Kit (ConvertKit) vs Privy
Kit (ConvertKit) and Privy are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. Privy is the more affordable option at $30/mo — that's $3 less than Kit (ConvertKit)'s $33/mo entry point. Kit (ConvertKit) offers a free plan (10,000 subscribers), while Privy does not. Kit (ConvertKit) stands out with landing pages and advanced analytics, while Privy offers SMS marketing and a drag-and-drop editor.
Quick Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) wins on deliverability, integrations, free tier.
Privy 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.
Privy
Ecommerce email and SMS marketing built for Shopify stores
Privy is an ecommerce-focused email and SMS marketing platform built specifically for Shopify stores, combining conversion popups, email campaigns, and abandoned cart recovery in one tool. With unlimited email sending on all paid plans and a native Shopify integration, it's designed for DTC brands and small online stores that want to grow their list and revenue without the complexity of enterprise marketing platforms.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Kit (ConvertKit) | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $33/mo | $30/mo |
| Free Plan | 10,000 subscribers | No free plan |
| Founded | 2013 | 2011 |
| Email Templates | 50 | 50 |
| Integrations | 90 | 20 |
| Deliverability Rate | 98.2% | 95% |
| 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
Privy: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Deep native Shopify integration with one-click install and automatic product syncing
- +Unlimited email sending on all paid plans — no volume limits that punish growth
- +Excellent popup and conversion tools including spin-to-win, exit intent, and cart savers
- +Combined email + SMS marketing eliminates need for separate communication tools
- +Built specifically for ecommerce with abandoned cart recovery and welcome series automation
Cons
- −Limited to ecommerce use cases — not suitable for B2B, SaaS, or non-store businesses
- −No public API, limiting custom integrations and developer extensibility
- −Pricing scales by contacts, getting expensive at higher subscriber counts
- −Reporting and analytics are basic compared to full-featured email marketing platforms
- −Template selection is limited compared to competitors like Klaviyo or Omnisend
The Verdict
Kit (ConvertKit) and Privy are closely matched — both score within 0.0 points of each other in our overall rating. Your decision should come down to specific needs rather than overall quality. On deliverability, Kit (ConvertKit) reports 98.2% compared to 95% for Privy — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Kit (ConvertKit) | Privy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $33/mo | $30/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 98.2% | 95% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 90 | 20 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | No |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Kit (ConvertKit) if…
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You need API access for custom integrations
- + You need built-in landing pages
- + You need advanced analytics
Choose Privy if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($30/mo)
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a shopify stores
- + You're a ecommerce