
Finding the right email marketing platform is crucial for connecting with your audience, but the sheer number of options can be overwhelming. Mailchimp is a well-known starting point, yet its pricing structure, feature limitations, or specific focus might not be the perfect fit for every business. This guide is designed to cut through the noise and provide a clear, detailed comparison of the best services like Mailchimp available today. We’re moving beyond surface-level descriptions to give you practical insights.
Whether you're a small business owner watching your budget, a freelancer needing simple automation, or a marketing professional requiring advanced segmentation, the right tool is out there. Before diving into specific platforms, it's essential to understand the overarching principles of a successful email marketing campaign. For instance, developing a modern B2B email marketing strategy can significantly impact the effectiveness of your chosen service. Understanding your strategy first makes selecting the right software much easier.
This resource breaks down 12 top-tier alternatives, including MailerLite, Brevo, and ActiveCampaign. For each platform, you will find:
We've included screenshots for a visual preview and direct links to get you started quickly. Our goal is to equip you with the information needed to make a confident decision that supports your business growth. Let’s find the perfect email marketing service for your unique needs.
MailerLite positions itself as a powerful, yet straightforward email marketing service, making it one of the most accessible services like Mailchimp for freelancers, small businesses, and content creators. Its core strength lies in combining an uncluttered user interface with a robust feature set that doesn’t feel overwhelming. The platform excels at providing essential tools without a steep learning curve, allowing users to build professional campaigns quickly.

Unlike competitors that often charge based on email sends, MailerLite's paid plans offer unlimited monthly emails, with pricing tied only to the number of active subscribers. This predictable cost structure is a significant advantage for businesses with high-frequency sending needs.
MailerLite’s free plan is quite capable, offering up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails. Paid plans start at a very competitive price point. The main drawback is the account approval process, which can introduce a slight delay before you can send your first campaign. Additionally, some advanced features like promotion pop-ups are reserved for higher-tier plans.
Best for: Solopreneurs, bloggers, and small businesses seeking an affordable, easy-to-use platform with strong core email marketing and automation features.
Brevo combines email, SMS, WhatsApp, push notifications and transactional messages into one platform, making it one of the leading services like Mailchimp for mixed-channel campaigns and API-driven workflows. Small teams can launch multi-step automation without juggling separate tools.

The interface groups campaign types by channel, letting users switch between email and SMS flows in a single drag-and-drop builder. Customer data syncs across segments so automated triggers fire reliably.
Free users get up to 9,000 emails per month with a 300-email daily cap and unlimited SMS testing. Paid plans start at $25 per month for 20,000 emails, with add-ons for extra channels or dedicated IPs. The pricing calculator can be hard to navigate, and costs vary by volume and features selected.
Best for: Small businesses and ecommerce teams seeking unified marketing and transactional messaging without high fixed fees.
https://www.brevo.com
Constant Contact is one of the most established names in the industry and presents itself as an all-in-one digital marketing platform, making it a dependable choice among services like Mailchimp. It has long been a favorite for small businesses, non-profits, and local organizations that value straightforward tools and accessible, hands-on support. The platform's strength is its user-friendly approach, combining a clean email editor with features that extend into event marketing, social media posting, and SMS campaigns.
A key differentiator for Constant Contact is its emphasis on customer service. New users can benefit from guided onboarding, and live phone and chat support are readily available, which is a significant plus for those who prefer direct assistance over digging through help articles. This focus on support makes the platform feel less like a self-serve tool and more like a guided service.
Constant Contact recently discontinued its free plan, positioning itself as a premium service. Its pricing can become more expensive than some competitors as your subscriber list grows. However, the platform often offers an extended trial period, giving users ample time to test its full feature set before committing to a paid plan.
Best for: Small businesses, event managers, and non-profits that prioritize ease of use and want direct access to high-quality customer support.
AWeber is a veteran email service provider known for reliable deliverability, straightforward automations, landing page tools, and clear pricing bands. It appeals to solopreneurs and newsletter authors who need a predictable cost structure and simple setup without sacrificing essential marketing capabilities.

