If you’re a course creator looking for an email marketing platform, then you’ve likely heard of Convertkit and Flodesk. Both tools offer a range of email marketing features, but which one should you choose? In this article, we’ll compare Convertkit vs Flodesk to help you decide which one is right for you in 2023 and beyond.
Overview of Convertkit and Flodesk
Before we dive into the details, let’s take a quick look at what Convertkit and Flodesk are. Convertkit is an email marketing tool that’s designed specifically for creators. It’s known for its simplicity, automation features, and integrations with popular course platforms like Teachable and Thinkific.
Flodesk, on the other hand, is a newer email marketing tool that’s gaining popularity due to its stylish templates and drag-and-drop email builder. It also offers automation features, integrations, and analytics.
What is Convertkit?
Convertkit was founded in 2013 by Nathan Barry, a blogger and software developer. Barry created Convertkit because he was frustrated with the limitations of other email marketing tools, which were designed for marketers rather than creators. Convertkit is designed to help creators build relationships with their audiences and sell digital products, courses, or memberships.
One of the key features of Convertkit is its simplicity. The platform offers a clean, intuitive interface that makes it easy to create and send emails to subscribers. Convertkit also offers a range of automation features, such as drip campaigns and segmentation, which can help creators save time and increase engagement with their audience.
In addition to its automation features, Convertkit also integrates with popular course platforms like Teachable and Thinkific. This makes it easy for creators to sell their courses and products directly to their email subscribers.
What is Flodesk?
Flodesk was founded in 2018 by Martha Bitar and Rebecca Shostak, two women who were frustrated with the uninspired templates available in other email marketing tools. Bitar and Shostak wanted to create an email marketing tool that was not only functional, but also beautiful.
One of the main selling points of Flodesk is its templates. The tool offers a range of stylish, modern templates that can help creators stand out and make a lasting impression on their subscribers. Flodesk also offers a drag-and-drop email builder, which makes it easy for creators to customize their emails and create unique designs.
Like Convertkit, Flodesk also offers automation features, integrations, and analytics. Creators can use Flodesk to create drip campaigns, segment their audience, and track the performance of their emails.
Overall, both Convertkit and Flodesk are great options for creators who want to build relationships with their audience and sell digital products. While Convertkit is known for its simplicity and integrations with course platforms, Flodesk is known for its stylish templates and drag-and-drop email builder. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Features Comparison
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty and compare the features of Convertkit vs Flodesk. But before we delve deeper, let’s understand the importance of email marketing and automation in today’s digital age.
Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach and engage with your audience. It allows you to build relationships with your subscribers, promote your products or services, and drive traffic to your website. However, sending individual emails to each subscriber can be time-consuming and inefficient. This is where email automation comes in. With automation, you can create a series of emails that are triggered by specific actions or events, such as a subscriber signing up for your newsletter or making a purchase on your website.
Email Marketing and Automation
Both Convertkit and Flodesk offer email marketing and automation features. Convertkit’s automation features are particularly powerful and flexible. You can create sequences, triggers, and rules to automate your emails and deliver the right message to the right subscriber at the right time. This level of customization allows you to create a personalized experience for your subscribers, which can lead to higher engagement and conversions.
Flodesk’s automation features are more limited compared to Convertkit. You can create sequences and tags, but the platform doesn’t offer the same level of flexibility and customization as Convertkit. However, Flodesk’s automation features are still powerful enough to help you create effective email campaigns.
Design and Customization
When it comes to design and customization, Flodesk is the clear winner. The platform offers a range of stylish, modern templates that are easy to customize with its drag-and-drop email builder. Flodesk’s templates are designed to help creators stand out and make a lasting impression.
Convertkit, on the other hand, offers a more minimalist approach to design. Its templates are simple and clean, which can be a pro or a con depending on your branding goals. Convertkit’s focus is on delivering valuable content rather than flashy design. However, if you have a specific aesthetic in mind, Convertkit’s customization options may not be enough.
Integrations and API
Both Convertkit and Flodesk offer integrations with popular tools like Zapier, Shopify, and Teachable. Convertkit also offers a robust API for developers to create custom integrations. This level of integration allows you to streamline your workflow and automate tasks across multiple platforms.
Flodesk’s integrations are more limited compared to Convertkit. However, the platform integrates with popular tools that most creators will find useful, like Instagram and Facebook. Flodesk does not offer an API at this time, which may be a dealbreaker for some users.
Analytics and Reporting
Both Convertkit and Flodesk offer analytics and reporting features to help you track your email campaigns’ performance. Convertkit’s reporting features are more comprehensive compared to Flodesk, offering more detailed insights into your subscribers’ behavior and engagement. With Convertkit, you can track metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates. You can also segment your audience based on their behavior and engagement, allowing you to create targeted campaigns that resonate with your subscribers.
