Kit vs Substack: Which Newsletter Platform Fits Your List?
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Still deciding between Kit and Substack?
Kit and Substack solve overlapping problems—growing and monetizing an email list—but they're built differently. Kit offers tiered plans (Newsletter, Creator, Pro) with a free tier up to 10,000 subscribers, unlimited landing pages on every plan, and automation that scales from one basic Visual Automation on the free tier to unlimited automations and sequences on Creator and Pro. This suits creators who want to build funnels, run A/B tests, add SMS, or connect e-commerce tools like Shopify as they grow. Substack has a single free plan with no platform fees or subscriber caps listed, plus an Enterprise option, and includes built-in revenue tools like welcome sequences and win-back campaigns. This fits writers who want a straightforward, no-tier publishing setup without evaluating multiple plans. Choose Kit if you need granular automation, testing, and e-commerce features as your list scales. Choose Substack if you want a simple, free-to-start publishing model with basic lifecycle emails built in.
Compare the free plans and automation features side by side before committing your list to either platform.
Feature-by-feature comparison
| Feature | Kit | Substack | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marketing automation workflows | 5/5 | 3/5 | Kit provides 1 basic Visual Automation on its free Newsletter plan and unlimited Visual Automations/sequences on Creator and Pro. Substack includes welcome sequences and win-back campaigns as part of its revenue tools, but no tiered automation builder is described. |
| Free forever plan | 5/5 | 5/5 | Kit's Newsletter plan is $0/month for up to 10,000 subscribers with no credit card required. Substack is free to start and free to leave, with no platform fees or tiers on its Free plan. |
Frequently asked questions
How does Kit's pricing compare to Substack's?
Kit has three plans: Newsletter (free, up to 10,000 subscribers), Creator ($33/mo billed yearly for 1,000 subscribers, $390/year), and Pro ($66/mo billed yearly for 1,000 subscribers, $790/year). Substack has a Free plan with no platform fees, tiers, or contracts, plus an Enterprise plan with pricing not publicly listed.
Does Kit or Substack have a free plan?
Both do. Kit's Newsletter plan is free for up to 10,000 subscribers with no credit card required. Substack's Free plan has no platform fees, no tiers, and no contracts—it's free to start and free to leave.
Can I migrate from Substack to Kit or vice versa?
The provided data doesn't detail specific migration tools or import processes for either platform, so check each vendor's current documentation for migration support before switching.
Which marketing automation features does each platform offer?
Kit's Newsletter plan includes 1 basic Visual Automation, while Creator and Pro plans include unlimited Visual Automations and sequences. Substack's revenue tools include welcome sequences and win-back campaigns, without additional tiering details provided.
Who is Kit best suited for, and who is Substack best suited for?
Kit fits creators who want tiered plans with room to add automation, A/B testing, SMS marketing, and e-commerce integrations as their list grows. Substack fits writers who prefer a single free plan with no tier structure and built-in lifecycle emails like welcome and win-back sequences.
Is there a paid enterprise option for larger teams?
Substack lists an Enterprise plan, though pricing is not publicly listed. Kit's highest listed plan is Pro at $66/month (billed yearly), aimed at 1,000 subscribers with deliverability tools and e-commerce integrations.