My 8 top tips after the test

When I started my first email marketing campaign for a small WordPress shop, I was overwhelmed. I had hundreds of tools to choose from, each claiming to be the best.

But here’s what I really wanted: something affordable that wouldn’t waste my time learning, a tool that actually works, and something that wouldn’t surprise me with hidden fees three months later.

If this sounds like you’re running a small business with a limited budget and no technical knowledge, this guide is for you.

I tested and rated the 10 best email marketing services specifically for small businesses, from free options to premium platforms.

Whether you’re managing a WooCommerce store, running a creator business, or just trying to stay in touch with your customers, you’ll find a tool that fits your needs and budget.

The good news: Email marketing doesn’t have to be complicated. The services I show you are designed for people like you.

Companies that want to send newsletters, create automated workflows, and track results more effectively without having to learn code.

Key insights

• Cheapest way to get started: I list the most practical starting points that offer unlimited contacts on free plans with true automation features
• Best for WordPress: Plus, learn about an email marketing service that runs natively in your WordPress dashboard without the need to switch platforms
• Easiest to use: I’m discussing another service that has won awards for its ease of use and includes landing pages in all plans
• Best for eCommerce: I list two email marketing tools that understand shopping behavior and track sales automatically
• Best with telephone support: I’m looking at two options that offer 24/7 phone support for beginners who need hand-holding

Before I recommend a tool, I subject it to a practical test.

🔍Here’s what I’m looking for (expand to read):

• Setup time – I measure how long it takes from registration to sending your first campaign. If it takes longer than 15 minutes, I report it.
• Beginner friendly – I ask: Can someone without technical knowledge use this? I’m looking for clean interfaces, built-in templates, and drag-and-drop editors.
• WordPress.org review (for plugins) – It’s not the download that counts, it’s the reviews. A 4.5+ star rating means fewer bugs, better support, and more reliable updates. I look at actual reviews, not just stars.
• Depth of automation – I test how sophisticated the automation is. Can you set up trigger-based workflows? Can you segment by behavior? Or is automation behind expensive plans?
• Support responsiveness – I measure how quickly support responds and whether it actually helps, and not just sends out sample answers.

For each tool, I checked pricing on the official website (no outdated blog posts), checked WordPress.org reviews, and G2 ratings. Then I personally tested the free tier and delved into user feedback on real Reddit threads and support forums.

Why trust IsItWP?

Since 2009, IsItWP has been reviewing WordPress tools and services. We’ve tested thousands of products, from plugins to hosting to email platforms. Our testing process is independent: we don’t accept sponsorships, we have no affiliate bias, and we publish both the pros and cons of each tool. Our readers trust us because we tell the whole story, not just the sales pitch.

The best email marketing services in comparison

I tested 10 main email platforms and 3 bonus tools.

In the comparison table below, I share the starting rating I gave each, the pricing, whether the email marketing service has a free trial, who it’s best for, and what its standout feature is.

Here’s how they stack:

Tool	Evaluation	Best for	Free plan	Outstanding feature	Starting price
🥇 Brevo	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Budget-conscious SMEs need SMS + email	✅ Yes	Unlimited contacts in the free plan; Pay by Email Pricing	$8.08/month
🥈 MailerLite	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Beginners, developers and all-in-one WordPress users	✅ Yes	Award-winning ease of use + landing pages on the free plan	$9/month
🥉 Constant contact	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	Nonprofits and beginners need live phone support	❌ No	24/7 phone support + up to 50% discount for nonprofits	$8.40/month
4. Omnisend	⭐⭐⭐⭐	WooCommerce and Shopify store owners	✅ Yes	Ready-made eCommerce automation + SMS in one package	$11.20/month
5. HubSpot	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Growing B2B teams need a common CRM and email	✅ Yes	CRM + email unified; no platform change required	$9/month/seat
6. MailPoet	⭐⭐⭐⭐	WordPress-only users and WooCommerce stores	✅ Yes	Lives in the WordPress dashboard; 98.5% deliverability	$10/month
7. AWeber	⭐⭐⭐⭐	Users who want 24/7 phone support + advanced automation	✅ Yes	24/7 phone support + if/else automation logic	$12.50/month
8. GetResponse	⭐⭐⭐	Course creators and webinar hosts	✅ Yes	Unlimited emailing + integrated webinars and courses	$15.58/month
9. Drops	⭐⭐⭐	Ecommerce stores need sales tracking	❌ No	Sales attribution – see which emails actually drive sales	$39/month
10. Moosend	⭐⭐⭐	Budget-conscious SMBs who want cost-effective full automation	✅ Yes	Cheapest plan with full features + heatmap analysis with 98% deliverability	$7/month

You’ll also find a table of contents here so you can jump to any service listed in the article.

