Top free mailchimp alternative: Best Free Email Marketing Tools

Mailchimp was once the undisputed king of email marketing, especially for those just starting out. But as their pricing evolved and the free tier became more restrictive, many small businesses, creators, and freelancers started feeling the pinch. If you're hitting subscriber limits, need more advanced features without a hefty price tag, or simply want a platform that better fits your specific workflow, you're in the right place. Searching for a free Mailchimp alternative isn't just about saving money; it's about finding the right tool to scale your communications effectively.

Before you can send emails, you need a healthy subscriber base. Building that foundation requires a solid strategy, so it's worth reviewing some proven growth tactics on how to build an email list before committing to a new platform.

This guide dives deep into 12 powerful and genuinely free platforms that can replace Mailchimp. We go beyond surface-level features to analyze the critical details of each free plan: subscriber and send limits, automation capabilities, and ideal use cases. Each entry includes screenshots and direct links, ensuring you find the perfect fit for your budget and goals without the guesswork.

1. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo, formerly known as Sendinblue, is a powerful all-in-one marketing platform that stands out as a top free Mailchimp alternative due to its remarkably generous contact storage and multi-channel capabilities. While Mailchimp's free plan caps you at 500 contacts, Brevo allows you to store up to 100,000 contacts without paying a dime, making it ideal for businesses focused on growing their list first and sending targeted campaigns later.

The platform integrates email, SMS, and even WhatsApp marketing into a single, cohesive interface. This is a significant advantage for small businesses wanting to manage customer communications across different touchpoints without juggling multiple tools. The user interface is clean and straightforward, making it easy to navigate for those new to email marketing.

Brevo's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 300 emails per day (9,000 per month)
• Contacts: Up to 100,000
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop builder, transactional emails, basic marketing automation, and multi-channel messaging options.

Best for: Startups and small businesses that prioritize building a large contact list and need a versatile tool that includes transactional email and SMS features from the start.

Website: https://www.brevo.com

2. MailerLite

MailerLite is a fantastic free Mailchimp alternative celebrated for its clean, intuitive user experience and generous feature set, especially for beginners. Its drag-and-drop editor is incredibly user-friendly, making it simple to create beautiful campaigns without any coding knowledge. Unlike many competitors, MailerLite includes advanced features like landing pages, websites, and marketing automation even in its free plan, providing a comprehensive toolkit for those just starting out.

The platform is designed to be an all-in-one solution for creators and small businesses. The inclusion of forms, pop-ups, and a robust automation builder allows users to create a complete marketing funnel from a single dashboard. This streamlined workflow is a major advantage for anyone who wants powerful tools without a steep learning curve. Crafting compelling emails with this tool can be a breeze, and you can learn more about increasing your email open rates to make your campaigns even more effective.

MailerLite's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 12,000 emails per month
• Contacts: Up to 500
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop editor, marketing automation builder, websites, 10 landing pages, and sign-up forms/pop-ups.

Best for: Beginners, freelancers, and content creators who need an easy-to-use platform with strong automation and landing page capabilities right out of the box.

Website: https://www.mailerlite.com

3. Mailjet

Mailjet carves out its niche as a strong free Mailchimp alternative by expertly balancing the needs of marketers and developers. It's an excellent choice for businesses that need both visually appealing marketing campaigns and robust transactional emails, such as password resets or order confirmations, sent via API. This dual-focus makes it a versatile tool, particularly for tech-savvy teams or those with development resources.

While its free plan has more restrictive limits on contacts and daily sends than some competitors, it provides access to its core SMTP Relay and APIs from the get-go. The platform’s visual editor is intuitive, but its real power lies in the advanced features available on paid tiers, including real-time collaboration that allows multiple users to edit an email template simultaneously, a feature Mailchimp lacks.

Mailjet's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 6,000 emails per month (with a 200/day cap)
• Contacts: Up to 1,000
• Key Features: Visual drag-and-drop editor, full API and SMTP Relay access, webhooks, and basic statistics.

