Let’s explore how these two platforms can work together and some alternatives if direct integration isn’t available.

Direct Integration

Currently, there is no direct, native integration between Mailerlite and Convertkit. These are competing platforms, so they don’t typically offer built-in ways to connect with each other.

Indirect Integration Options

However, you can still achieve some level of integration or data transfer between Mailerlite and Convertkit using third-party tools:

1. Zapier: This popular automation tool can connect Mailerlite and Convertkit, allowing you to set up workflows like:
   • Adding new Mailerlite subscribers to Convertkit
   • Creating Mailerlite subscribers from new Convertkit form submissions
   • Tagging Convertkit subscribers based on Mailerlite actions
2. PieSync: Another integration platform that can sync contacts between Mailerlite and Convertkit in real-time.
3. API Integration: Both platforms offer APIs. If you have development resources, you could create a custom integration to sync data between the two systems.

Alternatives to Integration

If you’re looking to use features from both platforms, consider these alternatives:

1. Migration: Instead of integrating, you could migrate your entire list from one platform to the other. Both Mailerlite and Convertkit offer import/export features to facilitate this.
2. Segmentation: Use one platform for certain types of campaigns and the other for different purposes, segmenting your audience accordingly.
3. Choose One Platform: Evaluate which features you need most and choose the platform that best meets those needs, rather than trying to use both.

Remember, while integration between competing platforms can sometimes be achieved, it’s often more efficient to choose the single platform that best fits your needs. Both Mailerlite and Convertkit offer comprehensive feature sets that may eliminate the need for using both simultaneously.

FAQs

Q: Which platform is better for beginners, Mailerlite or Convertkit?

A: Mailerlite is generally considered more beginner-friendly due to its intuitive interface and comprehensive free plan. However, Convertkit’s minimalist design can also be appealing to some beginners.

Q: Can I migrate my existing email list to either platform?

A: Yes, both Mailerlite and Convertkit offer tools and support for migrating your existing email list from another provider.

Q: Which platform offers better deliverability rates?

A: Both platforms boast good deliverability rates. However, deliverability can depend on various factors, including your content and sending practices.

Q: Do Mailerlite and Convertkit offer landing page builders?

A: Yes, both platforms include landing page builders in their feature sets.

Q: Can I sell digital products directly through these platforms?

A: Convertkit offers commerce features that allow you to sell digital products directly. Mailerlite doesn’t have this feature built-in, but you can integrate it with e-commerce platforms.

Conclusion

In the Mailerlite vs Convertkit comparison, both platforms shine in their own ways. Mailerlite offers a user-friendly experience with a generous free plan, making it an excellent choice for small businesses and those just starting with email marketing. Convertkit, while pricier, provides powerful automation features and a subscriber-centric approach that appeals to content creators and more advanced marketers.

Your choice between Mailerlite vs Convertkit will ultimately depend on your specific needs, budget, and the nature of your business. Both platforms offer free trials, so it’s worth testing them out to see which one feels like the best fit for your workflow.

Remember, the most important factor is not just the tool you choose, but how effectively you use it to connect with your audience and grow your business. Whichever platform you choose, focus on creating valuable content and building meaningful relationships with your subscribers.