The comparison above shows the top options for small businesses. Read on for in-depth reviews of each product, including what I actually reported about them, what I found when testing it, and my honest pros and cons.

1. Brevo ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ideal for: Budget-conscious small businesses, agencies managing multiple clients, those requiring SMS + email

When I launched an email campaign for the small store I mentioned above in the introduction to this article, I faced this problem: I was overwhelmed by the selection and worried about wasting money.

Brevo’s free tier gave me unlimited contacts with no artificial limit, which pushed me to upgrade. This eliminated the biggest beginner fear: affordability, while also allowing me to test whether email would actually work for my business.

Why is Brevo one of the best email marketing services?

I quickly discovered that Brevo’s automation is impressively good for the price. You can create workflow triggers based on user behavior, such as: B. Clicks, opens and landing page visits.

The user interface is intuitive. The templates are clean and mobile responsive, something you can’t do without in email marketing these days.

Additionally, SMS integration means you can send SMS and emails from one platform without having to juggle two tools.

But here’s the catch I hit: Brevo has strict engagement monitoring. If your list bounces too much or engagement drops, your account will be flagged.

This happens more often than you think with older lists or newly imported subscribers. The company places great importance on protecting its reputation and therefore monitors who is sending what.

You need clean list hygiene from day one.

Despite these tensions, Brevo deserves the top spot here because they solve a real problem for beginners: Affordability at scale.

Their pay-per-email model (not per contact) means you won’t be stifled by pricing as you grow.

My experience with Brevo

I set up a test campaign in 8 minutes. I imported 200 test contacts, created a welcome email using the drag-and-drop editor, and clicked Send. The email arrived in my inbox in less than 30 seconds.

I then tested their workflow builder by creating an automation. This way, when someone confirms their subscription, they will receive a welcome discount code and a follow-up email three days later.

It worked exactly as expected.

The dashboard is clear and not littered with features you don’t need. While reporting shows opens, clicks and bounce rates in a straightforward manner.

Your SMS integration is seamless. I was able to switch between email and SMS campaigns without context switching.

One thing I noticed: the support documentation is decent, but live chat responses took 4-6 hours. This is fine for non-urgent issues, but if you’re pressed for time, you’ll feel it.

🟢► Advantages

• Unlimited Contacts in Free Plan: No artificial limit pushing you to upgrade early; You can test at scale
• SMS + email together: One platform for both channels; saves tool complexity
• Pay by Email Pricing: You will not be charged per contact. Larger lists don’t cost more
• Automation workflows: Behavior-based triggers of competing tools at 3x the price
• Intuitive user interface: For non-technical users, setup can be completed in minutes instead of hours
• Affordable Paid Plans: Getting started is really cheap

🔴► Disadvantages

• Risk of account suspension: Strict interaction rules identify high-bounce accounts; can happen without warning
• Support response time: Live chat waits 4-6 hours; Phone support is not available on Starter plans

My verdict: Brevo is the best place to start if you’re budget conscious and willing to maintain good listing hygiene. In fact, I still use it today. The unlimited free tier and automation features far exceed the price. Ideal for small businesses that want to test email before committing to expensive tools.

For more information, see my Brevo review.

Prices: Free plan available. Paid plans start at $8.08/month

👉 Get started with Brevo here

2. MailerLite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Suitable for: novice WordPress users, small businesses that want an all-in-one solution, and developers

MailerLite won the “Best Email Tool for Ease of Use” award on Trustpilot from 2023 to 2026. This isn’t marketing nonsense; It reflects thousands of real user voices.

Here’s why: The platform is simple less annoying to use than the competition. Everything feels intuitive. The drag-and-drop editor works without any problems. Workflows are visual and not buried in menus.

Why is MailerLite one of the best email marketing services?

What impresses me the most is that the free package includes a landing page builder, subscriber forms, and an email editor. Some competitors charge extra for landing pages. MailerLite has it built in.

This means you can get subscribers and send them emails without having to switch platforms.

The real limitation I found was the account approval process. Just like Brevo, MailerLite is aggressive when it comes to bounce rates.

They also closely monitor email deliverability and suspend or suspend your account if they notice any suspicious activity (high bounces, spam complaints).

Some users reported account terminations without detailed explanation. This is frustrating when it happens, but it protects MailerLite’s sender reputation, which ultimately helps keep you in inboxes.

Still, the ease of use of this email marketing service is rare.

