Email · Head-to-head
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) vs Substack
Side-by-side review of Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Substack for one-person businesses. Pricing, ratings, pros, cons, and which to pick.
Quick verdict
Pick Kit (formerly ConvertKit).
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) edges ahead in our review (4/5 vs 3/5). The right pick for most one-person businesses unless you specifically need Substack's strengths.
Powerful automations and creator-shaped landing pages. The right tool when your newsletter has graduated from Substack but you still hate ConvertKit pricing.
The case for
- Free tier covers up to 10,000 subscribers, by far the most generous in this category
- Visual automation builder is genuinely flexible: tag-based, branchable, conditional
- Creator Network lets other newsletters recommend yours, real list growth without ads
The case against
- Editor and dashboard feel slower than Beehiiv or modern alternatives
- Paid plan jumps to $25/mo as soon as you cross 1,000 subscribers
- Designed for established creators, can feel oversized when you are starting out
The easiest way to start a newsletter. Also the most expensive long-term, since they take 10% of every paid subscription forever.
The case for
- Genuinely the simplest way to start: write, hit send, you have a newsletter
- Built-in network: Substack Reader can recommend your work to readers of similar publications
- No upfront cost, no subscriber tiers, just write
The case against
- Takes 10% of every paid subscription, forever, on top of Stripe fees
- Limited customisation: every Substack looks like a Substack
- Lock-in is real: exporting subscribers is allowed but their address book is on Substack servers
At a glance
| Kit (formerly ConvertKit) | Substack | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Pricing | Free up to 10,000 subscribers; Creator $25/mo; Creator Pro $50/mo | Free to start. Substack takes 10% of paid subscription revenue + Stripe fees |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Best for | Established creators with a digital product, course, or membership who need real automation rather than just send-to-list. | Writers starting a newsletter today who want to publish in 10 minutes and figure the rest out later. |
| Last reviewed | April 25, 2026 | April 30, 2026 |
Bottom line
Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
Established creators with a digital product, course, or membership who need real automation rather than just send-to-list.
Bottom line
Substack
Writers starting a newsletter today who want to publish in 10 minutes and figure the rest out later.
More Email comparisons
7 questions · ~60 seconds
Find the right stack for your business of one.
Seven quick questions, sixty seconds. We'll match you with the tools that actually fit, and tell you which ones to drop.
Build my stackReviews are based on hands-on use of each tool. Affiliate relationships do not affect rankings. Get Stack Smart is reader-supported.