10 quality MailerLite alternatives to build an email list

Looking for a MailerLite alternative? We've curated a list of the best alternatives to MailerLite for your email marketing and newsletter needs.

Karen Spaeder
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Karen S
10 quality MailerLite alternatives to build an email list

Social media, artificial intelligence, video marketing, and more — there’s a growing list of digital marketing methods at marketers’ disposal.

Yet email marketing remains a tried-and-true method for capturing leads and moving them through the funnel. With an average return on investment of $36 for every $1 spent, email marketing is a low-cost medium with the potential for huge rewards.

Email newsletters like Marketer Milk’s can be particularly effective at building trust with your audience and growing a loyal community around your brand. Over the years, such newsletters have grown more sophisticated with the addition of newsletter platforms that automate and streamline the process of capturing and converting leads. Combining email design, customer relationship management (CRM), automation, and other email marketing features, today’s email marketing platforms are indispensable tools in email marketers’ toolkits.

MailerLite is one popular platform, offering robust features at an affordable price point. However, there are many MailerLite alternatives to consider as you research your options for creating and distributing an email newsletter. Below, we offer 10 other MailerLite alternatives worth exploring, complete with notable features, use cases, pricing, and reviews. Let’s get started — so you can get started on your newsletter creation.

What to look for in MailerLite alternatives

Researching MailerLite alternatives starts with knowing what you’re looking for in an email marketing platform. Here are some essential factors to consider.

Key features

What features matter most to you? Automation, design options, templates, CRM capabilities, landing page functionality? Make a wish list of the features you need to create your email newsletter. Use that list to compare the features of each MailerLite alternative. Feel free to expand your list as you test out your options; sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know.

Scalability

As you grow, you’ll need a newsletter platform that will grow with you. Assess the scalability of each alternative and how well the platform can accommodate your business's growth. Can you easily add subscribers without incurring exorbitant costs? Does the platform include automation to lighten your workload as you scale?

You might as well think best-case scenario here; if you set up your newsletter right, it’ll grow, and that’s a good problem to have.

Ease of use

How do you like the user interface and overall user experience? A user-friendly platform can save time and resources, especially if you have team members with varying levels of technical expertise. If you’re a solo operator, it’s even more critical that the platform is user-friendly so you don’t have to spend hours learning complicated features.

Pricing

Set a budget you’re willing to pay for a newsletter platform, and break down the pricing structures of each alternative. Consider factors such as subscription plans, pricing tiers, and any additional costs. Look for a balance between affordability and the features you need.

Integrations

If you have an existing tech stack, analyze how well each alternative integrates with your existing tools and systems, particularly CRM solutions. Seamless integration lets you get up and running quickly, enhancing efficiency and allowing you to continue using your favorite apps and tools.

Customer support

When you have an issue, how easy is it to reach the platform’s support team? Responsive, reliable support is crucial for addressing onboarding questions, delivering newsletters according to schedule, and preventing downtime.

Customization options

Consider the level of customization each alternative offers. Does it allow you to personalize emails, add your logo and colors, and create visually stunning designs? The ability to tailor email campaigns to your needs and style can mean the difference between design-rich newsletters reflecting your brand and generic emails that might get left unread.

Analytics and reporting

If you can measure it, you can improve it. Evaluate the analytics and reporting features of MailerLite alternatives to ensure access to valuable insights into campaign performance, subscriber behavior, and areas for improvement.

User reviews

What’s the word on the street about each platform? Research user reviews and the overall reputation of each alternative for real user perspectives on the strengths and weaknesses of each platform. We’ve saved you a step by including feedback for the MailerLite alternatives below.

10 best MailerLite alternatives in 2024

The biggest factor you need to consider with any newsletter platform is whether it feels like a helpful assistant or an irritating thorn in your side. Your platform should make it easy to do what you love — create content — and not leave you bleary-eyed at 2 a.m. because you can’t figure out how to schedule your newsletter or add a call to action button.

Your best bet is to try a few options to hone in on the best newsletter platform for your needs.