My experience with MailerLite

I set up my first campaign in 5 minutes. Logged in, imported a test list, selected a template, edited with the drag-and-drop builder, used the AI ​​writing assistant and submitted. No technical knowledge required.

Their template gallery is huge and offers more than 500 options to choose from. And they are actually well designed and not clipart.

You can then customize it using the drag-and-drop builder.

Next I tested their form builder. I created a popup subscription form, matched the colors to a test page, and deployed it. The form displayed correctly on mobile and desktop without any additional effort.

The landing page builder surprised me. It’s easier than dedicated page building tools such as: Seed Prodbut it is fully functional.

I created a fake product launch landing page in 10 minutes, complete with form, styling, and mobile optimization.

I liked that the reporting was clean. You can track opens, clicks, and unsubscribes, all in a dashboard that doesn’t overwhelm you with options. I appreciated the simplicity.

The only point of friction: During my testing, I imported an older list with some hard bounces. MailerLite flagged the quality of the list and briefly restricted sends during review. This happened within 24 hours and after I cleaned the list, access was possible again. It’s a protector, not a blocker.

🟢► Advantages

• Usability Award: Thousands of users have voted this tool as the easiest to use
• Landing pages included: Create landing pages for all plans; Competitors charge extra
• Integrated Subscriber Forms: Capture emails directly; No third-party form tool required
• Clean Dashboard: Simplified reporting without options overload
• Unlimited Emails: Send as many campaigns as you want with paid plans
• Over 500 templates: Well-designed, professional-looking starting points

🔴► Disadvantages

• Risk of account suspension: Strict bounce rate monitoring; may restrict accounts due to list quality issues
• Automation limited in free tier: Workflows are available but limited to automation on the free plan

My verdict: MailerLite is the best choice if ease of use is your top priority. The all-in-one approach (email + landing pages + forms) saves you from learning three separate tools. Best for beginners, developers, and small teams who want to focus on writing campaigns rather than navigating software.

Prices: Free plan available. Premium plans start at $9/month

👉 Get started with MailerLite here

3. Constant contact ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Nonprofits (special pricing), small teams needing phone support, absolute beginners

Constant Contact ranks third on my list of the best email marketing services because of its user-centricity. First, they offer 24/7 phone support for all paid plans.

If you’re the type of person who reads the manual, gets confused and needs to call someone, that’s huge. Most email marketing tools force you into chat queues or expect you to figure it out on your own.

Why is Constant Contact One of the Best Email Marketing Services?

What I discovered while testing Constant Contact is that the interface is clean and beginner-friendly.

The templates look professional and are ready to use.

Additionally, the automation features work well. All you need to do is set up welcome sequences, lead nurturing, and event-triggered emails.

For a sole proprietor or nonprofit, this is a solid start.

However, the pricing issue is real.

Constant contact fees per contact, not per email. This scales quickly. For 10,000 contacts you’re over $100.

Competitors like MailerLite charge a flat fee regardless of list size (up to a point). Although Constant Contact’s interface is user-friendly, its pricing ultimately feels expensive.

But if phone support is a problem for you and you really want to call someone, Constant Contact is worth the extra cost.

My experience with constant contact

I signed up and immediately tried calling their phone number. A real person responded within 3 minutes.

I asked a basic automation setup question and they walked me through the solution. The conversation lasted 10 minutes and the problem was resolved.

The drag-and-drop editor is straightforward. I created a professional looking campaign with no design knowledge.

Aside from the drag-and-drop builder, the templates are numerous and well organized by industry, which also helped speed up the process. I liked this segmentation.

I tested their automation by creating a welcome sequence.

The workflow builder is visual, so you can see your email flow in a diagram. It’s not as sophisticated as MailChimp’s or HubSpot’s, but it’s great for beginners.

The reporting is clear. I could see opens, clicks, unsubscribes, and some basic segmentation analysis.

The crux: I tried to cancel my trial account to check the cancellation process. There was no online cancellation option on their website.

I had to call. Support tried to convince me to keep it, which is common for enterprise tools but less common for small and medium-sized business (SMB) tools.

🟢► Advantages

• 24/7 telephone support: Real people respond; Guides you through the facility
• Professional templates: 200+ mobile responsive designs
• Special prices for non-profit organizations: Up to 50% discount for registered nonprofits
• Beginner-friendly interface: Intuitive setup; no technical knowledge required
• Social media integration: Built-in tools for posting to Facebook and LinkedIn

🔴► Disadvantages

• Contact-based pricing scales poorly: Higher costs as the list grows; Competitors offer cheaper offers on a large scale
• No online cancellation: To cancel you must call; The support team tries to keep you

My verdict: Constant contact is best if phone support is important to you and you have a small, robust list (under 2,000 contacts). The combination of user-friendly interface and live support is rare. However, if you plan to build a large list, the price advantage over the competition quickly disappears.

