Kit (ConvertKit) vs EmailOctopus
Kit (ConvertKit) and EmailOctopus are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. EmailOctopus is the more affordable option at $9/mo — that's $24 less than Kit (ConvertKit)'s $33/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. Kit (ConvertKit) stands out with A/B testing and ecommerce integrations, while EmailOctopus offers a drag-and-drop editor. Both tools work well for bloggers and solopreneurs.
Quick Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) wins on deliverability, rating, integrations.
EmailOctopus wins on price.
Best for most users: Kit (ConvertKit) (bloggers).
Kit (ConvertKit)
Email marketing built for creators
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is purpose-built for online creators including bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, and course creators. It emphasizes simplicity and deliverability over complex design features, making it ideal for text-based newsletters and automated sequences.
EmailOctopus
Email marketing made easy
EmailOctopus is a stripped-back email marketing tool that focuses on simplicity and affordability. It's ideal for small businesses and creators who want the essentials without paying for features they won't use. Built on Amazon SES for reliable deliverability.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kit (ConvertKit) | EmailOctopus |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Starting Price | $33/mo | $9/mo |
| Free Plan | 10,000 subscribers | 2,500 subscribers |
| Founded | 2013 | 2014 |
| Email Templates | 50 | 30 |
| Integrations | 90 | 45 |
| Deliverability Rate | 98.2% | 97.5% |
| Marketing Automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✕ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag & Drop Editor | ✕ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✕ | ✕ |
| Ecommerce Features | ✓ | ✕ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✓ |
| Multi-Language | ✕ | ✕ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✕ | ✕ |
| Live Chat | ✕ | ✕ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✓ | ✕ |
Kit (ConvertKit): Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Excellent creator ecosystem with built-in monetization
- +Intuitive visual automation builder
- +Generous free plan up to 10,000 subscribers
- +Strong deliverability rates
- +Creator-focused features like tip jars and paid newsletters
Cons
- −Limited email template design options
- −Gets expensive at higher subscriber counts
- −No SMS marketing capabilities
- −Basic reporting compared to competitors
- −No drag-and-drop email editor
EmailOctopus: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Generous free plan (2,500 subscribers)
- +Very affordable Pro plan
- +Simple and clean interface
- +Good deliverability using Amazon SES
- +Easy migration from other platforms
Cons
- −Limited feature set compared to competitors
- −No A/B testing
- −Small template library
- −Basic automation capabilities
- −No ecommerce features
The Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to EmailOctopus's 4.2/5. The gap comes mainly from deliverability (4.7 vs 4.1) and feature depth (4.4 vs 3.9). On deliverability, Kit (ConvertKit) reports 98.2% compared to 97.5% for EmailOctopus — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Kit (ConvertKit) | EmailOctopus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $33/mo | $9/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 98.2% | 97.5% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 90 | 45 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
- + You need ecommerce integrations
- + You need A/B testing
- + You need advanced analytics
- + You're a creators
Choose EmailOctopus if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($9/mo)
- + You're a beginners
- + You're a startups