Quick Overview
- 1#1: MailerLite - User-friendly email marketing platform offering a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers with automation and landing pages.
- 2#2: Brevo - All-in-one sales and marketing platform with unlimited contacts on free plan sending up to 300 emails daily.
- 3#3: Sender - Affordable email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month.
- 4#4: Mailchimp - Popular email marketing service with a free tier for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends including basic automation.
- 5#5: EmailOctopus - Cost-effective email delivery service using Amazon SES with pay-per-email pricing starting under $10 monthly.
- 6#6: Moosend - Email marketing automation platform with free plan for unlimited emails to 1,000 subscribers.
- 7#7: Omnisend - E-commerce focused email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails monthly.
- 8#8: Benchmark Email - Easy-to-use email marketing software with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 3,500 emails per month.
- 9#9: SendPulse - Multichannel marketing platform offering free email sends up to 15,000 monthly for 500 subscribers.
- 10#10: Zoho Campaigns - Integrated email marketing tool within Zoho suite with free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers and 6,000 emails monthly.
We ranked these tools by evaluating features such as automation, contact limits, and additional channels (SMS, landing pages), alongside user experience and overall value, ensuring each entry delivers exceptional affordability without compromising quality
Comparison Table
Email marketing is a critical tool for businesses, and choosing affordable software that fits your needs can make a significant difference. This comparison table explores leading, cost-effective options like MailerLite, Brevo, Sender, Mailchimp, and EmailOctopus, outlining features, pricing, and suitability to help readers identify the best choice.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MailerLite User-friendly email marketing platform offering a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers with automation and landing pages. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 2 | Brevo All-in-one sales and marketing platform with unlimited contacts on free plan sending up to 300 emails daily. | specialized | 8.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 3 | Sender Affordable email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | Mailchimp Popular email marketing service with a free tier for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends including basic automation. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 9.4/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 5 | EmailOctopus Cost-effective email delivery service using Amazon SES with pay-per-email pricing starting under $10 monthly. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Moosend Email marketing automation platform with free plan for unlimited emails to 1,000 subscribers. | specialized | 8.3/10 | 8.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 7 | Omnisend E-commerce focused email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails monthly. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.1/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 8 | Benchmark Email Easy-to-use email marketing software with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 3,500 emails per month. | specialized | 8.1/10 | 7.9/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 9 | SendPulse Multichannel marketing platform offering free email sends up to 15,000 monthly for 500 subscribers. | specialized | 8.6/10 | 8.4/10 | 9.0/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 10 | Zoho Campaigns Integrated email marketing tool within Zoho suite with free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers and 6,000 emails monthly. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.2/10 |
User-friendly email marketing platform offering a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers with automation and landing pages.
All-in-one sales and marketing platform with unlimited contacts on free plan sending up to 300 emails daily.
Affordable email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month.
Popular email marketing service with a free tier for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends including basic automation.
Cost-effective email delivery service using Amazon SES with pay-per-email pricing starting under $10 monthly.
Email marketing automation platform with free plan for unlimited emails to 1,000 subscribers.
E-commerce focused email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails monthly.
Easy-to-use email marketing software with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 3,500 emails per month.
Multichannel marketing platform offering free email sends up to 15,000 monthly for 500 subscribers.
Integrated email marketing tool within Zoho suite with free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers and 6,000 emails monthly.
MailerLite
specializedUser-friendly email marketing platform offering a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers with automation and landing pages.
Unlimited free plan with no time limit, generous sending limits, and full access to core features like automations and popups.
MailerLite is a user-friendly email marketing platform designed for creating, sending, and tracking email campaigns, automations, and newsletters. It offers tools for building subscriber lists, designing landing pages, popups, and forms, all with a focus on affordability and simplicity. Ideal for small businesses, its generous free plan and low-cost upgrades make it accessible without compromising core functionality.
Pros
- Generous free plan supporting up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and automation builder
- Excellent deliverability rates and responsive templates
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics on lower plans
- Fewer third-party integrations than competitors like ActiveCampaign
- Customer support primarily email-based on free plan
Best For
Small businesses, solopreneurs, and startups seeking the most affordable yet capable email marketing solution.
Pricing
Free forever for up to 1,000 subscribers (12,000 emails/mo); paid plans start at $9/mo for 500 contacts, billed monthly with no contracts and scaling by subscriber count.
Brevo
specializedAll-in-one sales and marketing platform with unlimited contacts on free plan sending up to 300 emails daily.
Unlimited contacts across all plans with email volume-based pricing
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is a comprehensive email marketing platform that enables users to design, send, and automate email campaigns with ease. It also supports SMS marketing, live chat, transactional emails, and CRM features, making it a versatile all-in-one solution for customer engagement. With no limits on contacts and pay-as-you-send pricing, it's particularly appealing for budget-conscious users seeking scalability without high upfront costs.
