Introduction
Email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful ways to connect with customers, nurture relationships, and drive consistent sales. However, for many small businesses and creators, the cost of premium plans can be a hurdle. Luckily, there are several free email marketing tools like Mailchimp that provide automation, templates, and analytics without charging a penny.
These platforms help you learn the basics of digital marketing while building strong communication with your audience. Let’s explore the top tools worth trying in 2025.
Why Businesses Look for Free Mailchimp Alternatives
Mailchimp remains a familiar name for marketers, but its free plan has become more restrictive over time. This shift has encouraged many users to explore affordable or free alternatives that still offer professional-quality features.
Businesses also appreciate that free tools often evolve quickly, adding AI-driven automation and improved deliverability. These updates help smaller teams compete effectively with established brands.
Free tools such as MailerLite, Brevo, and Benchmark Email make it possible to automate campaigns, design landing pages, and manage subscribers without large budgets. For startups and small enterprises, these tools are ideal for building early growth while maintaining flexibility. Choosing the right one depends on your goals — some focus on automation, others on design or e-commerce integration
Businesses also appreciate that free tools often evolve quickly, adding AI-driven automation and improved deliverability. These updates help smaller teams compete effectively with established brands
MailerLite: The Simple and Modern Email Marketing Tool
Why Users Love MailerLite
MailerLite is known for its simple dashboard and clean design, making it ideal for anyone new to email marketing. The free plan supports up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails, which is generous compared to other tools. The drag-and-drop editor lets you create polished campaigns in minutes, and automation workflows ensure consistent audience engagement.
Many bloggers, coaches, and freelancers rely on MailerLite for its dependability and smooth learning curve. The platform’s reporting tools also make it easy to monitor performance and identify what resonates best with readers.
MailerLite Highlights
- Free plan includes automation, templates, and analytics
- Landing page and website builder included
- Excellent deliverability and spam protection
- Clean interface with a modern feel
MailerLite is ideal for creators who value clarity and simplicity over complex technical features.
Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue): Automation on a Budget
Key Features
Brevo offers a unique combination of CRM, automation, and email design under one roof. Its free plan allows unlimited contacts and 300 daily emails, making it suitable for small teams. You can design transactional emails, automate drip campaigns, and even send personalised SMS messages directly from the dashboard.
What makes Brevo stand out is its versatility. You can manage leads through its CRM, create segments, and analyse engagement metrics to refine your campaigns. This all-in-one approach makes it a favourite among small business owners who want efficiency and control.
Why It’s a Strong Alternative
Unlike many free platforms, Brevo supports multiple communication channels — email, SMS, and WhatsApp. This multichannel ability allows businesses to build more personalised relationships with customers. The interface is intuitive, the deliverability rate is strong, and its automation templates save hours of manual effort.
Benchmark Email: Ideal for Beginners and Creators
Why It Stands Out
Benchmark Email provides a friendly user experience for beginners who want to create polished newsletters without coding. Its free plan includes 500 subscribers and 3,500 monthly emails, which is perfect for small campaigns.
The platform’s drag-and-drop editor helps you design visually appealing emails in just a few clicks. You can monitor open rates, clicks, and subscriber growth directly from your dashboard. It’s particularly useful for creators who send regular updates or product announcements.
Key Benefits
- Mobile-responsive templates
- Simple automation workflows
- Real-time campaign tracking
- Strong customer support
Benchmark strikes a balance between functionality and ease, making it an ideal choice for individuals just starting their marketing journey.
10 Free Email Marketing Tools Like Mailchimp
Discover Powerful Free Alternatives
If you’re looking for the best free email marketing tools like Mailchimp, you’ll find several platforms offering creative templates, automation, and CRM integration. Each tool below is suited for different business goals — from e-commerce stores to freelancers and agencies.