Best for: Businesses and developers who need a reliable platform for both marketing campaigns and transactional emails and can work within the daily sending and contact limits.

Website: https://www.mailjet.com

4. EmailOctopus

EmailOctopus is a fantastic free Mailchimp alternative for those who prioritize simplicity, speed, and generous contact limits. Its lightweight interface and no-frills approach make it incredibly easy to get started, perfect for users who feel overwhelmed by the complexity of larger all-in-one platforms. While many competitors restrict free plans to a low contact count, EmailOctopus allows you to grow your list to 2,500 subscribers before needing an upgrade.

The platform focuses on core email marketing essentials, providing a clean drag-and-drop editor, simple automation sequences, and basic reporting. A unique feature is its optional 'Connect' plan, which allows users to integrate their own Amazon SES account for potentially lower sending costs as they scale. This makes it a flexible and budget-friendly choice for creators and small businesses focused purely on email.

EmailOctopus's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 10,000 emails per month
• Contacts: Up to 2,500
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop editor, basic automation, customizable forms, up to 3 landing pages, and 30-day report retention. EmailOctopus branding is included on all free emails.

Best for: Bloggers, creators, and small businesses who need a straightforward, fast, and affordable email tool with a higher free contact limit.

Website: https://emailoctopus.com

5. Sender

Sender solidifies its position as a leading free Mailchimp alternative by offering one of the most generous free plans on the market, combining high subscriber and email send limits. While many platforms force a choice between a large list or a high sending volume, Sender allows up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month for free, making it perfect for growing businesses that are actively communicating with their audience.

The platform doesn't just stop at high limits; it packs its free tier with features often reserved for paid plans, including marketing automation, pop-ups, and even transactional emails. This all-in-one approach is highly practical for users who want to implement more advanced marketing tactics without an immediate financial commitment. The interface is clean and accessible, and their responsive live support is a significant plus for users who might need assistance.

Sender's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 15,000 per month
• Contacts: Up to 2,500
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop editor, marketing automation, transactional emails, pop-ups and forms, and responsive live chat support.

Best for: Small businesses and creators looking for the highest possible free sending and subscriber limits combined with essential automation and lead-capture tools.

Website: https://www.sender.net

6. Benchmark Email

Benchmark Email positions itself as an excellent free Mailchimp alternative for those just starting out or managing small, focused email lists. Its core strength lies in its simplicity and beginner-friendly approach, allowing users to create and send professional-looking emails without a steep learning curve. The interface is clean and intuitive, prioritizing essential features over complex, potentially overwhelming options.

Unlike some competitors that hide core functionalities behind paid tiers, Benchmark Email provides a solid foundation for free. You get access to its drag-and-drop builder, basic signup forms, and essential reporting tools, making it a complete package for launching your initial campaigns. While the free plan includes Benchmark branding, it’s a fair trade-off for such a user-friendly platform.

Benchmark Email's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 3,500 emails per month
• Contacts: Up to 500
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop email builder, basic segmentation, signup forms, and simple reporting.

Best for: Beginners, solopreneurs, and small businesses who need a straightforward, no-fuss platform to get started with email marketing quickly and efficiently.

Website: https://www.benchmarkemail.com

7. Omnisend

Omnisend is a powerhouse for e-commerce businesses searching for a free Mailchimp alternative with robust automation capabilities. Built specifically for online stores, its free plan provides access to sophisticated workflows that are often locked behind paywalls on other platforms. This includes abandoned cart sequences, welcome series, and product recommendation features that integrate deeply with Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce.

The platform goes beyond just email by including web push notifications and a small credit for SMS marketing, even on its free tier. This allows e-commerce brands to experiment with omnichannel marketing from day one. Another significant advantage is that all plans, including the free one, come with 24/7 email and chat support, a rare offering for non-paying users.

