You have content, updates, and promotions to share. But you’re overwhelmed with the search for the right newsletter platform. Some platforms are too basic, other email marketing tools too expensive, and the worst? The ones that promise simplicity but leave you lost in complicated settings.
The right email marketing service should make creating, automating, and sending newsletters effortless—without forcing you to decode a pricing chart.
To help you in your ordeal, we tested some newsletter platforms and created this guide with the 12 best newsletter platforms—who they’re for, what makes them great, and how to choose the best one for you.
Let’s explore them together.
Top Newsletters Platforms – A Quick Roundup
No time to read it all? Here’s your TL;DR.
Here’s a quick comparison of the best newsletter platforms, their pricing, and who they’re best for.
Check out this table and then scroll down for in-depth reviews.
| Platform | Cost | Monthly Emails | Free Plan | Best For |
| Sender | Starts at $8/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 12,000 emails/month | Yes. Up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month | Ecommerce stores and small businesses |
| Beehiiv | Starts at $34/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Unlimited | Yes. Up to 2,500 subscribers. | Writers, bloggers, podcasters |
| Omnisend | Starts at $20/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 12,000 emails/month | Yes. Up to 250 subscribers and 500 emails/month | Shopify store owners |
| Mailmodo | Starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 subscribers | Up to 20,000 emails/month | No (21-day free trial only) | D2C brands and event organizers |
| Constant Contact | Starts at $30/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 10,000 emails/month | No (free trial for up to 100 email sends only) | Course creators & non profits |
| Campaign Monitor | Starts at $12/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 2,500 emails/month | No (30-day free trial only) | Lifestyle brands and marketing agencies |
| Kit | Starts at $25/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Unlimited | Yes. Limited to 1 basic visual automation and 1 email sequence only. | Creators & newsletter writers |
| GetResponse | Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Unlimited | No (30-day free trial only) | Coaches and B2B marketers |
| Brevo | Starts at $8/month | Up to 5,000 emails per month | Yes. For up to 300 emails/day. | Ecommerce brands |
| Mailjet | Starts at $17/month | Up to 15,000 emails per month | Yes. Up to 1,500 contacts. | SaaS companies and agencies |
| Mailchimp | Starts at $29/month for up to 1,500 contacts | Up to 5,000 emails/month | Yes. For up to 500 subscribers and 1,000 emails/month. | Email marketing beginners |
| ActiveCampaign | Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 subscribers | Up to 10,000 emails/month | No (15-day free trial only) | B2B Sales teams |
What to Look for in a Newsletter Platform?
Finding the right newsletter platform means looking beyond flashy features.
A top-rated email marketing software is one that’s easy to use, automates tasks, integrates smoothly, and delivers emails reliably.
Here’s a short checklist to help you find the best newsletter platforms:
- Customization options. A good tool is easy to use, has a drag-and-drop editor, pre-built templates, and doesn’t require coding for customizing designs;
- Automation and segmentation. Look for advanced automation & segmentation features to simplify setting up drip campaigns, autoresponders, and personalized sequences, such as an abandoned cart, welcome, etc.;
- Integrations. Ensure it connects with CRM tools, ecommerce platforms, social media, and Google analytics dashboard for seamless workflows;
- Analytics and reporting. Track email open rates, click-through rates, and conversions to measure success
- Email deliverability. Look for a tool that protects your sender reputation and has authentication tools to help avoid spam filters.
12 Best Newsletter Platforms Reviewed
Finding the right newsletter platform isn’t just about picking a name off a list—it’s about choosing the one that actually works for you.
We’ve tested these tools, explored all the features, and dug into what makes each one shine (or fall short).
Let’s walk through the best newsletter platforms for an in depth email marketing tools comparison.
Sender — Affordable and Easy-to-Use Newsletter Platform
Sender is built for businesses that need a reliable, no-BS newsletter platform without burning through their budget.
Unlike some tools that charge extra for automation, Sender includes unlimited autoresponders, drip sequences, and transactional emails—even on its free plan.
Pricing: Starts at $8/month for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month | Forever free plan available.
One of the first things you’ll notice is how effortless it is to create and send newsletters. The drag-and-drop editor is smooth, the pre-built templates look professional, and deliverability is solid—even with high-volume sending.
Unlike some platforms restricting free plan users, Sender offers a generous sending limit (15,000 emails/month) without cutting core features.
