When should you choose Sequenzy?
1. You're Running a SaaS Business
Sequenzy integrates directly with Stripe to sync customer data, MRR, subscription status, and churn signals. You can trigger automations based on subscription events. Buttondown doesn't have this—it's designed for newsletters, not SaaS lifecycle marketing.
2. You Need Transactional + Marketing
Sequenzy handles password resets, receipts, and marketing campaigns in one platform with separate systems. Buttondown is newsletter-only. If you need both transactional and marketing, you'd need multiple tools with Buttondown.
3. You Want All-Inclusive Pricing
Sequenzy includes all features at every tier. Buttondown charges extra for automations (+$29), tagging (+$9), analytics (+$9), and more. At 10k subscribers with similar features, Buttondown could cost $137+/mo vs Sequenzy's $49/mo.
4. You Need Advanced Automation
Sequenzy has a visual automation builder for complex drip campaigns, onboarding sequences, and behavior-based flows. Buttondown has automations but they're simpler and cost extra.
When should you stick with Buttondown?
1. You're Running a Newsletter Business
If your primary goal is sending newsletters to readers (not managing SaaS customers), Buttondown is purpose-built for this. It's focused, simple, and does newsletters well.
2. You Want to Monetize with Paid Subscriptions
We don't support paid newsletters. Buttondown integrates with Stripe so readers can pay to subscribe. If charging for your newsletter is your business model, Buttondown has this and we don't.
3. You Value Privacy Above All
Buttondown is built privacy-first. No tracking pixels by default, minimal data collection, transparent about what they collect. If privacy is a core value for your brand, Buttondown aligns with that.
4. You Want Markdown-First Editing
Buttondown's editor is Markdown-native. If you write in Markdown and want that to be your email format, Buttondown is excellent. We have a drag-and-drop editor, not Markdown-first.
5. You Need RSS-to-Email
Buttondown can automatically send emails when your blog/RSS updates. We don't have this feature. If you want your blog posts auto-sent, Buttondown supports this.
6. You Want Public Newsletter Archives
Buttondown hosts a public archive of your newsletters with custom domain support. It's a built-in website for your newsletter. We don't offer this.
Honest Limitations of Sequenzy
- No paid newsletters: We can't charge your readers for subscriptions. Buttondown can.
- No RSS-to-email: We don't auto-send from RSS feeds.
- No public archives: We don't host newsletter archive pages.
- No CLI: We don't have a terminal tool. Buttondown does.
- Less privacy-focused: We track opens/clicks by default. Buttondown is privacy-first.
- No Markdown editor: We use drag-and-drop, not Markdown-first editing.
Honest Limitations of Buttondown
- Newsletter-only: No transactional emails, no SaaS lifecycle marketing.
- No Stripe for SaaS: Stripe integration is for paid newsletters, not subscription management.
- A-la-carte pricing: Features like automations, tagging, analytics cost extra. Adds up.
- Simple automation: Basic sequences, not visual automation builder.
- No subscriber profiles: Limited subscriber management compared to full marketing platforms.
- No drag-and-drop: Great if you love Markdown, limiting if you don't.