We compare published specifications, not hands-on delivery tests. No affiliate links are active in this review edition. How this site is funded.
The short answer
A large free subscriber allowance is useful only if the plan can send the emails you need. These are three starting points—not an overall ranking.
Free up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month, with 3 automations of up to 5 steps.
See the trade-offs ↓Free up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited broadcasts. Automated follow-up requires a paid plan.
See the trade-offs ↓Starter covers 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails/month, with 3 automations of up to 5 steps.
See the trade-offs ↓Limits apply together. A delay can use an automation step. Compare the free-plan limits in detail →
What do the paid plans cost?
Here are sampled audience tiers for three paid plans. These prices alone do not establish a fit: sending allowances and automation limits differ.
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Your audience | KitCreator | MailerLiteComfort | EmailOctopusPro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | $391,000-subscriber tier | $12500-subscriber tier | $10500-subscriber tier |
| 1,000 | $391,000-subscriber tier | $191,000-subscriber tier | $13.51,000-subscriber tier |
| 2,500 | $593,000-subscriber tier | $332,500-subscriber tier | $202,500-subscriber tier |
| 5,000 | $895,000-subscriber tier | $495,000-subscriber tier | $31.55,000-subscriber tier |
| 10,000 | $13910,000-subscriber tier | $8910,000-subscriber tier | $44.510,000-subscriber tier |
Before tax; no annual discounts, promotions or delivery add-ons. Kit uses its next checked tier where the audience sizes differ. EmailOctopus Pro’s automation-count ceiling still needs confirmation. Check all requirements together.
M MailerLite
Consider the free plan when you are starting a newsletter and want a short welcome flow. Its audience allowance is the smallest of these three free plans, so estimate both subscribers and emails before choosing it.
Reasons to consider it
- A limited welcome automation is included on Free.
- The official freebie guide explains file delivery through an automation.
- A direct BookFunnel connection is documented.
Where to be careful
- Free stops at 250 subscribers and 2,500 monthly emails.
- Comfort also has a sending cap; a book launch may need more.
- BookFunnel is a separate paid subscription.
Start with Free only if your audience, monthly sends and entire welcome flow fit. Compare Comfort and Power when a specific limit becomes a problem.
Evidence: Free-plan limits · File delivery · BookFunnel
K Kit
If your plan is to send occasional book news to a growing list, Kit’s free audience and broadcast allowances deserve a look. The decision changes when you need a timed welcome sequence.
Reasons to consider it
- Free supports up to 10,000 subscribers.
- Broadcast sending is unlimited within the checked audience limit.
- An opt-in confirmation can deliver a file.
Where to be careful
- Free does not include automated follow-up sequences.
- Creator is $39/month at the checked 1,000-subscriber tier.
- Our evidence has not verified its individual BookFunnel connection.
Free is a candidate for broadcasts and a confirmation-file handoff. For timed follow-up emails, price a paid plan against your actual workflow.
Evidence: Kit Free plan · Confirmation-file delivery
E EmailOctopus
Starter combines a larger free audience allowance than MailerLite with limited automations. It is worth comparing when your welcome flow is short and your total monthly volume stays within the cap.
Reasons to consider it
- Starter allows 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails/month.
- Three automations with five steps each are included.
- A direct BookFunnel connection is documented.
Where to be careful
- Four broadcasts to 2,500 readers use all 10,000 emails before welcome messages.
- A simple file link needs external hosting.
- The Pro automation-count ceiling remains unconfirmed here.
Starter can be a free fit when both sending volume and automation length stay modest. Do not assume Pro solves an unverified automation requirement.
Evidence: Automation limits · File links · BookFunnel
Check your own requirements
Compare Kit, MailerLite and EmailOctopus using the same requirements.
Your inputs changed. Compare again to update the results below.
See all seven plans and exclusions
Scroll the table sideways to see every column.
| Plan | Monthly total | Why it fits or doesn’t |
|---|
This checks audience size, email volume, automation limits and the delivery option you selected. It does not test deliverability, account approval, file limits or every integration. No affiliate links are active in this edition. Read the method and limitations.
Plan the reader journey, not just the subscription
Kit vs MailerLite
Free limits, welcome flows and the point where paying changes the choice.
Read the comparison →SETUP GUIDEDeliver your reader magnet
Separate file delivery, signup and follow-up before adding another tool.
Map the workflow →COST CHECKBookFunnel & your email list
What the delivery subscription adds, and which connections are verified.
Check the extra cost →Questions before you choose
Can I start an author newsletter for free?
Each of these services has a free plan in the checked data. Match subscribers, monthly emails and automation steps together. File hosting or BookFunnel may add a separate cost.
Does a reader magnet need BookFunnel?
Not every setup does. A simple file link may cover your needs. Consider a separate delivery service for features you actually require, and include its fee in the total.
Should I move an existing mailing list?
A lower quoted price is not enough reason on its own. Check your existing contract, identify the missing capability and test the replacement signup and welcome flow before moving.
Did you test inbox placement?
No. This comparison uses published specifications. It does not establish deliverability, account approval or the performance of an individual integration.
Choose the plan that covers your next real step.
Keep a free plan when it fits. Pay when a confirmed limit blocks the workflow you need. If an essential condition is unknown, verify it before signing up.
Check your requirements ↑