Substack is cheaper for large free lists, but Kit is often cheaper for high-revenue creators because Substack's 10% cut eventually exceeds Kit's flat monthly fee.

Which is easier to learn?

Substack is significantly easier; it is a 'turnkey' solution, whereas Kit requires setting up tags and sequences.

Can I use both together?

It is possible but redundant. Most creators use Substack for their public newsletter and Kit for their backend sales funnels or 'bridge' sequences.

Do I own my audience on both?

Yes, both platforms allow you to export your subscriber email addresses at any time.

Kit (ConvertKit) Writing vs

Substack Writing

Kit (ConvertKit) vs Substack

Kit (formerly ConvertKit) and Substack represent two fundamentally different philosophies for creators: one is a sophisticated marketing engine, while the other is a streamlined publishing ecosystem. While both deliver emails, Kit focuses on automation and sales funnels, whereas Substack prioritizes writing and built-in discovery.

Try Kit (ConvertKit) → Try Substack →

Side-by-side

Criterion	Kit (ConvertKit)	Substack
Pricing	Free up to 1,000 subscribers; paid tiers start at $25/mo (billed annually) and scale based on list size.	Free to use for unlimited subscribers; takes a 10% cut of all paid subscription revenue.
Learning curve	Moderate; requires time to understand tagging, segments, and visual automation workflows.	Very low; if you can use a basic word processor, you can publish a Substack in minutes.
Best use cases	Creators selling courses, physical products, or services who need complex email funnels.	Writers, journalists, and podcasters who want to monetize content directly via subscriptions.
Notable features	Visual automation builder, advanced subscriber tagging, and customizable landing pages.	Built-in recommendation engine, native podcast hosting, and community 'Notes' social feed.
Monetization	Sell digital products/subscriptions via Kit Commerce (3.5% + 30c fee) or third-party integrations.	Native paid subscription wall with Stripe integration; platform is optimized for recurring reader support.

Pros & cons

Kit (ConvertKit)

Pros

Powerful automation sequences for lead nurturing
Granular tagging allows for highly targeted messaging
High deliverability and professional design flexibility
Creator Network helps with cross-promotion and growth

Cons

Can become very expensive as your subscriber list grows
Steeper learning curve for non-marketers
No built-in 'discovery' feed like Substack

Substack

Pros

Zero upfront cost regardless of your subscriber count
Network effects from the Substack app drive organic growth
Extremely simple setup with no technical maintenance
Includes podcast hosting and community discussion tools

Cons

10% revenue share is high for high-earning creators
Very limited design and branding customization
Lacks advanced automation and conditional logic

Our verdict

Choose Kit if you are a business-minded creator who views email as a sales funnel for products, courses, or services; its automation power is unmatched for those who want to build complex customer journeys. Choose Substack if you are primarily a writer or podcaster who wants to focus on content without the headache of managing software, and you are willing to trade design control for built-in discovery and a simple 'pay-to-read' model.

Get Kit (ConvertKit) → Get Substack →

FAQ

Which is cheaper?: Substack is cheaper for large free lists, but Kit is often cheaper for high-revenue creators because Substack's 10% cut eventually exceeds Kit's flat monthly fee.
Which is easier to learn?: Substack is significantly easier; it is a 'turnkey' solution, whereas Kit requires setting up tags and sequences.
Can I use both together?: It is possible but redundant. Most creators use Substack for their public newsletter and Kit for their backend sales funnels or 'bridge' sequences.
Do I own my audience on both?: Yes, both platforms allow you to export your subscriber email addresses at any time.