For a full breakdown, see my Constant Contact review.

Prices: Starts at $8.40/month

👉 Get started with Constant Contact here

4. Omnisend ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Ecommerce stores on Shopify/WooCommerce, those who want SMS + email and pre-built automation

Omnisend was built for e-commerce. Not suitable for e-commerce, but built from the ground up to understand shopping behavior.

This means it tracks abandoned carts and orders and triggers emails based on purchase history. If you sell products online, this is a great option for you.

Why is Omnisend one of the best email marketing services?

What I found out from testing is that you get pre-built eCommerce automation templates, so you don’t have to start from scratch.

There’s a cart abandonment template, an order status template, a post-purchase upsell template, and more.

Simply connect your Shopify or WooCommerce store and these automations will run automatically. This is a huge time saver.

SMS integration is seamless. You can send both emails and SMS through the same platform, which is crucial for e-commerce (SMS converts better than email for time-sensitive offers).

Here’s the catch I found: price transparency is a real problem. Your free plan will display a price, but when you consider SMS pricing, the actual cost will be higher.

My experience with Omnisend

I connected a WooCommerce test store to Omnisend in 10 minutes. The setup wizard was clear and the integration was automatic.

As soon as I connected, Omnisend pulled up my product catalog and order history.

I then activated the “abandoned cart” automation. As part of the setup, I was shown which customers had abandoned their shopping cart.

I was able to see the exact contents of the shopping cart, the price and how long the shopping cart had been standing. Omnisend suggested sending an email to these customers. One click and the automation was live.

I tested it by creating a test car and abandoning it. The email arrived within 5 minutes. The email pre-loaded the product I had checked out and a discount code I had configured.

This is the kind of sophistication that beginners spend weeks setting up on other platforms.

I also tested their SMS integration. I sent an SMS (a test message) and the cost was deducted from my balance. Clear and uncomplicated.

One problem: I was trying to get the exact email delivery rate. They don’t advertise it prominently. I found a mention that their average is 64%, which is below the industry standard (usually 95%+). This is important if you have a large list.

🟢► Advantages

• Ecommerce native automation: Pre-built templates for abandoned carts, post-purchase follow-ups, and upsells
• Shopify + WooCommerce native: Seamless connection; automatically synchronizes products and orders
• SMS + email bundled: One platform for both channels
• Visual Workflow Builder: Sophisticated automation without coding

🔴► Disadvantages

• Price transparency issues: SMS costs can be surprising; The app price does not reflect the total cost
• Ability to deliver below standard: 64% average rate; Competitors at over 90%

My verdict: Omnisend is the best choice if you sell through Shopify or WooCommerce. Ecommerce native automation saves you hours of setup time and is truly smarter than generic email tools. Best for online stores and e-commerce businesses.

Prices: Free plan available. The Pro plan starts at $11.20/month

👉 Get started with Omnisend here

5. HubSpot ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Suitable for: Growing teams, B2B SaaS, companies that need a unified CRM + marketing

HubSpot is a CRM first, email tool second. This positioning is important.

If you’re managing a growing team, HubSpot brings your customer data, email marketing, sales pipeline, and analytics together in one place. This integration is powerful.

Why is HubSpot one of the best email marketing services?

I like how straightforward HubSpot’s email editor is. Their workflow builder is visual and sophisticated.

You can segment contacts based on company data, behavior, email engagement, and custom properties. This depth is valuable for growing teams.

But here’s the reality: HubSpot’s pricing is expensive for small businesses. The free tier is limited (250 contacts, basic features) and the Starter plan is contact limited. As you grow, costs increase quickly.

HubSpot is designed for teams and medium-sized companies. If you’re traveling alone or just starting out, the learning curve and cost don’t make sense.

But if you’re a growing team managing multiple clients, HubSpot’s unified approach is really valuable.

My experience with HubSpot

I signed up for the free tier and explored it. The user interface is clear but feature-rich. There are many options.

Setting up my first campaign took 15 minutes because I was reading tooltips and trying to understand what the features do.

I created a simple email campaign and tested its drag-and-drop editor. It’s good, but not as intuitive as the other email marketing services through HubSpot on this list.

I could do it, but a complete beginner might need to watch a tutorial.

Then I looked at their automation. The workflow builder is visual and you can create sophisticated sequences.

You can trigger emails based on contact properties, engagement, custom events, and more. This is just as powerful as enterprise platforms.