Here are our top picks for the best MailerLite alternatives:

  1. beehiiv
  2. ConvertKit
  3. Moosend
  4. Brevo
  5. GetResponse
  6. ActiveCampaign
  7. Flodesk
  8. Ghost
  9. AWeber
  10. Customer.io

Alright, let's take a deeper look at each one.

1. beehiiv

beehiiv

Trusted by top newsletters like Future Party, Rap TV, and The Boston Globe, beehiiv provides tools for creating, publishing, growing, and monetizing newsletters and websites, with no coding or complex integrations required. The platform boasts powerful design and editing tools that help you make a statement in crowded email inboxes.

We’re a big fan of beehiiv (hence, it’s at the top of our list) — largely because it’s a creator-friendly platform that makes it super easy to write, design, send, promote, monetize, and track ROI. Essentially, it’s everything a newsletter ought to be.

beehiiv notable features

  • Sleek, responsive email templates make newsletter design a cinch, with no-code technology ensuring even non-tech-savvy creators can build stunning newsletters in minutes.
  • Ad integrations help you monetize your content.
  • Superior email deliverability ensures your newsletter reaches more of your target audience.
  • Social sharing and referral program functionality allow you to rapidly grow your list.

beehiiv use cases

As discussed in our beehiiv review, this platform is built for the lean content creator looking to send newsletters even without a website. Beehiiv is ideal for not only content creators but also startups, media companies, independent writers, and anyone looking to start small and grow.

Be sure to check out beehiiv’s success stories to get a feel for top use cases, like this one featuring an AI-powered newsletter that hit 14K subscribers one month into its launch.

beehiiv pricing

Start with a 30-day trial, and rest easy you’ll only pay once you exceed 2,500 subscribers — starting at $42 per month, paid annually. If you get to that point (and why shouldn’t you?), consider it a feather in your cap that people are digging your content enough to stick around and help grow your list.

beehiiv reviews

Pros:

  • Fast delivery with a high inbox rate
  • Generous free plan
  • Loaded with features
  • Sign up embeds for lead generation and list management
  • Detailed analytics and metrics tracking

Cons:

  • Potential learning curve; expect to spend some time with the help documentation to familiarize yourself with how to use this platform.

See more at Capterra and G2.

2. ConvertKit

ConvertKit

If you want to grow your audience, automate your marketing, and sell digital products, ConvertKit is a MailerLite alternative worth your consideration. The ConvertKit platform aims to help you build your audience or even bring them with you from another platform via free migration concierge services.

ConvertKit notable features

  • Built-in tools for monetization enable sales for digital products, with flexible pricing options for one-time payments, subscriptions, or “pay what you want.”
  • Marketing automation and reliable delivery allow you to connect with your audience and segment them for optimal return on investment.
  • Personalization tools let you engage with your audience and build brand loyalty.
  • Visual automations and pre-built templates put your funnels on autopilot.

ConvertKit use cases

Coaches, authors, podcasters, musicians, and other creators turn to ConvertKit for their newsletter needs.

ConvertKit pricing

Start with a free 14-day trial. After your first 1,000 subscribers, plans start at $9 per month, paid annually.

ConvertKit reviews

Pros:

  • Visual automations
  • Easy setup
  • Templates
  • Monetization features

Cons:

  • More technical than other platforms
  • Limited customizations
  • Lacks advanced features like A/B testing

Read more at Capterra and G2.

3. Moosend

Moosend

Create drag-and-drop, no-code email newsletters with Moosend, a user-friendly email marketing platform featuring a robust email editor. Easily insert images, videos, and interactive elements, adding your flair or using pre-built templates. Stunning, responsive newsletters are the name of the game with Moosend, but you also get all the advanced features you need to grow and monetize your newsletter.

Moosend notable features

  • The integrated campaign editor lets you switch between different modes and work on different elements of your newsletter as you go.
  • A built-in image picker provides quick access to visuals to complement your message.
  • Incorporate discount codes, product recommendations, subscription forms, cart abandonment messages, and product blocks to turn subscribers into buyers.
  • Intelligent automations, automated workflows, and personalization tools keep customers engaged with your brand.

