10 Best MailerLite Alternatives & Competitors [Free & Cheap]

As businesses grow and evolve, the need for more powerful, feature-rich, and customizable email marketing platforms becomes essential.

MailerLite has long been a popular choice for its simplicity, affordability, and ease of use, especially for small businesses and beginners.

However, it has its limitations, and many businesses look for MailerLite alternatives that offer more advanced automation, multichannel marketing, CRM integrations, or other features that MailerLite might lack.

In this article, we’ll dive deep into the best MailerLite alternatives and competitors, focusing on their strengths and weaknesses, and why they might be a better fit for your business needs.

10 Best MailerLite Alternatives and Competitors [Free & Cheap]

1. Constant Contact

Constant Contact is one of the most well-known email marketing services and MailerLite alternatives, offering robust features tailored to small and medium-sized businesses.

It is often praised for its ease of use, wide range of email templates, and superior customer support.

Constant Contact is especially popular among eCommerce businesses and non-profits due to its integration capabilities and event management tools.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop email editor
• Email automation and drip campaigns
• Contact list segmentation
• Social media tools and integrations
• A/B testing for email campaigns
• Event management tools
• Real-time analytics and reporting

Advantages of Constant Contact Over MailerLite:

• More robust automation tools for advanced email campaigns
• Event management features, which Mailerlite lacks
• Strong integration with social media marketing
• More advanced contact segmentation and CRM features
• Better customer support, including live phone support

Pricing:

• Lite: Starts at $12/month
• Standard: Starts at $35/month, which includes additional automation features, surveys, and dynamic content
• Premium: $80/month

Pros:

• Comprehensive email marketing and automation
• Strong social media integration
• Excellent customer support
• Useful event management features for non-profits and eCommerce businesses

Cons:

• Higher pricing compared to Mailerlite, especially for premium features
• Limited advanced marketing automation workflows

Ideal For:

Small to medium-sized businesses that require more advanced email marketing tools and event management features.

Get Started With Constant Contact For Free

2. GetResponse

GetResponse is a powerful all-in-one marketing solution that offers more than just email marketing.

It is packed with features such as landing pages, webinar hosting, and eCommerce tools, making it a strong competitor for businesses looking for an all-encompassing marketing platform.

Key Features:

• Email marketing and automation
• Landing page builder
• Webinar hosting and management
• ECommerce tools for online stores
• Marketing automation workflows with advanced triggers
• SMS marketing and push notifications
• CRM integration

Advantages of GetResponse Over MaiLerlite:

• Includes a landing page builder and webinar hosting
• Advanced marketing automation with multiple triggers
• SMS marketing and push notification capabilities
• Built-in eCommerce tools for online stores
• Better scalability for growing businesses

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available with limited features
• Basic Plan: Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 contacts
• Plus Plan: Starts at $49/month with advanced features like webinars and automation

Pros:

• All-in-one marketing solution with eCommerce, landing pages, and webinars
• Advanced automation with customizable workflows
• Multichannel marketing (email, SMS, push notifications)
• Great scalability as your business grows

Cons:

• Slightly steeper learning curve for beginners
• Higher pricing for advanced features

Ideal For:

Businesses looking for an all-in-one platform that covers everything from email marketing to webinars and eCommerce tools.

Get Started With GetResponse For Free

3. Systeme.io

Systeme.io is an all-in-one marketing platform that combines email marketing, sales funnels, membership sites, and more into one easy-to-use tool.

It's a great option for businesses looking for a comprehensive marketing solution that goes beyond just email marketing.

Key Features:

• Email marketing and automation
• Sales funnel builder
• Online course and membership site creation tools
• Affiliate marketing management
• Blogging and content marketing tools
• Drag-and-drop landing page builder

Advantages of Systeme.io Over MailerLite:

• Includes sales funnel builder, which Mailerlite lacks
• Affiliate marketing tools for promoting products
• Membership site and online course creation
• More comprehensive solution for managing multiple business aspects
• Blogging and SEO tools for content marketing

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available with limited features
• Startup Plan: Starts at $27/month
• Unlimited Plan: $97/month for all features

Pros:

• Very affordable pricing
• Comprehensive all-in-one platform
• Strong affiliate marketing and course creation tools
• Easy-to-use sales funnel builder

Cons:

• Less advanced email marketing features compared to some competitors
• Limited customization options for email templates

Ideal For:

Entrepreneurs and small business owners who need more than just email marketing, especially if they’re selling products or courses online.

