Kit (ConvertKit) vs Keap
Kit (ConvertKit) is a email marketing platform while Keap is a all-in-one marketing platform. Keap has been around since 2001, giving it a 12-year head start over Kit (ConvertKit) (founded 2013). Kit (ConvertKit) is the more affordable option at $39/mo, which is $260 less than Keap's $299/mo entry point. Kit (ConvertKit) offers a free plan (10,000 subscribers), while Keap does not. Keap has the edge with SMS marketing, a drag-and-drop editor.
Quick Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) wins on price, deliverability, rating, free tier.
Keap wins on integrations.
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.
Keap
CRM-powered sales and marketing automation for small businesses
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft, founded 2001, acquired by Thryv in 2024) is a premium all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform built for sales-driven small businesses that need contact management, email sequences, SMS marketing, invoicing, and appointment scheduling in a single tool. Its strength lies in powerful automation workflows and a dedicated Customer Success Manager, but the $299/month starting price for just 1,500 contacts makes it one of the most expensive options in its category.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kit (ConvertKit) | Keap |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Starting Price | $39/mo | $299/mo |
| Free Plan | 10,000 subscribers | No free plan |
| Founded | 2013 | 2001 |
| Email Templates | 50 | 70 |
| Integrations | 90 | 5,000 |
| Deliverability Rate | 98.2% | 93% |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | No | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | No | Yes |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | No | No |
| Web Push Notifications | No | No |
| Live Chat | No | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes |
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 native SMS; texting needs the third-party SlickText app
- − Basic reporting compared to competitors
- − No drag-and-drop email editor
Keap: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Powerful drag-and-drop automation builder that handles complex multi-step sales workflows with conditional triggers
- + True all-in-one platform combining CRM, email, SMS, invoicing, payments, and appointment scheduling
- + Dedicated Customer Success Manager included with every plan for hands-on onboarding and support
- + Deep contact management with tagging, segmentation, and centralized views that reduce manual data entry
- + Built-in text marketing with tiered messaging plans and voice minutes integrated directly into automations
Cons
- − Extremely expensive at $299/month for only 1,500 contacts, with costs escalating quickly for additional contacts and users
- − Steep learning curve with complex campaign builder layouts and no undo button, causing frustration during setup
- − Email marketing capabilities feel half-baked compared to dedicated email platforms despite the premium pricing
- − Invoicing feature is rigid and does not support hourly billing or flexible customization
- − Dated mobile experience and slow feature development compared to more agile competitors like GoHighLevel
The Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to Keap's 4.2/5. The gap comes mainly from value for money (4.7 vs 3.7) and deliverability (4.7 vs 3.9). On deliverability, Kit (ConvertKit) reports 98.2% compared to 93% for Keap — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Kit (ConvertKit) | Keap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $39/mo Winner | $299/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 98.2% Winner | 93% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.6/5 Winner | 4.2/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 90 | 5000 Winner |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes Winner | No |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($39/mo)
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You're a bloggers
- + You're a creators
Choose Keap if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a sales driven small businesses
- + You're a service based businesses