How to Build Your Own Buttondown
Replace Buttondown with a custom build. The last email platform you'll switch to
Build Difficulty: 5/5
Build a working replacement in a weekend with AI tools
Estimated Timeline
Based on 22 features at Weekend Project difficulty, expect about One weekend with AI-assisted development.
Recommended Tech Stack
Full-stack React framework with API routes and server components
PostgreSQL database, auth, and real-time subscriptions
Utility-first styling for rapid UI development
Transactional and marketing email delivery
Key Features to Replicate
Top features across 8 categories. See all 22 features
Deliverability(2 features)
Send newsletters from your own custom domain
Industry-leading email deliverability rates with best-in-class spam protection
Editor(2 features)
Write newsletters using either rich text or native Markdown formatting for faster, error-free writing
Post newsletters directly from your personal or business email account by sending to newsletters@mg.buttondown.email or drafts@mg.buttondown.email
Engagement(2 features)
Allow subscribers to comment on posts and interact with each other through a built-in comments interface
Create surveys and polls to gather subscriber feedback with 200% higher response rates than industry average. Responses collected in-browser without third-party redirects
Integration(2 features)
Seamless connections to external tools and platforms including Discord, Memberful, YouTube, and 45+ other services
Convert your existing blog's RSS feed into a mailing list published at any frequency you choose, or publish your newsletter as an RSS feed
Publishing(2 features)
Host your newsletter archives on your own custom domain with optional paywalls for paid content
Post newsletters to the web with public archives that subscribers can browse and share
Segmentation(2 features)
Robust personalization features to send the right message to the right people
Organize and segment subscribers with tags for targeted communications
Analytics & Reporting(1 features)
View subscriber behavior and email performance metrics with privacy-first analytics available in one click
Automation(1 features)
Build custom sequences for new subscribers, create flows for tagged subscribers, set up surveys for personalization, and control when and how emails are sent
Cost Calculator
Keep Paying Buttondown
Build It Yourself
Total Cost Comparison
DIY hosting estimate based on Vercel + Supabase free/pro tiers (~$20/mo). Build time estimated from 22 features at very easy complexity.