Get Started With Systeme.io For Free

4. Omnisend

Omnisend is a powerful email marketing platform designed specifically for eCommerce businesses.

It integrates seamlessly with major eCommerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce, making it ideal for online stores looking to automate their marketing efforts across multiple channels.

Key Features:

• Email and SMS marketing
• Advanced marketing automation for eCommerce
• Push notifications and SMS campaigns
• Pre-built automation workflows for cart abandonment, welcome series, and more
• Segmentation based on purchase behavior
• Dynamic product recommendations

Advantages of Omnisend Over MailerLite:

• Better suited for eCommerce businesses with pre-built automation workflows
• SMS and push notifications integrated with email campaigns
• More advanced segmentation based on customer purchase behavior
• Pre-built automation templates for cart abandonment, welcome emails, and more
• Strong integrations with popular eCommerce platforms

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available with limited features and up to 500 emails per month
• Standard Plan: Starts at $16/month for 500 contacts
• Pro Plan: Starts at $59/month for advanced features like SMS, automation, and push notifications

Pros:

• Perfect for eCommerce businesses with deep integrations and advanced automation
• Multichannel marketing with email, SMS, and push notifications
• Pre-built workflows for common eCommerce scenarios
• Strong focus on revenue generation and conversions

Cons:

• Not ideal for non-eCommerce businesses
• Can be expensive for businesses with large contact lists

Ideal For:

ECommerce businesses looking for advanced automation and segmentation tools to boost conversions and customer engagement.

Get Started With Omnisend For Free

5. HubSpot

HubSpot is a widely recognized all-in-one marketing, sales, and service platform.

While primarily known for its CRM, HubSpot also offers a powerful email marketing platform integrated with its other tools, making it a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to streamline their marketing efforts.

Key Features:

• Email marketing with automation
• CRM integration for advanced contact management
• Marketing, sales, and service hubs for a complete business solution
• Landing page builder
• A/B testing for email optimization
• Social media marketing tools
• Real-time reporting and analytics

Advantages of HubSpot Over MailerLite:

• Complete business solution with marketing, sales, and service hubs
• Advanced contact management with HubSpot CRM
• Better A/B testing and email optimization features
• Seamless integration with other HubSpot tools for marketing, sales, and support
• Strong analytics and reporting tools for tracking performance

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available for email marketing and CRM features
• Starter Plan: Starts at $50/month for marketing features like email automation, landing pages, and more

Pros:

• All-in-one platform with marketing, sales, and service features
• Powerful CRM integration for better customer management
• Advanced email marketing features like automation and A/B testing
• Free plan with solid features for small businesses

Cons:

• Expensive for premium features
• Can be overwhelming for small businesses due to its wide range of tools

Ideal For:

Growing businesses that need a comprehensive platform for marketing, sales, and customer service, with advanced automation and CRM features.

Get Started With HubSpot For Free

6. Mailchimp

Mailchimp is one of the most popular email marketing platforms globally, known for its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing.

It offers a variety of marketing tools, including landing pages, social media ads, and CRM functionality, making it a versatile solution for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features:

• Email marketing with automation
• Audience segmentation and contact management
• Landing pages and form builders
• A/B testing for emails
• CRM integration and marketing automation
• Social media ad management

Advantages of Mailchimp Over MailerLite:

• More robust contact management and segmentation tools
• Better integrations with social media ad platforms
• Offers A/B testing with deeper insights
• More comprehensive reporting and analytics
• Free plan offers more contacts (up to 2,000) compared to Mailerlite

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available for up to 2,000 contacts and 10,000 emails per month
• Essentials Plan: Starts at $11/month
• Standard Plan: Starts at $17/month with more advanced features

Pros:

• Extensive range of tools beyond just email marketing
• Large free plan that’s great for small businesses
• User-friendly interface with excellent reporting features
• A/B testing and social media integration

Cons:

• Can become expensive as your contact list grows
• Less advanced automation features compared to more specialized platforms like ActiveCampaign

Ideal For:

Small businesses and startups looking for a beginner-friendly tool with robust email marketing and marketing automation features. Mailchimp’s free plan makes it a great starting point for businesses with limited budgets.

