Reader supported: we may earn a commission from some links. It never changes test results. How we make money
InboxTested

Newsletter and email tools, tested by hand

Choose your email platform from test results, not sales pages.

We open real accounts on beehiiv, Kit, MailerLite and GetResponse, build the same newsletter in each, send real test emails and publish what happens, with dates.

By subscribing you agree to receive our emails. We use Kit to send them. Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy.

  • Real accounts
  • Dated prices
  • Seed-inbox sends
  • No paid placements

Test board

Live status of our first test round

  • Kit
    Prices checked Oct 13    Test scheduled
  • beehiiv
    Prices checked Oct 13    Test scheduled
  • MailerLite
    Prices checked Oct 13    Test scheduled
  • GetResponse
    Prices checked Oct 13    Test scheduled

We show only real progress. Scores appear when a test log is complete.

Real accounts

Signed up as a normal customer, never a vendor demo.

Same test, every tool

One form, one welcome email, one broadcast, timed.

Dated data

Every price shows the day we read it at the source.

Independent

Vendors cannot buy scores, order or placement.

Where to start

Four platforms, the facts that matter

Full comparison →

Disclosure: We earn a commission if you buy through some links on this page. It never changes our test results. How we make money.

Kit

Hands-on test scheduled
Free up to
10,000
Paid from
$39/mo

Consider it if: You want the biggest free subscriber allowance and creator selling tools.

Watch out: Paid plans start higher than MailerLite.

Visit Kit

beehiiv

Hands-on test scheduled
Free up to
2,500
Paid from
$59/mo

Consider it if: You want a newsletter website, ad network and paid subscriptions in one place.

Watch out: Automations and custom domains start on paid plans.

Visit beehiiv

MailerLite

Hands-on test scheduled
Free up to
250
Paid from
$12/mo

Consider it if: You want automations on the lowest starting paid price.

Watch out: Free plan locks sending above 250 active subscribers.

Visit MailerLite

GetResponse

Hands-on test scheduled
Free up to
Not stated
Paid from
€16/mo

Consider it if: You want webinars, funnels and a course builder on higher plans.

Watch out: Premium features end after the 14-day trial.

Visit GetResponse

Plan facts from each vendor's official pages, read October 13, 2026. Not rankings: hands-on scores are added after testing.

At a glance

Free plans and starting prices

PlatformFree plan subscribersFree plan sendsPaid fromOur scoreLink
Kit10,000Unlimited broadcasts$39/mo
Creator, 1,000 subs, monthly		TestingVisit Kit
beehiiv2,500Unlimited$59/mo
Lite, 1,000 subs, monthly		TestingVisit beehiiv
MailerLite2502,500/mo$12/mo
Comfort, starting price		TestingVisit MailerLite
GetResponseNot statedNot stated€16/mo
Starter, 1,000 contacts, monthly		TestingVisit GetResponse

Official plan details, read from each vendor's own pages on October 13, 2026. Hands-on results are added as each test completes. Sources: help.kit.com, beehiiv.com/pricing, mailerlite.com/pricing, getresponse.com/pricing.

How every tool is scored

One rubric, published in advance

We fixed the scoring weights before testing anything, so no tool gets a custom scale. Read the full method, including what our tests cannot tell you.

Read the method
Free plan and pricing25%
Core features25%
Ease of setup20%
Deliverability test20%
Fit for creators10%

Method

What happens in a test

  1. Sign upFree plan or trial, with our own test address.
  2. BuildSame signup form, welcome email and broadcast in each tool.
  3. SendTest emails to seed inboxes; inbox, promotions or spam recorded.
  4. PublishScores from the rubric, with the dated log behind every claim.