Best Open-Source ConvertKit (Kit) Alternatives (2026)
3 self-hostable, open-source projects that replace ConvertKit (Kit) — without subscriber-count pricing. Each is scored for how hard it is to self-host, with one-click deploy options where they exist.
Kit (ConvertKit) prices by subscriber count, so your bill climbs as your list grows even if your sending volume and revenue don't keep pace. Creators leave to escape that per-subscriber tax and to own their list, sending reputation, and automation logic outright instead of renting them.
Our picks at a glance
A single self-contained Go binary (or one container) at difficulty 3/5, with no heavyweight PHP/CMS stack to maintain.
The most feature-complete here: full marketing automation with campaigns, segmentation, and lead scoring rather than plain list sending.
Highest momentum at 16,500 stars, well ahead of Mautic (9,800) and Keila (2,400).
The only option offering official managed hosting (managed:yes) for those who want a Mailchimp-style tool without running it themselves.
Compare all 3 alternatives
Tap a column header to sort| Project | Deploy | Managed | License | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 listmonk Go | 17k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | Docker Docker Compose +1 | AGPL-3.0 | 14 days ago | Repo | |
 Mautic PHP | 9.8k ★ | 4/5 Involved | Docker Docker Compose +1 | GPL-3.0 | 10 days ago | Repo | |
 Keila Elixir | 2.4k ★ | 3/5 Moderate | One-Click Docker +2 | AGPL-3.0 | 26 days ago | Repo |
What to look for: The cost of self-hosting newsletters moves from per-subscriber fees to managing your own sending and deliverability, so the practical question is whether you'll relay through an SMTP provider (SES, Postmark, etc.) and how the tool handles bounces, unsubscribes, and list hygiene. Decide whether you just need fast list sending or full marketing automation (lead scoring, multi-step campaigns), since that splits these options cleanly.
The alternatives, reviewed
- #1
listmonkSelf-host: ModerateHigh-performance self-hosted newsletter and mailing list manager
17k Go AGPL-3.0 14 days agoHow it compares to ConvertKit (Kit)
- No built-in marketing automation/journey builder like Mailchimp
- No bundled deliverability/IP reputation management — you supply your own SMTP/SES
- No native landing page or e-commerce/CRM integrations
- Reporting and analytics are basic compared to commercial suites
- #2
MauticSelf-host: InvolvedOpen-source marketing automation and email campaigns at scale
9.8k PHP GPL-3.0 10 days agoHow it compares to ConvertKit (Kit)
- Heavyweight setup with cron jobs and queue workers; not beginner-friendly
- UI feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
- Deliverability depends entirely on your own mail infrastructure
- Performance tuning required for large lists; upgrades can be fragile
- #3
KeilaSelf-host: ModerateOpen-source newsletter tool, an easy Mailchimp alternative in Elixir
2.4k Elixir AGPL-3.0 26 days agoHow it compares to ConvertKit (Kit)
- Smaller feature set than Mailchimp — limited automation/journeys
- Fewer template and design tools out of the box
- Smaller community and ecosystem of integrations
- No built-in deliverability/IP warmup; relies on external senders
The verdict
listmonk is the top pick for most creators: it's the highest-momentum, lowest-overhead option for fast, high-volume newsletter sending. Choose Mautic if you need real marketing automation, or Keila if you'd prefer a managed, beginner-friendly service.
ConvertKit (Kit) alternatives — frequently asked questions
Is there a free open-source ConvertKit alternative?
Yes. listmonk (AGPL-3.0), Mautic (GPL-3.0), and Keila (AGPL-3.0) are all free and open source. listmonk and Keila are purpose-built newsletter tools, while Mautic is broader marketing automation.
Which is easiest to self-host?
listmonk and Keila are the most approachable at difficulty 3/5; Keila even offers a one-click deploy. Mautic is a step harder at 4/5 because of its larger PHP application footprint.
Do I still need an email-sending service?
Generally yes. These tools manage your lists and campaigns but you'll relay through an SMTP provider for deliverability. listmonk in particular is designed to push high volumes through providers like Amazon SES.
Which scales best for large lists?
listmonk is built for high performance and is the standout for large, high-throughput lists. Mautic also handles scale but carries more operational overhead; Keila targets simpler, smaller-list use cases.
Is there a managed option if I don't want to host it?
Keila offers official managed hosting. listmonk and Mautic are self-host only, so you'd run them on your own infrastructure.
I want marketing automation, not just newsletters — which one?
Mautic. It's the only one of the three built for automation workflows, segmentation, and lead scoring at scale; listmonk and Keila focus on straightforward newsletter and list sending.