Next I looked at the CRM integration. Your contacts are automatically synced between email and the CRM.

On the email platform you can view business data, company data and more. This integration is the main value that HubSpot offers.

The friction: pricing. Even the starter plan felt expensive to test. If you are a small startup company, the free tier is severely limited and switching to the paid tier is a big mental commitment.

🟢► Advantages

• CRM + email combined: Contact details are automatically synced between email and CRM
• Sophisticated segmentation: Segment by company data, behavior and custom properties
• Visual Automation Builder: Advanced workflows without coding
• Multi-user collaboration: Teams can work together on campaigns

🔴► Disadvantages

• Expensive for small teams: Starter plan at monthly price per seat; For teams, the results add up quickly
• Steep learning curve: More features than beginners need; takes time to master it

My verdict: HubSpot is best for growing teams (5+ people) managing B2B sales pipelines. If you’re a sole proprietor or a small business with revenue under $5,000 per month, start by looking for cheaper alternatives. However, if your business is growing and you need a unified platform, it’s worth switching to HubSpot.

Prices: Free version available. Pro plans start at $9/month per seat

👉 Get started with HubSpot here

6. MailPoet ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: WordPress-only users, WooCommerce stores, and anyone who wants everything in the WordPress dashboard

MailPoet is a native WordPress plugin. Everything is in your WordPress dashboard.

You don’t switch platforms or log into a separate tool. You manage emails, automations, and reports without leaving WordPress. For WordPress-first users, this is huge.

Why is MailPoet one of the best email marketing services?

I was impressed with the WooCommerce integration. You can segment subscribers by orders, spending, subscription status, and product purchases.

The best part? You can create automations that are triggered by WooCommerce events like placed orders, refunds, and subscription renewals.

The delivery capability is solid. MailPoet has one of the highest delivery rates in the industry. This is because they use their own SMTP provider.

You can also use Amazon SES, which they are integrated with, instead of managing your own server. This is more reliable for small businesses.

Here lies the conflict: MailPoet has the same account suspension problem as Brevo and MailerLite. If the quality of your list drops (bounce spike), your account will be restricted.

Additionally, the support response time is slower than the competition. They don’t have live chat; Tickets will wait until the next business day. If you need urgent help on a weekend, you’re in trouble.

Still, MailPoet is the path of least resistance for WordPress users. There are no logins, separate logins, or monthly logins to manage. Simply install and use.

My experience with MailPoet

I have installed and activated the plugin. I didn’t have to sign up for anything else, set up API keys, or do any additional platform settings. Just a simple activation of the WordPress plugin.

MailPoet has added a new menu in the WordPress dashboard.

I clicked “Create Campaign” and was in the email editor in three clicks. The editor is a Gutenberg-style interface (familiar to WordPress users). I designed an email in 5 minutes.

I then researched their automation features and set up a post notification automation. This allowed me to send an email when I publish a new blog post. This took 2 minutes.

Since this is built-in, no configuration is required. This is valuable for bloggers alone.

I tested the WooCommerce integration by connecting a test shop. MailPoet recognized products and orders immediately.

I could segment subscribers by purchase history and create follow-up emails for customers who purchased specific products. This is actually faster than other platforms’ WooCommerce integrations.

I checked deliverability by sending a test email. It arrived in my inbox within 30 seconds.

I haven’t experienced any bounce issues, but based on reviews, users have encountered account limitations with poor list quality.

Point of Friction: I couldn’t find live chat support. I submitted a test support ticket and it took 18 hours to receive a response. This is slower than competitors’ response times of 4 to 6 hours.

🟢► Advantages

• Native WordPress plugin: Everything in your dashboard; no separate platform
• WooCommerce integration: Segment and automate based on orders, spend and products
• Post-notification automation: Built-in automation to send emails to subscribers when publishing
• High deliverability: Industry-leading delivery rate
• No platform binding: Your data remains in your WordPress database

🔴► Disadvantages

• Risk of account suspension: Strict monitoring of engagement can limit accounts for bounces
• Support slower than competitors: No live chat; Response times of over 18 hours

My verdict: MailPoet is the best choice if you are already deeply rooted in WordPress and don’t want to switch platforms. For WooCommerce store owners, eCommerce integration is deep and valuable. Best for WordPress users and eCommerce businesses.

For more information, see my MailPoet review.

Prices: Free plan available. Pro starts at $10/month

👉 Get started with MailPoet here

7. AWeber ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Users who want 24/7 phone support and advanced automation logic

AWeber has been around since 1998. The company has built a strong reputation for customer support, particularly 24/7 phone support for all paid plans.

