Mautic vs ConvertKit (Kit)

Self-host swap-in for ConvertKit (Kit). · Self-host ConvertKit (Kit) · Mautic on os-alt

Mautic is one of the open-source self-host replacements for ConvertKit (Kit) — license GPL-3.0, 30min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + Cron) to stand up, and $10/mo vps; smtp relay separately. Compare against ConvertKit (Kit)'s Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size) below.

	Mauticopen-source	ConvertKit (Kit)paid SaaS
Category	Creator email marketing	Creator email marketing
License / pricing	`GPL-3.0`	Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size)
Starting price	$0 self-host	$29/user/mo
GitHub	mautic/mautic ★ 9.65k · last commit 1d agoalive	closed source
Setup time	30min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + Cron)	SaaS — sign up + bill
Monthly cost	$10/mo VPS; SMTP relay separately.	from $29/user/mo (Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size))

Switching from ConvertKit (Kit) to Mautic

Pull `mautic/mautic:5` with the official compose. ConvertKit CSV export → Mautic Contacts → Import. Mautic's killer feature vs Listmonk is full marketing automation: visual workflow builder, lead scoring, segment-based triggers, landing pages. Heavier UI and learning curve in exchange for ConvertKit-shaped funnels.

Good fit for: Creators or small SaaS teams who want full marketing automation (forms → segments → automated sequences → scoring) without HubSpot prices.
Weak at: PHP/Symfony stack feels enterprise-y; cron job setup is mandatory and easy to forget on initial install.

Other open-source self-host alternatives to ConvertKit (Kit)

Listmonk
AGPL-3.015min docker-compose (Go binary + Postgres)$5 VPS for the app; SMTP relay (Amazon SES, Postmark, Resend) is the variable cost — SES at ~$0.
Keila
AGPL-3.020min docker-compose (Elixir + Postgres)$5 VPS — Elixir is light.

Mautic also replaces

HubSpot— CRM + marketing automation
Mailchimp— Email marketing / newsletters

In a terminal? npx os-alt convertkit prints ConvertKit (Kit)'s self-host options — how the CLI works →

FAQ

Is Mautic a free alternative to ConvertKit (Kit)?

Yes — Mautic is open source under GPL-3.0. Self-host cost: $10/mo VPS; SMTP relay separately.. ConvertKit (Kit) starts at $29/user/mo (Free up to 10k subscribers; Creator $29/mo; Creator Pro $59/mo (rises with list size)).

How long does Mautic take to set up vs ConvertKit (Kit)?

Self-hosting Mautic: 30min docker-compose (PHP + MariaDB + Cron). ConvertKit (Kit) is a hosted SaaS — sign up and you're in.

What is Mautic good at, and what is it weak at?

Good fit for: Creators or small SaaS teams who want full marketing automation (forms → segments → automated sequences → scoring) without HubSpot prices.. Weak at: PHP/Symfony stack feels enterprise-y; cron job setup is mandatory and easy to forget on initial install..