Top 9 Best Affordable Email Marketing Software & Tools

Are you searching for the perfect email marketing software that fits your budget without compromising on features? Many businesses, startups, and freelancers face the common dilemma:

• What is the best email marketing software?
• What is the cheapest email marketing software?
• Can I have BOTH?

You’ve landed in the right place! We understand that finding the ideal email marketing tool for your specific needs can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve personally tested and reviewed nine well-known systems to help you make an informed decision.

You don’t need a massive budget to kickstart your email marketing efforts. Here’s why:

1. A lot of email marketing tools offer a free trial, allowing you to take them for a test drive before committing.
2. Modern tools are so intuitive and feature-rich that you typically don’t need custom work to get started.
3. Many systems are remarkably cheap or even offer a free email marketing software tier, making them accessible to everyone.

Let’s dive right in and meet our top contenders!

Email Software Price Comparison

Since this article focuses on affordable email marketing software, comparing prices is crucial. To simplify your decision, here’s an up-to-date email software comparison chart. Just select your number of contacts, and the prices and exclusive extras will update accordingly. All of these Email Service Providers (ESPs) offer a free trial, linked on the right.

How many contacts are on your email list?

* The above numbers are based on the normal edition, with a monthly plan. Some ESPs have additional or extra functions in a higher plan. Our exclusive discounts are already in the shown pricing. Mail-based prices are calculated to let you send at least 4 email campaigns per month. We do our best to update and check the pricing each month, but no guarantees.

In-Depth Reviews of Free & Cheap Email Marketing Software

To provide you with a clearer understanding of each tool, here are mini-reviews highlighting our findings and key considerations for each email marketing software.

Brevo Review

Brevo, which started as a transactional email provider, has evolved into a comprehensive email marketing software. It features a drag-and-drop email designer, detailed statistics, simple automation, a CRM, and a library of free templates.

What does Brevo cost?
Brevo’s pricing is based on the number of emails you send. The free email plan is excellent for exploring the software, though it has a daily limit of 300 emails. For mass email blasts, Brevo remains very affordable, with paid plans starting at just $15 for 20,000 emails per month.

The necessary content block types and options are all available. Editing and styling individual blocks is as simple as clicking on them, which opens a left-hand window for content-specific adjustments. There’s also a new image editing tool to help you create eye-catching graphics.

For integration, Brevo offers direct plugins for popular platforms like WordPress, Prestashop, WooCommerce, Drupal, and Shopify. An API and Zapier integration are also available.

The free email software plan
While the free plan has some disabled functions, most notably the email heatmap showing where people click, it’s still a great starting point. Many users find themselves shifting to a paid version quickly to unlock full functionality. Brevo is an affordable email marketing tool at a low cost, with paid plans starting at $9 for 5,000 emails per month.

Brevo includes automation and email autoresponders, allowing you to send welcome emails and anniversary campaigns. You can also trigger automated campaigns based on web pages visited and specific actions on your site, including product purchase and abandoned cart emails. Recently, they’ve added a very well-rounded landing page builder.

Pros:

• Price: Very cheap email marketing software with CRM included.
• Simple: Requires minimal technical know-how to launch a campaign.
• Omnichannel: Offers text messages (SMS) alongside email to reach customers.
• Automation: Site-triggered automation and email autoresponder available.

Cons:

• The editor works fast, but highlighting can take some getting used to.
• Not ideal for highly complex automation campaigns.

⍟ Brevo Discount and Extras

For those interested in Brevo, there’s an exclusive discount available:

• Get a 60% discount for your first 3 months with the coupon code: Insider60
• Receive an additional 10% discount if you choose a yearly payment plan.

MailerLite Review

MailerLite is trusted by over 450,000 businesses, startups, and freelancers worldwide, collectively sending more than 1 billion emails every month.

