Skip to content
FIVE PICKED

The 5 best

Email Marketing

The best email marketing software for building your list, sending newsletters and automating campaigns, with free options for beginners. We compared the options and narrowed them down to five. Each one is ranked, with a clear note on who it suits best.

Last updated

Some links may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

The 5 at a glance

Comparison of the 5 picks for Email Marketing
ToolBest forStarting price
Rank 1MailerLiteBeginners, bloggers and small businessesFree plan available; paid from about $10/month
Rank 2KitBloggers, YouTubers, podcasters and course creatorsFree plan available; paid from about $33/month (billed yearly)
Rank 3GetResponseSmall businesses and online sellers who want more than newsletters14-day free trial; paid from about $19/month
Rank 4beehiivWriters and publishers building a newsletter businessFree plan for up to 2,500 subscribers; paid from about $45/month
Rank 5Systeme.ioBeginners who want to sell online without paying for five different toolsFree plan available; paid from about $17/month

Our 5 picks, ranked

  1. Rank 1

    MailerLite

    Simple, friendly email marketing that doesn’t need a manual.

    Best forBeginners, bloggers and small businesses

    What it does

    MailerLite lets you design emails with a drag-and-drop editor, set up automations, build sign-up forms and landing pages, and even run a simple website, all from one clean dashboard.

    Strengths

    • Clean, beginner-friendly editor
    • Automations, forms and landing pages included
    • A free plan to get started
    • Affordable paid plans for growing lists

    Good to know: The free plan has limits, and extras like more users and advanced tools need a paid plan. Prices rise as your list grows.

  2. Rank 2

    Kit

    Email built for creators who want to turn an audience into income.

    Best forBloggers, YouTubers, podcasters and course creators

    What it does

    Kit (formerly ConvertKit) helps creators grow an email list, send newsletters and automate follow-ups. You can also sell digital products and paid newsletters straight from your emails.

    Strengths

    • Made for creators, with simple automations
    • Sell digital products and paid newsletters
    • Landing pages and sign-up forms included
    • A free plan to get started

    Good to know: Paid plans get pricey as your list grows, and prices have gone up recently, so compare before you commit.

  3. Rank 3

    GetResponse

    A full marketing toolbox: email, landing pages and webinars under one roof.

    Best forSmall businesses and online sellers who want more than newsletters

    What it does

    GetResponse combines email marketing with landing pages, automation, webinar tools and a website builder, so you can run a whole campaign from a single account.

    Strengths

    • Email, landing pages and webinar tools in one place
    • Automation workflows for follow-ups
    • Templates and AI helpers to write faster
    • 14-day free trial

    Good to know: Some features, such as webinars, sit on higher plans, and costs climb as your list grows.

  4. Rank 4

    beehiiv

    A newsletter platform built to grow and monetize your audience.

    Best forWriters and publishers building a newsletter business

    What it does

    beehiiv is made specifically for newsletters. You write and send your issues, grow your readership with built-in tools, and can earn money through ads and paid subscriptions.

    Strengths

    • Built just for newsletters
    • Built-in tools to grow and monetize your audience
    • Unlimited sends on every plan
    • A free plan to get started

    Good to know: beehiiv changed its plans and prices in October 2026, and most monetization tools need a paid plan, so check the latest details.

  5. Rank 5

    Systeme.io

    Email, sales funnels and online courses in one account, at a friendly price.

    Best forBeginners who want to sell online without paying for five different tools

    What it does

    Systeme.io puts email marketing, sales funnels, a website builder and online courses into one account. It is popular with people launching their first digital product.

    Strengths

    • Email, funnels, courses and websites in one place
    • A free plan to get started
    • No transaction fees charged on your sales
    • Simple, low-cost paid plans

    Good to know: Design options are more limited than dedicated website builders, and the interface can take a little getting used to.