Surprising fact: over 70% of top users say a clear drag-and-drop editor and strong deliverability decide their long-term choice.
You need tools that let you build, automate, and scale without technical debt. This guide compares real-world strength, pricing, and use cases from long-term practitioners.
The top options balance a visual builder, workflow automation, segmentation, landing pages, and flexible pricing. Brands like Brevo, MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, Omnisend, and Constant Contact each bring distinct advantages.
Expect concise, hands-on advice. We’ll show which services fit ecommerce, creators, budget users, and teams needing advanced automation. You’ll also see how free plan limits stack up against real needs per month.
Quick note: if you want to test a full feature set risk-free, try GetResponse’s free 30-day trial.
Key Takeaways
- Top tools combine an easy editor, automation, and strong deliverability.
- Free plans vary widely; check contact and send limits per month before committing.
- Choose by use case: ecommerce, creators, or deep automation.
- Testing a trial helps avoid surprise costs and technical debt.
- Look for CRM links and omnichannel options like SMS for long-term ROI.
Why small businesses choose modern email marketing software in the present day
A reliable contact list turns occasional visitors into repeat buyers, independent of trending feeds. Owned channels give you retention and repeat revenue when social media algorithms shift.
Modern email marketing software bundles builders, segmentation, automation, and analytics. These features reduce manual work and deliver more personalized messages at scale.
SMB-focused tools often include CRM, SMS, and transactional sending so you centralize customer data and messaging. That cuts tool sprawl and saves time.
- Deliverability infrastructure and list-hygiene tools keep your messages in the inbox, not spam.
- Integrated landing pages and forms capture leads without a separate web stack.
- Real-time reporting helps you iterate on content, timing, and segments with confidence.
- Free tiers and trials remove risk; test hands-on before you upgrade.
Quick action: if you want to try a balanced solution with strong automation and funnels, see the GetResponse email builder comparison at GetResponse email builder comparison or start a trial at the vendor’s site.
Email Marketing Platforms for Small Businesses: how to evaluate your shortlist
Start with measurable criteria that reflect your team’s workflow and budget. Define which daily tasks the tool must automate, who will use the editor, and what growth targets the list needs to meet.
Must‑have features
Confirm a true drag-and-drop email builder and polished email templates. Anyone on your team should produce on‑brand campaigns without a developer.
Look for visual workflows in automation tools. Triggers, conditions, and prebuilt journeys save hours and raise conversion rates.
Deliverability, support, and integrations
Score sending infrastructure: SPF, DKIM, and DMARC matter. Check list‑hygiene features and reputation tools that keep inbox placement high.
Validate integrations with CRM, ecommerce, payments, and analytics. Strong support—live chat, onboarding, and docs—speeds time to value.
Free plans and paid starts: real value per month
Compare free plan limits on contacts, sends, and branding. A trial that unlocks core automation is more useful than a restrictive free tier.
Tip: if you plan to test a top pick, consider starting a 30‑day GetResponse trial to evaluate funnels, landing pages, and automation workflows hands‑on.
- Segmentation and personalization beyond basics.
- Landing pages and forms included to grow lists without extra tools.
- Clear pricing: what “per month” actually buys in contacts, users, and features.
Our testing methodology and what “best” means for this product roundup
We tested each service hands-on to see what teams can launch in a single week. Our goal was practical: measure how quickly you can build campaigns, set automations, and publish landing pages with minimal setup.
Hands-on testing, pricing checks, and sentiment weighting
Scope: we built campaigns across 13–35+ products, scored each by usability, features, and value.
- We perform hands-on builds: create campaign content, automations, and landing pages to benchmark speed and ease.
- We analyze pricing tiers and verify free plan limits plus free trial and 14-day free trial constraints.
- We test deliverability setup and list-hygiene tools to reduce bounces and protect sender reputation.
- We factor customer sentiment from G2, Capterra, and Trustpilot to capture reliability and support trends.
- We weigh unique capabilities (AI, CRM, SMS, transactional) only when they add measurable ROI.
