# MailCheap: Free Open Source Alternative to Beehiiv, Buttondown, Kit (ConvertKit)

Canonical: https://caniforkit.com/fork/mailcheap
Last updated: 2026-11-07

MailCheap (Open Source, Open Source) replaces Beehiiv, Buttondown, Kit (ConvertKit), Sendy. Newsletter platform billed by emails sent, not list size, with scheduling, a public website, AI agent access and deliverability tools from $19 a month.

## Tool Specifications
- **Tool Name**: MailCheap
- **Type**: Open Source Project
- **License**: Open Source
- **Official Website**: https://mailcheap.ai/
- **GitHub Repository**: https://github.com/marclou/mailcheap
- **GitHub Stars**: ★ 1.6k
- **Runs On**: Self-host
- **Maintenance Status**: nov 2026
- **Platforms**: web, self-hosted, docker to self-host
- **Data Storage**: All application data and configuration live on your own server or local database.
- **Installation**: Clone https://github.com/marclou/mailcheap or deploy with Docker Compose
- **Setup Requirements**: Deploy via Docker or binary release from GitHub and configure environment variables.
- **The Catch / Limitation**: Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Beehiiv.

## Paid SaaS Applications Replaced (5)
Replacing these paid tools with MailCheap saves up to $245/mo ($2,940/yr) in software subscriptions:

| Replaced Software | Category | SaaS Price | Comparison Guide |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Beehiiv](https://caniforkit.com/beehiiv) | [seo & marketing](https://caniforkit.com/category/seo-marketing) | $49/mo | [Compare Beehiiv vs MailCheap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/beehiiv-vs-mailcheap) |
| [Buttondown](https://caniforkit.com/buttondown) | [seo & marketing](https://caniforkit.com/category/seo-marketing) | $49/mo | [Compare Buttondown vs MailCheap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/buttondown-vs-mailcheap) |
| [Kit (ConvertKit)](https://caniforkit.com/convertkit) | [seo & marketing](https://caniforkit.com/category/seo-marketing) | $49/mo | [Compare Kit (ConvertKit) vs MailCheap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/convertkit-vs-mailcheap) |
| [Sendy](https://caniforkit.com/sendy) | [seo & marketing](https://caniforkit.com/category/seo-marketing) | $49/mo | [Compare Sendy vs MailCheap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/sendy-vs-mailcheap) |
| [Substack](https://caniforkit.com/substack) | [seo & marketing](https://caniforkit.com/category/seo-marketing) | $49/mo | [Compare Substack vs MailCheap](https://caniforkit.com/vs/substack-vs-mailcheap) |

## Frequently Asked Questions

### Is MailCheap free and open source?
MailCheap is an open source tool licensed under Open Source that runs on self-host. Newsletter platform billed by emails sent, not list size, with scheduling, a public website, AI agent access and deliverability tools from $19 a month.

### What is the trade-off or limitation of using MailCheap?
Requires self-hosting setup, updates, and server maintenance compared to managed Beehiiv.

## Related

- [Self-Hosted Open Source Directory](https://caniforkit.com/self-hosted)
- [All Paid SaaS Alternatives Index](https://caniforkit.com/alternatives)
- [Software Categories Directory](https://caniforkit.com/categories)
- [Homepage](https://caniforkit.com)