7. AWeber

AWeber is one of the oldest and most reliable email marketing services, known for its simplicity and ease of use.

It's especially popular among bloggers, entrepreneurs, and small businesses that want straightforward tools without sacrificing functionality.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop email builder
• Email automation and autoresponders
• Integration with hundreds of apps (WordPress, Shopify, etc.)
• Landing page builder
• Sign-up forms and pop-ups
• Detailed analytics and tracking
• A/B testing for email campaigns

Advantages of Aweber Over MailerLite:

• Better automation features with advanced autoresponders
• Easier to use with a more intuitive interface for beginners
• More reliable deliverability rates for emails
• Free plan includes unlimited users and landing pages
• Hundreds of third-party integrations for various business needs

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available for up to 500 contacts
• Pro Plan: Starts at $19.99/month for up to 500 subscribers

Pros:

• Easy-to-use with a focus on simplicity
• Reliable email deliverability rates
• Integrates with hundreds of third-party tools
• Includes landing pages and sign-up forms

Cons:

• Limited features for more advanced users
• Not as many advanced automation tools as other competitors like GetResponse

Ideal For: Entrepreneurs, bloggers, and small business owners who need a reliable email marketing solution that’s simple to use and doesn’t require a steep learning curve.

8. SendPulse

SendPulse is a multichannel marketing platform that includes email, SMS, web push notifications, and chatbot marketing.

It’s a great alternative for businesses that need more than just email marketing and want to manage customer communications across multiple channels.

Key Features:

• Email marketing with automation
• SMS and web push notifications
• Chatbot marketing for Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Telegram
• CRM integration for contact management
• Landing page builder
• Trigger-based automation workflows
• Real-time analytics and reporting

Advantages of SendPulse Over MailerLite:

• Offers multichannel marketing, including SMS, push notifications, and chatbots
• Better for businesses looking to diversify their communication channels
• Strong automation workflows with triggers for multiple actions
• Built-in CRM for more comprehensive customer management
• Chatbot integration with popular messaging platforms

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available for up to 500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month
• Standard Plan: Starts at $8/month for up to 1,000 subscribers

Pros:

• Comprehensive multichannel marketing platform
• Free plan with generous limits
• Advanced automation workflows for multichannel marketing
• Integrated CRM and chatbot marketing tools

Cons:

• Limited email templates compared to competitors
• Not ideal for businesses solely focused on email marketing

Ideal For:

Businesses that want to manage email marketing alongside SMS, push notifications, and chatbot marketing in one place. Great for companies looking to diversify their customer communication channels.

9. Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue)

Brevo, formerly known as Sendinblue, is a popular email marketing and marketing automation platform, known for its affordable pricing and user-friendly interface.

It offers a wide range of features, including email marketing, SMS marketing, and CRM tools, making it an excellent option for small to medium-sized businesses.

Key Features:

• Email marketing with automation workflows
• SMS marketing and transactional emails
• Built-in CRM for contact management
• Landing page builder
• Real-time reporting and analytics
• Chat tool for customer service
• Marketing automation with advanced triggers

Advantages of Brevo Over MailerLite:

• More advanced automation with multiple triggers and actions
• Includes SMS marketing and transactional emails
• Built-in CRM for better contact management
• Offers chat functionality for customer engagement
• More affordable pricing for businesses on a budget

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available for up to 300 emails per day
• Lite Plan: Starts at $25/month for up to 20,000 emails

Pros:

• Affordable pricing plans, including a free option
• Comprehensive automation with advanced triggers
• Multichannel marketing with email, SMS, and chat
• CRM integration for better contact management

Cons:

• Limited customization options for email templates
• Higher-tier plans required for advanced automation features

Ideal For:

Small to medium-sized businesses looking for a cost-effective, all-in-one email and SMS marketing platform with CRM capabilities.