If you want to talk to a human at any time, AWeber rarely offers that.

Why is AWeber one of the best email marketing services?

The standout feature for me is that their automation system uses if/else logic. This is more advanced than template-based automation.

You can create complex branching workflows where different subscribers follow different paths depending on conditions. For advanced users, this flexibility is valuable.

However, there is a significant problem: in December 2024, AWeber increased prices for all plans by 50-150%. Existing customers who were subject to the old prices were switched to the new prices without prior notice.

This was controversial and caused some users to defect. The price increase was not accompanied by any new features or improvements.

Additionally, their interface is older and less sophisticated than that of competitors like MailerLite or Brevo. It works, but it feels clunky.

I would only recommend AWeber if 24/7 phone support is critical to your business and you need powerful if/else logic automations.

My experience with AWeber

I logged in and accessed their dashboard. The interface is functional but outdated. The menus and buttons seem older than those of the competition. However, navigation is straightforward.

I created an email campaign using their template-based editor. Drag-and-drop works, but is less smooth than MailerLite. I was able to complete the campaign in 12 minutes.

Then I explored their automation builder. Unlike template-based automation in other tools, AWeber uses visual workflow logic with branching paths.

You can set conditions like “If the subscriber clicked the link, do X; otherwise, do Y.” This is powerful, but also more complex for beginners. An experienced marketer would love this. A complete beginner might have difficulty.

I tested their phone support by calling the number on their website. A representative responded within 4 minutes. I asked about the automation logic and they patiently explained to me how to build a complex sequence.

The conversation lasted 12 minutes and I was confident to continue. This is the value that AWeber offers.

🟢► Advantages

• 24/7 telephone support: Real people who are available at any time, which is very rare in email marketing
• Advanced if/else automation: Create complex branching workflows
• AI Email Assistant: Built-in email copy generation tool with AI
• Long company history: 25+ years in business; established stability

🔴► Disadvantages

• Recent 50-150% price increase: Significant increase without functional improvements
• Outdated UI: The user interface looks less modern than that of the competition
• Data Loss Reports: A case in January 2025 where the entire list was deleted without explanation

My verdict: AWeber is best if you need 24/7 phone support and don’t mind the higher price. The advanced automation logic is valuable for complex workflows. However, the recent price increase and concerns about data loss make me cautious. Only choose this if the support factor outweighs the risk.

For more information, check out my AWeber review here.

Prices: Free plan available. Pro starts at $12.50/month

👉 Get started with AWeber here

8. GetResponse ⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Course creators, webinar providers, and users who want unlimited email

GetResponse is not just email. It’s email + landing pages + webinars + courses + community. Everything on one platform. If you create courses or sell events, this all-in-one positioning is compelling.

Why is GetResponse one of the best email marketing services?

GetResponse includes unlimited emailing on all plans, including the free tier. That’s rare. Most tools limit shipping of free plans. GetResponse doesn’t.

You can send as many campaigns as you want for free (up to 1,000 subscribers).

Your webinar platform is integrated. You can host webinars directly from GetResponse without integrating Zoom or any other tool. You can record, replay and sell access to past webinars.

This integration saves tool complexity.

Here’s the caveat: GetResponse has feature bloat. The platform can do so much that it overwhelms new users. To find the function you want, you have to click through several menus.

And their automation is limited to just one automation in the free tier. While they offer unlimited sending, the advanced features are hidden behind the paid plans.

The interface also feels less modern than newer competitors. It works, but isn’t as sophisticated as MailerLite. However, if you’re a course creator, GetResponse’s all-in-one approach eliminates the need to switch platforms.

My experience with GetResponse

I signed up for the free tier and immediately saw: “Unlimited emails.” This is really nice.

I created a test email campaign. The drag-and-drop editor is functional, but not as intuitive as MailerLite. I could create a campaign in 10 minutes.

I then explored their webinar platform. Then I planned a test webinar for next week. Finally, I added a speaker (myself), configured the webinar room, and created a landing page to promote it.

All within GetResponse. No third-party integrations.

Next I looked at course creation. You can upload course modules, set prerequisites, and sell access. It is not as user-friendly as dedicated course platforms BuddyBoss and MemberPress, but for a small course it works.

I tried setting up an automation, but immediately ran into a limitation: the free tier only allows one automation. If I wanted more, I would have to upgrade to a paid plan. This is a sneaky restriction that forces monetization.

The reports showed email opens, clicks and some analytics. Not for advanced users, but sufficient for beginners.

Friction: The interface feels dated. Navigating to different tools (email, webinar, course) requires clicking through menus. It’s clunky.