Pros
- Generous free plan with 300 emails/day and unlimited contacts
- Affordable pay-as-you-go pricing starting at $25/month for 20k emails
- Multi-channel support including email, SMS, and automation workflows
Cons
- Advanced automation and A/B testing limited to higher tiers
- Customer support can be slower on free and starter plans
- Email deliverability occasionally requires list hygiene tweaks
Best For
Small businesses, startups, and freelancers needing cost-effective, scalable email marketing without contact limits.
Pricing
Free plan (300 emails/day); Starter at $25/mo (20k emails); higher plans up to $65+/mo; pay-as-you-go available.
Sender
specializedAffordable email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month.
Unlimited email sends per month on all paid plans, regardless of volume
Sender (sender.net) is an affordable email marketing platform tailored for small businesses and startups, offering drag-and-drop email builders, automation workflows, audience segmentation, and A/B testing. It stands out with unlimited email sends on paid plans, making it ideal for high-volume campaigns without extra costs. The tool integrates with popular apps like Shopify and WordPress, providing essential features at a fraction of competitors' prices.
Pros
- Extremely low pricing with unlimited emails on paid plans
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and easy automation setup
- Strong segmentation and personalization tools for the price
Cons
- Free plan limited to 15,000 emails/month
- Fewer third-party integrations compared to larger platforms
- Reporting and analytics are basic without advanced customization
Best For
Small businesses and startups seeking the cheapest high-volume email marketing without send limits.
Pricing
Free for up to 2,500 subscribers (15,000 emails/mo); paid plans start at $8/mo for 5,000 subscribers with unlimited sends, scaling by subscriber count.
Mailchimp
specializedPopular email marketing service with a free tier for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends including basic automation.
Forever-free plan with core email marketing tools, ideal for bootstrapped users
Mailchimp is a comprehensive email marketing platform that enables users to design, send, and analyze email campaigns with ease. It offers audience management, automation workflows, A/B testing, and integrations with various tools. Beyond emails, it includes landing pages, forms, and customer journey mapping, making it suitable for growing businesses starting on a budget.
Pros
- Generous free plan for up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly sends
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and vast template library
- Robust automation and segmentation tools even on basic plans
Cons
- Paid plans scale quickly in price with growing contact lists
- Advanced features like multivariate testing locked behind premium tiers
- Free plan limits customization and deliverability options
Best For
Small businesses, freelancers, and startups needing a free or low-cost entry point to professional email marketing with scalability.
Pricing
Free (500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo); Essentials from $13/mo (500 contacts); Standard from $20/mo; Premium from $350/mo.
EmailOctopus
specializedCost-effective email delivery service using Amazon SES with pay-per-email pricing starting under $10 monthly.
Amazon SES integration for industry-low pricing and 99%+ deliverability rates
EmailOctopus is a budget-friendly email marketing platform that enables users to send newsletters, automated emails, and manage subscriber lists affordably. It integrates seamlessly with Amazon SES for superior deliverability and low costs, supporting features like signup forms, landing pages, and basic automations. Ideal for those prioritizing simplicity and savings over advanced marketing tools.
Pros
- Exceptionally low pricing starting at $8/month
- High email deliverability via Amazon SES integration
- Intuitive interface with quick setup for beginners
Cons
- Limited advanced automation and segmentation options
- No built-in A/B testing or deep analytics
- Fewer integrations compared to premium competitors
Best For
Small businesses, bloggers, and solopreneurs seeking the cheapest reliable email marketing without complex features.
Pricing
Starts at $8/month for 500 subscribers (10k emails), $16/month for 1k subscribers (20k emails); scales linearly with no subscriber caps on higher plans.
Moosend
specializedEmail marketing automation platform with free plan for unlimited emails to 1,000 subscribers.
Unlimited email sends included in every plan, regardless of subscriber count
Moosend is an affordable email marketing platform that enables users to create newsletters, automate campaigns, build landing pages, and manage subscriber lists effectively. It stands out in the budget category with unlimited email sends across all plans, making it ideal for scaling without escalating costs. The tool includes features like A/B testing, segmentation, and e-commerce integrations for small businesses.
Pros
- Unlimited email sends on all plans
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- Generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers
Cons
- Limited third-party integrations
- Basic analytics compared to premium tools
- Customer support lacks phone option
Best For
Small businesses and startups seeking high-value, low-cost email marketing with no send limits.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers (unlimited emails); paid Pro plans start at $9/month for 500 contacts, scaling to $423/month for 50,000+ with unlimited emails on all tiers.
Omnisend
specializedE-commerce focused email and SMS marketing tool with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails monthly.
