You started a business because you wanted to connect with people — not wrestle with tools. That tension shows up every day: lost time, stalled campaigns, or a dashboard that feels like a puzzle. This guide cuts through the noise and puts clear choices in your hands.
Try GetResponse free for 30 days to test an all-in-one option built for speed and scale. GetResponse bundles webinars, funnels, and templates so small businesses can launch fast without deep tech work.
Below you’ll find a curated comparison of nine leading email marketing platforms chosen for quick setup, intuitive interfaces, and outcomes that help growing teams in digital marketing. We highlight free plan caps, standout features like automation, cart recovery, and landing pages, and when a paid plan makes sense. In evaluating the best email marketing platforms, we consider not only usability but also scalability to ensure they can grow alongside your team. Each platform is assessed based on its unique strengths, such as analytics tools and audience segmentation capabilities, which are crucial for maximizing engagement and conversion rates. This comprehensive overview will guide you in selecting the right solution that meets your specific marketing needs. These platforms are evaluated not only for their ease of use but also for their effectiveness in engaging customers and driving conversions. As we dive into each option, you’ll see why these are considered the best email marketing platforms 2023 for businesses aiming to elevate their email campaigns. Each platform offers unique advantages that cater to varying needs and budgets, ensuring that you can find the perfect fit for your marketing strategy.
This section helps you pick the best marketing tool to use email to drive engagement and revenue without heavy technical lifts. Expect clear pros and cons, time-to-value estimates, and practical next steps to get your first campaign live.
Key Takeaways
- Compare nine top options chosen for ease and quick setup.
- Free plans vary; MailerLite, Brevo, and GetResponse offer useful entry tiers.
- GetResponse is an all-in-one pick for webinars, funnels, and fast scale.
- Look for drag-and-drop editors, native ecommerce, and automation depth.
- Start on a free plan to test time-to-value, then scale when needed.
Why non-technical teams are turning to simpler email marketing platforms
Simple builders let staff launch revenue-driving campaigns the same week they sign up. That speed matters when you need to get started and show results. Many solutions now focus on clear defaults, visual editors, and guided setup so your first send is not a major project.
Common hurdles: setup, design, automation complexity
Onboarding friction and template design slow progress. Importing an email list, setting sender authentication, and mapping automation often trip non-developers.
Quick win: start fast with drag‑and‑drop editors and prebuilt flows
Drag-and-drop editors and visual canvases reduce setup time. Prebuilt flows like welcome series and cart recovery cut time-to-first-send.
- Intuitive defaults and checklists help with getting started without a developer.
- Block-based libraries keep branding consistent and cut design decisions.
- Visual automation lets you map journeys at a glance, not in code.
- You can often launch a branded welcome flow on a free plan within hours.
The shift toward ease use doesn’t mean losing power. Many tools pair simplicity with advanced features you can unlock later. If you want a quick shortcut, consider trying GetResponse free for 30 days to test prebuilt assets and flows.
Search intent and how this Product Roundup helps you choose
We filter the noise so you can compare vendors that deliver quick wins and clear upgrade paths. Buyers usually look to balance ease of use with long-term capabilities. You’ll see which options favor fast setup and which offer depth as you scale.
What we measure:
- Ease of use: onboarding, editors, and launch speed.
- Free plan generosity and when growth forces upgrades.
- Automation depth and available integrations.
- Fit with common use cases like ecommerce, newsletters, and basic CRM nurturing.
Reviews such as EmailTooltester consistently rank ActiveCampaign, MailerLite, Brevo, GetResponse, and Omnisend among top contenders for SMBs. That consensus helped shape our shortlist and the criteria above.
Try GetResponse free for 30 days to validate fit with a no-risk trial: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR. Running a trial in parallel is the fastest way to compare UI flow and workflow speed.
Evaluation criteria for non-technical teams
Practical evaluation starts with how fast you can go from signup to a first live send. That time-to-value reflects real ease use and the quality of guided setup. You want a tool that reduces guesswork and gives clear paths to results.