Omnisend's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 500 emails per month
• Contacts: Up to 250
• Key Features: Advanced e-commerce automation workflows, web push notifications, free SMS credits, pop-ups and forms, and 24/7 support.

Best for: E-commerce store owners who need powerful, sales-driven automation and multi-channel features without an initial investment.

Website: https://www.omnisend.com

8. HubSpot (Marketing Hub – Free Tools)

HubSpot offers a powerful suite of free tools that position it as a unique free Mailchimp alternative, especially for businesses that need a robust CRM from day one. Instead of being just an email tool, HubSpot's free offering is an integrated platform where your customer data and marketing efforts live together. This unified approach provides deep insights into your contacts' behavior, allowing for more personalized and effective campaigns.

The platform’s strength lies in its scalability; you start with a comprehensive set of free tools and can seamlessly upgrade to its advanced Marketing Hub tiers as your business grows. The user interface is clean, and the template library is extensive, making it accessible even for beginners. For users interested in learning more, this detailed HubSpot review offers an in-depth look at its capabilities.

HubSpot's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: Up to 2,000 emails per month (with HubSpot branding)
• Contacts: Up to 1,000,000 contacts in the free CRM
• Key Features: Integrated free CRM, email marketing, landing pages, forms, and live chat.

Best for: Businesses of all sizes that want a powerful, integrated CRM and marketing platform and plan to scale their operations over time.

Website: https://www.hubspot.com/pricing/marketing

9. Zoho Campaigns

Zoho Campaigns is an excellent free Mailchimp alternative for businesses already invested in or planning to use the broader Zoho ecosystem. As part of Zoho's comprehensive suite of business applications, its strength lies in its seamless integration with tools like Zoho CRM, allowing for a unified customer data and marketing platform without complex third-party connectors.

The platform provides a solid free tier that is well-suited for small businesses managing a growing but still modest-sized list. While its interface can feel a bit more corporate and less intuitive than some modern competitors, its value skyrockets when used alongside other Zoho products. The ability to pull CRM data directly into email campaigns offers powerful segmentation possibilities right from the start.

Zoho Campaigns's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 6,000 emails per month
• Contacts: Up to 2,000
• Key Features: Pre-designed email templates, sign-up forms, basic contact segmentation, and native integration with the Zoho app suite.

Best for: Small businesses and entrepreneurs who currently use or plan to adopt other Zoho products (like Zoho CRM) and want a deeply integrated email marketing solution.

Website: https://www.zoho.com/campaigns

10. AWeber

AWeber is one of the original players in the email marketing space, and its longevity translates into a reliable and user-friendly platform. It stands out as a solid free Mailchimp alternative for those who value proven deliverability and a straightforward approach to list-building and email creation. The platform is particularly strong in its support for content creators and small businesses just getting started.

The interface is clean, making it easy to create landing pages, sign-up forms, and email campaigns without a steep learning curve. While its free plan is more limited in subscriber count compared to some others, it provides all the essential tools needed to build and engage an initial audience effectively, backed by a reputation for getting emails to the inbox.

AWeber's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 3,000 emails per month
• Contacts: Up to 500
• Key Features: One email list, landing pages, sign-up forms, basic automation (one autoresponder), and access to a vast template library.

Best for: Solopreneurs, bloggers, and content creators who need a dependable, easy-to-use platform with excellent landing page tools to start building their first email list.

Website: https://www.aweber.com

11. SendPulse

SendPulse stands out as a strong free Mailchimp alternative by offering a multichannel marketing approach right from its free tier. It goes beyond simple email campaigns, integrating SMS, web push notifications, and chatbot functionalities, allowing businesses to create a more comprehensive communication strategy. Its free plan is notably generous with the number of emails you can send, making it a great choice for those who send frequent newsletters to a smaller, engaged list.

