Email marketing remains one of the most effective digital marketing channels. Recent statistics show that for every $1 spent on email marketing, businesses make an average return of $42. That‘s a 4100% return on investment!
With email newsletters continuing to drive business growth, having the right platform to create, manage and send your newsletters is essential.
In this updated guide for 2024, we‘ll be highlighting the top 13 email newsletter services on the market right now, focusing on their key features, pricing, pros and cons.
Whether you‘re just starting out or looking to switch to a new provider, use this guide to determine which solution is best suited for your specific needs.
Key Email Newsletter Platform Features
When evaluating email newsletter platforms, there are a few key features to look out for:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor – Allows you to easily create visually appealing newsletters without coding knowledge
- Template library – Professionally designed templates make newsletter creation quicker
- Segmentation tools – Split your lists into groups to target newsletters
- Automations – Set up triggered messages like welcome series or abandoned cart
- Analytics – Track opens, clicks and other metrics to optimize
- Integrations – Connect other tools like your CRM, ecommerce store etc.
Keeping those features in mind, let‘s dive into the top platforms:
1. MailerLite – Best Overall
MailerLite retains its place as the best all-round email newsletter service. It strikes the perfect balance between an easy-to-use editor and powerful features.
Some key aspects that make MailerLite stand out:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- 18,000+ mobile-optimized templates
- Automations with filters and triggers
- Landing pages and forms
- Generous free plan (up to 1,000 subscribers)
In early 2023, MailerLite also introduced SMS marketing and became GDPR and CCPA compliant – key regulatory requirements in various regions.
With affordable pricing for small businesses and a free plan to get started, MailerLite is still our #1 choice.
MailerLite Pricing
Free plan up to 1,000 subscribers
Paid plans starting from $10/month
2. ConvertKit – Best for Creators
ConvertKit remains a firm favorite for bloggers, authors, coaches, podcasters and other digital creators wanting to build an audience.
It makes it easy to capture leads from your content then nurture them into loyal subscribers.
Some stand-out ConvertKit features include:
- Intuitive editor optimized for simplicity
- Great selection of templates for creators
- Powerful automations based on tags and sequences
- Excellent deliverability with an inbox rate over 99%
- Useful ecommerce features
In 2023, ConvertKit introduced more advanced analytics allowing creators to better understand their audiences.
Their affordable pricing tiers and generosity free offering also continue to appeal.
ConvertKit Pricing
Free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers
Paid plans starting from $29/month
3. Sendinblue – Best New Platform
A relative newcomer, Sendinblue has quickly become one of the top email service providers. It offers a generous free plan and an excellent free CRM.
Some reasons why Sendinblue stands out:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- 300+ mobile-friendly templates
- Powerful segmentation tools
- Automation workflows with multiple triggers
- Free CRM with unlimited contacts
- SMS marketing and Facebook ad management
New features released in 2024 include an updated editor, Facebook and Instagram ad management, and enhanced analytics.
With its generous free plan (up to 300 subscribers), Sendinblue is ideal for startups and small businesses getting started with email newsletters.
Sendinblue Pricing
Free plan up to 300 subscribers
Paid plans starting at $25/month
4. ActiveCampaign – Most Powerful Automations
ActiveCampaign is the platform of choice for marketers wanting advanced automations.
It provides enterprise-grade features without the typical high cost. Reasons it stands out:
- 500+ pre-built automations
- Smart AI-powered platform
- Highly customizable
- Excellent deliverability and inboxing rates
- Range of built-in sales and marketing tools
2023 updates include a newdrag-and-drop editor, SMS editor and Facebook ad management capabilities.
While one of the more expensive providers, ActiveCampaign delivers tremendous value through its powerful feature set. It‘s an excellent choice for larger businesses.
ActiveCampaign Pricing
Plans starting from $9/month for 500 contacts
5. Moosend – Easiest to Use
Moosend is potentially the most beginner-friendly email newsletter builder available. With an incredibly intuitive drag-and-drop editor, you can create beautiful, rich newsletters in minutes.
Here‘s an overview of Moosend‘s key features:
- Extremely easy drag-and-drop editor
- Great looking templates for all industries
- Powerful segmentation and personalization capabilities
- Automations with multiple triggers
- Excellent analytics and reports
- Generous free plan (up to 500 contacts)
In 2023, Moosend focussed on enhancing deliverability and inbox placement while keeping their platform intuitive.
For beginners wanting a platform that‘s easy to master, Moosend is a great choice with affordable pricing.
Moosend Pricing
Free plan up to 500 contacts
Paid plans starting at $19/month
6. AWeber – Most Templates
First launched in 1998, AWeber is one of the most established email marketing platforms. It‘s known for its large template library and integration with other tools.