All in all, go for Sender if you’re looking for a user-friendly interface with features like an intuitive email editor, pre-made automation sequences, segmentation, and great customer support—things that really matter.
Standout Features
- Unlimited automation. Set up drip sequences, autoresponders, and behavioral triggers without hitting a paywall;
- A/B testing. Automate A/B testing for automation sequences and use multivariate testing for finding winning campaigns;
- Smart segmentation. Target subscribers based on behavior, location, or past interactions without needing advanced knowledge.
Use Cases
Sender is versatile enough for various industries—whether you need bulk newsletters, personalized automation, or transactional emails.
Use it in different ways to achieve your growth goals:
- Small businesses. Send newsletters, promotions, and updates without the steep learning curve or design experience;
- Ecommerce. Recover lost sales with abandoned cart emails and dynamic product recommendations;
- Creators & bloggers. Use segmentation and automation to keep subscribers engaged without manual effort.
Competitive Edge
Unlike Mailchimp, Brevo, Omnisend, or Moosend, Sender doesn’t cripple free plans with low sending limits or restricted features. It gives full automation access and ensures strong deliverability, even on entry-level plans.
For businesses that want newsletter automation without a hefty price tag, Sender is one of the best options available.
Amazing UI. It is super easy to use if you want to do email automation. Other tools are super expensive and pack a bunch of features that you don’t need. Or else, they are completely useless and buggy.
— Deepu from Capterra
Beehiiv — A Platform Designed for Content Creators
Most newsletter platforms are built for businesses, not creators. Beehiiv flips the script, offering a tool designed specifically for writers, bloggers, and content-driven brands.
Whether you’re building a paid newsletter, growing an engaged community, or monetizing content, Beehiiv provides the publishing power of Substack but with more control over growth, analytics, and monetization.
Pricing: Starts at $34/month for up to 1,000 subscribers and unlimited emails | Free plan available.
If you’ve ever felt boxed in by Substack’s limitations, Beehiiv is a refreshing alternative. It combines a powerful email editor with a built-in blog and audience growth tools.
The platform is built by former Morning Brew employees, so it’s optimized for newsletter growth, viral referrals, and audience monetization.
Plus, with no forced custom branding on paid plans, it gives you full creative control.
Standout Features
- Custom domains & websites. Unlike some platforms, Beehiiv lets you build your own branded newsletter site for free;
- Referral & growth tools. Integrated referral programs, audience segmentation, and smart recommendations help you scale faster;
- Monetization options. Run a paid newsletter, add sponsorships, or earn via Beehiiv’s built-in ad network.
Use Cases
Beehiiv is an ideal solution to start email marketing for bloggers, content-driven businesses, and creators who want more control over their newsletters.
Here’s who the platform is most useful for:
- Writers & bloggers. Publish long-form newsletters and turn subscribers into paying members;
- Podcasters & influencers. Use email to deepen audience engagement and promote content across channels;
- Media brands. Scale newsletters with data-backed growth tools and sponsorship integrations.
Competitive Edge
Compared to Substack and other newsletter platforms, Beehiiv offers better branding flexibility, built-in SEO tools, and a more scalable business model.
Unlike Mailchimp or Brevo, it’s built for creators first—not just businesses. If you’re serious about growing and monetizing your newsletter, you should check out Beehiiv.
Overall, Beehiiv has helped me start a newsletter and get to grips with email marketing. It’s fairly cost effective, especially for smaller subscription lists. I haven’t found all the features available yet though, as it can be difficult and confusing to navigate the site.’
— Genevieve from Capterra
Omnisend — Newsletter Platform with a Strong Focus on Ecommerce
If you’re running an ecommerce business, you already know email isn’t just about updates. It’s about recovering abandoned carts, nudging repeat buyers, and turning one-time customers into loyal fans. Omnisend gets this better than most.
Pricing: Starts at $20/month for up to 1,000 contacts and up to 12,00 emails/month | Free plan available
The first thing that stood out while testing Omnisend? It doesn’t just help you send newsletters—it helps you sell.
It connects quickly to platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Magento. No clunky API setups—just plug it in, and suddenly, your store data is fueling hyper-personalized email marketing strategy.