Free plan: up to 500 subscribers, 3 000 sends, AWeber footer branding.
Lite plan (from $19/month): removes branding, adds 1 000–2 500 subscriber tiers.
Plus plan (from $29/month): advanced segmentation, tagging rules, and split testing.
Main limitation is that advanced automations and promotional pop-ups require the Plus tier.
Best for: Small business owners, newsletter publishers, and freelancers looking for a dependable “services like Mailchimp” option with transparent pricing and solid customer support.
GetResponse combines email marketing, automation workflows, landing pages, funnels, ecommerce tools, webinars and course hosting into a single platform. This all-in-one approach helps small businesses and freelancers trim their toolstack while running email campaigns, selling products and hosting live or on-demand webinars.

Customers praise the visual funnel builder for mapping customer journeys from signup to purchase. The webinar module supports polls, Q&A and recording, so you can nurture leads without adding a separate webinar tool. Course creators can upload modules, drip lessons and manage student access directly in the same dashboard.
GetResponse offers a 30-day free trial.
Higher tiers are needed for webinars and course features. The broad feature set may feel overwhelming if you only send simple newsletters.
Best for: Online educators, infoproduct sellers and marketers who want a unified email, webinar and course platform.
Website: https://www.getresponse.com
ActiveCampaign combines email marketing with a built-in CRM and deals pipeline, making it one of the most capable services like Mailchimp for teams focused on customer journeys. You get deep segmentation and visual automations that go beyond simple email blasts. Site and event tracking surface real-time behavior, so you can trigger messages exactly when a contact visits a key page or completes a purchase. Thanks to free migrations and on-demand training, getting started feels guided rather than overwhelming.

ActiveCampaign has no free plan. Paid tiers start at a low monthly rate for up to 500 contacts but climbing lists push costs higher fast. Essential automations arrive on the Lite plan, while CRM features require Plus or above. SMS add-ons and dedicated IPs incur extra fees. For small newsletters, this platform can feel more than you need.
Best for: Marketing teams and agencies that need deep segmentation, complex lifecycle automations, and built-in CRM functionality.
Campaign Monitor is a design-first email marketing service with a polished drag-and-drop editor, extensive template library, and strong branding controls. Agencies and mid-sized brands rely on its sub-account management, white-label options, and client approval workflows to run multiple campaigns in parallel. Dynamic content rules and in-depth reporting help teams tailor messages based on subscriber behavior.

Unlike many services like Mailchimp, Campaign Monitor sets pricing according to contact volume and feature modules. Entry-level plans begin around $9 per month for up to 500 contacts, while unlocking journeys, sub-accounts, or white-labeling pushes costs into a mid-to-premium bracket. It pays to plan ahead to avoid unexpected fees when scaling your lists.
Campaign Monitor offers no permanent free tier but does provide a 14-day trial. Core plans start at $9/month for 500 contacts; pricing scales steeply with list size. Advanced features like multivariate testing or white-label services require Premium or custom plans. Lack of transparent, flat-rate tiers can make budgeting challenging for growing lists.
Best for: Agencies, marketing teams, and brands that prioritize design quality, client management, and flexible approval workflows
Website: https://www.campaignmonitor.com
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) caters specifically to creators, consultants, and niche publications seeking email tools with built-in monetization. It stands out among services like Mailchimp by combining a clean editor with visual automations that map out subscriber journeys and paid newsletter workflows. Users appreciate how tagging and segment splits feel more intuitive here than on many generalist platforms.

Kit’s free “Newsletter” plan covers core features but charges a 3.5% + $0.30 transaction fee on paid subscriptions. Pro plans start at $15/month for up to 300 subscribers, unlocking advanced reporting, team collaboration, and no transaction fees. Some deep analytics and multi-user access remain Pro-only.
Best for: Creators, coaches, and niche publishers who need straightforward automations that handle both audience growth and paid content sales. For more details, visit https://kit.com.
Klaviyo focuses on email and SMS marketing for online retailers, making it one of the top services like Mailchimp for Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce stores. Its strength lies in tying customer behavior directly to campaigns, so merchants can build product-driven flows that boost purchases without juggling multiple tools.

