AdRoll
Kit (ConvertKit)
| Feature | AdRoll | Kit (ConvertKit) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | From $36/mo | Free / from $25/mo |
| Free Plan | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Rating | 4 / 5 | 4.5 / 5 |
| Best For | ecommerce, dtc-brands, small-businesses, shopify-stores | creators, bloggers, podcasters, authors, course-creators |
| Founded | 2007 | 2013 |
| Retargeting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Display Ads | ✓ | ✗ |
| Social Ads | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email Marketing | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ai Bidding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Audience Segmentation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Email Sequences | ✗ | ✓ |
| Visual Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✗ | ✓ |
| Commerce | ✗ | ✓ |
| Subscriber Tags | ✗ | ✓ |
| Broadcasts | ✗ | ✓ |
| Creator Network | ✗ | ✓ |
✓ AdRoll Pros
- Great retargeting
- Cross-channel campaigns
- AI optimization
- Easy Shopify integration
✗ AdRoll Cons
- Minimum spend required
- Learning curve
- Reporting could improve
✓ Kit (ConvertKit) Pros
- Designed for creators and writers
- Visual automation builder
- Free tier for up to 10,000 subscribers
- Commerce features for selling digital products
✗ Kit (ConvertKit) Cons
- Email templates less flexible than Mailchimp
- Limited design customization
- Reporting could be more detailed
The Verdict
AdRoll is built for ecommerce and dtc brands, with a focus on retargeting and display-ads. Kit (ConvertKit) targets creators and bloggers and leads with email-sequences and visual-automations.
On pricing, Kit (ConvertKit) is the clear winner for budget-conscious users — starting at $25/mo compared to $36/mo for AdRoll. That $11/mo difference adds up quickly for growing teams.
Kit (ConvertKit) has a free plan, which gives it a meaningful edge for individuals and small teams exploring their options. AdRoll requires a paid subscription from day one.
Kit (ConvertKit) edges out on user ratings (4.5 vs 4). While both are well-regarded, that gap reflects real differences in user satisfaction worth considering.
Feature-wise, Kit (ConvertKit) offers broader built-in capabilities (7 features vs 6), while AdRoll takes a more focused approach — which can mean a simpler, faster onboarding experience.
Bottom line: Kit (ConvertKit) has a slight overall edge — but if great retargeting matters most to you, AdRoll may still be the right call.