Ease of use: editors, onboarding, support
Look for a robust drop editor and an intuitive email editor that uses blocks and reusable sections. These features cut design time and keep branding consistent.
Onboarding should include checklists, walkthroughs, and helpful tooltips. Live chat or timely support on initial plans speeds problem resolution and avoids stalled launches.
Automation without code: prebuilt journeys and visual builders
Visual builders with sensible defaults let you deploy welcome flows, re-engagement sequences, and cart recovery without a developer. Prebuilt journeys are the difference between setup taking hours versus weeks.
Free plan generosity and growth-friendly pricing
Free tiers vary greatly: note subscriber caps and send limits when testing an account. MailerLite, Brevo, GetResponse, and Omnisend each set different thresholds that affect pilots.
Run a live trial to validate core automation features, landing pages, and templates end to end. You can test GetResponse’s drag-and-drop builder, landing pages, and prebuilt automations during the 30-day free plan to compare speed and clarity. See a quick comparison at GetResponse alternatives review.
- Prioritize marketing automation that matches current needs, with room to unlock advanced features later.
- Ensure native integrations keep your email list synced to ecommerce and CRM systems.
- Evaluate analytics, segmentation, and deliverability tools as part of core marketing features.
Email Marketing Platforms for Non-Technical Teams: the short list
This short list highlights nine consumer-ready tools that help small teams launch campaigns fast without deep technical setup.
Quick picks:
- ActiveCampaign — best for advanced automation and journeys.
- MailerLite — fastest to learn with a generous free plan (1,000 subs / 12,000 sends).
- Brevo — high contact allowance and daily send cap value (300/day; 100k contacts).
- GetResponse — full hub: webinars, funnels, landing pages; free 500 contacts / 2,500 emails.
- Omnisend — ecommerce-first automations; useful free tier for small shops.
- Moosend — budget-friendly email marketing services starting around $9.
- Klaviyo — deep ecommerce analytics and integrations.
- Beehiiv — creator tools and monetization (note: formerly ConvertKit alternatives are common).
- Mailchimp — ubiquitous but tighter free plan limits; plan growth carefully.
Run side-by-side pilots for 7–14 days to compare UI flow, template speed, and reporting clarity. Capture wins on blocks, segmentation, and cadence, then pick one primary tool.
| Vendor | Strength | Free tier | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| ActiveCampaign | Automation depth | Limited | Complex journeys |
| MailerLite | Speed & simplicity | 1,000 subs / 12k sends | Newsletters & quick launches |
| GetResponse | All-in-one hub | 500 contacts / 2,500 emails | Webinars, funnels, landing pages |
Shortlist CTA: If you want an all-in-one starting point with fast wins, Try GetResponse free for 30 days — https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
GetResponse: the most complete “all-in-one” for marketers who want speed and scale
GetResponse combines conversion-focused features and visual workflows so you can ship campaigns without stitching services together. This product is built to let you get started quickly and scale without swapping tools.
Why it stands out: webinars, funnels, AI email generator, landing pages
Webinars and conversion funnels sit natively in the same workspace as landing pages and forms. That reduces setup time and keeps data in one place.
The AI email generator speeds subject lines and first-draft copy. Use it to sustain a regular email newsletter cadence without creative bottlenecks.
Automation and templates you can actually use
Visual automation and prebuilt journeys make automated workflows approachable. Drag-and-drop builders and a robust library of email templates let non-developers build polished sends fast.
A/B testing on subject lines, content blocks, and send time helps boost performance without advanced expertise.
Free to get started: 500 contacts and 2,500 monthly emails
The free plan gives you 500 contacts and 2,500 monthly emails to validate deliverability, onboarding, and first-flow performance.
- All-in-one coverage: webinars, funnels, landing pages, and AI-assisted copy.
- Drop editor and templates speed design edits and campaign launches.
- Automated workflows and segmentation deepen as needs grow.
- Integrations with CRMs and ecommerce platforms simplify data syncs.
Try GetResponse free for 30 days — https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR to validate ease of use, automation features, and time-to-first-results with this marketing tool.
