Email marketing is one of the most powerful tools a small business can use. It’s still one of the most reliable ways to reach customers and generate sales. But choosing the right email marketing platform can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re faced with dozens of options.
I’ve managed email marketing campaigns for more than 12 years, and have used many of the most popular platforms. Below is a simple breakdown of six great tools that work well for small businesses.
Aweber
Aweber is an excellent choice for businesses just starting out. If you don’t mind a small Aweber logo at the bottom of your emails, you can use the platform for free with up to 500 subscribers and 3,000 emails per month.
It includes ready-made templates and an easy drag-and-drop email builder, so you can create strong campaigns without design skills. You can also build sign-up forms and landing pages to grow your list.
More advanced features — like segmentation, split testing, cart abandonment and click tracking — sit behind the paid plan.
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Free: Up to 500 subscribers / 3,000 emails
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Paid: From $19.99/month
Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the best-known names in email marketing, and it remains a popular choice for small businesses. Its “Forever Free” plan allows up to 2,000 contacts and 10,000 emails each month, making it a strong option when you’re getting started.
The free version also includes a basic CRM, a creative assistant, a website builder, and landing page tools.
If you want automated workflows or A/B testing, you’ll need the “Essentials” plan. The “Standard” and “Premium” plans unlock extra features including send-time optimisation, multivariate testing and deeper audience segmentation.
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Free: Up to 2,000 subscribers
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Paid: Essentials from $11/month
Sendinblue (Now called Brevo)
Sendinblue is ideal if you want email and SMS marketing in one place. It also offers chat tools for your website.
The platform is straightforward to use, with templates and an intuitive editor that help beginners create professional-looking campaigns. One major advantage is that automated workflows are included in the free plan, which is unusual compared to many competitors.
The main limitation is the free sending cap of 300 emails per day. Upgrading removes this limit. For more advanced features — like A/B testing or send-time optimisation — you’ll need the Premium plan.
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Free: 300 emails/day
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Paid: From £16.50/month
Constant Contact
Constant Contact doesn’t offer a free plan, but you can try it for 30 days. It has a clear pricing structure and includes strong features on its entry-level “Core” plan — such as templates, A/B testing, automated emails and an easy editor.
Two standout features are the Canva integration and the ability to publish social media posts from within the platform.
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Free: No, but free month available
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Paid: From £8/month
Drip
Drip is designed for ecommerce businesses that rely on automation and detailed segmentation. It’s more expensive than other platforms on this list and doesn’t have a free plan, but the 14-day trial gives you time to test it.
Drip shines when it comes to personalisation, powerful automation and advanced analytics.
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Free: No, 14-day trial
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Paid: From $39/month
MailerLite
I’ve saved my personal favourite for last. MailerLite is one of the easiest tools for beginners to learn. Many of my clients have created professional automated email sequences after only a couple of training sessions.
Deliverability is also strong, which means emails are less likely to land in spam folders.
The free plan covers up to 1,000 subscribers and includes generous features. For full access to templates, dynamic content and advanced tools, you’ll want the “Growing Business” plan.
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Free: 1,000 subscribers / 12,000 emails
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Paid: From $10/month
Final Thoughts
Take your time exploring your options before choosing an email marketing platform. MailerLite is my go-to recommendation for beginners, but each tool has strengths that may suit different types of businesses.
If you’d like help choosing the right platform or want support setting up your email marketing, feel free to get in touch.
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