ConvertKit is a creator-focused email platform optimized for building audiences and selling digital products, while Klaviyo is an e-commerce marketing automation platform designed for SMS, email, and behavioral targeting at scale. ConvertKit starts at $25/month for creators, while Klaviyo's free tier serves up to 500 contacts but paid plans begin at $20/month for e-commerce businesses.
ConvertKit vs Klaviyo — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Choose ConvertKit if you're a creator, solopreneur, or coach building an email list to sell digital products—it excels at subscriber nurturing and has the simplest creator-focused setup. Choose Klaviyo if you run an e-commerce store and need sophisticated SMS campaigns, behavioral automation, and predictive analytics to maximize customer lifetime value.
Email marketing platform purpose-built for creators with landing pages and subscriber management
E-commerce-focused email and SMS marketing platform with advanced segmentation and automation.
Structured comparison data for ConvertKit vs Klaviyo with 152 attributes.
Average eCommerce Email Revenue Per Send
ConvertKit vs Klaviyo — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for ConvertKit vs Klaviyo.
ConvertKit can technically send emails to customers, but it lacks native SMS, advanced behavioral automation, and e-commerce integrations that Klaviyo provides. If your primary business is online retail with cart abandonment needs, Klaviyo is the better choice. ConvertKit excels when you're selling digital products (courses, ebooks) to creators.
Does Klaviyo work for newsletter creators?
Klaviyo can send newsletters, but it's designed for customer data analysis and repeat purchase cycles, not audience building. It lacks ConvertKit's landing page builder and creator-focused features like one-click sponsorships. ConvertKit is more intuitive for independent newsletter writers without e-commerce.
What's the total cost difference after 12 months?
At 1,000 contacts: ConvertKit costs ~$300/year ($25/month), while Klaviyo costs ~$240/year ($20/month starting at 501-1,000 contacts). However, Klaviyo's SMS add-on ($50-300/month depending on volume) could increase total cost significantly for multi-channel campaigns. ConvertKit requires separate SMS tools ($50-200/month), making long-term costs similar.
Which platform has better customer support?
ConvertKit offers 24/7 email support and a knowledge base. Klaviyo provides 24/7 chat support, email, and phone support (on higher tiers). Both have active community forums. Klaviyo's chat support is generally faster (under 2 hours), while ConvertKit's email support averages 6-12 hours. For urgent issues, Klaviyo has a slight advantage.
Can I migrate from ConvertKit to Klaviyo?
Yes. Both platforms support CSV exports/imports of subscriber lists. However, you'll lose tag structures and automation workflows—you'll need to rebuild automations in Klaviyo. Klaviyo's native Shopify integration makes migration easier if you sell on Shopify. Migration typically takes 2-4 weeks depending on complexity.