MailerLite is incredibly easy to use and provides ample features for small business email marketing needs. If you’re planning to send mass newsletters or simple promotional email blasts without requiring overly advanced functionality, MailerLite could be all you need.

Creating emails in MailerLite
When creating newsletters, you can start with a drag-and-drop editor or choose from their free email newsletter templates. Helpful text guides every step, and video explanations are available if you need them.

During editing, your email is displayed in the center, allowing inline text changes and design adjustments on the right, with instant updates to visualize the final look. Premade content blocks and an AI writing assistant simplify campaign creation.

More features
MailerLite keeps it straightforward, as expected: reporting is comprehensive for essential metrics, though conditional content isn’t available within templates.

MailerLite offers Zapier and API integrations, covering a wide range of software. Direct integrations are available for popular platforms like WordPress, WooCommerce, and Shopify, along with many opt-in subscriber growth plugins.

Simple email automation campaigns are possible with MailerLite’s autoresponders, though advanced functionality is limited. You can set up welcome email autoresponder flows or automated birthday emails with follow-ups. These features are even included in the forever free email plan, which is a significant advantage.

True free email marketing software
MailerLite offers a Forever Free plan that grants access to all its features, supporting up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. The only requirement is a small MailerLite logo displayed in the footer of your email newsletter. It’s truly one of the most affordable email marketing tools available.

While there’s no spam or design testing functionality, you can preview designs in your browser and send test emails. If these limitations are acceptable, a free plan is hard to beat on price.

MailerLite includes a form builder and a landing page builder, covering pop-up subscription forms, embedded signup forms, and unsubscribe forms. These can be integrated into your site pages or hosted directly by MailerLite.

Some older MailerLite reviews mentioned slow email list imports, but our recent testing for this MailerLite review found this no longer to be the case.

What is cool about MailerLite?

• Automated Resend option: Send another email if the first one wasn’t opened.
• Global View: See your email being sent internationally, timezone by timezone. Available in 7 languages.
• Price: Free, and very low-cost for over 500 subscribers.
• A/B testing: Test up to two versions (A and B) simultaneously.
• Track changes: Undo mistakes while editing your email template.
• Create landing pages and pop-ups: Integrates with many opt-in plugins.

⍟ MailerLite Discount and Extras

There’s a special offer for you!

Register for a new MailerLite account and get:

• A full month of free premium features!
• A 30% discount if you opt for the yearly plan.
• An awesome surprise if you choose a plan for over 20,000 subscribers.

Moosend Review

Moosend is a European-hosted email marketing platform, established in 2011. It’s often seen as a strong Mailchimp alternative, typically offering more competitive pricing. It even includes Mailchimp synchronization for automatic contact import.

Email newsletter creation
The drag-and-drop editor is incredibly user-friendly. Simply add design elements from the left pane and edit them in the right-hand pane. All free email templates are responsive, and you can also add or code your own.

A nice feature in the editor is the “helper grid,” which can be toggled on and off to clearly show your email’s structure with columns and rows, including buttons to add more blocks.

For the more tech-savvy, a code view is available, allowing you to copy HTML, download, or upload a JSON file. The email tool also provides direct live chat support.

With Moosend, you can easily manage multiple email campaigns and mailing lists, with most integrations handled via Zapier or direct API.

Email automation and autoresponders function linearly. You can create your own flows or use template automation flows called “Marketing Automation Recipes.” Automated email streams include website-based automation like follow-ups from site visits, abandoned cart reminders, and field changes, as well as welcome campaigns, up-selling, and cross-selling campaigns. More details on email automation are available in our guide.

Moosend pricing plans
Moosend’s Pro plan starts from $9 a month for 500 subscribers. This plan includes unlimited emails & landing pages and full access to the email designer. To test the software, you can sign up for a free trial.

What is great about Moosend?

• Modern responsive email editor with free templates.
• Direct and responsive chat support.
• Smart subject line recommendations and countdown timers included.
• Simple automation and free email autoresponder features.
• Free landing page builder.

