Kit (formerly ConvertKit)

Description

Kit (the tool formerly known as ConvertKit) is built around how creators actually grow a list: simple opt-in forms, tag-based subscribers instead of clunky lists, and visual automations you can set up in an afternoon. The free plan lets you get to your first thousand subscribers before you pay anything, which makes it an easy first recommendation for anyone starting a newsletter or building a referral audience. Deliverability is strong, the editor is refreshingly uncluttered, and the automation builder is powerful enough to run welcome sequences, product launches, and referral nudges without an ops team. If HubSpot feels like overkill and Mailchimp feels dated, Kit is the middle path most creators settle on.