Buttondown vs Loops: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Buttondown and Loops comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Buttondown
Simple newsletter tool
Best for you if:
- • Buttondown is a simple email newsletter tool for writers and creators
- • It provides a clean writing experience with Markdown support and subscriber management
Loops
Email for SaaS
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.3/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • Loops is an email platform built for modern SaaS companies
- • It provides transactional emails, sequences, and marketing campaigns
| At a Glance |  Buttondown |  Loops |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Email Marketing | Email Marketing |
Rating | 82/100 | 83/100 |
| Feature | Buttondown | Loops |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 83 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Email MarketingWriting Apps | Email MarketingMarketing Automation |
How Buttondown and Loops Compare
Buttondown
Simple newsletter tool
Free tier available · 82/100 score
Loops
Email for SaaS
Free tier available · 83/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Buttondown
Want the highest-rated option?
Buttondown: 82/100. Loops: 83/100.
Go with: Loops
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Loops
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are email marketing tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Loops scores higher: 83/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Loops
- Higher score: 83/100 vs 82
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Buttondown
The Bottom Line
Loops (83/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Buttondown or Loops better?
Loops scores 83/100 in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Buttondown and Loops used for?
Buttondown: Simple newsletter tool. Loops: Email for SaaS.
What does Buttondown cost vs Loops?
Buttondown is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Loops is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.