What to know before starting with Moosend

• They offer a 30-day free trial with all functions and chat support.
• Support is available through multiple channels during European business hours.
• To simplify setup, register with your business email address (not Gmail or Hotmail), as this is a requirement before you can start sending.

⍟ Moosend Discount and Extras

Here’s an exciting offer for you!

Register for a new Moosend account and start your free trial to receive:

• An extra 10% Moosend discount once you transition to a paid plan (on top of any other yearly plan discounts).
• An exclusive Moosend T-shirt or Mug if you have over 50K subscribers.
• A free email List Growth Guide + Excel email growth template.

GetResponse Review

GetResponse has been a prominent player in email marketing since 1997, serving over 350,000 customers. It has significantly expanded its features over the years.

Marketing Automation and email autoresponders
GetResponse has always offered an email autoresponder function for timed follow-up mail. While this feature remains, the more advanced new email automation functions are now typically used for these purposes.

GetResponse features an advanced visual marketing automation workflow builder. You can use tagging to create subscriber profiles based on preferences and benefit from website event tracking. Setting up your first marketing automation is straightforward with a guided tour, making it truly a snap.

Editor and free email templates
GetResponse offers a large selection of pre-designed email templates. The top 32 templates are modern, while others might appear a bit dated. You can also start directly from the redesigned drag-and-drop editor.

A convenient testing wizard allows for A/B testing of up to five variants at once. The editor features inline text editing for quick adjustments. As a bonus, there’s an image gallery with over 5,000 free stock images, and an included image editor lets you crop, add filters, stickers, and text to your images.

Unique Webinar feature
GetResponse stands out as the first email marketing service to include a dedicated webinar marketing solution.

You can manage webinar scheduling, invitations, reminders, and follow-ups for your contacts. Pre-designed invitation and reminder templates are automatically filled with webinar details, which is quite useful. An auto-login hash also allows contacts to join the webinar without logging in, adding to its convenience.

What to love about GetResponse:

• 24/7 chat support.
• Integrated Webinar Feature.
• Visual automation and tagging capabilities.
• Free image gallery with 1000+ stock photos.

GetResponse free plan
GetResponse recently introduced a forever-free plan. This plan allows you to send unlimited newsletters, create 1 landing page, host a website on a custom domain, and build signup forms. It’s an excellent way to get started with email marketing.

⍟ GetResponse Discounts and Extras

There’s a special GetResponse discount for you!

If you register for a new account via GetResponse, you receive:

• An 18% discount if you choose the yearly plan.
• An additional 10% discount, applied automatically.
• Free email marketing training and certification (worth $199).

Benchmark Email Review

Benchmark Email originated as a family business in 2004 and now serves 65,000 active brands. It’s an email marketing platform equipped with several advanced features. Let’s see how it compares to other email software.

Getting started with Benchmark Email
Upon signing up for a free account, Benchmark Email guides you at every step. You’re welcomed by a friendly “getting started” video and an email encouraging you to ask questions. Even with a free account, they offer a demo and personal assistance with onboarding and setup, a distinctive approach compared to many other Do-It-Yourself email service providers.

Each page within the tool includes a short video explaining its functions, and chat support is always available. We found their phone, chat, and email support to be tech-savvy, knowledgeable about the tool, and highly responsive (typically within a minute).

Forever Free email marketing software
Benchmark Email’s free plan supports up to 500 contacts and 3,500 emails per month, with no time limit – it’s free forever.

With the free email marketing plan, you get:

• Free templates, send 3500 emails per month for free.
• Customizable signup forms to capture more leads.
• Includes autoresponders and list-based autoresponders.
• 24/7 customer support.

Once you exceed 3500 emails, you’ll likely need to upgrade for more extensive email sending. The Lite plan, starting at $9.99/month, is ideal for truly getting started and includes additional functions such as:

• Email scheduling and Litmus inbox checker.
• Landing page builder.
• Unlimited image gallery storage for your images.
• Basic automations and email engagement automations.