MailerLite: best for ease of use and quick launches
If speed and clarity matter, MailerLite gets your first campaign out the door in hours.
Why it works: MailerLite leads with a clean UI, a simple email editor, and a responsive drop editor. Non-technical users grasp the workflow fast and build consistent sends with blocks and dynamic content.
The free plan is generous: up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 sends per month. That makes it a practical choice for list validation and early growth without cost.
- Fast production with content blocks and a usable set of email templates.
- Built-in landing pages and forms to capture your first email list.
- Simple automation and segmentation to launch a welcome series quickly.
Watch for template limits on the free tier; upgrade when you need more design control. If you outgrow MailerLite’s free tier, you can trial GetResponse’s broader toolkit free for 30 days: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue): best value and built-in CRM for growing teams
Brevo combines multi-channel tools with a lightweight CRM at a low entry cost. It bundles email, SMS, chat, and deal tracking in one workspace. That reduces vendor sprawl and keeps data aligned between sales and messages.
The free plan is generous in contacts but limited by daily sends. You can store up to 100,000 contacts while sending up to 300 emails/day. That makes Brevo useful when you keep a large list but send infrequently.
Practical notes:
- Built-in CRM and deal tracking sync basic sales workflows to your outreach.
- Automations cover welcome flows, reactivation, and ecommerce triggers; transactional emails are supported.
- Templates vary in style; expect to customize when you need modern designs.
- Paid plans start near $9/month—review sends vs. list size to forecast cost as you scale.
How to evaluate: Test Brevo’s CRM and automations against an all-in-one funnel + webinar stack. Try GetResponse free for 30 days to compare landing pages, funnels, and webinars side by side: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
| Feature | Brevo | Free plan | Best fit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts allowed | Up to 100,000 | 100,000 contacts | Large lists with low send cadence |
| Send cap | 300/day | 300 emails/day | Drip campaigns; preserve deliverability |
| Included tools | CRM, SMS, chat, automations, transactional emails | Core multi-channel tools | Teams needing basic sales and comms sync |
| Starting price | From $9/month | Free tier available | Cost-conscious growth with multi-channel needs |
ActiveCampaign: unmatched automation when you’re ready to level up
When campaigns depend on precise triggers and deep segmentation, ActiveCampaign becomes the obvious choice.
Why it stands out: ActiveCampaign excels at complex conditional logic and sales alignment. It pairs a visual builder with CRM add-ons, lead scoring, and site tracking. That mix makes it strong for ecommerce and B2B growth where targeted follow-up matters.
Practical trade-offs: The platform starts at $19/month (Starter) and moves to $59 (Plus). You pay more as contacts and features grow. You buy depth, not the simplest onboarding.
- Visual builder supports multi-branch automated workflows and precise segmentation.
- CRM integration enables lead scoring, pipeline tracking, and sales follow-up.
- Advanced features include site tracking, event triggers, and robust split testing.
- Preset recipes help non-experts launch before building custom logic.
How to validate: Test ActiveCampaign’s visual automation on a sample segment. Measure build speed, reporting clarity, and maintenance effort.
Compare to an all-in-one: If you want webinars and funnels built-in, Try GetResponse free for 30 days to compare time-to-value: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
| Capability | ActiveCampaign | Starter Price | Best use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automation depth | Multi-branch, conditional logic | $19/month | Behavior-driven journeys |
| CRM & sales | Lead scoring, pipelines | Addon or Plus plan | Sales + nurture alignment |
| Advanced features | Site tracking, event triggers, split tests | $59/month (Plus) | Scale with precision |
| Ease of start | Preset recipes available | Free trial varies | Teams moving from simple to complex |
Omnisend: ecommerce-first automations that recover more revenue
Omnisend centers on shop-driven automations that turn browsing signals into measurable revenue. It suits stores that need product-aware flows and quick ROI.
The tool ships prebuilt flows for browse abandonment, cart recovery, and post-purchase follow-ups. These automated workflows lift conversions without custom development.
