10 ranked on capability, adoption, value, momentum and trust, with a plain verdict on every entry.
VERIFIEDLISTER SCORE · UPDATED REGULARLY
Klaviyo and Brevo dominate for small businesses, with Klaviyo excelling for Shopify stores and Brevo offering exceptional value. MailerLite suits SMBs seeking intuitive design; ActiveCampaign fits marketing teams needing sophisticated automation; and HubSpot appeals to companies wanting integrated CRM and email in one platform.
RANKENTRYSCORETRENDFROM
1KlaviyoNative Shopify integration pulls real-time customer data including purchase history and browsing behaviour.95.0NEWCustom
2BrevoPricing model charges for emails sent, not contacts stored, making it cost-effective for large lists.92.5NEW$25 per month
3MailerLiteFree plan supports 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 sends per month and includes landing page builder.90.0NEW$10 per month
4ActiveCampaignBalances intuitive interface with sophisticated automation that connects entire customer journey across sales and service.87.5NEW$29 per month
5GetresponseUnlimited emails included at base tier with 1,000 contacts, simplifying cost structure for growing businesses.85.0NEW$19 per month
6OmnisendStandard plan includes email and SMS credits with Pro tier offering unlimited emails for coordinated omnichannel campaigns.82.5NEW$16/month
7HubSpotFree tier includes CRM, email marketing, and contact management; paid tiers unlock sophisticated automation and additional tools.80.0NEW$20/month
8KitFree plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited emails and digital product sales functionality.77.5NEWFree (up to 10,000 subscribers)
9DripAll-features-included pricing model with no feature tiers ensures every subscriber accesses complete automation and CRM functionality.75.0NEW£29/month
10Mailtrap Email MarketingSpecialises in email delivery with 90 percent plus inbox placement rate through advanced reputation management.74.0NEWFree (limited volume)
Klaviyo specialises in e-commerce marketing with native Shopify integration and real-time customer data including purchase history and browsing behaviour. The platform delivers sophisticated automation for online businesses at an accessible price point.
From CustomBest for E-commerce stores and Shopify merchants
Brevo offers email, SMS, and CRM functionality in a single platform with flexible pay-as-you-go pricing based on emails sent rather than contacts stored. This makes it ideal for businesses with large lists but occasional sending.
From $25 per monthBest for Multi-channel marketing on a budget
MailerLite combines a clean, intuitive drag-and-drop builder with landing page functionality and automation features. The platform offers a genuinely free plan and low-cost paid tiers, making it accessible for startups and small businesses.
From $10 per monthBest for Budget-conscious creators and bloggers
ActiveCampaign balances user-friendly design with sophisticated automation capabilities and CRM functionality. The platform connects email marketing with broader sales and customer service tools to manage complete customer journeys.
From $29 per monthBest for Advanced automation and CRM needs
GetResponse offers a straightforward pricing structure with unlimited emails, an intuitive drag-and-drop editor, and core automation features. The platform suits startups and small businesses seeking accessible marketing automation without complexity.
From $19 per monthBest for Webinars and sales funnels
Omnisend specialises in omnichannel marketing with seamless email and SMS integration, particularly for Shopify and WooCommerce stores. The platform provides pre-built automation flows optimised for e-commerce conversion.
HubSpot combines email marketing with a comprehensive CRM, sales, and service platform. The free tier provides basic email marketing and CRM functionality, whilst paid tiers unlock advanced automation and multi-tool integration.
From $20/monthBest for All in one inbound marketing and ease of use
Email marketing platform built for digital creators
Kit, formerly ConvertKit, specialises in serving creators, bloggers, and digital product sellers. The platform offers unlimited email sending on the free plan and includes built-in functionality for selling digital products and subscriptions.
From Free (up to 10,000 subscribers)Best for Creators and bloggers seeking to monetise audiences through digital product and subscription sales
E-commerce marketing automation for direct-to-consumer brands
Drip specialises in behavioural automation for e-commerce businesses with an all-inclusive pricing model that includes all features at every tier. The platform excels at tracking customer behaviour and triggering sophisticated, rules-based automations.
From £29/monthBest for E-commerce entrepreneurs, digital product creators, and direct-to-consumer brands focused on email revenue
Email delivery platform with focus on inbox placement
Mailtrap Email Marketing prioritises email deliverability with tools designed to achieve high inbox placement rates. Originally a testing platform, Mailtrap now offers production email sending for high-volume senders and product companies.
From Free (limited volume)Best for High-volume product companies and development teams prioritising email deliverability and inbox placement rates
74.0
Frequently asked questions
Which email marketing platform is best for beginners with small budgets?
MailerLite offers the best combination of ease of use and affordability, with a free plan supporting 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 sends monthly, plus landing pages included. Brevo and Kit also offer generous free tiers with more generous contact limits if you prefer SMS or creator features respectively.
What is the difference between contact-based and send-based pricing models?
Contact-based pricing charges based on list size regardless of sending frequency (e.g., Klaviyo), whilst send-based pricing charges per email sent (e.g., Brevo). Send-based is better for businesses with large, inactive lists; contact-based suits those sending frequently to smaller, engaged lists.
Which platforms integrate best with Shopify and WooCommerce?
Klaviyo leads for Shopify with native real-time customer data integration. Omnisend offers excellent omnichannel email and SMS for both Shopify and WooCommerce. ActiveCampaign and HubSpot also integrate well with both platforms, though with less e-commerce specialisation.