Pre-built omnichannel workflows tailored for e-commerce events like cart abandonment and post-purchase upsells
Omnisend is an e-commerce-focused email marketing platform that enables automated workflows, personalized campaigns, and omnichannel messaging including SMS and web push notifications. It integrates deeply with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce to help online stores recover abandoned carts, send product recommendations, and nurture leads. With a user-friendly interface and strong automation tools, it's designed to drive sales growth without requiring technical expertise.
Pros
- Generous free plan with 500 emails/month for up to 250 contacts
- Powerful e-commerce automations like abandoned cart recovery
- Omnichannel support (email, SMS, push) at competitive rates
Cons
- Advanced reporting and A/B testing limited to higher tiers
- SMS credits billed separately, adding to costs
- Less ideal for non-e-commerce businesses
Best For
Small to medium e-commerce store owners seeking affordable, automation-heavy email marketing with omnichannel options.
Pricing
Free (up to 250 contacts, 500 emails/mo); Standard from $16/mo (500 contacts); Pro from $59/mo; SMS pay-as-you-go from $0.016/message.
Benchmark Email
specializedEasy-to-use email marketing software with free plan for up to 250 contacts and 3,500 emails per month.
Integrated photo editor allowing direct image cropping, resizing, and effects within the email builder—no external software needed
Benchmark Email is an affordable email marketing platform tailored for small businesses, offering drag-and-drop email builders, over 600 responsive templates, automation workflows, and subscriber management tools. It enables users to create professional campaigns, segment lists, run A/B tests, and track performance metrics like opens and clicks. With a generous free plan and low-cost paid tiers, it stands out in the budget segment for delivering core functionality without high expenses.
Pros
- Extremely affordable with a robust free plan for up to 250 contacts
- User-friendly drag-and-drop editor and 600+ templates
- Built-in automation and A/B testing even on basic plans
Cons
- Limited advanced analytics and reporting compared to premium tools
- Fewer integrations with third-party apps
- Customer support primarily email-based on lower tiers
Best For
Small businesses, freelancers, and startups needing simple, low-cost email marketing without advanced enterprise features.
Pricing
Free plan (250 contacts, 500 emails/month); Pro starts at $13.99/month (500 contacts), scaling to $299+/month for 150,000+ contacts with all features unlocked.
SendPulse
specializedMultichannel marketing platform offering free email sends up to 15,000 monthly for 500 subscribers.
Seamless omnichannel campaigns combining email, SMS, push notifications, and chatbots in one low-cost platform
SendPulse is a cost-effective all-in-one marketing platform specializing in email marketing with drag-and-drop builders, automation workflows, A/B testing, and audience segmentation. It also supports SMS, push notifications, web push, and chatbots, allowing multichannel campaigns from a single dashboard. This makes it particularly appealing for budget-conscious users seeking robust email tools without high costs.
Pros
- Generous free plan for up to 500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month
- Unlimited emails in paid plans starting at just $8/month
- Multichannel integration (email, SMS, push, chatbots) at no extra cost
Cons
- Advanced analytics and reporting are somewhat limited compared to premium tools
- Customer support response times can be slow for free users
- Template library is decent but lacks the variety of top competitors
Best For
Small businesses and startups needing affordable email marketing with multichannel capabilities on a tight budget.
Pricing
Free plan for 500 subscribers (15K emails/mo); paid plans from $8/mo for 500 subscribers with unlimited emails, scaling by subscriber count.
Zoho Campaigns
specializedIntegrated email marketing tool within Zoho suite with free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers and 6,000 emails monthly.
Pay-as-you-grow pricing model that scales linearly with subscriber volume without hidden fees
Zoho Campaigns is a cost-effective email marketing platform designed for small to medium businesses, offering tools to create responsive email templates, automate workflows, and segment audiences. It integrates seamlessly with the Zoho ecosystem, including CRM, and provides analytics for campaign performance tracking. With a generous free plan and low-cost scaling, it's positioned as an accessible entry-level solution for budget-conscious users.
Pros
- Extremely affordable pricing with a robust free tier for up to 2,000 subscribers
- Seamless integrations with Zoho apps and third-party tools like Google Workspace
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor and solid automation capabilities
Cons
- Limited advanced personalization and A/B testing options compared to premium competitors
- Customer support is email-based and slower for non-enterprise users
- Reporting dashboards lack some depth in real-time analytics
Best For
Small businesses and startups needing affordable email marketing with CRM integration on a tight budget.
Pricing
Free plan for up to 2,000 subscribers and 6,000 emails/month; paid plans start at $4/month for 500 contacts, billed per subscriber count with no contracts.
Conclusion
The review highlights a range of affordable email marketing tools, with MailerLite leading as the top choice—boasting a user-friendly platform and a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers. Brevo and Sender follow closely, offering all-in-one marketing and email-SMS integration, respectively, ensuring strong alternatives for diverse needs. Each tool balances cost with features, making effective communication accessible.
Take the first step with MailerLite to leverage its intuitive tools and free plan, and start crafting impactful email campaigns without overspending.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison