Keila is an open source email newsletter platform that lets content creators and small teams send campaigns, manage subscriber lists, and view open and click analytics from their own server without Mailchimp's subscriber-based pricing.
The Problem
Mailchimp charges based on subscriber count, making it expensive for newsletters that grow a large list but send infrequently. The platform also processes subscriber data on its own servers, a concern for creators and organizations in regulated sectors or those publishing to privacy-conscious audiences. Alternatives like ConvertKit have similar pricing structures.
How Keila Solves It
Keila runs on your own infrastructure using your SMTP provider (SES, Postmark, Sendgrid, or self-hosted mail server) for delivery. You own the subscriber database, the campaign content, and the analytics data. AGPL-3.0 license means the source code is open for inspection. Docker deployment takes about 15 minutes.
Key Features
- Subscriber list management with segmentation and double opt-in confirmation flows
- Campaign editor with markdown and HTML support for flexible email templating
- Open and click tracking with campaign analytics stored on your server
- Self-hosted SMTP delivery: connect any provider (SES, Postmark, Sendgrid, or your own MX)
- GDPR-compliant data architecture with subscriber data on your own infrastructure
- AGPL-3.0 licensed; Docker deployment for straightforward self-hosting
Who It's For
Keila is best for independent newsletter creators, small publications, and organizations with privacy-sensitive subscriber lists who want to own their email infrastructure rather than pay Mailchimp's subscriber-count pricing or expose their list to a third party.
Compared to Mailchimp
Unlike Mailchimp, Keila stores subscriber data on your own server with no per-subscriber fees. Mailchimp offers a larger template library, more advanced automation, and better third-party integrations; Keila gives you full ownership of your list and analytics data with delivery costs limited to your SMTP provider.