- We prioritize clarity: what you can ship in week one and how you’ll scale by month three.
What “best” means: a balance of usability, deliverability, transparent pricing, and features that move revenue. We favor tools that show clear value during a free trial and in real SMB workflows.
Try this approach: run a focused test. Start with the vendor that offers a full free 30-day trial and validate funnels, sending, and integrations in your stack: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Quick snapshot: who each marketing platform is best for
Below is a concise guide that pairs each vendor with the teams and goals they serve best. Use this to narrow choices before a hands‑on test.
Ecommerce, creators, advanced automation, budget‑friendly, and all‑in‑one picks
GetResponse is the balanced pick. It serves SMBs that need funnels, automation, and landing pages. Ready to try our top pick? Start GetResponse Free 30‑Day Trial: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Brevo is the budget option with a standout free plan (300 sends/day). It adds SMS, transactional sending, and a built‑in CRM.
ActiveCampaign fits teams that need advanced automation and deep workflow templates. Expect a 14‑day trial to test complex journeys.
MailerLite works well on tight budgets. It offers generous free plans, simple design tools, and landing pages.
Constant Contact helps first‑time senders with guided setup and strong support, plus a 14‑day trial.
Omnisend targets ecommerce with SMS and push options for cart recovery and lifecycle campaigns.
HubSpot is the all‑in‑one CRM + marketing choice for teams that want sales and service tied to sending and automation.
| Vendor | Best use case | Notable free plan or trial | Per month note |
|---|---|---|---|
| GetResponse | Balanced automation & funnels | 30‑day free trial | Good value as you scale |
| Brevo | Budget + multichannel | 300 sends/day free plan | Low-cost entry per month |
| ActiveCampaign | Advanced automation | 14‑day trial | Pricier but powerful per month |
| MailerLite | Simple, affordable design | Generous free plan | Low cost per month for growing lists |
| Constant Contact | Beginner setup & support | 14‑day trial | Predictable per month pricing |
How to use this snapshot: pick two finalists and run identical tests: build a campaign, a landing page, and an automation flow. Compare time to launch, deliverability checks, and true value per month.
Top pick: GetResponse — balanced marketing platform with strong automation and funnels
GetResponse combines funnels, an intuitive editor, and conversion tools in one product you can evaluate quickly.
Standout marketing features that speed results
The modern email builder uses reusable blocks and polished templates so you can produce on‑brand messages fast.
Automation features include visual workflows for welcome, nurture, and re‑engagement journeys that scale as your list grows.
It also offers integrated landing pages and forms, so you capture leads without extra web tools.
Pricing and trial
GetResponse offers a 30-day free period to test core funnels, sending, and conversion features. Lower tiers may limit some ecommerce tools, so test the exact flows you plan to use.
Try GetResponse Free 30-Day Trial: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR
Best use cases
This pick suits drip campaigns, targeted campaigns by behavior, and abandoned cart recovery for ecommerce.
- Build on‑brand emails fast with a reliable editor.
- Launch automation workflows and visual journeys that save time.
- Spin up landing pages and funnels to grow lists and convert leads.
- Clear pricing per month helps you match plan tiers to volume and goals.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) — best free plan and multichannel messaging
If your goal is a generous free tier and unified customer data, Brevo is a top pick. It pairs a practical free plan with channels that scale as you grow.
Why Brevo offers strong value: the free plan allows 300 emails per day and supports very large contact lists on paid tiers (up to 500,000). The product bundles SMS, WhatsApp, transactional SMTP, website tracking, and a built-in CRM so you track customer behavior in one place.
Plans start, limits, and who it fits
Paid plans start around $8–$9 per month depending on send volume. Pricing is send-based, which keeps entry costs low and predictable as you scale.
Practical notes:
- Strong free plan for startups: 300 sends/day with high contact capacity.
- Multichannel: email, SMS, WhatsApp, transactional sending, plus CRM tracking.
- Automation supports website triggers and prebuilt workflows to speed campaigns.