Unlike more generalist platforms, Klaviyo bills by active profiles instead of send volume. You get a free plan that supports up to 250 profiles and 500 emails, while paid tiers scale with audience size. Its revenue reporting and predictive analytics plug directly into your store, so you can see which flows drive the most orders.
Best for: Ecommerce businesses that need precise revenue attribution and tailored lifecycle messaging.
Website: https://www.klaviyo.com
Omnisend combines email, SMS, and push notifications into a single platform designed for ecommerce brands. As one of the leading services like Mailchimp for online stores, it delivers prebuilt automation presets—from abandoned cart reminders to order follow-ups—so you can launch campaigns fast. The dashboard feels uncluttered, letting you drag in ecommerce templates, set up segments, and track revenue attribution without digging through menus.

The free plan supports up to 250 contacts with email and web push. Paid tiers start at $16/month for 500 contacts and include 1,000 SMS credits. Instead of billing only subscribers, Omnisend charges per “billable contact” (all entries in your list), which can spike costs as you import historical or inactive addresses. You’ll want to clean lists regularly to avoid unexpected fees.
Best for: Shopify and WooCommerce stores that need a unified email + SMS tool, clear pricing, and robust ecommerce analytics.
Website: https://www.omnisend.com
Drip is an ecommerce-first email automation platform designed for direct-to-consumer brands that need advanced lifecycle workflows and precise revenue attribution. Unlike generic tools, Drip’s visual workflow builder centers on triggers like product purchases, browse abandonment, and recurring orders. Deep Shopify and BigCommerce integrations sync customer data in real time, while optional SMS messaging offers transparent, carrier-fee–inclusive pricing. This focus on actionable analytics makes Drip a standout among services like Mailchimp for store-based marketers.

Drip starts at $19 per month (up to 500 contacts) and scales by the number of active subscribers. There’s a 14-day free trial, but no permanent free tier. Costs can rise quickly for larger lists, and brands without online stores may find the ecommerce focus more than they need. Customer service is strong, yet the interface can feel specialized if you’re only sending simple newsletters.
Best for: DTC brands, Shopify and BigCommerce merchants, and marketers who require detailed revenue tracking and multi-channel lifecycle campaigns.
Website: https://www.drip.com
Moosend offers a cost-effective email platform with unlimited campaigns and sends on paid plans, making it one of the most accessible services like Mailchimp for startups, agencies, and growing teams. It combines a straightforward interface with solid automation and landing page tools, without charging extra for high-volume sending.