10. Moosend

Moosend is an affordable email marketing solution designed to offer powerful features without breaking the bank.

With advanced marketing automation, list segmentation, and easy-to-use tools, it provides a competitive alternative for businesses that need robust functionality on a budget.

Key Features:

• Email marketing with advanced automation
• Drag-and-drop email editor
• Pre-built automation workflows
• List segmentation and personalization tools
• Real-time analytics and reporting
• A/B testing for email campaigns

Advantages of Moonsend Over MailerLite:

• More advanced automation workflows for better email marketing
• Better list segmentation and personalization tools
• More affordable pricing for businesses with large contact lists
• User-friendly drag-and-drop email editor
• A/B testing features for optimizing campaigns

Pricing:

• Free Plan: Available with limited features
• Pro Plan: Starts at $9/month for unlimited emails and up to 1,000 subscribers

Pros:

• Affordable pricing plans for businesses of all sizes
• Advanced automation features for better email marketing
• Easy-to-use email editor with personalization tools
• Free plan for small businesses just starting out

Cons:

• Limited features compared to more comprehensive platforms like HubSpot
• Fewer third-party integrations

Ideal For:

Small businesses and startups looking for an affordable yet powerful email marketing solution with advanced automation features.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the best MailerLite alternatives for email marketing automation?

Several email marketing platforms offer powerful automation features comparable or superior to Mailerlite:

• GetResponse: Provides advanced automation workflows, webinar integration, and CRM tools.
• Constant Contact: Known for its simplicity and comprehensive marketing suite, including social media and event marketing.
• Omnisend: Ideal for businesses looking for email automation combined with SMS and chat marketing.
• ActiveCampaign: Offers highly sophisticated automation and CRM functionalities for managing complex workflows.

2. Which MailerLite competitor offers the best free plan?

• Systeme.io: Offers a free plan that includes 2,000 contacts, unlimited emails, and access to key automation features.
• GetResponse: Provides 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly emails on the free tier, making it an appealing option for small businesses.
• MailerLite: Its free plan allows for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.

These platforms offer some of the best free plans, giving small businesses plenty of tools without the need for immediate upgrades.

3. Which is better for small businesses: MailerLite or Constant Contact?

Constant Contact is better for businesses that need an all-in-one marketing platform with additional features such as event marketing and social media integration. It also has more extensive customer support. On the other hand, Mailerlite focuses mainly on email marketing and is cheaper, making it a good choice for businesses with tight budgets focused purely on email.

4. What are the top MailerLite alternatives for eCommerce businesses?

For eCommerce businesses, these alternatives are more specialized:

• GetResponse: Its eCommerce integrations, webinar tools, and conversion funnels are ideal for online stores.
• Omnisend: Designed specifically for eCommerce, offering tools for SMS, email marketing, and cart abandonment workflows.
• ActiveCampaign: Provides advanced CRM and automation features, allowing for detailed customer segmentation and targeting.

These platforms offer better integrations and features designed to help eCommerce businesses convert and retain customers compared to Mailerlite.

5. How does Mailchimp compare to MailerLite for beginners?

Both Mailchimp and Mailerlite are beginner-friendly, but Mailchimp offers more advanced tools and integrations for scaling businesses. Mailerlite, on the other hand, is much simpler and more affordable, making it ideal for new users who only need basic email marketing functionalities. Mailchimp's interface is more polished but can become overwhelming for those new to email marketing.

6. What’s a cheaper alternative to MailerLite?

• Systeme.io: Not just an email marketing tool but also offers CRM and sales funnel capabilities at a lower price than Mailerlite.

• Moosend: Offers competitive pricing, starting at $9/month for unlimited emails to 1,000 subscribers.
• SendPulse: Starts at $8/month with multi-channel marketing (email, SMS, and web push) at lower costs than Mailerlite.

These platforms are not only cheaper but also provide additional tools that can help grow your business without heavy upfront costs.

7. Which MailerLite alternatives offer better customer support?

• Constant Contact: Offers 24/7 customer support, including live chat and phone support.
• ActiveCampaign: Known for excellent customer support, including a dedicated success team for higher-tier users.
• GetResponse: Provides 24/7 chat support and extensive online resources.