It automatically pulls in best-selling products, cart contents, and browsing behavior, so you’re not just blasting emails—you’re sending the right product to the right person at the right time. Plus, it helps with SMS marketing, too.
Standout Features
- Pre-Built ecommerce automations. Plug-and-play sequences for abandoned cart recovery, post-purchase upsells, and customer win-backs;
- Dynamic product recommendations. No need to manually update product blocks—Omnisend auto-fills newsletters with top-selling or recently viewed products;
- Multi-channel marketing. Combine email, SMS, and push notifications into one campaign—because customers don’t just live in their inboxes.
Use Cases
Omnisend is made for brands that want emails that drive revenue, not just engagement. Here are some use cases we can think of:
- DTC brands. Need a hassle-free abandoned cart flow? Omnisend sets it up automatically so you don’t leave money on the table;
- Retailers. Test-driving the customer segmentation tool felt like unlocking an ecommerce cheat code—it helps target the right buyers without complicated rules;
- Subscription businesses. Build renewal reminder sequences and VIP loyalty emails that keep customers subscribed.
Competitive Edge
Most newsletter tools make you piece things together—an email platform here, an SMS tool there, and a separate pop-up builder.
Omnisend does it all in one dashboard. Compared to Mailchimp or Brevo, it’s just easier to set up, more focused on ecommerce, and actually designed to make you money—not just send emails.
Overall, my experience with Omnisend has been good. It’s easy to use, with helpful email and SMS automation, and the newsletter templates save time. While design options are a bit limited and costs can rise as your list grows, it’s a solid tool for marketing.
— Dauanie from Capterra
Mailmodo — Email Marketing Platform with Interactive Elements
Email marketing platforms are usually made to create and deliver static content. But Mailmodo changes the game with interactive emails.
You can embed forms, surveys, quizzes, or calendar invites directly inside emails, making it a high-engagement alternative for businesses looking to boost conversions inside the inbox.
Pricing: Starts at $39/month for 2,500 contacts and 20,000 emails/month | 21-day free trial available
One of the first things we noticed while testing Mailmodo was how different it feels from traditional newsletter platforms.
While most email tools focus on design and deliverability, Mailmodo takes engagement to the next level. Instead of just getting clicks, subscribers can take action inside the email—whether it’s filling out a form, booking a demo, or completing a survey.
Standout Features
- AMP-powered interactive emails. Let subscribers submit forms, book meetings, or answer surveys without leaving their inbox;
- No-code email builder. When you first start creating emails, you’ll notice how smooth and intuitive the editor is—drag, drop, and customize without needing a developer;
- In-depth email analytics. Track form completions, survey responses, and interactive email engagement rates beyond clicks.
Use Cases
Mailmodo is ideal for businesses that need interactive, high-converting emails rather than static messages.
Here are the most useful applications:
- Ecommerce & DTC brands. Collect feedback, run quizzes, and embed product surveys inside emails;
- B2B & SaaS companies. When we first tested Mailmodo’s meeting scheduler, it felt seamless—no more back-and-forth emails for booking calls;
- Event organizers. Use RSVP buttons, polls, and calendar invites directly inside email newsletters.
Competitive Edge
No one signs up for an email marketing service thinking, “Will my subscribers actually engage with my emails?”—but that’s where Mailmodo surprises.
Unlike Mailchimp or Sender, Mailmodo isn’t just about sending emails—it’s about making them interactive. While most email marketing platforms focus on static content, Mailmodo bridges the gap between email and web experiences, driving higher engagement and conversion rates.
Liked the easy AMP implementation. I was looking for such ways to make the mail more interactive and found your software at the very right moment. I like the custom templates and mails are easy to create. I am still learning to use it efficiently though.’
— Arshi from Capterra
Constant Contact — Best for Email Newsletters and Event Promotions
Running an event? You’ve got venue logistics, attendee lists, last-minute no-shows, and about a hundred more things on your plate.
The last thing you need is an email tool that makes promotion harder. Constant Contact is built for this. It’s not just for sending emails—it helps you manage RSVPs, track registrations, and even promote on social media, all from one place.
Pricing: Starts at $30/month for up to 1,000 contacts and 10,000 emails/mo | Free trial available
When testing it, something clicked—most email platforms stop at sending invites. Constant Contact goes further by letting you build event pages, collect registrations, and send automated follow-ups.
