We use Kit (formerly ConvertKit) for Internet Bacon. But is it the right choice for you? I've used all three of these platforms across different projects, and the answer isn't as obvious as most comparison posts make it seem. Here's the honest breakdown.
Why Email Still Matters in 2026
Every algorithm change on every platform over the last decade has reinforced the same lesson: you don't own your social media audience. Etsy could change its algorithm. Instagram could tank your reach overnight. TikTok faces ongoing regulatory uncertainty. Your email list is the one audience you actually own — and that makes email infrastructure worth thinking about carefully.
For creators, the email list is typically worth 10-30x what social follower counts suggest. An engaged list of 5,000 converts at rates that a 50,000-follower Instagram account won't touch.
Mailchimp: The OG That Lost Its Edge
Mailchimp used to be the default recommendation for every new email sender. It's not anymore — and there are real reasons for that.
The good: Free tier is genuinely generous (500 contacts, 1,000 sends/month). Huge template library. Extremely familiar interface — almost everyone has used it at some point. E-commerce integrations are solid (direct Shopify/Etsy integration exists).
The bad: Pricing gets painful fast. At 10,000 contacts, you're looking at $100+/month. The platform was acquired by Intuit in 2021, and the pricing direction since then has been consistently upward. The automation builder, while functional, feels dated compared to newer platforms. And Mailchimp's deliverability reputation has slipped — their shared IP pools can be problematic for smaller senders.
Who should use Mailchimp: E-commerce stores (especially Shopify users) who want tight native integrations and are sending promotional emails more than content newsletters. Not the first choice for content creators building an engaged audience.
Kit (formerly ConvertKit): Built for Creators
Kit rebranded from ConvertKit in 2024 — same product, cleaner name. It was explicitly built for content creators, and that focus shows in every part of the product.
The good: The free tier covers 10,000 subscribers — genuinely generous and we use it at Internet Bacon. The automation builder (visual flows) is excellent and intuitive. Forms and landing pages are clean and high-converting out of the box. The creator network feature allows cross-promotion with other Kit users, which can drive real subscriber growth. Commerce features let you sell digital products directly through Kit.
The bad: Broadcast email design is minimal — Kit is opinionated about plain-text emails (which actually perform better for engagement, but limits you if you want visually rich newsletters). The reporting is decent but not deep. Price jumps significantly after the free tier — $29/month for Creator plan at 1,000 subscribers goes up to $79/month at 5,000.
Who should use Kit: Bloggers, content creators, online course sellers, anyone building an audience around a topic. The free tier makes it the obvious starting choice for new creators. We recommend it as the default for Internet Bacon readers starting their first list.
Start Your Email List with Kit (Free)
Up to 10,000 subscribers free. No credit card required. What we use at Internet Bacon.
Get Kit Free →Beehiiv: The Newsletter-First Platform
Beehiiv launched in 2021 and has grown aggressively by targeting newsletter creators specifically. It's built by former Morning Brew employees, so it's opinionated about what a great newsletter looks like — and that opinion is mostly right.
The good: The native newsletter design tools are the best of any platform in this comparison. Beautiful, readable newsletters by default. The web publication feature turns your newsletter into a browsable website automatically. Beehiiv's ad network lets you monetise your newsletter by running ads from other Beehiiv newsletters — a unique and genuinely useful monetisation layer. The analytics are deep and clear. Referral program and boosts (paid subscriber acquisition) are excellent for growth.
The bad: Less mature automation builder compared to Kit. Free tier is more limited (2,500 subscribers, no premium features). Paid plans start at $39/month. No native e-commerce — if you want to sell products directly, you need integrations. Less focused on the lead capture / sales funnel use case that Kit handles well.
Who should use Beehiiv: Writers and journalists building a publication-style newsletter. Anyone who wants to monetise their newsletter through advertising. Creators who prioritise the newsletter reading experience over automation-heavy funnels.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pricing at 10,000 subscribers:
- Kit: Free (Creator Free plan)
- Beehiiv: $99/month (Scale plan)
- Mailchimp: ~$135/month (Standard plan)
Free tier:
- Kit: 10,000 subscribers — winner by far
- Beehiiv: 2,500 subscribers
- Mailchimp: 500 contacts
Best for automations: Kit
Best for newsletter design: Beehiiv
Best for e-commerce integration: Mailchimp
Best deliverability: Beehiiv (dedicated sending infrastructure, strong reputation)
Best free tier: Kit — it's not even close
What We Actually Recommend
For Internet Bacon readers building an online business:
- You're just starting: Kit free. Zero cost, 10,000 subscriber limit, excellent forms and automations. Grow here until the free tier constrains you.
- You want a polished publication: Beehiiv. The newsletter experience is superior, and the ad network monetisation is a genuine competitive advantage.
- You run an e-commerce store: Mailchimp if you're on Shopify (native integration). Otherwise, still Kit.
The email platform you use matters less than actually sending consistently good content to a growing list. But if you're starting from zero, Kit's free tier removes all the "is this worth it" friction. Just start.