Practical strengths:
- Product blocks and dynamic recommendations let you merchandise inside messages with minimal setup.
- SMS plus email orchestration raises recovery rates and average order value.
- You can run a/b testing on subject lines and content to refine campaigns.
- Interactive incentives—wheel-of-fortune and gift boxes—boost list growth and engagement.
The free plan gives 250 contacts and 500 emails/month, enough to validate store-connected automations and test transactional emails and templates.
Tip: If you also need funnels or webinars alongside store automations, try GetResponse free for 30 days to complement your ecommerce stack. Watch product-data sync, segment granularity, and SMS compliance as you scale.
Moosend: budget-friendly features with solid automation
If you need predictable costs and solid marketing automation, Moosend is a pragmatic pick. It starts at $9/month for 500 subscribers and includes unlimited sends, templates, A/B testing, and core workflows.
The freemium tier was removed, but Moosend offers a 30-day free trial so you can validate features before buying paid plans. That trial is useful when you want to test abandoned cart, upsells, and anniversary flows without immediate commitment.
- Cost-effective: core automation and reliable deliverability at a low entry price.
- Quick to launch: prebuilt lifecycle flows for cart recovery and upsells.
- Optimization tools: templates and A/B testing reduce creative risk.
- Growth planning: check integrations and reporting before volume increases.
Moosend is a solid email marketing tool when budget predictability matters. If you need broader features like webinars and funnels, Try GetResponse free for 30 days to compare value: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Klaviyo: deep ecommerce integrations and powerful segmentation
Klaviyo stands out when store data and customer behavior drive every message. It syncs tightly with Shopify and other storefronts to power precise audience slices and event-driven sends.
What you get quickly: robust segmentation, mature reporting, and templated flows that map to buyer journeys. The free plan includes 250 contacts and 500 emails, enough to prove concepts and test key flows.
Expect a learning curve. Klaviyo trades instant simplicity for depth. When you invest time, you unlock advanced features like predictive analytics, dynamic content, and multi-channel orchestration.
- Granular personalization driven by product and order events.
- Revenue attribution and lifecycle reporting to guide merchandising.
- Prebuilt email templates and flows for cart, post-purchase, and win‑backs.
Practical note: pricing rises with list size, so forecast costs as your catalog grows. Validate data hygiene and sync cadence to keep segments accurate and deliverability healthy.
| Strength | Klaviyo | Compare |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce depth | Excellent | GetResponse adds funnels & webinars |
| Free plan | 250 contacts / 500 emails | Try GetResponse free for 30 days — https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR |
| Best use cases | High-precision cart flows & product follow-ups | Top-of-funnel lead gen handled well by broader stacks |
Beehiiv: creator-focused newsletters with monetization built in
Beehiiv targets creators who want fast audience growth and revenue without heavy setup. It bundles referral mechanics, recommendation engines, and Boost tools to help lists scale and monetize.
Its generous free plan supports up to 2,500 subscribers. That makes it useful for early list building and content testing.
The platform favors easy use. You publish quickly and focus on writing. Built-in paid subscriptions, sponsorship tools, and ad slots let you monetize without external plugins.
- Creator-first features: referrals, recommendations, Boosts, and sponsorship tools.
- Free plan: up to 2,500 subscribers; Scale plan starts at $49/month.
- Trade-offs: lighter template selection and more manual branding work.
- Growth tip: pair referral programs with a steady publishing cadence to accelerate acquisition.
Track cohorts and conversion rates from referrals to see which paths drive paid subscribers. If you need funnels, webinars, and landing pages in one stack, Try GetResponse free for 30 days to add those capabilities: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
| Feature | Beehiiv | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Monetization | Paid subs, ads, sponsorships | Revenue without external tools |
| Growth | Referrals & recommendations | Speeds list expansion |
| Free tier | 2,500 subscribers | Test product-market fit cost-free |
| Scale pricing | Starts at $49/month | Grows with audience and revenue needs |
Mailchimp: popular option with evolving limits on the free plan
Mailchimp still appears in many toolkits, but recent policy shifts have changed what you get at no cost. The free plan now covers 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month and includes only single-step automation.