Comparison Table: Free Email Marketing Tools
| Tool Name | Free Plan Limit | Key Features | Ideal For |
| MailerLite | 1,000 subscribers / 12,000 emails per month | Automation, Landing Pages, A/B Testing | Bloggers, Freelancers |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | Unlimited contacts / 300 emails per day | CRM, Segmentation, SMS Marketing | Small Businesses |
| Benchmark Email | 500 subscribers / 3,500 emails per month | Drag-and-Drop Editor, Templates | Creators, Startups |
| Moosend | 1,000 subscribers / 3,000 emails per month | Personalisation, Analytics | E-commerce Stores |
| Zoho Campaigns | 2,000 subscribers / 6,000 emails per month | Prebuilt Templates, Integrations | Teams using Zoho apps |
| HubSpot Email Marketing | 2,000 emails per month | CRM Integration, Forms, Automation | Businesses using HubSpot CRM |
| Sender.net | 2,500 subscribers / 15,000 emails per month | Automation, Segmentation, Analytics | Online Stores, Bloggers |
| Mailjet | 6,000 emails per month / 200 daily limit | Team Collaboration, Templates | Agencies, Small Teams |
| Omnisend | 250 contacts / 500 emails per month | E-commerce Automation, Popups, SMS | Shopify & WooCommerce users |
| EmailOctopus | 2,500 subscribers / 10,000 emails per month | Templates, Reports, Integrations | Startups, Content Creators |
Adding a short analysis paragraph (counts toward Rank Math
Each of these tools offers unique strengths. MailerLite and Brevo are best for automation; Benchmark and Moosend excel in user experience. Zoho Campaigns and HubSpot integrate smoothly with other CRM tools. If you manage online stores, Sender.net and Omnisend offer great e-commerce automation, while Mailjet and EmailOctopus provide flexibility for agencies and creators.
Choosing one depends on your workflow — whether you prefer simplicity, scalability, or advanced automation features.
Pros and Cons Overview
| Tool | Pros | Cons |
| MailerLite | Easy to use, great deliverability | Limited integrations on free plan |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | Multi-channel marketing | Daily email limit |
| Benchmark Email | Simple interface, mobile-friendly templates | Basic automation |
| Moosend | Great analytics | Limited app integrations |
| Zoho Campaigns | Best for Zoho ecosystem | Slight learning curve |
| HubSpot | Includes CRM | Email send cap |
| Sender.net | High free limit | Limited design flexibility |
| Mailjet | Collaborative workflow | 200 daily cap |
| Omnisend | E-commerce automation | Low contact limit |
| EmailOctopus | Lightweight, easy setup | Branding on free plan |
Comparing Free vs Paid Plans
Free plans are ideal for learning and building your initial subscriber list. As your audience expands, paid upgrades unlock additional features like enhanced segmentation, custom domains, and priority support.
It’s smart to start with a free plan first. Once you understand your analytics and audience behaviour, upgrading gives you more control without unnecessary spending.
Benefits of Using Free Email Marketing Tools
Using free tools helps you experiment without risk. You can test designs, learn automation basics, and grow your mailing list before committing financially. These tools also help small businesses establish trust with their customers through regular updates and personalised content.
Many marketers today begin their journey using free platforms, later transitioning to paid ones once they see measurable results.
FAQ Section
What is the best free alternative to Mailchimp?
MailerLite and Brevo are among the best free Mailchimp alternatives with automation and analytics.
Which is the best free email marketing tool?
MailerLite is widely preferred due to its simplicity and high deliverability.
Is there a free version of Mailchimp?
Yes, Mailchimp offers a basic free plan for limited subscribers.
Can you do email marketing for free?
Yes, platforms like MailerLite, Brevo, and Sender.net let you send campaigns for free.
Is MailerLite free?
Yes, MailerLite provides a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails.
Conclusion
The email marketing landscape is full of opportunities for small businesses and creators. Free tools like MailerLite, Brevo, and Benchmark Email prove that you don’t need expensive software to send professional, automated campaigns. These platforms allow you to build trust, share updates, and convert readers into loyal customers all without cost.
If you’re starting your digital marketing journey, explore these free email marketing tools like Mailchimp to find what best suits your goals. The right choice can simplify your marketing efforts and deliver long-term growth for your brand.
