Klaviyo⭐ Reviewed 4.7/5
Free / $20/month ✓ checked Oct 3, 2026
Drive e-commerce revenue with email and SMS automation built on deep customer data — the standard for Shopify brands.
Email is still the highest-ROI channel in digital marketing, but the platforms behind it vary enormously. Some are built around visual automation builders and CRM data (ActiveCampaign, HubSpot), while others focus on interactive AMP emails that let subscribers act without leaving the inbox (Mailmodo).
When choosing, start with your list size and sending volume — pricing scales steeply with contacts. Then look at automation depth (visual workflow builders, branching logic), deliverability reputation, and whether the tool includes a built-in CRM or needs to sync with one. Agencies and e-commerce stores should also check for pre-built integrations with their store or client-management stack.
What to look for
- Automation builder with branching logic
- Deliverability track record and warm-up support
- Contact-based pricing that fits your list size
- Native CRM or clean integrations with yours
Entry Pricing at a Glance
Starting monthly price and our rating for the email marketing tools we track — original data from the Success Gravity directory, updated September 2026.
Top Email Marketing Tools
Klaviyo
★★★★★ 4.7/5
Drive e-commerce revenue with email and SMS automation built on deep customer data — the standard for Shopify brands.
From: $20/month · Trial: Free plan (250 contacts)
+ Deep Shopify integration · Clear revenue attribution
− Steeper learning curve
ActiveCampaign
★★★★★ 4.6/5
Automate email marketing and CRM with advanced features, enhancing customer engagement and sales.
From: $15/month (annual) · Trial: Yes, 14 days
+ Robust automation · Good deliverability
− High cost
Beehiiv
★★★★★ 4.6/5
Publish and monetize newsletters with built-in referral programs, an ad network, and growth tools used by top writers.
From: $39/month · Trial: Free plan (2,500 subs)
+ Built-in monetization · Excellent growth tools
− Not for complex automation
Mailmodo
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Enhance email campaigns with interactive AI tools, tailored for engagement and revenue.
From: $99/month · Trial: Yes, 14 days
+ Affordable · High deliverability
− Limited integrations
GetResponse
★★★★★ 4.5/5
All-in-one email marketing platform with automation, landing pages, webinars, and a powerful affiliate program — a strong ActiveCampaign alternative for growing businesses.
From: Free plan / Email Marketing ~$19/mo · Trial: Free plan (500 contacts)
+ Built-in webinar hosting · Strong automation flows
− Template editor feels dated vs newer tools
MailerLite
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Affordable, beginner-friendly email marketing with a generous free plan — the best value option for small businesses, bloggers, and solopreneurs who need clean automation without the complexity.
From: Free (up to 1,000 subs) / Growing Business ~$9/mo · Trial: Free plan
+ Very generous free plan (1,000 subs, 12,000 emails/mo) · Clean and intuitive editor
− Less powerful automation than ActiveCampaign
Brevo
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Run email, SMS, and a built-in CRM on one affordable platform — priced by emails sent, not contacts stored.
From: $9/month · Trial: Free plan (300 emails/day)
+ Pay per email, not contacts · Generous free tier
− Template editor is basic
Kit
★★★★★ 4.5/5
Grow and monetize an audience with creator-first email automation, paid newsletters, and landing pages (formerly ConvertKit).
From: $9/month · Trial: Free plan (10,000 subs)
+ Built for creators · Clean visual automations
− Light on email templates
Mailchimp
★★★★★ 4.4/5
Launch email campaigns, automations, and landing pages on the world's best-known small-business marketing platform.
From: $13/month · Trial: Free plan (500 contacts)
+ Easy to start · Well-known ecosystem
− Gets pricey as your list grows
Constant Contact
★★★★★ 4.3/5
Send polished email campaigns with strong deliverability, plus event and social tools made for small businesses.
From: $12/month · Trial: Yes, 14 days
+ Beginner-friendly · Strong deliverability
− Limited automation depth
Moosend
★★★★★ 4.3/5
Send targeted email campaigns and automations at an affordable price — with a drag-and-drop editor, landing pages, and advanced segmentation.
From: ~$9/month (500 subs) · Trial: Yes, 30 days
+ Competitive pricing (from ~$9/month) · No daily sending limits
− Smaller template library than competitors
Quick Comparison
| Tool | Rating | From | Free Trial | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klaviyo | 4.7/5 | $20/month | Free plan (250 contacts) | E-commerce automation |
| ActiveCampaign | 4.6/5 | $15/month (annual) | Yes, 14 days | Email automation |
| Beehiiv | 4.6/5 | $39/month | Free plan (2,500 subs) | Newsletter publishing |
| Mailmodo | 4.5/5 | $99/month | Yes, 14 days | Interactive emails |
| GetResponse | 4.5/5 | Free plan / Email Marketing ~$19/mo | Free plan (500 contacts) | Email automation |
| MailerLite | 4.5/5 | Free (up to 1,000 subs) / Growing Business ~$9/mo | Free plan | Drag-and-drop email editor |
| Brevo | 4.5/5 | $9/month | Free plan (300 emails/day) | Email & SMS |
| Kit | 4.5/5 | $9/month | Free plan (10,000 subs) | Creator automations |
Pricing last checked September 2026. Always confirm current pricing on the vendor's site.
In-Depth Reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top-rated email marketing tools right now?
