Plunk is already the Mailchimp/SendGrid stack on this site. Substack and ConvertKit are editorial lists. listmonk is the small, fast box for that job.

Stacks / Newsletter

Easy

listmonk / Keila / Ghost

Own the list. listmonk is the single-binary newsletter app; Keila is the AGPL ConvertKit-shaped tool; Ghost covers a paid publication.

The problem

Substack takes a cut of paid subs. ConvertKit (Kit) meters the list. You wanted broadcasts, segments, and a list you can export. listmonk is one Go binary + Postgres. Keila is the visual automations path. Ghost if the newsletter is also the site.

Replaces

Substack / ConvertKit

Replace Substack Replace ConvertKit

Estimated SaaS saved

$1,800

per year, small team, before lock-in

Start on Railway

Sponsor this stack Tip jar

Placeholder: listmonk + Postgres (easiest), or Keila + Postgres, or Ghost if the publication is the product. SMTP via Resend. This site already mirrors subscribers in PocketBase — listmonk is the upgrade path past Plunk.

The stack

listmonk
Single-binary, self-hosted newsletter and mailing lists
Keila
Open-source newsletter and automations
Ghost
Publishing plus paid newsletters if the site is the product

Cost table

You stop paying	Typical / year	Self-host instead
ConvertKit / Kit paid plan	$1,800	listmonk or Keila + Resend
Substack paid-sub cut	$1,800	Ghost memberships + listmonk

Agent setup prompt

Replace Substack or ConvertKit/Kit with a list you host.

Preferred: listmonk (https://listmonk.app) + Postgres + Resend. Keila if you need visual automations. Ghost if the newsletter is a publication with a site.
- Import a CSV of the existing list. Double opt-in. send. subdomain for SMTP.
- Write AGENT_PROMPT.md. Do not promise Substack Notes or ConvertKit commerce you have not rebuilt.

Also as markdown: /stacks/listmonk-email.md

FAQ

Why not Plunk?: Plunk is already the Mailchimp/SendGrid stack on this site. Substack and ConvertKit are editorial lists. listmonk is the small, fast box for that job.