I may earn a commission from links. #ad

systeme.io free-plan limits checked on its pricing page in November 2026. Plans change, so check the current page before you sign up.

Last updated: November 2, 2026

This blog runs on free plans: systeme.io for the blog, pages and hosting, Kit for the email list, Linktree for links and Pinterest for sharing. Here is what each tool does, what the systeme.io free plan includes, and how to set up the same stack.

More from Marcus Cole Picks:

• Carry-On Packing List for a 7-Day Trip
• What to Do When Your Flight Is Delayed or Canceled
• Travel Tech Essentials: What to Pack and What to Set Up

Marcus Cole Picks covers travel gear, packing and flight rights. Behind it is a small set of tools, all on free plans. If you have thought about starting a blog but did not want to pay for hosting, a theme and an email tool before writing a single post, this is one way to do it.

systeme.io: the blog, pages and hosting

This blog is built and hosted on systeme.io. systeme.io is an all-in-one platform for blogs, websites, sales funnels, email, courses and more. I use it for the blog itself, the pages around it, and hosting. There is no separate web host to pay for and no theme or plugins to install.

According to systeme.io's pricing page, the free plan includes:

• 1 blog
• 3 sales funnels
• Up to 2,000 contacts
• Unlimited emails sent
• 1 custom domain
• 1 course, with up to 500 students
• 1 affiliate program
• 1 automation rule and 1 email campaign

The pricing page also says all plans have no transaction fees, the free plan never expires, and no credit card is needed to sign up. If you outgrow it, the next plan up is Startup at $17 a month.

This blog now runs on its own domain, marcuscolepicks.com, using the free plan's 1 custom domain. The domain itself is bought separately from a domain registrar, for about $12 a year.

Kit: the free checklist email list

The free Carry-On Packing Checklist is delivered through Kit, on Kit's free plan. Kit is an email marketing tool built for creators. I use it for the signup form and to deliver the checklist to anyone who signs up.

systeme.io has email tools too, so you could run everything in one place.

Linktree: one link for everything

My links are collected on Linktree. It gives you one short link that points to a simple page with all your other links, which is handy for social profiles that only allow one link. Mine points to the free checklist and my picks.

Pinterest: sharing the posts

I share pins on Pinterest that link back to posts on this blog. Many people use Pinterest to plan trips and packing lists, so it is a natural fit for travel posts. A Pinterest business account is free.

How to set up the same free stack

1. Create a free systeme.io account. Sign up with this link. No credit card is required for the free plan.
2. Create your blog. Pick a blog template, then add your name, logo and main pages, such as About and Contact.
3. Write and publish your first post. Use clear headings, short paragraphs and an image. If you use affiliate links, add a disclosure near the top.
4. Set up an email signup. Use systeme.io's built-in email tools or a separate free tool like Kit, and offer something useful, like a checklist.
5. Make a link page. Linktree or a similar link-in-bio page keeps your links in one place.
6. Share your posts. Create a pin for each post on Pinterest and link it to the post.
7. Add a custom domain when you are ready. The free plan includes 1 custom domain, once you buy one.

What the free plan does not cover

The free plan has limits. You get 1 blog, 3 sales funnels and 1 automation rule, and you are capped at 2,000 contacts. You also still need to buy a domain name if you want one. For a single blog with a small email list, these limits may be enough to start. If you need more contacts, funnels or automations, compare the paid plans on the systeme.io pricing page.

Quick recap

• This blog runs on systeme.io's free plan for the blog, pages and hosting.
• The free checklist email list runs on Kit's free plan.
• Links live on Linktree, and posts are shared on Pinterest.
• systeme.io's free plan includes 1 blog, up to 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails and 1 custom domain, with no credit card required.

Start a free systeme.io account

Want to build your own? Start a free systeme.io account. Packing for a trip? Get the free Carry-On Packing Checklist.

Marcus