- Familiar interface and a broad ecosystem that many teams already know.
- Social scheduling, ad integrations, and basic landing pages help small projects start fast.
- Includes basic CRM elements to manage simple lists and tags.
Watchouts:
- Billing can include charges for unsubscribed or cleaned contacts and for overages.
- Multi-step workflows and advanced templates require paid plans.
- Support access is limited for free users after the first month.
Map your growth and total cost of ownership before committing. If Mailchimp’s limits feel restrictive, Try GetResponse free for 30 days to test an all-in-one alternative — https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Feature-by-feature comparison across email marketing tools
We measure editor responsiveness, automation depth, and free plan headroom so you can pick faster. This section highlights the practical differences that change build time and cost.
Editors and templates: drag‑and‑drop, HTML, and template depth
Most providers include a drop editor and an email editor with block libraries. Compare how fast blocks load, how many modern email templates exist, and whether HTML access is available.
Quick tip: GetResponse and MailerLite offer abundant starter blocks that cut production time. If you need raw control, ensure the tool exposes HTML editing.
Automation: prebuilt flows, visual builders, A/B testing
Automation ranges from single-step sequences to multi-branch logic. ActiveCampaign is the benchmark for advanced marketing automation. Omnisend leads ecommerce flows, while GetResponse balances visual ease with advanced features and A/B testing options.
Free plans and limits: subscribers, sends, and must-know caps
Free tiers differ in subscribers and sends. Note MailerLite (1,000 subscribers / 12,000 sends), Brevo (300/day), GetResponse (500/2,500), Omnisend and Klaviyo (250/500), and Mailchimp (500/1,000).
Actionable check: Validate automation access, daily send caps, and whether cleaned contacts still count toward limits before you onboard a list.
- Segmentation: Check behavioral and transactional filters — ecommerce tools often expose richer product data.
- Reporting: Prefer dashboards with revenue attribution and cohort views to iterate across email and channels.
- Integrations: Confirm native connectors to your CMS, ecommerce, and CRM to avoid manual syncs.
- Deliverability: Look for built-in guidance on domain authentication and list hygiene.
| Feature | Best pick | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Editor & templates | GetResponse / MailerLite | Speed to first campaign; modern blocks reduce design work |
| Automation | ActiveCampaign / GetResponse | Complex journeys vs. balance of power and ease |
| Free plan headroom | MailerLite / Brevo | Larger contact allowances or higher daily sends for pilots |
Benchmark this stack: Try GetResponse free for 30 days to compare editor speed, marketing automation clarity, and free plan limits against your shortlist — https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Pricing and value for small businesses in the United States
Cost matters as much as features when small businesses choose a sending service. You need clarity on monthly fees, overages, and which paid plans unlock essential tools. Start with free trials, then model three growth scenarios so budgeting stays predictable.
Where free plans shine — and when to upgrade
Free plans shine for validating onboarding speed, editor responsiveness, and early deliverability. Use them to run real campaigns for two weeks and compare results.
- Validate time-to-first-send and template ease before buying.
- Upgrade when caps block growth—daily send limits, limited automations, or missing templates.
- Watch billing rules (e.g., charges for cleaned/unsubscribed contacts).
Standout value picks vs. premium capabilities
Value picks: Brevo (low entry + CRM), MailerLite (large free plan headroom), Moosend (budget-friendly paid pricing).
Premium capabilities: ActiveCampaign (deep automation), Klaviyo (ecommerce analytics), GetResponse (all-in-one funnels, webinars, landing pages).
| Provider | Indicative start | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| GetResponse | $19/month | Funnels, webinars, all-in-one ROI |
| Brevo | $9/month | Low-cost CRM + sending |
| Moosend | $9/month | Predictable, budget plans |
| ActiveCampaign | $19/month | Complex journeys |
Practical tip: Model total cost across sends, contacts, SMS add-ons, and advanced analytics before you commit. Small businesses often save more time than money by choosing a vendor with responsive onboarding and support.
