What email marketing software costs: five picks
Every tool on this desk, checked 2026-11-06
| Tool | From | Includes | Free trial | Refund | Free plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo Review Alternatives | $8.08/mo Starter | 5,000 emails, 500 contacts | Not listed | None | Yes |
| Constant Contact Review Alternatives | $10.20/mo Lite | Not listed | Yes | 30 days | None |
| MailerLite Review | $10.80/mo Comfort | 5,000 emails, 500 contacts | 14 days | 30 days | Yes |
| AWeber Alternatives | $12.50/mo Lite | Not listed | 14 days | Not shown | None |
| Mailchimp Review Alternatives | $13/mo Essentials | Not listed | 14 days | 60 days | Yes |
| ActiveCampaign Review Alternatives | $15/mo Starter | 10,000 emails, 1,000 contacts | 14 days | 30 days | None |
| GetResponse | $15.58/mo Starter | Not listed | 14 days | None | None |
| Klaviyo Review Alternatives | $20 Email | 5,000 emails, 500 contacts | Not listed | None | Yes |
| Kit Alternatives | $33/mo Creator | 1,000 contacts | 14 days | None | Yes |
From and Includes are each tool's cheapest paid plan, on its cheaper billing. The other columns cover every plan.
Brevo Starter
$8.08 a month, billed yearly
$9 on monthly billing
- Emails
- 5,000
- Contacts
- 500
- Users
- Not listed
- Free trial
- Not listed
- Refund
- None
- Free plan
- Yes
If you want the smallest bill, Brevo Starter costs $8.08 a month on annual billing. Constant Contact Lite, the nearest rival, costs $10.20. Monthly billing lifts Brevo to $9.00. You still get 500 contacts and 5,000 emails.
The catch is the contract. Brevo's terms commit you to the full subscription term. Leave early and the $8.08 a month you prepaid stays spent.
- Best if
- You want the smallest monthly figure and can accept a prepaid term.
- Skip it if
- You may leave within the year, because Brevo gives nothing back.
MailerLite Comfort
$12 a month, billed monthly
$10.80 a month billed yearly
- Emails
- 5,000
- Contacts
- 500
- Users
- 3 included
- Free trial
- 14 days
- Refund
- 30 days
- Free plan
- Yes
Paying month to month, MailerLite Comfort costs $12. AWeber Lite costs $15 on the same billing. You get 3 seats, 14 days free and 30 days to ask for a refund. Annual billing drops the price to $10.80.
The catch is the cap. Pass 500 contacts or 5,000 emails and MailerLite upgrades you automatically. You then pay the next tier's price, chosen or not. You can cancel any time under Plan and Billing.
- Best if
- You want to pay month to month and cancel any time.
- Skip it if
- You expect well over 500 contacts soon, so the next tier will bill you.
Mailchimp Free
Free
- Emails
- Not listed
- Contacts
- Not listed
- Users
- Not listed
- Free trial
- 14 days
- Refund
- 60 days
- Free plan
- Yes
Under 250 contacts, Mailchimp Free costs $0, and MailerLite Free matches it. Later, on an annual paid plan, Mailchimp gives you 60 days for a refund. MailerLite gives 30.
The catch is monthly billing. On a monthly paid plan, Mailchimp gives no refund or credit under any circumstance.
- Best if
- You are starting a small list and want to pay nothing yet.
- Skip it if
- You expect to pass 250 contacts soon, since paid plans start at $13 a month.
AWeber Lite
$12.50 a month, billed yearly
$15 on monthly billing
- Emails
- Not listed
- Contacts
- Not listed
- Users
- 3 included
- Free trial
- 14 days
- Refund
- Not listed
- Free plan
- None
If you want to test before you pay, AWeber Lite gives you 14 days free. Brevo's page lists no trial at all. Lite costs $15 billed monthly, or $12.50 on annual billing. You get 3 seats.
The catch is the price. MailerLite Comfort costs $12 and gives the same 14 days. AWeber has no free plan. Its page gives no refund window.
- Best if
- You want two weeks to test the tool before you pay.
- Skip it if
- You need a free plan or the lowest price, since AWeber offers neither.
Constant Contact Lite
$10.20 a month, billed yearly
- Emails
- Not listed
- Contacts
- Not listed
- Users
- Not listed
- Free trial
- Yes
- Refund
- 30 days
- Free plan
- None
If you want your money back, Constant Contact Lite gives you 30 days. Brevo gives none on prepaid fees. Lite costs $10.20 a month billed annually.
The catch is overage. Every send past your allowance costs $0.002, so 1,000 extra sends cost $2. You can add messages up front from $10 a month for 1-500. There is no free plan.
- Best if
- You want a written 30-day refund on a low annual price.
- Skip it if
- You send in bursts that could pass your monthly allowance.
Five needs, five picks, and a tie goes to the cheaper plan
Five needs get five picks. They are cheapest start, cheapest month to month, free plan, longest trial and longest refund. Each tool appears once, in that order, so a winner steps aside. A tie goes to the cheaper plan.
A listed price fits one list size, so price yours before you pay
Most plans bill by contacts and sends. A bigger list lands on a higher tier.
Annual and monthly billing give two prices for one plan. Check which one you are reading. Terms also let vendors revise prices after notice. Ask what your renewal costs.
A price tells you nothing about delivery, ease of use or support. Judge those on a free plan or a trial. Run your list through the true cost calculator, and compare plans in the pricing table. Read the reviews before you commit.
Under 250 contacts, start free. If you are paying, check the contract term and overage rate first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest email marketing software?
Among paid plans, Brevo's Starter costs least: $9.00 a month billed monthly. Annual billing brings it down to $8.08. Constant Contact Lite costs $10.20 on annual billing.
Is there a free email marketing plan I can stay on?
Yes. Mailchimp, MailerLite and Brevo all list a free plan. MailerLite Free allows 250 contacts and 2,500 emails. On Brevo, the free plan has no end date.
Which email tool has the longest free trial?
14 days is the longest trial among these tools. AWeber Lite, MailerLite Comfort and Mailchimp plans all give it.
Which email marketing software gives a refund?
Constant Contact refunds in full within 30 days of signing up. Monthly Mailchimp plans carry no refund. Brevo refunds no prepaid fees.
What will an email plan cost at my list size?
MailerLite Comfort costs $12 a month for up to 500 contacts and 5,000 emails. Past those limits your bill moves up a tier. Constant Contact prices by contacts and sends. Overage fees may apply.
Sources
Show all 17 sources
- ActiveCampaign, : terms
- ActiveCampaign, : plan details and prices and terms
- AWeber, : plan details and prices and terms
- Brevo, : terms
- Brevo, : plan details and prices
- Constant Contact, : plan details and prices and terms
- GetResponse, : plan details and terms
- GetResponse, : plan details and prices and terms
- Kit, : plan details and prices and terms
- Kit, : terms
- Klaviyo, : terms
- Klaviyo, : plan details
- Klaviyo, : plan details and prices
- Mailchimp, : terms
- Mailchimp, : plan details and prices and terms
- MailerLite, : terms
- MailerLite, : plan details and prices and terms