Free Tier Comparison Table
| Feature | Mailchimp | Kit (ConvertKit) | beehiiv | Brevo | Buttondown |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts/Subs | 250 contacts | 10,000 subscribers | 2,500 subscribers | 100,000 contacts | 100 subscribers |
| Send Limits | 500 sends/mo | Unlimited | Unlimited | 300 emails/day | Basic |
| Automation | Limited | No automations | Basic | No (requires Standard $18/mo) | No (requires Basic $9/mo) |
| Branding | Mailchimp branding | Kit branding | beehiiv branding | Brevo branding | Buttondown branding |
| Custom Domain | No | No | Yes | No | No (requires Basic $9/mo) |
| First Paid Tier | Essentials $13/mo | Creator $39/mo | Scale $49/mo | Starter $9/mo | Basic $9/mo |
Winner by Use Case
Most subscribers for free: Kit (10,000)
Kit's Newsletter plan gives you 10,000 subscribers with unlimited sends. The catch: no automations, no integrations, and no advanced features. Paid Creator tier is $39/mo.
Most contacts for free: Brevo (100,000)
Brevo stores up to 100,000 contacts for free, but limits you to 300 emails/day (~9,000/month). If you send infrequently to a large list, Brevo free is unbeatable.
Best newsletter free tier: beehiiv Launch
2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends, custom domain, website builder. The most complete newsletter-specific free tier. Scale at $49/mo adds ad network and referral program.
FAQ
Which free email tier lasts longest?
Kit Newsletter — 10,000 subscribers is a real business. Most creators can run Kit free for 6–12 months before needing automations or integrations.
Is Mailchimp Free still worth it in 2026?
At 250 contacts and 500 sends, Mailchimp Free is barely functional. Kit Free gives you 40x the subscribers. Brevo Free gives you 400x the contacts. Mailchimp Free is the worst email free tier in 2026.