What we found after building campaigns on each platform.
1
Kit (formerly ConvertKit)
Best for CreatorsCreator-first email with built-in monetisation
Kit was built from the ground up for people who make a living from their audience. The visual automation builder is intuitive, landing pages convert well, and the new built-in sponsor network lets you earn directly from your newsletter without chasing advertisers.
Pros
- ✓Generous free plan up to 10k subscribers
- ✓Visual automation builder that's actually easy to use
- ✓Built-in sponsor network — earn revenue from your list directly
- ✓Tag-based subscriber organisation, not rigid lists
Cons
- ✕Limited split-testing on lower tiers
- ✕Fewer e-commerce integrations than Mailchimp
- ✕Templates look similar out of the box — needs customisation
Automation
Visual flow builder
Landing pages
Included, 30+ templates
Integrations
90+ via Zapier + native
Deliverability
Industry-leading
2
Brevo
Best ValueAll-in-one: email, SMS, and CRM in one platform
Brevo's standout feature is pricing by emails sent, not contacts stored — so you can build a large list without paying for dormant subscribers. Add SMS, a basic CRM, and WhatsApp marketing, and it's the most complete all-in-one package under $15/month.
Pros
- ✓Unlimited contacts even on the free plan
- ✓SMS and WhatsApp built in — no second subscription
- ✓Pay by sends, not subscriber count
- ✓Transactional email included on all tiers
Cons
- ✕Free plan caps at 300 emails/day
- ✕Template editor is less polished than Mailchimp's
- ✕Learning curve for the CRM module
Automation
Workflow builder + triggers
Landing pages
Included, drag-and-drop
Integrations
150+ native + Zapier
Deliverability
Strong, EU-based infrastructure
From $9/moFree plan: 300 emails/day, unlimited contacts
Visit Brevo →3
ActiveCampaign
Best for AutomationThe automation powerhouse for serious marketers
If you can imagine an automation sequence, ActiveCampaign can probably build it. The conditional logic, site tracking, and split automation paths are deeper than anything else at this price point. The trade-off: there's no free plan and the learning curve is real.
Pros
- ✓Deepest automation builder in this lineup
- ✓Site + event tracking for behavioural triggers
- ✓Predictive sending (AI picks optimal send time)
- ✓Excellent CRM + sales pipeline built in
Cons
- ✕No free plan — starts at $15/mo
- ✕Steeper learning curve than competitors
- ✕Contact-based pricing adds up at scale
Automation
Industry-leading, conditional paths
Landing pages
Included via integration
Deliverability
Very strong
4
MailerLite
Best Free PlanClean, affordable, and genuinely generous free plan
MailerLite strips email marketing back to what most small businesses actually need — clean templates, simple automations, a decent drag-and-drop editor, and a free plan that doesn't feel crippled. The AI subject line generator is a nice bonus on a platform this cheap.
Pros
- ✓Free plan with automations (most rivals gate this)
- ✓Clean, modern interface with no clutter
- ✓Built-in AI subject line and campaign assistant
- ✓E-commerce tools on every paid tier
Cons
- ✕Fewer integrations than Mailchimp or ActiveCampaign
- ✕Automation logic is basic compared to ActiveCampaign
- ✕No SMS marketing
Automation
Drag-and-drop flow builder
Landing pages
Included, polished templates
Integrations
140+ native + Zapier
Deliverability
Good, with monitoring dashboard
5
Mailchimp
The recognised brand with the biggest app ecosystem
Mailchimp is the name everyone knows, and its template editor and content studio remain best-in-class for beginners. But pricing has crept up, the free plan shrank, and the automation features that used to be included are now gated behind higher tiers. Still the safest pick if integrations matter most.
Pros
- ✓Largest integration ecosystem — 300+ native apps
- ✓Best-in-class content and template editor
- ✓Brand recognition builds trust with clients
- ✓Built-in website builder and CRM
Cons
- ✕Free plan shrunk to 500 contacts
- ✕Pricing scales aggressively with list size
- ✕Many automation features now require Standard ($20+)
Automation
Customer Journey builder (paid tiers)
Landing pages
Included, excellent editor
Integrations
300+ native — the widest ecosystem
Deliverability
Decent, but below Kit and Brevo
6
GetResponse
Marketing suite with webinar hosting built in
GetResponse is the only platform here that includes live webinar hosting on its paid tiers — a genuine differentiator if you sell courses or run coaching. The conversion funnel builder is a solid all-in-one play, though the interface feels a generation behind Brevo and Kit in polish.
Pros
- ✓Webinar hosting included on Plus tier
- ✓Built-in conversion funnel builder
- ✓AI-powered campaign and subject generator
- ✓Autofunnel for e-commerce sequences
Cons
- ✕No free plan — 30-day trial only
- ✕Interface feels dated compared to Kit/Brevo
- ✕Webinar feature locked to $59/mo Plus plan
Automation
Visual builder + AI autofunnel
Landing pages
Included, 200+ templates
Integrations
170+ native + Zapier
Deliverability
Good, with 99% delivery SLA