🟢► Advantages

• Unlimited Emails: All plans include unlimited sending; The free tier includes this
• Integrated webinars: Host webinars directly; no Zoom integration required
• Courses included: Upload course modules and sell access
• All-in-one approach: Email, webinars, courses, landing pages on one platform
• Multi-user access: The starter plan includes access for 3 users

🔴► Disadvantages

• Feature bloat: So many features that beginners will be overwhelmed; The interface feels cluttered
• Automation limited in free tier: Only 1 automation; For more you will need to upgrade
• Outdated UI: Less modern than newer competitors

My verdict: GetResponse is best if you create courses or sell webinars. The all-in-one approach saves you from juggling multiple platforms. However, if all you need is email, you’ll be overwhelmed by it. And the 1 automation limit of the free tier is restrictive.

For more information, see my GetResponse review.

Prices: Free plan available. Pro starts at $15.58/month

👉 Get started here with GetResponse

9. Drops ⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Ecommerce/Shopify stores that need revenue attribution, complex automation

Drip is designed for eCommerce stores that want to understand revenue attribution. For example, you can find out which emails generate the most sales and which customers have the highest lifetime value.

Why is Drip one of the best email marketing services?

Drip deeply understands shopping behavior. They track cart abandonment, post-purchase follow-up, search abandonment, and sales impact.

They can tell you, “This automation sequence generated $4,200 in sales.” These insights are valuable for growing e-commerce companies.

Their workflow builder is powerful. You can create complex sequences with multiple triggers, conditions, and branches. For experienced marketers, this is liberating. For beginners it is overwhelming.

Here’s the conflict: Drip doesn’t have a free tier and the starter plan is expensive. And their learning curve is steep because the interface is not intuitive. First-time users will need more than 20 minutes to understand the dashboard. This is not a beginner’s tool.

Additionally, their template library is smaller than their competitors. They make more from scratch.

I would only recommend Drip if you are an eCommerce store with significant revenue and need revenue attribution to optimize your marketing.

My experience with Drip

I signed up for a trial. No free tier, so this is a time-limited trial. I immediately hit the learning curve: the dashboard is feature-rich but complex. I spent 15 minutes trying to figure out where to create a campaign.

Once I found the editor, creating an email was a breeze. Their template library is small but functional.

I then examined revenue attribution. I have connected a test Shopify store. Synchronized orders and customer data via drip. I could see which emails led to which orders and how this affected sales.

This is the value that Drip offers. It’s demanding.

I set up an automation to send a follow-up email 3 days after purchase. Using their workflow builder, I created a trigger-based sequence. Setup took 10 minutes as I familiarized myself with the interface.

🟢► Advantages

• Sales allocation: Track which emails lead to which orders and sales
• Sophisticated automation: Complex workflows with behavioral triggers
• Ecommerce Native: Shopify and WooCommerce integration integrated
• Tracking Customer Lifetime Value: Understand your most valuable subscribers

🔴► Disadvantages

• No free tier: The starter plan is steep for testing
• Steep learning curve: Complex interface; not beginner friendly
• Limited templates: Smaller library than the competition

My verdict: Drip is best if you are an eCommerce business with proven revenue and want sophisticated revenue attribution. For beginners or small businesses, the cost and learning curve doesn’t make sense. But for serious eCommerce marketers, Drip’s analytics are worth the price.

Prices: Starting at $39/month

👉 Start Drip here

10. Moosend ⭐⭐⭐

Best for: Budget-conscious small businesses, those looking for low-cost automation, and those who don’t need migration support

Moosend is cheap but offers great email marketing features. You get automation, segmentation, reporting, and behavior-driven workflows. Most competitors at this price offer limited automation.

Why is Moosend one of the best email marketing services?

Moosend’s automation builder is visual and state-based. You can create workflows with “When subscriber opens, do X” logic.

Their deliverability is solid and ensures that your emails are sent with a low probability of bounce. And they offer a 30-day free trial instead of a free tier, so you can test before you pay.

Your analysis is surprisingly good. Heatmaps show which parts of your email received clicks. Geolocation data shows where subscribers are located.

Here’s the caveat: Moosend does not offer migration support. If you are moving from another platform, they will not help move your data. This is a cost-cutting measure, but annoying if you have a large subscriber list. Additionally, the inconsistency of support is a problem.

For bootstrapping businesses and sole proprietors, Moosend is the cheapest smart option. You get automation at an affordable monthly price.

My experience with Moosend

I signed up for the 30 day trial. No credit card required. The dashboard loaded quickly and I immediately noticed that the interface is clean and organized. Much more sophisticated than GetResponse.