The platform is designed to be accessible, with a user-friendly drag-and-drop editor and clear analytics. For users with inconsistent sending schedules, SendPulse also provides flexible pay-as-you-go pricing, a feature not always available in other tools. This makes it an adaptable option for businesses with fluctuating marketing needs or seasonal campaigns.

SendPulse's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: Up to 15,000 per month
• Contacts: Up to 500
• Key Features: Drag-and-drop editor, basic automation, sign-up forms, reporting, and access to multichannel tools like web push and chatbots.

Best for: Marketers and small businesses wanting to experiment with a multichannel approach (email, SMS, chatbots) and who need a high monthly email sending limit for a smaller contact list.

Website: https://sendpulse.com

12. MailPoet (WordPress)

For those deeply embedded in the WordPress ecosystem, MailPoet offers a seamless, native experience that makes it a compelling free Mailchimp alternative. Instead of managing your email marketing on a separate platform, MailPoet operates directly within your WordPress dashboard. This integration is perfect for bloggers, course creators, and WooCommerce store owners who want to unify their website management and email marketing efforts.

Its biggest advantage is convenience; you can build newsletters using familiar WordPress blocks and manage subscribers without ever leaving your site. The platform also offers excellent WooCommerce integration, enabling you to send abandoned cart emails and post-purchase follow-ups. Just as some tools are built for specific platforms like WordPress, others are designed to work with unique apps like Notion. You can explore how to create and send emails directly from Notion to see how specialized integrations can streamline workflows.

MailPoet's Free Plan Details

• Email Sends: 1,500 emails per month (with a 500 emails/day limit)
• Contacts: Up to 500
• Key Features: WordPress-native editor, signup forms, WooCommerce email support, basic segmentation, and welcome email automations.

Best for: WordPress and WooCommerce users who want to keep all their marketing tools, subscriber lists, and content within a single dashboard.

Website: https://www.mailpoet.com

Top 12 Free Mailchimp Alternatives Comparison

Product	Core features	UX / Quality	Price & Free tier	Target audience	Unique selling point
Brevo (Sendinblue)	✨ Email + SMS + WhatsApp, drag‑drop, transactional	★★★★ 🏆 simple UI & deliverability	💰 Free: 300 emails/day; up to 100k contacts	👥 Small businesses & transactional senders	✨ Multi‑channel + huge contact storage (branding on free)
MailerLite	✨ Drag‑drop editor, automations, landing pages & sites	★★★★ beginner‑friendly	💰 Free: 500 subs, 12k emails/mo	👥 Creators, beginners, small teams	✨ Built‑in site/landing tools
Mailjet	✨ Visual editor + SMTP/API, webhooks, team tools	★★★★ marketer + dev friendly	💰 Free: 6k emails/mo (200/day), 1k contacts	👥 Teams & developers needing mixed transactional/marketing	✨ API + collaboration features
EmailOctopus	✨ Simple email tool, forms, optional Amazon SES	★★★★ fast & lightweight	💰 Free: 2,500 contacts, 10k emails/mo	👥 Cost‑sensitive startups & small lists	✨ BYO‑SES option; generous free contacts
Sender	✨ Drag‑drop, automation, landing pages, transactional	★★★★ feature‑rich free tier	💰 Free: 2,500 subs, 15k emails/mo	👥 Value‑focused senders & SMBs	✨ High free allowances 🏆
Benchmark Email	✨ Drag‑drop builder, signup forms, basic reports	★★★ quick to learn	💰 Free: 500 contacts, 3.5k emails/mo	👥 Small lists & quick deployments	✨ Simple, reliable starter tools
Omnisend	✨ Ecommerce automations, web push, SMS credit	★★★★ strong automations	💰 Free: 250 contacts, 500 emails/mo	👥 Ecommerce stores (Shopify/WooCommerce)	✨ Deep ecommerce workflows 🏆
HubSpot (Marketing Hub)	✨ CRM + email, forms, lists, basic automation	★★★★ robust analytics & upgrade path	💰 Free: up to 2,000 marketing emails/mo (branding)	👥 Teams wanting unified CRM + marketing	✨ Unified CRM + marketing stack 🏆
Zoho Campaigns	✨ Templates, forms, segmentation; Zoho integrations	★★★ powerful but can feel complex	💰 Free: 2,000 contacts, 6k emails/mo	👥 Zoho ecosystem users & SMBs	✨ Deep integration with Zoho apps
AWeber	✨ Landing pages, autoresponders, many integrations	★★★★ reputable deliverability	💰 Free: 500 subs, 3k emails/mo	👥 Bloggers, small businesses seeking reliability	✨ Longstanding ESP with stable deliverability 🏆
SendPulse	✨ Email, SMS, chatbots, SMTP, pay‑as‑you‑go	★★★★ very generous sends	💰 Free: up to 15k emails/mo	👥 Multichannel marketers & irregular senders	✨ Multichannel + flexible billing
MailPoet (WordPress)	✨ WP‑native editor, WooCommerce emails, SMTP option	★★★ WP‑centric UX (hosting‑dependent)	💰 Free: 500 subs, 1.5k emails/mo (500/day)	👥 WordPress/WooCommerce site owners	✨ Native WordPress newsletter integration