Need a landing page for an upcoming fundraiser or workshop? It has a built-in landing page builder. Want to segment attendees for personalized post-event emails? That’s built-in too.
Standout Features
- Event pages & registrations. Create custom event landing pages that handle RSVPs and ticket sales without third-party tools;
- Attendee segmentation. Send personalized emails based on who registered, attended, or missed an event;
- Real-time email & social promotion. Schedule and post event updates directly to Facebook & Instagram from the same dashboard.
Use Cases
Constant Contact isn’t just an email marketing tool—it’s a full event marketing system with social integration and useful newsletter tools for nonprofits, organizers, and educators.
Here’s how you can use it:
- Workshop & course creators. Set up automated reminders and follow-ups for students;
- Nonprofits & fundraisers. Keep donors engaged with multi-touch event sequences;
- Business networking & local events. Run promotions across email, social media, and SMS—without juggling different platforms.
Competitive Edge
Email tools like Mailchimp or Brevo are great for newsletter management, but they require third-party integrations for event management. Constant Contact handles everything in-house, from registration pages to post-event engagement.
If events, workshops, or fundraisers are a big part of your marketing, this platform makes life easier.
Constant Contact has been very useful for e-news, event, and fundraising communication. For the most part the platform is user friendly and intuitive to use. It’s important to keep an eye on the number of contacts in your system and remove any outdated ones because Constant Contact bills by the number of contacts in your account.
— Allyson from Capterra
Campaign Monitor — A Platform Focused on Beautiful Email Designs
Some emails just look better. You know them when you see them—the clean layout, the perfect spacing, the way the call-to-action just pops.
If design is a priority, Campaign Monitor is one of the best email marketing platforms out there. Whether you’re a brand, an agency, or a business that values aesthetics, try out this platform.
Pricing: Starts at $12/month for up to 1,000 subscribers and 2,500 emails/mo | 30-day trial available.
One of the first things you’ll notice after signing up is how much emphasis Campaign Monitor places on email design.
The drag-and-drop builder feels smooth, giving you full control over fonts, spacing, and images—without needing a designer. Unlike email marketing tools that offer generic newsletter templates, Campaign Monitor’s premade templates are genuinely polished and feel modern.
Standout Features
- Pixel-perfect email builder. Every element is customizable, from padding to typography, ensuring brand consistency in every email;
- Advanced email personalization. Go beyond “Hi [First Name]” with dynamic content blocks that change based on user behavior;
- Seamless branding. Unlike some platforms, there’s no forced branding on emails—even on lower-tier plans.
Use Cases
Campaign Monitor is perfect for brands that care about design and want their emails to stand out.
Here’s who can take the most advantage of its email design aesthetics:
- Agencies & designers. Create high-end, on-brand email marketing campaigns for multiple clients without starting from scratch;
- Luxury & lifestyle brands. The templates actually match the premium feel these brands need;
- Professional service providers. Make newsletters and promotional emails look polished and engaging without hiring a designer.
Competitive Edge
Most email marketing platforms provide premade templates—but Campaign Monitor takes it a step further with custom-coded designs, full typography control, and email previews across devices.
Unlike Mailchimp or Constant Contact, which have more rigid design structures, this platform offers complete creative freedom.
Overall, I am making the most out of my subscription. It is nice that it is reliable when sending multiple campaigns. I am sure that my promotion will not be put into spam and will be read by my subscribers. I hope that someday the one-time campaign plan will be less pricey.
— Airish from Capterra
Kit — Best for Monetizing Through Newsletters
If you’re serious about turning your newsletter into a revenue stream, Kit is one of the best platforms to consider.
Unlike traditional email marketing tools that focus solely on automation and newsletter templates, Kit is built for creators and independent publishers looking to monetize their audience.
Pricing: Starts at $25/month for 1,000 subscribers and unlimited emails | Free plan available.
One of the biggest challenges with monetizing newsletters is handling payments, managing subscribers, and selling premium content without extra tools.
While testing, we found its built-in paywall, subscription management, and sponsorship tools incredibly useful for growing a newsletter into a sustainable income source.
Kit simplifies newsletter monetization by providing an all-in-one platform for paid subscriptions, ad placements, and sponsorship management.