- Live chat and premium support vary by tier—confirm access before you scale.
Who should consider Brevo: budget-conscious teams that want a single marketing platform combining sends, CRM, and multichannel tools. If you need a risk-free trial of a more funnel-heavy product, test GetResponse’s 30-day free trial to compare automation depth and landing pages.
ActiveCampaign — best‑in‑class marketing automation for growing teams
When your team needs connected CRM and complex workflows, ActiveCampaign is a frequent choice. It pairs deep automation with a CRM that keeps sales and messaging in sync.
Visual workflows, CRM, and advanced features for segmentation
Build sophisticated visual workflows that map customer journeys from lead capture to conversion. The product ships with 900+ automation workflow templates to shorten setup time.
Advanced segmentation uses behavioral and lifecycle data to send more relevant messages. You get AI predictive scoring and a CRM that passes leads to sales without manual steps.
Rich template libraries speed campaign creation. ActiveCampaign includes 240+ email templates and 60+ landing page templates so you can stay consistent and move fast.
Trial details and pricing overview
The 14-day free trial allows 100 contacts and 100 sends. Starter plans begin near $15 per month for 1,000 contacts, but check which features are active at each tier before scaling.
- Visual workflows connect marketing and sales end‑to‑end.
- Behavioral segmentation and lifecycle rules increase relevance.
- Hundreds of prebuilt automation templates jumpstart campaigns.
- Large template libraries help teams ship quickly and stay on brand.
- Use the 14-day free window to validate deliverability and CRM handoffs.
| Feature | What you get | Trial | Starter per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automation templates | 900+ prebuilt workflows | 14‑day free (100 contacts) | Starter ≈ $15 (1,000 contacts) |
| Email templates | 240+ designer-ready layouts | Full editor access in trial | Depends on tier; editor included |
| Landing pages | 60+ templates | Build and publish in trial | Available on paid plans |
| CRM & AI | Integrated CRM + predictive features | Test lead scoring in trial | Included at higher tiers; compare per month |
Who should test it: growing teams that need depth in marketing automation and a CRM that ties campaigns to revenue. If you want a longer test drive elsewhere, consider GetResponse‘s 30-day free trial to compare funnels and landing pages: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
MailerLite — easy use, templates, and landing pages at budget pricing
MailerLite focuses on straightforward tools that get campaigns live fast. Its free plan includes 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month, which is generous for early lists.
The editor is clean and intuitive. You get a drag-and-drop builder and 90+ email templates to speed design. This makes it easy to produce on‑brand sends with minimal training.
You can publish forms, landing pages, and a basic site without adding tools. That reduces tech overhead and keeps costs predictable.
Paid plans start around $9 per month and unlock unlimited sends and more automation. MailerLite offers solid automation for SMB needs, though enterprise workflows may need a deeper tool.
- Easy use interface shortens ramp time.
- Launch landing page and capture flows without extra apps.
- Generous free plan supports testing until you scale.
Quick compare: if you want a longer hands-on trial of funnels and advanced automation, test GetResponse’s 30-day free trial to compare conversion features and deliverability: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Constant Contact — beginner‑friendly email marketing with strong support
Constant Contact focuses on guided setup and step‑by‑step tools that get newcomers sending quickly. The product emphasizes clarity: templates, send checks, and visible next steps so you avoid common setup errors.
Practical highlights: the editor ships with 300+ templates and an error‑checking feature that flags broken links and placeholder text before you hit send. That saves time and protects your brand.
Integrations with Shopify and WooCommerce make store‑driven campaigns easier. Pricing starts around $12 per month and the service offers a 14-day free trial to test sending and templates in your workflow.
- Great for first-time senders: quick setup and clear guidance.
- Template library: 300+ layouts to match common use cases.
- Store integrations: Shopify and WooCommerce syncing.
- Support: live chat and robust help resources—check which tiers include priority access.
- Paid plans: review features per tier to match your growth roadmap.
