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Comparison · Mkt Auto
Keila vs OpenEMM
A side-by-side editorial comparison of Keila and OpenEMM — release velocity, themes, recent moves, and the top alternatives to consider.
Shared themes:self-hostedopen-source
Keila vs OpenEMM: at a glance
What is Keila?
Keila ships a third 0.40 patch for dependency CVEs and drops unsigned unsubscribe links.
Keila is an open-source newsletter platform on Elixir/Phoenix. 0.40.0 on 29 October made welcome and double opt-in emails editable and now requires PostgreSQL 14 and TLS. 0.40.1 fixed stored XSS in forms and campaigns, and 0.40.2 on 4 November updates dependencies for three high-severity CVEs, ends support for unsigned pre-0.11 unsubscribe links, signs out other sessions on password change and caps API pages at 1,000 entries.
What is OpenEMM?
OpenEMM 26.11 reaches GA eight days after its beta.
OpenEMM released 26.11.169 as the general-availability build of the 26.11 line on November 12, eight days after the 26.11.136 beta. The notes list only the frontend version. The 26.05 line it replaces reached GA in July and has had only frontend builds since.
Keila vs OpenEMM: editorial side-by-side
Keila
5.0MKT AUTO
Keila ships a third 0.40 patch for dependency CVEs and drops unsigned unsubscribe links.
◆ Current state
Keila is an open-source newsletter platform on Elixir/Phoenix. 0.40.0 on 29 October made welcome and double opt-in emails editable and now requires PostgreSQL 14 and TLS. 0.40.1 fixed stored XSS in forms and campaigns, and 0.40.2 on 4 November updates dependencies for three high-severity CVEs, ends support for unsigned pre-0.11 unsubscribe links, signs out other sessions on password change and caps API pages at 1,000 entries.
◆ Where it's heading
Two security patches in a week after a feature release suggests a security review is under way. The breaking removal of old unsubscribe links fits the same tightening.
◆ Prediction
Further 0.40.x patches are possible while the review continues; the next feature direction is unclear from the entries.
OpenEMM
5.0MKT AUTO
OpenEMM 26.11 reaches GA eight days after its beta.
◆ Current state
OpenEMM released 26.11.169 as the general-availability build of the 26.11 line on November 12, eight days after the 26.11.136 beta. The notes list only the frontend version. The 26.05 line it replaces reached GA in July and has had only frontend builds since.
◆ Where it's heading
OpenEMM keeps its twice-yearly cycle: a beta, a GA, then months of frontend-only maintenance builds. The notes never say what a line changes, so the cadence is the only visible signal.
◆ Prediction
Expect frontend-only 26.11 maintenance builds over the coming months; the entries give no hint of feature content.
Alternatives to Keila and OpenEMM
Other Mkt Auto products tracked by Sparkpulse, ranked by recent ship velocity. Each card links to a full editorial trajectory and lets you pivot into a head-to-head comparison with either Keila or OpenEMM.
Postiz
Postiz encrypts channel tokens and lets agents send connect links for new channels.
n8n
n8n fixes executions being redacted when they used global credentials, on three lines.
Gumloop
Gumloop 13.6 gives admins one set of rules for every tool an agent touches.
AcyMailing
AcyMailing 11.1.2 closes holes that let strangers read or unsubscribe any subscriber.
Buttondown
Buttondown lets writers reorder editor blocks without a mouse.
See all Keila alternatives → · See all OpenEMM alternatives →
Recent activity from Keila and OpenEMM
Latest ship moves from both products, interleaved chronologically. ⚡ = editorial spark.
- 1d agoOpenEMMOpenEMM 26.11 reaches GA
- 9d agoKeilaKeila 0.40.2: dependency CVE fixes, unsigned unsubscribe links removed
- 9d agoOpenEMMOpenEMM 26.11 enters beta
- 14d agoKeilaKeila 0.40.1 fixes stored XSS in forms and campaigns
- 16d agoKeilaKeila 0.40: editable opt-in emails, PostgreSQL 14 and TLS required
- 1mo agoOpenEMM26.05.132: Frontend-only build, no release notes
- 2mo agoKeilaKeila v0.30.3
- 2mo agoOpenEMM26.05.111: Frontend-only build, no release notes
- 4mo agoOpenEMMOpenEMM 26.05 line reaches GA
- 4mo agoKeilaKeila v0.30.2
- 4mo agoKeilaKeila v0.30.1
- 10mo agoOpenEMM25.11 maintenance release (25.11.078)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Keila and OpenEMM?
Both compete on the same themes — self-hosted, open-source — within Mkt Auto. Keila and OpenEMM are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). See the at-a-glance table above for a side-by-side breakdown of velocity, recent sparks, and editorial themes.
Is Keila better than OpenEMM?
Sparkpulse doesn't pick a winner — we score release velocity, not feature parity. Keila and OpenEMM are shipping at a similar cadence (velocity 5.0 vs 5.0, both within Sparkpulse's "active" band). For your specific use case, the alternatives sections above list other Mkt Auto products to evaluate alongside.
What are the best alternatives to Keila?
Top Keila alternatives in Mkt Auto are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "Keila alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/keila for the full list with editorial commentary on each.
What are the best alternatives to OpenEMM?
Top OpenEMM alternatives in Mkt Auto are ranked by recent ship velocity. Browse the "OpenEMM alternatives" section above for the current picks, or visit /alternatives/openemm for the full list with editorial commentary on each.