Standout Features
- Built-in paid subscriptions. Offer exclusive content behind a paywall with a frictionless checkout experience;
- Sponsorship management. Easily collaborate with brands for sponsored placements and native ads inside newsletters;
- Creator-friendly analytics. Get insights into subscriber engagement, revenue per subscriber, and churn rates.
Use Cases
Kit is perfect for creators looking to generate recurring income from their newsletters. You’ll benefit from it the most in the following ways:
- Independent writers & journalists. Set up paywalled content and membership tiers effortlessly;
- Niche content creators. Monetize newsletters in finance, fitness, tech, or self-improvement via paid subscriptions;
- Businesses & marketers. Sell premium reports, gated insights, or direct sponsorships inside emails.
Competitive Edge
Unlike Beehiiv or Substack, Kit provides greater flexibility for monetization, allowing you to set custom pricing, one-time purchases, and tiered memberships.
While Substack takes a 10% cut of revenue, Kit offers lower fees and full control over pricing models. For those focused on making money from email content, Kit is a smarter, more flexible alternative.
I’ve had a great experience. There is a bit of a learning curve when you first start, but Kit is a powerful email marketing tool with loads of customizations and automations that make it worth the time to learn it.
— Monica from Capterra
GetResponse — Best for Email Automation and Webinar Tools
If you need powerful automation and built-in webinar tools, try using GetResponse. GetResponse offers advanced autoresponders, behavior-based segmentation, and a complete webinar builder suite.
Pricing: Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 contacts and unlimited emails | 30-day free trial available
With GetResponse, the automation workflow builder will be the first thing you appreciate. Create multi-step email sequences with custom triggers based on user behavior.
There’s an AI website builder and landing page builder you can use to create marketing websites and dedicated landing pages.
Plus, the built-in webinar tools mean you don’t need third-party services like Zoom to host live sessions, making it an excellent choice for coaches, educators, and marketers.
Standout Features
- Visual automation builder. Set up complex workflows with conditions, tags, and behavior-based triggers;
- Integrated webinar hosting. Run live and on-demand webinars without needing extra tools like Zoom or Google Meet;
- AI-driven email segmentation. Automatically group subscribers based on engagement, clicks, and past interactions.
Use Cases
GetResponse is ideal for businesses that want advanced email automation and audience engagement via webinars. Key use cases include:
- Coaches & course creators. Automate nurture sequences and host live webinars for students.
- Ecommerce brands. Set up cart abandonment workflows and targeted product recommendation emails;
- B2B marketers. Use email automation to warm up leads and follow up with on-demand webinars.
Competitive Edge
Unlike Mailchimp, which has limited automation capabilities, GetResponse lets you create highly personalized workflows based on real-time user behavior.
While platforms like Constant Contact lack built-in webinar tools, GetResponse offers a seamless webinar experience, eliminating the need for external software.
For businesses looking to combine email automation with interactive customer engagement, GetResponse is one of the most feature-packed solutions available.
It has an accessible interface that makes it easy for a single person to set up and monitor multiple campaigns at once. The analytics dashboard gives immediate feedback on campaign performance with ease.
— Sasha from Capterra
Brevo — Powerful Email Editor with Library of Templates
Some email tools make you feel like you need a degree in graphic design just to create a decent-looking email.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) doesn’t. Whether you’re crafting a newsletter, promotional campaign, or transactional email, its drag-and-drop editor and extensive template library help you get professional results—fast.
Pricing: Starts at $8/month for up to 5,000 monthly emails | Free plan available
The first thing you’ll notice when using Brevo is how smooth the email editor feels. It’s not clunky or frustrating like some builders—it’s simple, responsive, and flexible.
Need a template? There’s a whole library of pre-designed, mobile-friendly options. Customizing them takes minutes, not hours. It also supports dynamic blocks, advanced segmentation, and has a built-in CRM to manage conversations.
Standout Features
- Drag-and-drop editor. Design professional emails with advanced customization options, no HTML required;
- Template library. Choose from hundreds of pre-built, industry-specific email templates optimized for conversions;
- Mobile-friendly emails. Ensure emails look perfect on all devices with automatic mobile optimization.
Use Cases
Brevo is ideal for businesses that prioritize email aesthetics and efficiency. Key use cases include:
- Ecommerce brands. Send beautifully designed promotional campaigns and transactional emails;
- B2B marketers. Create high-converting lead nurture emails with engaging visuals;
- Nonprofits & event organizers. Use professional templates for fundraising campaigns, event invites, and donor updates.