If you want an alternative testbed, try GetResponse free for 30 days to compare funnels, landing pages, and automation depth: GetResponse 30‑day free trial.
Feature comparison that matters: email builder, templates, automation, and analytics
Choose solutions that make consistent design and reliable reporting the default. That matters when you need to ship campaigns fast and prove ROI.
Email builder and customizable templates for on‑brand newsletters
Look for a true drag-and-drop editor with reusable blocks and stored brand styles. ActiveCampaign lists 240+ templates, MailerLite 90+, Constant Contact 300+, and Omnisend 350+ ecommerce templates.
Automation features and advanced workflows for saving time
Prioritize visual workflows with split paths and behavior-based triggers. Advanced features like predictive scoring and product recommendations reduce manual segmentation and boost conversions.
Segmentation, personalization, and analytics to improve ROI
Use analytics that link engagement to revenue, not just opens and clicks. Ensure segmentation supports demographic, behavioral, and lifecycle attributes so you can personalize at scale.
- Practical checklist: builder supports drag-and-drop and reusable blocks.
- Confirm deep template customization and library size.
- Automation must offer visual flows, branching, and event triggers.
- Track revenue attribution and test recommendations or predictive scores.
Tip: consider a hands-on trial before you commit. Try GetResponse’s 30‑day free access to validate builders, automation features, and analytics in real campaigns: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Pricing breakdown: free plan, 14‑day free trial, 30‑day free — and when to upgrade
Free tiers look attractive until list growth and automation needs push you up a plan. Start by checking actual send and contact caps, not just headline limits.
Free plan realities and email limits
Free plan offerings vary: Brevo allows 300 sends/day, MailerLite covers 1,000 subs with 12,000 emails/month, and Omnisend lets 250 contacts with 500 emails. Trials and promo credits may alter these caps.
Note: many free plans include branding, limited automation, and reduced support. Use a free tier to validate forms and basic sending only.
Paid plans start and what “per month” really buys you
Entry prices are low: MailerLite ≈ $9, Brevo ≈ $8–$9, ActiveCampaign ≈ $15, Constant Contact ≈ $12 per month. But advanced automations, higher deliverability tools, and priority support often sit behind higher tiers.
- Check which automations and users unlock at each level.
- Map costs to contacts, sends, and channels (SMS or transactional).
- Plan growth: costs rise with list size and ecommerce volume.
| Plan | Typical limits | Trial type | Entry price (per month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo free | 300 sends/day, basic automation | Free tier | $8–$9 (paid tiers) |
| MailerLite free | 1,000 subs, 12,000 emails/mo | Free tier | ≈ $9 |
| ActiveCampaign trial | 100 contacts, limited sends | 14-day free trial | ≈ $15 |
| Constant Contact trial | Full editor access, time-limited | 14-day free trial | ≈ $12 |
Practical action: use a trial to build one full funnel — form, landing page, and automation. If you want a longer window, Start GetResponse Free 30-Day Trial to benchmark value and compare real costs as you scale: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Ecommerce and revenue growth: abandoned cart, product recommendations, and drip sequences
Recover lost orders and lift average order value with targeted lifecycle flows that run automatically. Use data from your store to trigger messages when visitors view products, add items, or leave a cart.
Omnichannel options: email, SMS, and push for higher conversions
Combine channels sparingly. Send a timed SMS or push when a cart is abandoned, then follow with a personalized email sequence if the buyer remains inactive.
- Recover revenue: abandoned cart and browse-abandon flows tied to SKU and price data boost recovery rates.
- Nurture repeat buyers: drip campaigns with incentives and product recommendations raise lifetime value.
- Targeted campaigns: use product views and purchase categories to lift click-through and AOV.
- Monitor emails per journey stage to prevent fatigue and protect inbox placement.
