The author has developed Fertit, an affordable newsletter management service that allows users to use their own SMTP and avoid complex DevOps, offering a hosted version for $5/month as a middle ground between expensive self-hosting and SaaS options.
Go backend, PostgreSQL, Redis, SMTP integration, hosted SaaS with option for open-source self-hosting
2025-07-22
- website
Highlight 1
Fertit offers a highly affordable pricing model compared to enterprise SaaS alternatives, significantly lowering monthly expenses for large contact lists.
Highlight 2
By allowing users to bring their own SMTP provider, it offers more control over email deliverability and costs, avoiding vendor lock-in.
Highlight 3
The hosted version eliminates the common pain points of self-hosting (servers, Docker, migrations) while retaining core features and affordability.
Improvement 1
The website and dashboard could benefit from a more modern, intuitive design to enhance onboarding and daily use.
Improvement 2
Adding more advanced automation and segmentation tools would better compete with established newsletter platforms.
Improvement 3
Clearer explanations, tutorials, and use cases would help potential users understand the benefits and setup process more quickly.
Product Functionality
Expand features to include more automation workflows, detailed analytics, and advanced subscriber segmentation to match enterprise offerings.
UI & UX
Redesign the user interface for better usability and visual appeal, including onboarding flows, responsive design, and clearer navigation to reduce learning curves.
SEO or Marketing
Improve SEO by adding a blog with content on email marketing best practices, case studies, and clear comparison pages versus competitors. Enhance social media presence and user testimonials.
MultiLanguage Support
Implement multi-language support on the website and dashboard to cater to a global audience, starting with popular languages like Spanish, French, and German.
- 1
What does Fertit do?
Fertit is a newsletter manager that allows you to send email campaigns using your own SMTP provider, bypassing expensive SaaS fees and complex self-hosting.
- 2
Do I need to manage servers or infrastructure?
No. Fertit's hosted service handles all infrastructure, so you only need to connect your SMTP service and manage your subscribers through the dashboard.
- 3
How much does Fertit cost compared to other newsletter platforms?
The hosted version starts at $5 per month plus the cost of your SMTP provider, which is significantly cheaper than platforms like Mailchimp or ConvertKit.