Competitive Edge
While Mailchimp and Constant Contact offer decent editors, Brevo’s customization options are more advanced. Plus, it offers unlimited subscribers on all plans, including the free plan, too.
Unlike many tools that offer a template library but lack flexibility, Brevo lets you fully customize designs while maintaining mobile responsiveness. For businesses wanting professional-looking emails and a CRM, Brevo is a good option.
I’ve had an amazing experience with Brevo! I love the automations, the stats, and the notifications it provides. The double opt-in feature is my favorite, and I use it a lot for easy email subscriptions.
— Kudakwashe from Capterra
Mailjet — Email Newsletter Software with Transactional Emails
Mailjet offers a seamless solution if you’re searching for a tool that helps with both marketing newsletters and transactional emails. Whether you’re sending newsletters, order confirmations, or password resets, it ensures fast and reliable email delivery.
Pricing: Starts at $17/month for up to 15,000 monthly emails | Free plan available.
When testing Mailjet, its email builder with collaborative editing features stood out. We realized it’s a good platform for large teams with multiple stakeholders for newsletter design. Also, the automation, segmentation, and A/B testing features help you get the most out of your email marketing plans.
Standout Features
- Unified email platform. Send regular newsletters, automate transactional emails, and seasonal promotions from a single dashboard;
- SMTP relay & API integration. Connect Mailjet with your app or website for real-time email delivery;
- Collaborative email editing. Teams can edit emails in real time, improving efficiency and workflow.
Use Cases
Mailjet is perfect for businesses requiring transactional emails as well as promotional newsletter capabilities. It’s most suitable for:
- Ecommerce businesses. Send order confirmations, shipping updates, and personalized email offers;
- SaaS companies. Automate transactional emails like account activations, password resets, and onboarding sequences;
- Agencies & marketers. Manage multiple clients’ newsletters and transactional emails from one account.
Competitive Edge
Unlike Brevo, which focuses more on email design, Mailjet is built for transactional reliability, making it a stronger choice for businesses needing high-volume transactional email delivery. Its API-first approach rivals SendGrid, but Mailjet stands out for its ease of use and collaborative email editor.
If you need an email marketing tool for your marketing and transactional operations and have different departments to manage everything, Mailjet can be a cost-effective solution.
I appreciate how simple it is to use. Despite its flaws, the online email editor is helpful. List administration is straightforward. The scenarios are simple to construct and effective. I use Mailjet’s professional servers and am very pleased with the rate of mail delivery.
— Alisha from Capterra
Mailchimp — Best Email Marketing Platform for Beginners
Everyone’s heard of Mailchimp—it’s often the first email marketing tool people try. And there’s a reason for that. It’s easy to set up, simple to use, and doesn’t overwhelm you with complex features.
If you’re just starting out and need a no-fuss newsletter platform, Mailchimp is still one of the most beginner-friendly options.
Pricing: Starts at $29/month for up to 1,500 contacts and up to 5,000 emails/month | Free plan available.
One of the first things you’ll notice after signing up is how smooth the onboarding process is. Mailchimp holds your hand with step-by-step tutorials, pre-built email templates, and an intuitive drag-and-drop builder.
Within minutes, you can send a test email and see how everything works—no tech skills required.
But the main issue arises when your list starts to grow and you need advanced features. Its predatory pricing model will make you spend more than you budgeted for, which can be a big turn-off for starter businesses with low budgets.
Standout Features
- Beginner-friendly email editor. The drag-and-drop builder is one of the easiest to use, even for non-designers;
- Pre-built automation workflows. Set up welcome emails, abandoned cart emails, and basic customer engagement sequences without coding;
- Basic audience groups & insights. Mailchimp provides built-in segmentation tools and an analytics dashboard to help personalize your email marketing campaigns.
Use Cases
Mailchimp is ideal for small businesses, creators, and anyone new to email marketing, who wants to learn the ropes before going serious.
Use it for the following:
- Freelancers & creators. Send newsletters, build an audience, and keep things simple;
- Small businesses. Run basic email marketing campaigns without hiring dedicated staff;
- Ecommerce startups. Use pre-built automation like abandoned cart emails to recover lost sales.
Competitive Edge
Some email marketing platforms have a steep learning curve—but Mailchimp’s biggest strength is its ease of use.
