SMS is definitely on our radar! We're exploring AWS SNS integration first since it fits our "bring your own" model perfectly - users would connect their AWS account just like they do with SMTP. This keeps costs low while avoiding the complexity of direct carrier relationships.
If you're interested in SMS features, supporting us with a subscription would definitely help us prioritize and build this faster. Are you currently stuck with expensive SMS providers? Would love to understand your volume/use case to make sure we build something that actually solves your problem.
Great points, especially on deliverability - that's the biggest trade-off with BYOSMTP. You're right that managed providers have better reputation management, which is why our hosted service is positioned as the primary offering. The open-source version serves a different need: developers who want full control or have compliance requirements that prevent using third-party platforms.
On market positioning, I think there's still room between "build your own email system" and "pay $200+/month for enterprise features you don't need." Our target isn't competing with MailChimp for high-LTV businesses, but serving the gap where small businesses outgrow basic tools but aren't ready for enterprise pricing. That said, your "Mom test" concern is valid. We're validating this with real users to ensure we're not just building for ourselves.
> I think there's still room between "build your own email system" and "pay $200+/month for enterprise features you don't need."
I don’t mean to beat the subject down but I think there is a lot less room than you are giving it credit for. I’ve already laid out how there are ample choices in the “cheaper than MailChimp” space (and I wouldn’t even consider MailChimp to be particularly “enterprise.”)
If you’ve outgrown basic tools you probably can afford MailChimp or some other sub-enterprise offering. By definition a business that outgrows basic tools is making decent money and can probably throw $200 a month at MailChimp.
Thanks for sharing your experience! You're spot on about BYOSMTP being a major hurdle. That's actually why we built Fertit as both a hosted service AND open-source. Users who want managed SMTP get the simplicity, while those with existing infrastructure can self-host. We've found the dual approach helps address different needs without forcing everyone down the same path.
The spam challenge is real, and I'm curious how Sendune balances generous free tiers with spam prevention? Our pricing takes a different approach with smaller contact limits but lower entry costs, though I agree contact limits across the industry can feel arbitrary.
Multi-tenancy is exactly what Fertit was built to solve. But it is available only in Fertit hoster service, not the open-source version at the current moment.
Listmonk is excellent - we actually considered building on top of it initially. The main differentiators:
Multi-tenancy (your pain point):
Native support for multiple newsletters/domains in one instance
Unified management across all your properties
Positioning differences:
Listmonk: Power-user tool with SQL segmentation, advanced templating, high-throughput queues
Fertit: Simplified interface targeting small businesses who want "just works" newsletter management
Architecture approach:
Listmonk: Single binary + PostgreSQL (requires more ops knowledge)
Fertit: Docker Compose setup with Redis for caching, designed for easier deployment
Business model:
Open-source version addresses your self-hosting needs
Hosted service ($5-10/month) for users who want zero ops
When you'd choose Fertit over Listmonk:
You manage newsletters for multiple clients/domains (multi-tenancy)
You prefer simpler UI over advanced segmentation features
You want commercial support option
You're hitting operational complexity with multiple Listmonk instances
When you'd stick with Listmonk:
You need the advanced features (SQL queries, high-throughput queues)
Current multi-instance setup works fine for your scale
You prefer the mature, battle-tested codebase
Would love your thoughts on the multi-tenancy approach - is that the main friction point you're hitting with multiple instances?
Fertit actually leverages the best of both worlds through our SMTP integration approach:
Use Established ESPs for Delivery: Fertit connects to your existing SMTP provider (SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, etc.) - so you still get their deliverability infrastructure and IP reputation.
Save on Interface & Features: Instead of paying $50-300/month for ConvertKit or Mailchimp's full platform, you pay $5-10/month for Fertit's management layer while using a cheaper transactional email service for actual delivery.
Cost Comparison:
Traditional ESP: $79/month for 5,000 subscribers
Fertit approach: $9.99/month (Pro plan) + $15/month (SendGrid) = ~$25/month total
Deliverability is not a purely technical SMTP-level issue. It also involves domain/IP reputation, email content quality, bounce rate management, spam complaints etc etc etc. Also I'm pretty sure there is a buuuunch of compliance stuff you can't just punt to SES no? How much are you handling on your side and how much can SES do?
Fertit provides essential newsletter infrastructure (preferences, unsubscribes, basic compliance) for a low cost (1.99-9.99$/month) vs $79 for full-service ESPs, but users handle advanced deliverability optimization themselves.
It's positioned between "raw SMTP" and "full-service ESP" - covers the regulatory basics but not the sophisticated deliverability management that determines inbox placement rates.
Don’t most of these services explicitly disallow using them for newsletter type of use? If you send a bunch of the same types of emails to bursts of thousands of users at once, those companies have algorithms that will eventually pick it up (especially if there are lots of images/content embedded).
Am I misunderstanding the limitations of which services are available to use for “bring your own SMTP”?
Good point! You're absolutely right that many basic SMTP providers (Gmail, Outlook, etc.) restrict bulk newsletter sending to large number of emails.
Fertit is designed to work with newsletter-appropriate SMTP services like SendGrid, Mailgun, Amazon SES, Postmark, and Mailjet - providers that explicitly
support bulk email sending. These typically cost $10-50/month depending on volume, which is still much cheaper than the $79+ full-service ESPs charge.
The value prop is: instead of paying ConvertKit $79/month for 1000 subscribers, you pay SendGrid ~$15/month for SMTP + Fertit $9.99/month = ~$25/month total, while still getting proper unsubscribe handling, preference management, and basic compliance features.
You're right that it requires users to handle the SMTP setup themselves - it's positioned for people who want more control and cost savings but don't need the full white-glove deliverability management of premium ESPs.
Thanks for pointing this out - I should make the SMTP requirements clearer in the marketing!
If you look at Postmarks website, they explicitly disallow the service you are promoting. Marketing emails are not allowed to be sent through Postmark.
I generally like your idea, but as someone in growth, I hope you provide the users with a lot of instruction and warning on compliance, CASL are particularly eager to enforce.
Fertit handles the core compliance infrastructure (double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, preference management, suppression lists) but you're right that users need clear guidance on the legal requirements.
You’re absolutely right about this being a huge problem and it’s exactly why I built proper consent management into Fertit from the ground up. What you’re describing (auto-resubscribing after purchase, ignoring unsubscribe requests) is both illegal under CAN-SPAM/GDPR and terrible business practice.
The legitimate use case is businesses that actually respect their subscribers. Think GitHub release notes, Substack authors, or local businesses sending monthly updates to customers who genuinely want them. But you’re spot on that too many companies abuse email marketing, which ruins it for everyone.
Hey, thanks for feedback. While there are some screenshots in product hunt launch, I will definitely add more images and videos later to make it easier to use platform.
https://www.producthunt.com/posts/fertit
There’s definitely a difference between spam and permission-based email marketing. Fertit is built specifically for legitimate newsletter subscriptions - subscribers opt-in through proper signup forms and can easily manage preferences or unsubscribe. It’s the same model used by every legitimate business newsletter, from GitHub updates to Substack publications. The focus is on providing value to people who actually want to receive the content.
If you're interested in SMS features, supporting us with a subscription would definitely help us prioritize and build this faster. Are you currently stuck with expensive SMS providers? Would love to understand your volume/use case to make sure we build something that actually solves your problem.