Users can launch pay-as-you-go campaigns using credits that never expire, trial new templates with a 30-day free trial, and access responsive forms for lead capture. The platform’s customer support is responsive, guiding setup through live chat and a library of tutorials.
Moosend’s 30-day free trial requires no credit card and unlocks all features. Paid tiers start at a budget-friendly rate, scaling by active contacts or credits. Some advanced tools such as predictive analytics or priority support require Moosend+ or an Enterprise quote. Large subscriber lists may need custom pricing via the contact-tiered slider.
Best for: Small businesses and agencies seeking a flexible, low-risk email platform with transparent costs and no hidden send limits. Explore more at https://moosend.com.
| Product | Core features | UX / Quality ★ | Price / Value 💰 | Target audience 👥 | Unique selling points ✨/🏆 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | Drag‑drop builder, automations, landing pages, unlimited sends (paid) | ★★★★ — clean UI, solid deliverability | 💰 Low, transparent; generous sends | SMBs, freelancers, lean teams | ✨ Simple + unlimited sends on paid tiers; 🏆 great value |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | Email, SMS, WhatsApp, transactional SMTP/API, automation | ★★★★ — flexible multichannel tools | 💰 Pay‑as‑you‑go + free tier; cost varies by channels | Growing teams needing multichannel | ✨ Unified marketing + transactional messaging |
| Constant Contact | Drag‑drop emails, event marketing, 300+ integrations, live support | ★★★ — very approachable; guided onboarding | 💰 Mid; pricier as lists scale | Small orgs, nonprofits, local businesses | ✨ Hands‑on support & onboarding |
| AWeber | Templates, landing pages, automations, clear pricing tiers | ★★★★ — reliable, easy for non‑technical users | 💰 Clear tiered pricing; free tier available | Solopreneurs, newsletters | ✨ Transparent pricing; longstanding reliability |
| GetResponse | Automation, funnels, webinars, course hosting, AI tools | ★★★★ — feature‑rich (can feel heavy) | 💰 Mid‑market; broad feature value | Creators, infoproduct sellers | ✨ Integrated webinars & course selling |
| ActiveCampaign | Advanced automations, built‑in CRM, tracking, 1,000+ integrations | ★★★★★ — powerful, steep learning curve | 💰 Premium; scales quickly with contacts | Teams needing complex lifecycle automation | 🏆 Best-in-class automation & CRM |
| Campaign Monitor | High‑quality templates, journeys, branding controls, agency tools | ★★★★ — design‑forward, polished | 💰 Mid‑to‑premium; variable by contacts | Agencies & design‑focused brands | ✨ Top template/branding experience; white‑label |
| Kit (ConvertKit) | Visual automations, paid newsletters, product integrations | ★★★★ — clean, creator‑friendly | 💰 Free generous newsletter plan; paid Pro | Creators, consultants, niche publishers | ✨ Built‑in monetization for creators |
| Klaviyo | Email + SMS, ecommerce triggers, predictive analytics, revenue reporting | ★★★★★ — ecommerce‑grade precision | 💰 Premium; higher entry but high ROI for stores | Ecommerce/DTC brands (Shopify, Woo) | 🏆 Deep ecommerce integrations & attribution |
| Omnisend | Email, SMS, push, prebuilt ecommerce automations, included SMS credits | ★★★★ — easy ecommerce templates & segments | 💰 Good value for stores; billing nuances (billable contacts) | Ecommerce stores, Shopify/Woo users | ✨ Simple omnichannel plus included SMS credits |
| Drip | Visual workflows, Shopify/BigCommerce integrations, revenue tracking | ★★★★ — focused on lifecycle automation | 💰 Mid‑to‑premium; scales with list size | DTC brands needing revenue attribution | ✨ Ecommerce lifecycle automation; transparent SMS pricing |
| Moosend | Drag‑drop, automations, landing pages, PAYG credits, unlimited sends | ★★★ — budget friendly, straightforward | 💰 Budget; 30‑day free trial; PAYG credits never expire | Startups, cost‑conscious agencies | ✨ PAYG credits never expire; competitive pricing |
Finding the right email marketing platform is a critical decision that directly impacts your ability to connect with your audience, nurture leads, and drive business growth. While Mailchimp often serves as the default starting point for many, this deep dive into twelve distinct services like Mailchimp shows a rich and varied market, with powerful options designed for specific needs, budgets, and business models. The perfect tool for an e-commerce startup will differ greatly from the ideal solution for a solo creator or a B2B service provider.
Your journey to find the right platform doesn't end with reading reviews; it begins with a clear understanding of your own strategic goals. The key is to move beyond a simple feature-for-feature comparison and instead focus on which platform’s core philosophy aligns with your business objectives.
To make a confident choice, consider the following points as a final checklist. Reflecting on these will help you narrow down the extensive list we've covered and select a tool that feels like a true business partner.
Once you've shortlisted a few candidates, the next step is practical application. Almost every service on this list offers a free trial or a free-forever plan. Use this opportunity to test the user experience firsthand. Import a small segment of your list, build a sample automation, and design a test campaign. Does the interface feel intuitive? Can you find the features you need without frustration?
Beyond the user interface, pay close attention to list management. As your campaigns run, maintaining good list hygiene is crucial for deliverability and engagement. Understanding platform-specific quirks, such as knowing how to fix cleaned email Mailchimp lists or how your new chosen service handles bounces, will save you significant headaches down the road. The best platform is not just the one with the most features, but the one you can manage effectively to keep your sender reputation strong.
Ultimately, the best email marketing service is the one that empowers you to execute your strategy efficiently and effectively. Whether you need the elegant design focus of Campaign Monitor or the time-tested reliability of AWeber, there is a platform out there that fits your specific workflow. By aligning your business needs with the strengths of one of these excellent services like Mailchimp, you set the stage for meaningful communication and sustainable growth.
Ready to connect your email marketing directly to your project management hub? NotionSender allows you to send personalized email campaigns directly from your Notion databases, eliminating the need to constantly switch between tools. Streamline your workflow and manage your contacts and content in one place with NotionSender.