- Leverage dynamic content and recommendations to personalize offers at scale.
| Use case | Channels | Key benefit | Notable vendor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abandoned cart recovery | Email + SMS + Push | Higher conversion and faster recoveries | Omnisend (prebuilt flows) |
| Product recommendations | Email + Dynamic blocks | Increased AOV via personalization | Brevo (transactional support) |
| Lifecycle drip campaigns | Email + CRM triggers | Repeat purchases and retention | ActiveCampaign (predictive tools) |
Want a fast ecommerce test? Try GetResponse free for 30 days to build an abandoned cart flow, product recommendation blocks, and a drip campaign that ties to store events: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
Building your email list the right way: forms, landing pages, and lead magnets
Convert visitors with clear offers and fast capture points. Match a single, strong lead magnet to each landing page and keep the path to signup obvious.
Embedded forms, pop‑ups, and landing page best practices
Use embedded forms on high‑intent pages like pricing or product detail pages. They feel native and have high conversion intent.
Deploy timed pop‑ups and exit‑intent modals to catch visitors who linger. Test frequency to avoid fatigue and preserve deliverability.
Keep forms tiny. Ask only for fields you will use for segmentation and personalization. Short forms lift completion rates.
- Build a dedicated landing page for each lead magnet to raise conversions.
- Align creative across email, landing pages, and social media ads so messages match.
- Add trust signals — testimonials, security badges — and clear next steps after signup.
- Enable double opt‑in and send a welcome email immediately to confirm engagement.
Tool note: MailerLite, ActiveCampaign, HubSpot, and GetResponse include built‑in forms and templates to accelerate list growth. Free tiers often unlock basic builders so you can test quickly.
Practical tip: Capture leads faster with GetResponse’s landing pages during the free 30‑day trial: https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR.
| Capture point | Best use | Key benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded form | High‑intent pages (pricing, product) | Higher conversion rate; low friction |
| Timed pop‑up | Engaged visitors after X seconds | Boosts signups without interrupting all users |
| Exit‑intent modal | Abandoning visitors | Second chance to convert before they leave |
| Dedicated landing page | Specific offers and lead magnets | Clear message match and improved conversion |
Deliverability first: infrastructure, list hygiene, and sending reputation
Start every trial by locking down sender authentication and list hygiene. Authenticate your domain with SPF, DKIM, and DMARC before you send a campaign. Do this during a free trial so you can test settings without risk.
Deliverability rests on two things: provider infrastructure and your sending practices. Use the trial window to verify DNS records, warm new domains, and confirm SMTP paths in the marketing software you test.
Follow these operational steps to protect inbox placement:
- Authenticate your domain (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) before the first send.
- Warm new sender domains slowly; raise volume only as engagement stays strong.
- Keep list hygiene: remove hard bounces and clearly inactive addresses regularly.
- Segment by recent engagement to shield reputation and improve deliverability.
- Monitor spam complaints, bounce rates, and inbox placement reports in your tool.
- Test content for spam triggers and keep a steady cadence of sends to build trust.
Practical tip: Use your GetResponse 30‑day trial to set up authentication and run warm‑up sequences. That gives you real data on emails per day limits, engagement, and deliverability from a proven provider of marketing services.
Automation playbook: welcome series, re‑engagement, and targeted campaigns
Map the customer path before you build sequences—then automate the parts that repeat. Start with simple journeys that prove value quickly, then expand into branching logic when you have clear KPIs.
Journeys that scale: from simple autoresponders to advanced automation
Launch core flows during your free test. Build a 3–5 message welcome series to deliver value, collect preferences, and nudge a first purchase.
Reactivation sequences should target lapsed subscribers with tailored offers and social proof. Omnisend and Brevo ship ready-made ecommerce flows that you can clone and tweak.
Use drip campaigns to educate leads with case studies and reviews. ActiveCampaign’s 900+ workflow templates speed setup when you need branching and scoring.
- Start with a concise welcome series that segments by interest.
- Create re-engagement flows that escalate incentives by stage.
- Use nurtures to move prospects from awareness to decision.
- Progress to advanced automation with event triggers and branches.
- Align each journey to lifecycle stages: new lead, first purchase, repeat buyer, churn risk.
Document goals and metrics for each flow—open, click, conversion, and revenue per path. Track results, iterate, and scale the winners.