You also have the option to remove the Benchmark branding from the footer. While many users don’t mind the branding, removing it can lend a more professional appearance to your emails.

If audience growth is your goal, the Pro plan has everything you need! Starting at $15 per month, it offers:

• 7500 email sends to 500 contacts per month.
• A/B testing for email content.
• Advanced email automation.
• Custom HTML editor and website tracking.

Let’s craft some emails with the Benchmark Email editor
Benchmark Email recently updated its interface, giving it a fresh and modern look. It features a drag-and-drop email builder that allows inline editing, so you can preview your newsletter’s appearance while typing directly into it. The email design editor is easy to use, letting you drag different content blocks into the editor and arrange them as you like.

This will be more than sufficient for most brands and small businesses sending newsletters and promotions. You can conveniently send a test email directly from the editor screen and use the quick preview to simulate how the email will look on desktop and mobile.

There are over 100 pre-made responsive email templates to inspire you, most of which have a fresh, contemporary design.

You can always start with a sample email and customize it yourself. The image editor is particularly enjoyable to use, offering filters, cropping, color adjustment, various text styles, stickers, paintbrushes, and emojis to create your own email image masterpieces.

The drag-and-drop editor is designed for ease of use by general users. It is not intended for advanced email designers or coders; for instance, it doesn’t support split-screen HTML code editing or custom HTML blocks within the drag-and-drop interface. However, most small business users prefer to avoid HTML code entirely, if possible.

Advanced email designers/coders who require comprehensive customization options might find Benchmark less suitable.

More advanced email features

Email marketing Automation in Benchmark begins with automated autoresponders (termed “Lite”) in their free package. These allow for list-based and time-based automated email campaigns, such as welcome series or birthday emails, making it a very affordable autoresponder!

In the paid plans, an engagement-based automation feature is added, enabling you to trigger emails based on clicks, website behavior, and engagement levels (e.g., reactivation campaigns).

Survey publishing: Benchmark includes free email surveys. You can set up questions and answer types to generate a survey URL. While customization options for survey design are limited, you can always integrate with free survey tools like Typeform or SurveyMonkey.

Small business CRM as a free extra
Any plan supporting over 2500 users comes with a free built-in small business CRM, which can be invaluable if you don’t already have one.

• Create tasks and follow-ups, log calls.
• Track sales and manage a sales pipeline.
• Includes a support ticket system.
• A Gmail plugin to add contacts and conversations from Gmail to your CRM.

Recap Benchmark email review; what we like:

• 24/7 real user support: Live chat and email, even for free users.
• The image editor is incredibly fun and functional.
• One of the cheapest email autoresponders available.
• Free small business CRM functions.

⍟ Benchmark Email Discount and Extras

There’s an exclusive Benchmark Email discount available for you!

If you register for a new Benchmark Email account, you get:

• An additional 10% discount on the yearly plan (on top of existing discounts).
• An awesome surprise if you choose a plan for over 20,000 subscribers.

AWeber Review

AWeber was founded in Pennsylvania in 1998, beginning as an autoresponder service and evolving significantly since then. Today, AWeber is a robust all-around email marketing tool that claims to have served an impressive one million customers, testament to its enduring quality.

Creating Emails and Newsletters
AWeber boasts a vast library of over 600 email templates, primarily designed for newsletters, but also suitable for email courses, events, product promotions, surveys, and more.

Every template is fully customizable, and AWeber’s drag-and-drop email editor is user-friendly and highly flexible. A standout feature is the editor’s connection to Canva, a free graphic design software, which makes creating professional and impressive email designs exceptionally easy.

For even greater convenience, AWeber allows you to convert your blog into a newsletter. Simply set your preferred sending frequency and choose a template, and AWeber will automatically deliver your latest posts directly to your subscribers.

