Listmonk vs ConvertKit (Kit)

Self-host swap-in for ConvertKit (Kit). · Self-host ConvertKit (Kit) · Listmonk on os-alt

Listmonk is one of the open-source self-host replacements for ConvertKit (Kit) — license AGPL-3.0, 15min docker-compose (Go binary + Postgres) to stand up, and $5 vps for the app; smtp relay (amazon ses, postmark, resend) is the variable cost — ses at ~$0. Compare against ConvertKit (Kit)'s Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size) below.

	Listmonkopen-source	ConvertKit (Kit)paid SaaS
Category	Creator email marketing	Creator email marketing
License / pricing	`AGPL-3.0`	Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size)
Starting price	$0 self-host	$29/user/mo
GitHub	knadh/listmonk ★ 20.1k · last commit todayalive	closed source
Setup time	15min docker-compose (Go binary + Postgres)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$5 VPS for the app; SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend) is the variable cost — SES at ~$0.10/1000 sends.	from $29/user/mo (Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size))

Switching from ConvertKit (Kit) to Listmonk

Pull `listmonk/listmonk` and `postgres:16`. ConvertKit subscriber export (Settings → Export) gives a CSV with email + tags. Import via Listmonk's Subscribers → Import → CSV; map ConvertKit tags to Listmonk lists (tag-per-list). Sequences port manually as scheduled campaigns. SMTP setup happens in Settings → SMTP — wire up SES/Postmark/Resend credentials and Listmonk handles the send.

Good fit for: Creators with large lists who want low-per-email cost — Listmonk + SES is roughly 10x cheaper than ConvertKit at 50k+ subscribers.
Weak at: No native paid-newsletter rails or rich landing-page builder — Listmonk is the send engine, not the funnel UI.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to ConvertKit (Kit)

Mautic
GPL-3.030min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + Cron)$10/mo VPS; SMTP relay separately.
Keila
AGPL-3.020min docker-compose (Elixir + Postgres)$5 VPS — Elixir is light.

Listmonk also replaces

HubSpot— CRM + marketing automation
Mailchimp— Email marketing / newsletters
Substack— Newsletter publishing + paid subscriptions

In a terminal? npx os-alt convertkit prints ConvertKit (Kit)'s self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Listmonk a free alternative to ConvertKit (Kit)?

Yes — Listmonk is open source under AGPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $5 VPS for the app; SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend) is the variable cost — SES at ~$0.10/1000 sends.. ConvertKit (Kit) starts at $29/user/mo (Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size)).

How long does Listmonk take to set up vs ConvertKit (Kit)?

Self-hosting Listmonk: 15min docker-compose (Go binary + Postgres). ConvertKit (Kit) is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Listmonk good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Creators with large lists who want low-per-email cost — Listmonk + SES is roughly 10x cheaper than ConvertKit at 50k+ subscribers.. Weak at: No native paid-newsletter rails or rich landing-page builder — Listmonk is the send engine, not the funnel UI..