Build these core journeys in a trial window to validate deliverability and conversion. If you want a longer run to test funnels and automation depth, try GetResponse’s 30-day free trial and compare options: what is better than GetResponse.
When to pick each tool: matching features to use cases and budgets
Pick a vendor based on the tasks you need automated today, not the feature list you might use someday.
Start by defining the role the tool must play: quick campaigns, store recovery, or deep automation tied to CRM. Then map budgets and trial windows to those needs.
Small teams, creators, ecommerce, and advanced needs
MailerLite is ideal when you want the best email value at entry-level pricing per month with easy templates and landing pages.
Brevo works well if you need a free plan and multichannel sending (email, SMS, transactional) in one product.
ActiveCampaign fits teams that require advanced automation and CRM alignment to drive revenue.
Constant Contact serves newcomers who need guided setup and strong support to avoid common setup mistakes.
Omnisend is tailored to ecommerce teams that depend on omnichannel flows (SMS/push) and prebuilt recovery journeys.
GetResponse is the balanced marketing tool if you want funnels, visual automation, and a generous 30-day free trial to test real workflows.
- Match paid plans to near-term growth—don’t overbuy features you won’t use this quarter.
- Use the trial window to validate deliverability, forms, and actual conversion metrics.
- Choose by the workflow you must launch in 7–14 days: that shortlists the realistic options.
| Use case | Best pick | Why it fits | Typical per month note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Affordable starter | MailerLite | Clean editor, landing pages, generous free tier | Low entry price ≈ $9 |
| Free tier + multichannel | Brevo | 300 sends/day free; SMS & transactional options | Paid tiers from ≈ $8–$9 |
| Advanced automation & CRM | ActiveCampaign | Deep workflows, predictive scoring, sales handoffs | Starter ≈ $15 (depends on contacts) |
| Ecommerce recovery | Omnisend | Prebuilt cart flows, SMS and push integration | Tiered by sends and channels |
Practical next step: prefer an all‑rounder with a generous test period? Try GetResponse free for 30 days to build a campaign, landing page, and automation and compare results directly: GetResponse 30-day free trial.
Ready to test a platform risk‑free? Try GetResponse Free 30‑Day Trial
Run a full test that lets you build real campaigns and measure results within a single month. GetResponse offers a 30-day free window to validate core flows without upfront cost.
Start building campaigns, landing pages, and automation today
Why it helps: the trial frees you to test conversion-focused tooling. You can verify deliverability, user experience, and conversion lift before you pay.
- Build your first campaign, form, and landing pages without code and launch in hours, not weeks.
- Set up core automation features like welcome and re‑engagement flows to validate fit.
- Import contacts, authenticate your domain, and test deliverability early in the trial.
- Measure engagement and conversions to benchmark against your current tools.
- Decide confidently before paying — use the full 30‑day free window to test real use cases.
Start GetResponse Free 30-Day Trial now (affiliate): https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR
Conclusion
Build one real funnel to decide. Create a landing page, capture form, and a short automation path. Run the test in two finalists and compare opens, clicks, and conversions.
Quick summary: modern email marketing makes outreach faster and more measurable. Pick by builder quality, automation depth, and list growth tools. Additionally, investing in the best email marketing platforms can enhance customer engagement through personalized messaging and targeted campaigns. These platforms often provide advanced analytics to track performance metrics, allowing businesses to optimize their strategies effectively. Ultimately, the right tools can transform an email campaign into a powerful sales driver.
Brevo shines with a strong free plan and multichannel reach. ActiveCampaign leads on advanced automation. MailerLite fits tight budgets. Constant Contact helps first‑time users. Our balanced pick is GetResponse for funnels, automation, and landing pages.
Take action: trial your top choices, build one funnel, and let data decide. Try GetResponse Free 30‑Day Trial (affiliate): https://www.getresponse.com/?a=MacDnqpGmR — it lets you test real workflows and compare marketing services and marketing tools side‑by‑side.