AWeber’s forever Free plan gives you:

• Up to 500 subscribers.
• 3,000 emails a month.
• Access to its basic templates.
• Email editor with the Canva integration and Smart Designer.
• 1 landing page and signup forms.
• Autoresponders.

If 3,000 emails per month isn’t sufficient, paid plans begin at $14.99 a month for 500 subscribers with unlimited emails. This can be reduced to $12.50 a month if you opt for yearly payments. Prices increase with your subscriber count.

What’s great about AWeber

• A vast collection of email templates and landing pages, even on the Free plan.
• Smart Designer and Canva integration for easy creation of stunning designs.
• All tools are user-friendly, ideal for beginners.
• 24/7 live chat support and an international telephone help desk.
• Integrates with over 750 third-party services.

What to know before testing AWeber?

• It may not be suitable if you require advanced email automation features.

ActiveCampaign Review

The primary focus of ActiveCampaign is advanced automation, rather than just email newsletters and mass mailings. This is where it truly excels, offering built-in CRM, on-site messaging, and SMS capabilities.

While automation systems like Pardot or Marketo can be very expensive, ActiveCampaign provides a robust solution for small businesses or senders who want to implement smarter email marketing automation and funnels.

Segmentation, tagging, and conditional content ensure precise email targeting. A particularly valuable feature is the ability to import email marketing campaigns that others have built, making it easy to quickly automate your emails. For instance, if you want to set up an abandoned cart sequence, there are ready-made templates for that. While any automation system requires time to learn due to its many options, ActiveCampaign offers weekly “getting started webinars,” one-on-one design help, and concierge onboarding (if selected).

What is great about ActiveCampaign

• Excellent pricing for such advanced automation and email targeting.
• A/B testing works effectively even on automated and drip campaigns, which is a less common feature.
• Supportive community of funnel-building and automation enthusiasts.
• The platform is actively developed with frequent updates and new features.

What you should know before using ActiveCampaign

• Offers a 14-day free trial.
• If your primary need is only bulk email sending without automation, consider other systems.

⍟ ActiveCampaign Discounts and Extras

You can receive an ActiveCampaign discount of approximately 20% by signing up for a yearly plan instead of monthly payments. You can explore their plans and sign up to access these savings.

Kit Review

Kit (previously ConvertKit) was founded in 2013, providing software for what they term Creators: bloggers, authors, YouTubers, podcasters, and online course creators. Its appeal often lies in its dedicated focus on this specific audience.

Email software for the blogger community
Kit publishes monthly “tradecraft” guides to enhance professional blogging, covering topics like running successful webinars and influencer marketing.

They also host a Product Creation Masterclass several times a year, specifically teaching bloggers how to monetize their efforts effectively.

Beyond Zapier and CMS integrations, there are numerous direct integrations with membership and course platforms such as Teachable, Thinkific, Wishlist Member (WordPress), Memberpress, and many others.

Sequences (Formerly Courses)
Kit’s core structure revolves around “sequences” (formerly courses) – timed email drips, perfect for delivering course content. Kit offers a free plan, with its cheapest paid plan starting at $39 for 1,000 subscribers, which is comparatively higher than other options on this list. The email editor is basic, lacking drag-and-drop blocks. While some in the blogging community appreciate its simplicity and “rawness” without columns, opinions vary. You can find more details on how the email editor functions in a comprehensive Kit review.

The statistics provided are fundamental, without advanced features like heatmaps or e-commerce conversion tracking.

The tagging system is a strong point, allowing you to categorize subscribers based on preferences, downloads, and more. Tags facilitate multiple downloads without issues. A visual automation editor helps set up welcome and product/course campaigns effectively.

Pros:

• For bloggers: Comprehensive training and a dedicated community for professional bloggers and creators.
• Segmentation: Utilize tags to store preferences and segment your groups effectively.
• Automation: Visual automation and email autoresponders are included.
• Free plan: Supports up to 10,000 subscribers to explore the tool, including unlimited landing pages and forms.