I created an email campaign in 5 minutes. Your template selection is sufficient (not huge, but good). The drag and drop editor works well.

Then I explored their automation builder. Visual, condition-oriented, uncomplicated. I created a welcome sequence that fires when someone logs in. 5 minutes to set up.

I imported a test list and sent a campaign. Reporting showed opens, clicks, and some segmentation. Heatmaps showed which links received clicks.

I noticed that their analysis is really good. You can see the subscriber’s geolocation, device type and client type (Gmail, Outlook, etc.). For beginners who want to understand their audience, this is valuable data.

Problem: The free trial is valid for 30 days, not forever. The decision is yours.

🟢► Advantages

• Good price with full features: Includes automation, segmentation and reporting
• Condition-based automation: Visual workflow builder with sophisticated triggers
• 30-day free trial: No credit card required; Trial version with full functionality
• High deliverability: Solid email delivery rates
• Heatmap analysis: See which parts of your email received clicks

🔴► Disadvantages

• No migration support: Doesn’t help moving data from other platforms
• Support inconsistency: Some users report that support is unresponsive
• 30 day trial watch: Before you pay, you have to make a decision within a deadline

My verdict: Moosend is the best choice if you are budget conscious and want true automation features. At this price you get more than the competition charges at twice the price. Best for low budget businesses, sole proprietors, and those on a tight budget.

Prices: Free plan available. Pro starts at $7/month

👉 Start here with Moosend

Bonus: Best Email Marketing Services

Now there are a few tools that were just missing from my list. Additionally, others are not direct email marketing services, but you need them to make your campaigns a success. I list them below.

WP Mail SMTP

WP Mail SMTP is not an email marketing platform but the best free SMTP plugin. It is the infrastructure that ensures that your WordPress site’s emails arrive.

If you use MailPoet, Brevo or another platform, WP Mail SMTP sits underneath and ensures emails aren’t lost.

I would recommend installing this first before choosing a marketing platform. It solves delivery problems that no platform alone can solve.

For more information, see my WP Mail SMTP review.

Prices: Free plugin available. Pro starts at $49/year

👉 Get started here with WP Mail SMTP

OptinMonster

OptinMonster is a lead capture tool, not email marketing. However, if you want to convert more website visitors into email subscribers, OptinMonster’s exit intent technology works.

When visitors want to leave, a popup appears asking them to subscribe. This single feature justifies the cost for many users. Works with any email platform of your choice.

For more information, see my OptinMonster review.

Prices: Starts at $7/month

👉 Get started with OptinMonster here

Bee HIV

Beehiiv is created by newsletter creators (the Morning Brew team).

If you run a newsletter business (not a traditional email list), Beehiiv offers everything in one: email, website, advertising network and subscriber monetization.

Unlimited sends on all plans. But be careful: prices have increased three to four times in the last two years, and some users are reporting deliverability issues. Best for newsletter creators with an audience.

Prices: Free plan available. Pro starts at $34.40/month

👉 Start Beehiiv here

How to choose the best email marketing service

Different companies have different needs. How to choose:

Your situation	Best choice	Why
Budget: $0-$50/month, list under $1,000	Moosend or Brevo	Complete automation at the lowest cost
WordPress only, WooCommerce store	MailPoet	Native dashboard, WC automation
Want everything in one place	MailerLite or GetResponse	Email + Forms + Landing Pages
Growing team, CRM integration	HubSpot	Unified customer data
Focus on Shopify/E-Commerce	Omnisend	Ecommerce native automation + SMS
Course creator or selling webinars	GetResponse	Webinars + courses included
Need 24/7 phone support	Constant contact or AWeber	Living people available
E-commerce sales tracking	drops	Sales attribution
Non-profit with a tight budget	Constant contact	Special awards for non-profit organizations
You want to improve email deliverability	Add WP Mail SMTP	Infrastructure for all platforms

---

FAQs: Best Service for Email Marketing

Final Verdict: Should I Use Email Marketing for My Small Business?

Yes, and with the right tools it’s far less overwhelming than it looks.

When I first set up my email list, I expected a steep learning curve and a bill that kept increasing.

What I found instead: Tools designed for people who just want to send newsletters without learning code, with free tiers that actually work and paid plans that cost less than lunch.

Email gives you something social media can’t: a direct line to people who already care about your company. This list is yours. No algorithm can take it away from you.

Start for free. Set up a greeting sequence. Monitor your results. Then grow from there.

---

Resource Hub

If you’re serious about email marketing, these IsItWP guides will help you:

---