Flodesk’s reporting features are more basic, but they do offer some useful metrics like open and click-through rates. While Flodesk’s reporting may not be as detailed as Convertkit’s, it still provides valuable insights into your email campaigns’ performance.
Pricing and Plans
When it comes to email marketing, choosing the right platform can be a daunting task. With so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which one is the best fit for your needs. Two popular email marketing platforms are Convertkit and Flodesk. Let’s take a closer look at their pricing and plans.
Convertkit Pricing
Convertkit offers a range of pricing plans based on the number of subscribers you have. The plans start at $29 per month for up to 1000 subscribers and go up to $249 per month for up to 50,000 subscribers. If you have more than 50,000 subscribers, you can contact Convertkit for a custom quote.
One of the advantages of Convertkit’s pricing structure is that it is straightforward and easy to understand. You only pay for the number of subscribers you have, and there are no hidden fees or charges.
Convertkit also offers a free plan for up to 1000 subscribers, making it a great option for creators just starting. The free plan includes unlimited landing pages and forms, email broadcasts, and the ability to sell digital products and subscriptions.
Flodesk Pricing
Flodesk offers a flat rate of $38 per month for unlimited subscribers. While this price is higher than Convertkit’s, it can be more cost-effective for creators with larger lists. Flodesk’s pricing is also simple and transparent, with no hidden fees or charges.
One of the unique features of Flodesk is its beautiful email templates. The platform was designed with creators in mind, and the templates reflect that. They are visually stunning and can help you create emails that stand out in your subscribers’ inboxes.
Flodesk also offers a 30-day free trial to try out its features. During the trial period, you can send unlimited emails and access all of the platform’s features.
Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee
Both Convertkit and Flodesk offer free trials to try out their platforms. Convertkit’s free plan is an excellent option for creators just starting, while Flodesk’s 30-day free trial gives you more time to test out its features.
If you decide to upgrade to a paid plan with Convertkit, you can do so with confidence. The platform offers a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you are not satisfied with the platform for any reason, you can cancel your subscription within the first 14 days and receive a full refund.
Flodesk, on the other hand, does not offer any money-back guarantees at this time. However, the platform’s 30-day free trial gives you ample time to test out its features and determine if it is the right fit for your needs.
Ultimately, the right email marketing platform for you will depend on your specific needs and budget. Both Convertkit and Flodesk are excellent options, and their pricing and plans make them accessible to creators of all sizes.
Ease of Use
When it comes to email marketing platforms, ease of use is an important factor to consider. Both Convertkit and Flodesk have user-friendly interfaces, but there are some differences to note.
Convertkit User Interface
Convertkit’s user interface is designed with simplicity in mind. The platform’s layout is clean and easy to navigate, making it a great choice for beginners. The dashboard provides a clear overview of your email list, broadcasts, and automation sequences.
One potential downside of Convertkit’s focus on simplicity is that it may not be as flexible as some creators need. While it’s easy to create and send emails, more advanced automation features may not be as intuitive.
Flodesk User Interface
Flodesk’s user interface is also simple and easy to use. The platform’s drag-and-drop builder makes it easy to create beautiful emails, even if you’re not a designer. The interface is visually appealing, with a modern and sleek design.
However, Flodesk’s user interface may not be as intuitive as Convertkit’s for more advanced automation features. Some users may find it more difficult to set up complex automation sequences on Flodesk.
Learning Curve and Onboarding
Both Convertkit and Flodesk offer resources to help creators get started. Convertkit provides articles, videos, and webinars to help users learn the platform’s features and set up their email list. Additionally, Convertkit offers a Getting Started course to provide a more structured approach to learning the platform.
Flodesk’s onboarding process is more hands-on compared to Convertkit. When you sign up for Flodesk, you’re assigned a dedicated onboarding specialist who will help you set up your account and get started sending emails. This level of personalized support can be helpful for those who are new to email marketing or who need extra guidance.
In conclusion, both Convertkit and Flodesk offer user-friendly interfaces and resources to help creators get started. The choice between the two platforms ultimately comes down to personal preference and the specific needs of your business.
Conclusion
So, which should you choose: Convertkit or Flodesk? The answer depends on your needs as a creator. If you’re looking for a platform that offers powerful automation features and strong integrations with popular course platforms, Convertkit may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re looking for beautiful, stylish templates and an easy-to-use drag-and-drop builder, Flodesk may be the way to go.
Ultimately, both tools are great options for course creators, and it’s worth trying out both before making a decision. With free trials and money-back guarantees, there’s no harm in testing out the features and deciding which tool works best for you before committing.