Cons:

• Price: Compared to other free and cheap email systems, Kit is a more significant investment.
• The email editor is limited.
• No heatmap in reporting, meaning no visual representation of where people click in your emails.

Mailjet Review

Mailjet is an email marketing and transactional email service that helps you send newsletters, automated sequences, and transactional emails. It keeps costs low with email volume-based pricing and offers unlimited contacts on all paid plans. This can be easier to budget for than tools that charge by subscriber count. 

Transactional emails
It’s rare to find transactional email capabilities included at this price point. Mailjet simplifies setup with clear documentation and provides detailed delivery data for each email, making it easier to monitor sends and troubleshoot any issues.

Mailjet also includes built-in email validation and deliverability reporting, features not commonly seen at this price range.

Mailjet’s email editor is straightforward and easy to use. You can get a head start with over 70 email templates and pre-built layout blocks.

The automation builder now supports conditions, allowing for more complex workflows. You can read a full Mailjet review to see how it compares on features, usability, and value.

Mailjet features a simple form builder that utilizes the same editor as the email builder, making it instantly familiar. While not packed with advanced features or dozens of templates, it’s effective for standard newsletter signups and lead capture.

The landing page builder operates similarly to the email and form editors. You can quickly integrate your forms into a page and publish it, ideal for simply collecting leads.

Mailjet’s free plan includes 1,000 contacts and 6,000 emails per month. The drag-and-drop editor, templates, basic segmentation, and simple automation are all part of this free tier. 

The Essential plan costs $15 per month for 15K emails and unlimited contacts. This plan offers segmentation, AI writing, basic statistics, and 500 email validations. 

The Premium plan costs $24.30 per month. This plan is ideal if you require automations, landing pages, A/B testing, advanced statistics, and user permissions. All paid plans include unlimited contacts, so your costs don’t increase as your list grows.

Pros

• Unlimited contacts on paid plans.
• Generous free plan with 6,000 emails per month.
• Built-in email validation.
• Supports transactional emails.

Cons

• Landing pages would be a welcome addition to the Essential plan.
• Good navigation, but some features can be hard to find.

Email Software Selection Tips for Marketers on a Budget

Here are 5 key tips for those specifically seeking low-cost email marketing software:

Selection tip 1: Explore more than one system

It’s always a good idea to evaluate multiple email marketing systems. Shortlist 2 or 3 options that seem to be a good fit and create an account for each to explore their features. All the email software on this page offers a free trial, and some even have a free sending plan, making them truly affordable. There’s no risk in trying them out to see which one you prefer.

Selection tip 2: Don’t hesitate to invest if you love the tool

Once you’ve tested and found an email platform you genuinely like, don’t be afraid to invest a little. Penny-pinching can hinder growth. As long as the Email Service Provider (ESP) fits within your budget, a few extra dollars for the best option for you is worthwhile. Email marketing can be an incredibly powerful channel, and the investment will seem small compared to the results you can achieve.

Selection tip 3: Plan for a maximum of 1 year ahead

Naturally, you want an email marketing solution that meets your immediate future needs. However, especially when choosing an ESP for the first time, avoid planning too far ahead. Focus on what you’ll need this year to ensure a more realistic evaluation. This approach saves time, prevents over-buying, and ensures you’re not paying for features you won’t use right away!

Selection tip 4: Starting today is better than waiting until tomorrow

The most expensive thing is waiting to start your email marketing. Take the first step by trying out some software. Build your list, design your campaigns, and send those first emails. If your needs are straightforward, you don’t need to spend excessive time comparing every single solution. Get started now!

Selection tip 5: Secure available discounts and extras

Many email providers offer discounts (typically 10-20%) for annual subscriptions. If you’re happy with a system, remember to take advantage of these savings. Non-profit organizations might even qualify for additional discounts. Several vendors mentioned here provide exclusive discounts if you sign up through this page, ensuring you get the best possible value.