Compared to platforms like ActiveCampaign or Brevo, Mailchimp keeps things simple and doesn’t overwhelm beginners with too many advanced features. If you need a basic yet powerful tool to get started and can pay for it, this is a solid choice.
My overall experience with Mailchimp has been positive. It’s a well-rounded platform that makes creating and managing email campaigns straightforward and effective. While there are some limitations and the pricing could be more accessible, the platform delivers on its promise of simplifying email marketing.
— Alec from Capterra
ActiveCampaign — Advanced Email Marketing Tool for CRM
Some email tools only help you send newsletters, and then there are ones that build a real connection. Think of ActiveCampaign as the latter.
If you need more than just email newsletters and want to build long-term customer relationships, try ActiveCampaign.
Pricing: Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 contacts and 10,000 emails/month | 14-day free trial available.
The first thing you’ll notice about ActiveCampaign is how deeply it integrates with your CRM. It tracks contacts, scores leads, and automates follow-ups based on customer actions.
You can understand what your subscribers are doing, have a log of user activity, and use it to trigger personalized email marketing campaigns. Plus, there are all the standard features you find in an email marketing tool, like an email builder, segmentation, unlimited sales pages, and responsive templates.
Standout Features
- Best-in-class automation. Set up multi-step workflows that react to customer behavior—no manual follow-ups needed;
- Lead scoring & CRM sync. Automatically rank leads based on engagement and send them to the sales team when they’re ready;
- Predictive sending. AI-driven features analyze recipient behavior and optimize send times for higher open rates.
Use Cases
ActiveCampaign is perfect for businesses that need deep email + CRM integration options. Some use cases we could think of include:
- Sales teams. Automate follow-ups, nurture sequences, and lead handoffs to close deals faster;
- B2B companies. Use lead scoring and segmentation to send the right message at the right time;
- Coaches & service businesses. Create customer journeys that react to engagement, keeping clients involved.
Competitive Edge
Most email marketing tools focus on campaigns—ActiveCampaign focuses on relationships. Compared to Mailchimp or Brevo, it’s built for advanced automation and CRM workflows.
While some platforms require third-party tools to connect email with sales, ActiveCampaign does it all in one dashboard—making it a powerhouse for customer engagement.
ActiveCampaign has made our marketing practices yield more and better results by helping us understand and adopt new personalized marketing campaigns that allow us to target customers based on their needs. This has by a greater margin seen us have a great attraction to new customers by turning potential leads to customers.
— Lydia from Capterra
How to Choose the Best Newsletter Platform?
If you’re reading till here, chances are you’ve been burned by an email platform before—confusing dashboards, clunky email builders, or that gut-wrenching moment when you realize your emails are landing in spam.
While testing all these platforms, there’s one thing we learned: What works for one person might be a nightmare for another.
The best newsletter platform isn’t the one with the most features—it’s the one that fits your workflow, budget, and goals without giving you a headache.
So, before you lock into a plan, here’s what you should do:
Evaluate Key Platform Features
We’ve seen way too many people picking a platform based on hype—only to regret it later when they realize it doesn’t fit their needs.
So, let’s break down what email marketing features you should look for.
- Ease of use & setup. If it takes three YouTube tutorials to send a simple email, that’s a red flag. Look for a platform with a clean, intuitive interface that doesn’t require a tech background;
- List management & segmentation. Sending the same email to everyone? That’s an engagement killer. The best platforms let you segment by behavior, interests, and purchase history with just a few clicks;
- Automation capabilities. Do you need basic autoresponders or advanced sequences? Some platforms limit automation on lower plans—so check before you commit;
- Design flexibility & templates. If you’re not a designer, you need readymade templates with responsive design that don’t look like they were built in 2012;
- Analytics & reporting. Open rates, click rates, heat maps—without data, you’re flying blind. Make sure your platform gives you clear, actionable insights;
Compare Popular Newsletter Platforms
Some platforms sell themselves as “all-in-one” tools—but the reality? Most have a core strength and everything else is just extra fluff.
Here’s what you should focus on while checking the best newsletter platforms:
- If you want pure simplicity. Sender and Omnisend make email creation fast and painless;
- For deep automation & CRM workflows. ActiveCampaign and Brevo are the ones you should test first;
- For ecommerce. Sender and Omnisend offer great integrations for Shopify and WooCommerce integrations;
- On a tight budget. Sender and Moosend give you the best features for the lowest cost.