Choosing the Right Free Tool for Your Next Step

Navigating the landscape of email marketing platforms can feel overwhelming, but moving away from Mailchimp doesn't mean you have to compromise on power or potential. As we've explored, the market is brimming with capable and generous options, each offering a unique value proposition. The key takeaway is that the "best" free Mailchimp alternative isn't a one-size-fits-all solution; it's the one that aligns perfectly with your specific business stage, technical needs, and growth strategy.

Making the right choice requires a clear understanding of your priorities. Don't get distracted by the highest subscriber count if your primary need is sophisticated automation. A platform with a lower contact limit but robust workflow builders, like MailerLite or Brevo, might serve you better in the long run.

How to Make Your Final Decision

To avoid analysis paralysis, focus on a few critical factors that will directly impact your day-to-day operations and future growth. Your final decision should be a strategic one, not just a reaction to Mailchimp's pricing.

Consider these guiding questions:

• What is your primary growth metric? If your goal is to rapidly grow your subscriber list, platforms like Sender or EmailOctopus, with their high free-tier contact limits, are excellent starting points.
• How complex are your marketing needs? For businesses needing an all-in-one solution that integrates a CRM, landing pages, and email, HubSpot's free tools provide an unparalleled, integrated ecosystem. In contrast, if you just need reliable, straightforward email campaigns, a tool like Benchmark Email offers simplicity and ease of use.
• Where does your workflow live? If your entire business operates within the WordPress dashboard, the native integration of a plugin like MailPoet is invaluable. It eliminates the friction of switching between platforms. Similarly, for e-commerce stores, a solution like Omnisend, with its deep integration into Shopify and other platforms, is a clear winner.

Implementation and Beyond

Once you've chosen your new platform, the migration process is your next hurdle. Most of the tools listed offer straightforward CSV import features, but take this opportunity to clean your list. Remove inactive subscribers and segment your audience before you import them. This ensures you start on your new platform with a healthy list, leading to better deliverability and engagement from day one.

Ultimately, selecting a free Mailchimp alternative is about empowerment. It's about finding a tool that supports your business model without demanding a significant financial investment upfront. The freedom to grow your audience, automate your communication, and connect with your customers is more accessible than ever. Use this guide not just to find a replacement, but to discover a platform that truly fuels your next chapter of growth.

---

Ready to bridge the gap between your workspace and your email outreach? If your team's entire workflow, from project management to content calendars, lives in Notion, then NotionSender is the missing piece. It allows you to send personalized emails directly from your Notion databases, turning your workspace into a powerful communication hub. Discover how you can streamline your process at NotionSender.