What to Look For When Selecting Cheap Email Marketing Software

Now that you’ve seen the individual tools and their offerings, you likely have a few favorites. Let’s discuss what truly matters when comparing cheap or free email marketing services.

With any newsletter software, it’s easy to get distracted by flashy gimmicks and hyped features that might not move the needle for your business. When it comes to effective email marketing systems, only a few key factors truly make a difference:

• Marketing automation and autoresponders
• Segmentation and email lists
• Reporting
• Support
• Price (of course, this is a core focus of this guide!)

Let’s explore what’s important for each of these factors to help you pick the best tool for your business.

Finding the Right Marketing Automation Tool / Best Email Autoresponder Software

The first piece of advice is to consider whether you simply want to send email newsletters and sales promotions, or if you’re looking for more advanced features like free email autoresponder software.

Think about the types of campaigns you plan to run this year. If you don’t anticipate using advanced automation, there’s no need to overcomplicate your search. Almost all ESPs will allow for a simple drip campaign, such as a welcome email autoresponder.

Examples of simple email marketing automation workflows (common in most software):

• A contact signs up for your newsletter. A welcome email autoresponder is sent, followed by two or three timed messages.
• A subscriber has been on your list for three months, and you have an automation set up to thank them and send a special offer.
• A message goes out to subscribers on a specific date, such as their birthday, wishing them a great day (possibly with a gift or discount).

If you aim for advanced automation triggers, you’ll need more than basic email blast software.

Examples of more advanced automation workflows:

• A subscriber views several blog posts about Widgets on your site. The automation software tags them as “interested in Widgets.” An automated email drip campaign follows to nurture that interest and promote the Widget category.
• A subscriber adds a product to their shopping cart or starts filling in a form but doesn’t finish. An abandoned cart email sequence is triggered to encourage them to complete the purchase or form.

Much more is possible with advanced email automation. At a minimum, effective marketing automation software should be able to build flows, tag subscribers, and set business rules to determine who receives your emails.

1. Responsive Email Templates

Templates are invaluable for getting started quickly and saving time with each newsletter. If you prefer custom templates or using your own HTML, then pre-made email templates might be less critical. The best affordable email marketing software offers a good starting selection of well-designed and modern-looking email templates. These templates should be fully customizable and completely responsive. Modern drag-and-drop email designers often minimize the need for many templates, as their building blocks serve as mini-templates themselves.

2. Email segmentation and list management

Assess how easily you can manage your lists and selections within the tool. For list management, consider the import process, or even better, automated importing and integration with your other systems.

You’ll need to determine the granularity of your email list segmentation. If you plan to send campaigns to just a few segments, most free email service providers offer such email marketing features.

If you need to delve into very detailed selections using multiple fields simultaneously for segmentation, thoroughly test these capabilities.

3. Reporting and statistics

All email marketing tools provide built-in statistics and reporting on the most important email metrics. Email deliverability rates, open rates, and click rates are standard and available in any email marketing software.

More advanced reporting typically includes:

• New subscriber list growth (per source).
• Email client reports (desktop versus mobile).
• A click overlay to visually see where people have clicked in the email.
• Automation and drip campaign reporting.
• Statistics integrated with your website and Google Analytics.

4. Support

Understand the type of support you can expect. Support in free tiers may be less comprehensive than in paid tiers. Customer service is always crucial when choosing the right email software. When on a budget, consider support channels, response times, and the availability of DIY resources. Look for excellent documentation, chat (or phone) support, and a ticketing system. Videos are an added bonus.

Final Thoughts

Good hunting! We hope this review of free and cheap email marketing service providers helps you find the right solution for you. Take your pick and try out the tools that best fit your needs!

Free and Cheap Email Marketing Tools FAQ