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Review: AWeber vs ConvertKit

AWeber vs ConvertKit, The Review That Stopped Suddenly

December 6, 2018August 16, 2019 Adrian Jock Email Marketing, Email Marketing Services
Review: AWeber vs ConvertKit

My Email Marketing Services Series continues with a comparison between the veteran AWeber (founded 1998) and a new (founded 2013) but quite popular company: ConvertKit.

Before starting to gather the information for this email marketing review, my plan was to write a long, comprehensive article that shows all pros and cons, and helps the readers decide what service is the most appropriate for their requirements and budget.

At the end of the day, several pieces of information I wasn’t previously aware of forced me to change the plan. Keep reading and soon you’ll understand the issue.

The color scheme used in the comparison tables below: red is for disadvantages or features worse than the competitor’s, green is for advantages or better features.

1. Free Trial

 
AWeber
ConvertKit
Credit card required
yes
yes
Access to all features
yes
yes
Trial duration
30 days
14 days
Free Trial Recap: During the trial period, both companies provide access to all features. A strong pro for both of them. However, the trial duration is double for AWeber’s services. So the free trial comparison is clearly favorable to AWeber.

2. Pricing

2.1. Monthly Recurring Prices

 
AWeber
ConvertKit
No. of Subscribers
Monthly Price
Monthly Price
0-500
$19
$29
501-1000
$29
$29
1001-2500
$29
$49
2501-3000
$49
$49
3001-5000
$49
$79
5001-8000
$69
$99
8001-10000
$69
$119
10001-15000
$149
$149
15001-20000
$149
$179
20001-25000
$149
$199

2.2. Discounts for Registered Non-Profit Organizations & Students

 
AWeber
ConvertKit
Students
20% off
n/a
Non-Profit Organizations
3 months free followed by a 25% discount from there forward
n/a
Pricing Recap: Irrespective of the size of your mailing list, AWeber is more affordable.

3. Inappropriate Use of the Services

In order to get an account with any of the companies, you have to agree with their terms:

  • “Service Agreement” and “Data Processing Terms” for AWeber
  • “Terms of Service Agreement” and “Privacy Policy” for ConvertKit

3.1. AWeber’s Terms

AWeber’s terms are quite permissive. Prohibited content/actions: spam, the import or in any way use of purchased leads, pornography and sex-related merchandising.

3.2. ConvertKit’s Terms

ConvertKit’s terms are even more permissive. No important restrictions included in the terms. But…

Surprise! These terms you agreed with are significantly modified by a certain help article (I wonder what FTC or a jury would say about such an approach!) titled The Approval Process and Inappropriate Use:

We reserve the right to close your account at any time for any reason, including but not limited to Inappropriate Use.

The following is considered “inappropriate use” of a ConvertKit account:

  • […]
  • industries, niches, content or actions that we perceive to negatively impact our deliverability
  • poor performance due to your list collection methods or low quality content

Important: If you are found in violation of the above terms, we will immediately close your account and we will not issue a refund.

Update, August 16, 2019: ConvertKit deleted the help article quoted above. I don’t know whether they still apply these questionable terms or not. Take care!

4. The Sudden Death of This Email Marketing Comparison

Each one of these half-hidden ConvertKit terms from 3.2 above are deal breakers.

That’s why I decided not to publish the rest of the comparison.

If you can have your account closed at any time for any reason, without even getting a refund for the money you paid for a service that isn’t provided, does it matter how great a service is?

From the very beginning I was curious to find out why ConvertKit prices are higher in comparison with the prices of other well-established competitors. I didn’t find out! So please don’t misunderstand the previous paragraph. It doesn’t suggest that the service is awesome and if you’re courageous enough it may be worth risking and joining it.

AWeber vs ConvertKit? I have only one suggestion: Get AWeber without hesitation!

To Your Email Marketing Success!
Adrian Jock

P.S. Message addressed to ConvertKit management:

  • Punishing someone for breaking undisclosed rules (‘industries, niches, content or actions that we perceive‘, closing accounts at any time for any reason) is a practice that belongs to the past and is very far from the values of the modern world. Think about this!
  • Disclosure: This article reveals my opinions and isn’t a revenge for having my CK account closed. I’ve never been a ConvertKit user.
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