Email marketing delivers $36 for every $1 spent, making it the highest ROI marketing channel. Choosing the right platform can make or break your email strategy. Here's how the top platforms compare.
Best Email Marketing 2025
- Best Overall: Mailchimp (free tier, easy to use)
- Best for Creators: ConvertKit (built for bloggers/creators)
- Best for E-commerce: Klaviyo (powerful Shopify integration)
- Best Budget: MailerLite (generous free plan)
- Best for Agencies: ActiveCampaign (advanced automation)
Top Email Platforms Compared
| Platform | Free Plan | Paid Starting | Best For | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | 500 contacts | $13/mo | Small businesses | |
| ConvertKit | 1,000 subs | $15/mo | Creators/bloggers | |
| Klaviyo | 250 contacts | $20/mo | E-commerce | |
| MailerLite | 1,000 subs | $10/mo | Budget-conscious | |
| ActiveCampaign | No free plan | $29/mo | Advanced automation | |
| Constant Contact | No free plan | $12/mo | Non-profits |
Platform Deep Dives
MAILCHIMP
Mailchimp - Best for Small Business
- Free tier: 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month
- Pros: Easy drag-drop editor, landing pages, website builder
- Cons: Gets expensive as you grow, limited automation on free
- Best for: Small businesses, beginners, diverse marketing needs
CONVERTKIT
ConvertKit - Best for Creators
- Free tier: 1,000 subscribers
- Pros: Visual automation builder, creator-focused features, excellent deliverability
- Cons: Basic email design options, limited templates
- Best for: Bloggers, podcasters, YouTubers, course creators
KLAVIYO
Klaviyo - Best for E-commerce
- Free tier: 250 contacts, 500 emails/month
- Pros: Deep Shopify integration, predictive analytics, SMS included
- Cons: Complex interface, expensive at scale
- Best for: Shopify stores, e-commerce businesses, DTC brands
Key Features Comparison
| Feature | Mailchimp | ConvertKit | Klaviyo | ActiveCampaign |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Email Templates | 100+ | Limited | 50+ | 125+ |
| Automation | Basic (free), Advanced (paid) | Excellent | Excellent | Best-in-class |
| Landing Pages | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | Add-on | No | Included | Add-on |
| CRM Features | Basic | Basic | Advanced | Full CRM |
Pricing Comparison (5,000 Subscribers)
| Platform | Price/Month | Emails Included | Key Limits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | $59 | 50,000 | 1 audience |
| ConvertKit | $66 | Unlimited | None |
| Klaviyo | $100 | 50,000 | SMS extra |
| MailerLite | $39 | Unlimited | None |
| ActiveCampaign | $99 | Unlimited | None |
| Constant Contact | $80 | Unlimited | Limited automation |
Email Automation Must-Haves
Essential Automations
- Welcome series: Onboard new subscribers with 3-5 emails
- Abandoned cart: Recover 10-15% of lost sales
- Browse abandonment: Follow up on product views
- Post-purchase: Thank you, reviews, upsells
- Win-back: Re-engage inactive subscribers
- Birthday/anniversary: Personal touch with special offers
Deliverability Matters
- What is deliverability: Percentage of emails reaching inbox (not spam)
- Industry average: 85-90%
- Top performers: ConvertKit, ActiveCampaign, MailerLite (95%+)
- Lower performers: Some free tools, Mailchimp (can vary)
- How to improve: Clean list regularly, use double opt-in, authenticate domain
Integrations to Consider
- E-commerce: Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce
- CRM: Salesforce, HubSpot, Pipedrive
- Webinar: Zoom, WebinarJam, Demio
- Forms: Typeform, OptinMonster, Sumo
- Zapier: Connect with 5,000+ apps
How to Choose
- List your must-have features: Automation, SMS, landing pages
- Consider your business type: Creator, e-commerce, service business
- Calculate costs at scale: Price for 10,000, 50,000, 100,000 subscribers
- Try free plans: Test 2-3 platforms before committing
- Check migration options: Easy to import/export if you need to switch