Some key features include:
- Over 600 mobile-friendly templates
- Easy to use drag-and drop-builder
- Integration with WordPress, Shopify and more
- Good selection of automations
- Decent free plan (up to 500 subscribers)
Recent upgrades include a new editor, better segmentation tools and more analytics capabilities.
For access to the largest template library, AWeber is a solid choice.
AWeber Pricing
Free plan up to 500 subscribers
Paid plans starting from $19/month
7. GetResponse – Best for Marketing Automation
Originally a suite of email marketing tools, GetResponse has expanded into a well-rounded marketing automation platform.
It caters nicely to small businesses with limited marketing resources. Features include:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- 300+ optimized templates
- Webinars, forms, landing pages
- eCommerce functionality
- Sales CRM and funnel builder
- Generous free plan (up to 1,000 contacts)
GetResponse keeps improving their platform with more built-in tools for small business marketing. It reduces the need for multiple systems and subscriptions.
It’s an excellent choice for solopreneurs and small teams wanting marketing automation capabilities.
GetResponse Pricing
Free plan up to 1,000 contacts
Paid plans starting at $15/month
8. Mailchimp – Easiest to Get Started
It‘s impossible to leave Mailchimp off any list of top email marketing platforms. The features are decent, but it‘s the generosity of their free plan that appeals to many.
You get access to core features like:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop builder
- Good selection of templates
- Basic automations
- Great analytics
- Free plan with up to 2,000 subscribers
Mailchimp has a reputation for being very easy to use for beginners. And the free plan allows you to build a sizeable audience.
Just be mindful that their free plan isn‘t as generous with automations and some advanced features. But it continues to be an excellent starting point for new email marketers.
Mailchimp Pricing
Forever free plan up to 2,000 subscribers
Paid plans starting at $11/month
9. Benchmark – Best for Personalization
Benchmark stands out for its excellent behavioral personalization capabilities.
It lets you customize newsletter content for each subscriber based on their location, purchase history, page visits and more.
Other notable features:
- Easy drag and drop editor
- Minimal templates but good customization options
- Powerful segmentation tools
- Automations with unique triggers
- Free CRM and landing pages
Benchmark caters best to ecommerce brands that want to deliver highly personalized messaging and recommendations across newsletters, onsite and email.
Benchmark Pricing
14-day Free Trial
Paid plans start from $99/month
10. Omnisend – Best for Ecommerce
As the name suggests, Omnisend is purpose-built for ecommerce stores. From the platform design to advanced automations, it streamlines email and SMS campaigns.
Standout features for online retailers:
- Visually rich templates
- Abandoned cart automations
- Customer win-back campaigns
- Behavioral personalization
- SMS capabilities
- Product recommendations
- Order notifications
If you sell products online, Omnisend helps drive more sales through targeted email and SMS campaigns.
Omnisend Pricing
Free plan for up to 2,000 contacts
Paid plans starting at $20/month
11. Mailerbit – Most Affordable
If budget is a primary concern but you still want quality features, Mailerbit balances both.
It‘s one of the most affordable paid platforms available. Yet still equips you with necessities like:
- Responsive drag-and-drop editor
- 250+ templates
- Automations
- Basic analytics
- Landing pages
While cheaper than most rivals, Mailerbit does lack some advanced functionality like SMS, personalization, and CRM capabilities.
But for simple newsletters on a tight budget, it shines through as a value option.
Mailerbit Pricing
Paid plans starting from $8.95/month
12. Sender – Best New Free Platform
One of the newest players, Sender differs from other free platforms in that it has no subscriber limits. Only email volume limits apply.
It‘s packed with features despite no monthly cost:
- Easy drag-and-drop editor
- Great templates for different niches
- Automations with unique triggers
- Powerful analytics
- No subscriber limits
The free plan allows 15,000 emails per month which is ample for startups and smaller businesses wanting an unrestricted platform.
For the generous offering at no cost, Sender is appealing to budget-conscious companies.
Sender Pricing
Free plan with 15,000 emails per month
Paid plans start from $6.66/month
Choosing the Best Platform for Your Needs
All platforms have their own pros, cons and pricing models.
Determine which features are essential to you before deciding. For example:
- Budget – Free or paid plan?
- Audience size – Current and expected list size
- Use case – Simple newsletters or advanced automations?
- Industry – Specific tool for ecommerce or creators?
Most platforms offer free trials so you can experience them firsthand.
Testing different options is wise to determine what best suits your specific needs and budget.
No platform will ever be perfect. But picking the right solution gets you 75% there. And saves endless hours trying to force a tool not fit for purpose.
Over to You
And there you have an up-to-date overview of the top 13 email newsletter platforms for 2024.
Hopefully the details around features, capabilities and pricing offer enough insights to shortlist options aligned to your requirements.
Remember most platforms provide free trials so you can validate them hands-on before committing.
Here‘s to finding newsletter software that streamlines your email campaigns and accelerates subscriber growth in the year ahead!
