ConvertKitvsButtondown

ConvertKit vs Buttondown

Full creator platform meets markdown simplicity

TL;DR

ConvertKit ($139/mo) is a comprehensive creator platform with automation, commerce, and landing pages. Buttondown ($79/mo) is a minimalist newsletter tool for writers who want simplicity. Choose ConvertKit for a creator business, Buttondown for pure writing focus.

Key Differences

The main things that set these tools apart

Platform scope
ConvertKit wins

ConvertKit is a full creator platform with automation, landing pages, and commerce. Buttondown is just a newsletter tool.

Pricing
Buttondown wins

Buttondown is $60/month cheaper at 10,000 subscribers. You're paying less for a more focused tool.

Simplicity
Buttondown wins

Buttondown is intentionally minimal. ConvertKit has many features, which means more complexity.

Free tier
ConvertKit wins

ConvertKit offers a generous free tier with 10,000 subscribers. Buttondown's free tier is limited to 100.

Pricing Comparison

At 10,000 subscribers

ConvertKit
$139/month

Creator plan with full features

Visit ConvertKit
Buttondown
$79/month

All features included

Visit Buttondown
Sequenzy

The SaaS alternative

$49/month

All features, Stripe integration, 10k contacts

Feature Comparison

Side-by-side feature breakdown

Feature
ConvertKit
Buttondown
Sequenzy
Platform Scope
Email automation
Advanced
Basic
Landing pages
Digital products
Creator network
Writing Experience
Markdown support
Native
Simplicity
Complex
Minimal
Balanced
API access
Monetization
Paid newsletters
Tip jar
Platform fee
0%
0%
0%
Pricing
Price at 10k
$139/mo
$79/mo
$19/mo
Free tier
10k subscribers
100 subscribers
500 subscribers

Best For

When to choose each tool

Choose ConvertKit if you...
  • Full-time creators building a business
  • Those selling digital products
  • Creators needing landing pages
  • Users who want advanced automation
  • Those starting with the free tier
Choose Buttondown if you...
  • Writers who love markdown
  • Developers and technical writers
  • Those who prefer minimal tools
  • Budget-conscious creators
  • Those who just want to write and send
Choose Sequenzy if you...
  • SaaS founders needing Stripe integration
  • Teams wanting the most affordable option
  • Developers preferring API-first tools
  • Startups needing transactional + marketing email

Why Sequenzy Is Better for SaaS Founders

86% cheaper than ConvertKit

With a free tier and paid plans from $19/month, Sequenzy saves you $120/month compared to ConvertKit and $60/month compared to Buttondown.

Native Stripe integration

Sequenzy syncs with Stripe for billing-based automation. Neither creator platform offers this.

Transactional + marketing unified

One platform for all email needs. Creator platforms require separate services for transactional email.

Built for SaaS

Event-based triggers and user behavior tracking designed for software products, not newsletters.

Try Sequenzy Free

Overview

ConvertKit and Buttondown take opposite approaches. ConvertKit is a feature-rich creator platform. Buttondown is intentionally minimal. See our ConvertKit comparison and Buttondown comparison for details.

Pricing Comparison

  • ConvertKit: $139/month for 10,000 subscribers

  • Buttondown: $79/month for 10,000 subscribers

  • Sequenzy: Free tier available, then $19/month for 1,000 subscribers (20k emails)

Compare on our pricing page.

Where ConvertKit Wins

Full creator business platform with automation, landing pages, digital products, and commerce features.

Where Buttondown Wins

Simplicity, lower price, and markdown-native writing experience for those who don't need extra features.

Why Sequenzy Beats Both for SaaS

Neither platform is built for SaaS. Sequenzy offers a free tier, native Stripe integration, unified transactional + marketing email, and paid plans from $19/month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Buttondown is much simpler by design.

ConvertKit has advanced visual automation. Buttondown's is basic.

Native Stripe integration, unified email, and $19/month pricing.

Export subscribers from ConvertKit including tags. Import into Buttondown. Set up your newsletter in Buttondown's minimalist editor. Note that ConvertKit's advanced automation, digital products, and commerce features won't transfer. You'll have a simpler experience but fewer features.

Export your subscribers from Buttondown. Import into ConvertKit and set up tags for segmentation. Rebuild any automations in ConvertKit's visual builder. You'll gain advanced automation, landing pages, and commerce features. ConvertKit offers free migration assistance for accounts with 5,000+ subscribers.

Not sure which to pick?

If you're a SaaS founder who needs Stripe integration and unified email, try Sequenzy free. No credit card required.

Start Free TrialSee All Features

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Sequenzy - Complete Pricing Guide

Pricing Model

Sequenzy uses subscriber-based pricing. You only pay for subscribers active in sequences (automations). Inactive subscribers are free to store.

All Pricing Tiers

  • 0-100 subscribers: Free (Free annually) - 2k emails/month
  • 101-1,000 subscribers: $19/month ($205/year annually) - 15k emails/month
  • 1,001-5,000 subscribers: $29/month ($313/year annually) - 60k emails/month
  • 5,001-10,000 subscribers: $49/month ($529/year annually) - 120k emails/month
  • 10,001-25,000 subscribers: $99/month ($1069/year annually) - 300k emails/month
  • 25,001-50,000 subscribers: $199/month ($2149/year annually) - 600k emails/month
  • 50,001-100,000 subscribers: $349/month ($3769/year annually) - 1.2M emails/month
  • 100,000+ subscribers: Custom pricing (Custom annually) - Unlimited emails/month

Yearly billing: All plans offer a 10% discount when billed annually.

Free Plan Features (0-100 subscribers)

  • Visual automation builder
  • Transactional email API
  • Reply tracking & team inbox
  • Goal tracking & revenue attribution
  • Dynamic segments
  • Payment integrations
  • Full REST API access
  • Custom sending domain

Paid Plan Features (1,000 - 100,000 subscribers)

  • Visual automation builder
  • Transactional email API
  • Reply tracking & team inbox
  • Goal tracking & revenue attribution
  • Dynamic segments
  • Payment integrations (Stripe, Paddle, Lemon Squeezy)
  • Full REST API access
  • Custom sending domain

Enterprise Plan Features (100,000+ subscribers)

  • Visual automation builder
  • Transactional email API
  • Reply tracking & team inbox
  • Goal tracking & revenue attribution
  • Dynamic segments
  • Payment integrations
  • Full REST API access
  • Custom sending domain

Important Pricing Notes

  • You only pay for subscribers who are active in automations/sequences
  • Storing inactive subscribers is free
  • No hidden fees - all features included in the price
  • No credit card required for free tier

Contact

  • Pricing Page: https://sequenzy.com/pricing
  • Sales: hello@sequenzy.com