Validate costs and capabilities in a risk-free pilot — Try GetResponse free for 30 days: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Practical use cases and recommended platforms
Choose tools that map directly to the outcome you need—revenue recovery, audience growth, or pipeline acceleration. Match features to KPIs before you sign up. That keeps pilots short and results measurable.
Ecommerce growth
Run cart recovery and browse flows with Omnisend to recover abandoned revenue quickly. Use Klaviyo when segmentation tied to purchase history and product analytics must drive personalization.
Layer SMS for time-sensitive nudges and higher conversion on cart reminders.
Content-led newsletters
Choose Beehiiv to monetize via referrals, paid subs, and sponsorships. Focus on consistent publishing and referral mechanics to scale audience value.
Sales-enabled marketing
Brevo adds a built-in CRM to align sales tasks and basic pipelines. Use GetResponse when funnels and webinars must live in one workspace to convert leads end to end.
- Sophisticated automation: ActiveCampaign handles multi-branch logic and tight behavioral triggers.
- Hybrid approach: Test two tools for two weeks to compare workflow and speed across email and other channels.
- Lifecycle playbook: Build welcome, nurture, conversion, post-purchase, and reactivation flows first. Add branches after baseline results.
| Use case | Recommended tool | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| Ecommerce recovery | Omnisend / Klaviyo | Prebuilt cart flows; deep product segmentation |
| Creator newsletters | Beehiiv | Referrals, monetization, ad tools |
| Sales & lead gen | Brevo / GetResponse | CRM sync; funnels and webinars in one place |
| Complex journeys | ActiveCampaign | Multi‑branch automation and behavioral triggers |
Document your use cases and required integrations first. Let those needs drive platform choice. For funnels and webinar-driven plays, Try GetResponse free for 30 days to validate conversion flow end to end: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
From zero to first campaign: a simple implementation plan
Start with a tight plan that moves you from signup to a revenue-driving send in under two weeks. Common free plan allowances let you set up a test account, build a welcome flow, and publish landing pages without immediate cost.
Set up your account, import contacts, and segment
Create your account and authenticate your sending domain to protect deliverability.
Import an email list with consent records. Tag contacts by source and stage so segmentation is meaningful from day one.
Build a high-converting welcome flow and newsletter
Build a branded landing page and a short 3–5 message welcome flow: intro, social proof, product highlights, and a clear next step.
Draft a reusable newsletter template with content blocks. Test on mobile before you send an email campaign.
Measure results: deliverability, open rate, CTR, and revenue
Launch to a warm segment and monitor deliverability, open rate, CTR, and early revenue signals.
Iterate weekly with A/B tests on subject lines and modules. Expand segmentation by behavior once baseline wins are documented.
- Quick checklist: authenticate domain, import list, build landing pages, create welcome flow, test newsletter, automate core flows, launch, measure, iterate.
| Step | Goal | Metric | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authenticate domain | Protect deliverability | Inbox placement | Prevents blocks and improves open rates |
| Welcome flow | Engage new subscribers | Open rate / CTR | Sets expectations and reduces churn |
| Landing page | Capture subscribers | Conversion rate | Feeds a clean email list and improves ROI |
Implement this plan during a free 30-day GetResponse trial to validate editor speed, automation clarity, and landing page performance — https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Conclusion
This wrap-up gives a clear path to pick a tool that gets you sending in days, not months.
You’ve seen nine leading email marketing platforms that balance speed, automation depth, ecommerce strength, and creator monetization. Start with a free plan to validate onboarding, a welcome flow, and real reporting you can act on next week.
Keep your first program simple: a welcome series, a regular newsletter, and one lifecycle flow. Run a two-week side-by-side pilot to compare editor speed, template utility, and automation usability.
Measure deliverability, open rate, CTR, and revenue. Document limits you hit on any free plan and map what you need next quarter. For an all-in-one option that balances ease with power, Try GetResponse free for 30 days — and compare it against your shortlist this week.