Test Drive with Free Trials
While creating our roundups, we signed up for more free trials than we can count, so you don’t have Let’s tell you a secret — some platforms make it stupidly hard to actually test them. They either lock key features, bombard you with upgrade prompts, or limit free trials to just a few days.
Here’s what you should aim for while testing:
- Actually send a test campaign. Some platforms make free plans seem generous, but then they slap a rigid sending limit on free plans;
- Play around with automation. If it takes forever to set up a simple welcome email, it’s going to be a nightmare when you try scaling.
- Look for weird feature restrictions. Some free plans remove basic reporting, segmentation, or template access—making them useless for real marketing.
Remember, if a platform doesn’t let you test what you actually need, it’s probably not worth your time.
Check Integration Options
If your newsletter software can’t connect with your online store or CRM, it’s useless. So, always check integration support before you sign up for a plan.
Here are the most important ones for different businesses:
- Ecommerce businesses. If you’re selling online, make sure it connects with Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento for abandoned cart emails & product promotions;
- B2B sales teams. A CRM integration is non-negotiable. Check if they’ve got native CRM capabilities or smoothly connect with your existing CRM to control triggered campaigns.
The right integrations will save you time, reduce manual work, and actually make your email marketing strategy smarter.
Factor in Long-Term Costs
Here’s the trap: Some platforms start cheap, then get outrageously expensive as you grow. We saw many tools that seemed budget-friendly until the subscriber count increased. So, beware of such ‘gimmicks’.
Here’s what you should do to avoid surprises:
- Watch for hidden overage fees. Some platforms charge extra per subscriber when you slightly exceed your limit;
- Check automation pricing. Some platforms lock advanced automation behind expensive tiers;
- Look at future price jumps. If you scale from 5,000 to 10,000 subscribers, does the cost double or triple? Mailchimp, for example, gets very expensive as your list grows.
Always plan for what your email marketing needs will look like 6-12 months from now, not just today.
Don’t Overlook Deliverability
We can’t stress this enough—deliverability can make or break your email campaigns.
Don’t assume all email marketing tools have the same deliverability rates—they don’t. Some platforms struggle with inbox placement because they rely on shared IPs with bad reputations.
Here’s what you should look into for checking deliverability performance:
- Email authentication matters. Platforms with built-in SPF, DKIM, and DMARC help keep your emails out of spam;
- Reputation matters. If you’re sharing an IP with spammy senders, your emails will get flagged. So, pick platforms that give you an option of dedicated IP;
- Check real-world deliverability reports. Always test with real inboxes across Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo to see which platforms actually reach the inbox.
Make the Decision Based on Data
Once you’ve narrowed your choices, how do you decide? It’s easy to get distracted by fancy features, but in the end, you need a platform that fits how you actually work.
Here’s what you should do to compare the best newsletter platforms:
- Compare feature sets vs. cost. Does the extra expense actually add value?
- Test the interface. If the platform is too complex, you won’t use it consistently;
- Think about growth. Does it scale affordably as your email list expands?
Choosing the right newsletter platform isn’t just about sending emails—it’s about finding a tool that works with you, not against you.
FAQs about Newsletter Platforms
What is the best free newsletter platform?
What’s best for you completely depends on your requirements. If you’re looking for a platform with powerful automation, a drag-and-drop builder, and great templates for your newsletters, look at Sender. It offers everything you need for up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month. So, you can scale your newsletter without worrying about limits or budget.
Which platform is best for beginners?
If you’re searching for the best email tools for beginners, Sender is the easiest to use with an extensive feature set and affordable pricing plan. It offers drag-and-drop editors, pre-built templates, and simple automation. Omnisend is another good option, especially for those with ecommerce stores. Try them out using their free plan to test for use cases and integrations.
Which newsletter platform is the best value for small businesses?
The right platform scales affordably as your business grows. Sender and Moosend offer the best balance of low-cost plans, automation, and email templates without hidden fees. Omnisend is another great option for ecommerce brands that want to leverage push notifications and Shopify reviews for marketing.
If you haven’t found the right tool for your business yet, this article might be helpful:
Best Email Autoresponders: Software for Automated Workflows