Based on our scoring, the top-rated picks are Klaviyo, ActiveCampaign, and Beehiiv. Klaviyo leads at 4.7/5. The right choice still depends on your budget and team size, which is why we compare them side by side above.
How much do email marketing tools cost?
Among the tools we track in this category, entry pricing ranges from about $9/month to $99/month. Most vendors tier pricing by usage or seats, so real cost depends on your scale — check each tool's pricing page for current rates (last checked September 2026).
Which email platform is best for automation-heavy funnels?
ActiveCampaign is generally the strongest pick for complex, multi-step automation funnels thanks to its visual builder and CRM integration. If your emphasis is on interactive campaigns and engagement inside the inbox, Mailmodo's AMP email support is unique in this group.
Do email marketing tools offer free trials?
Yes — 4 of the 11 tools we compare here offer a free trial, including ActiveCampaign, Mailmodo, Constant Contact, Moosend. We recommend shortlisting two tools and running the same real task through both trials before committing to an annual plan.
Every Email Marketing tool we track (27)
Prices are the cheapest paid plan. ✓ means we checked it on the vendor’s own pricing page (9 of 27). Newly listed tools aren’t rated until we review them.
ActiveCampaign⭐ Reviewed 4.6/5
$15/month (billed yearly) ✓ checked Oct 3, 2026
Automate email marketing and CRM with advanced features, enhancing customer engagement and sales.
Mailmodo⭐ Reviewed 4.5/5
Enhance email campaigns with interactive AI tools, tailored for engagement and revenue.
Mailchimp⭐ Reviewed 4.4/5
Free / Essentials $13/month ✓ checked Oct 3, 2026
Launch email campaigns, automations, and landing pages on the world's best-known small-business marketing platform.
Klaviyo★ 4.6/5
Free up to 250 profiles / Email from ~$20/mo
The go-to email and SMS marketing platform for e-commerce brands — deep Shopify and WooCommerce integrations, predictive analytics, segmentation by purchase history, and flows that fire based on real shopping behaviour. Affiliate program available.
Beehiiv★ 4.6/5
Publish and monetize newsletters with built-in referral programs, an ad network, and growth tools used by top writers.
Brevo★ 4.5/5
Run email, SMS, and a built-in CRM on one affordable platform — priced by emails sent, not contacts stored.
GetResponse★ 4.5/5
Free plan / Email Marketing ~$19/mo
All-in-one email marketing platform with automation, landing pages, webinars, and a powerful affiliate program — a strong ActiveCampaign alternative for growing businesses.
Instantly.ai★ 4.5/5
Growth ~$37/mo / Hyper Growth ~$97/mo
Send cold email outreach at scale with unlimited sending accounts, AI-powered email warmup, and a built-in lead database — the go-to platform for sales teams and agencies running high-volume outbound campaigns.
Kit★ 4.5/5
Grow and monetize an audience with creator-first email automation, paid newsletters, and landing pages (formerly ConvertKit).
MailerLite★ 4.5/5
Free (up to 1,000 subs) / Growing Business ~$9/mo
Affordable, beginner-friendly email marketing with a generous free plan — the best value option for small businesses, bloggers, and solopreneurs who need clean automation without the complexity.
Flodesk★ 4.5/5
Send beautiful email campaigns with a flat-rate pricing model — one price regardless of list size. Designed for creative entrepreneurs, photographers, and coaches who want stunning emails without HTML. Affiliate program: 50% off referrals.
Constant Contact★ 4.3/5
Send polished email campaigns with strong deliverability, plus event and social tools made for small businesses.
Moosend★ 4.3/5
Send targeted email campaigns and automations at an affordable price — with a drag-and-drop editor, landing pages, and advanced segmentation.
AWeber★ 4.2/5
Free (500 subs) / Lite ~$12.50/mo (500 subs)
One of the longest-running email marketing platforms — trusted by 100,000+ small businesses and creators for reliable deliverability, autoresponders, and a landing page builder, with a free plan for up to 500 subscribers.
EmailOctopusNew listing
Free / Pro $9/month (billed yearly) ✓ checked Oct 6, 2026
Email newsletter and campaign tool with a free tier for small lists.
MailjetNew listing
Free / Starter $9/month ✓ checked Oct 6, 2026
Email marketing and transactional email service from Sinch.
OmnisendNew listing
Free / Standard $16/month ✓ checked Oct 4, 2026
Email, SMS and web push marketing platform with automation for ecommerce stores.
OptinMonsterNew listing
Basic $9/month (billed yearly) ✓ checked Oct 4, 2026
Lead generation software offering popups, exit-intent campaigns and page targeting to grow email lists and cut cart abandonment.
PostmarkNew listing
Free / Basic $15/month ✓ checked Oct 6, 2026
Transactional email delivery service for apps and websites.
PrivyNew listing
Pop-ups & Displays $24/month ✓ checked Oct 4, 2026
Pop-ups, email and SMS marketing platform for ecommerce brands.
BombBombNew listing
Video email and messaging tool for sales and relationship-based teams.
ButtondownNew listing
Newsletter platform that is free for the first 100 subscribers.
DripNew listing
E-commerce email and SMS marketing platform with automation workflows.
MailgunNew listing
Email API service for sending, receiving and tracking transactional email.
SendGridNew listing
Transactional and marketing email delivery API from Twilio.
Zoho CampaignsNew listing
Email marketing tool for building newsletters, automations and subscriber lists.
Not sure which tool fits?
Browse the full directory of 658 tools, or see our head-to-head comparisons.