Moosend use cases

From startups to Fortune 500 companies, Moosend serves a broad customer base with clients including Vogue, Domino’s, and nonprofits such as WWF. Why? It’s a feature-rich platform with a price point that lets you start small and grow, something every newsletter creator needs.

Moosend pricing

After a 30-day trial, switch to a paid plan starting at $7 per month, paid annually, for up to 500 subscribers. From there, you can easily scale up according to your subscriber count.

Moosend reviews

Pros:

  • Ease of use
  • Customizations
  • Automations

Cons:

  • Forms feature may have limitations
  • Potential bugs and glitches
  • Slow support

Read more at Capterra and G2.

4. Brevo

Brevo

Elevate brand visibility and revenue with Brevo, formerly Sendinblue, a comprehensive email marketing service with user-friendly features. The drag-and-drop editor allows you to create visually stunning emails without the need for graphic design skills. Brevo operates on a unique pricing model, tying plans to email sending volume rather than the number of contacts in your database, enabling you to grow your contact list at no extra cost.

Brevo notable features

  • Landing pages and signup forms facilitate list growth.
  • Integrations and customizations let you tailor transaction emails to match your brand’s style.
  • Advanced workflows automation emails based on customer actions, personalizing the subscriber experience with timely and relevant communications.
  • Reliable delivery and campaign tracking ensure your emails reach their destinations and you can gather insights afterward.

Brevo use cases

Brevo supports multichannel, personalized, and mass communications for organizations around the globe. Check out the company’s case study collection, including one French nonprofit that uses Brevo to support digitizing its fundraising efforts.

Brevo pricing

The free plan is loaded with features and includes up to 300 email sends daily. Paid plans start at $25 monthly for up to 20K emails monthly.

Brevo reviews

Pros:

  • Visually beautiful templates
  • Flexible pricing
  • Excellent deliverability

Cons:

  • Frequent service outages
  • More templates needed
  • Learning curve

Read more at Capterra and G2.

5. GetResponse

GetResponse

Affordable and user-friendly, GetResponse streamlines email marketing automation processes, converting contacts into customers seamlessly. Users can grow their email lists through signup forms, popups, and native integrations. The platform’s AI-powered newsletters and autoresponders facilitate the automatic engagement of subscribers, while analytics provide actionable insights into email and campaign performance.

GetResponse notable features

  • Custom email and SMS marketing automation features, web pushes, and popups help you engage across channels.
  • AI-powered email generator tools facilitate rapid content creation and increased open rates.
  • Drag-and-drop functionality helps you create stunning, responsive emails effortlessly with a user-friendly editor.
  • Over 200 customizable templates suit various campaign goals and occasions.

GetResponse use cases

A welcome email series with a 54% sales rate, revenue of $1K for every 1,000 emails sent, and 2x more conversions from an abandoned cart email — these are just a few GetResponse success stories. The platform boasts an average list growth of 100% for all paid plans in the first 30 days. Read more success stories here.

GetResponse pricing

Start with a 30-day free trial. Paid plans start at $19 monthly, paid annually.

GetResponse reviews

Pros:

  • Advanced segmentation and testing
  • Additional tools for building landing pages, webinars, and funnels
  • Helpful tutorials to get up and running

Cons:

  • Pricier than other alternatives
  • Confusing dashboard
  • Limited integrations

Read more at Capterra and G2.

6. ActiveCampaign

ActiveCampaign

From email marketing to sales engagement and CRM, ActiveCampaign provides a suite of tools for creating personalized, targeted campaigns. The platform offers a user-friendly drag-and-drop email designer, over 250 templates, and tools for segmentation and dynamic content. Robust analytics and A/B testing help optimize email performance, keeping you on track with your newsletter goals.

This platform is also very similar to Mailchimp.

ActiveCampaign notable features

  • Mobile optimization ensures your content appears responsively on any device.
  • Multi-user editing allows for collaborative campaigns.
  • Reporting tools reveal what’s working and what’s not, while split testing and segmentation allow you to improve future campaigns.
  • From payment processors to membership websites and ecommerce platforms, ActiveCampaign integrates with various tools in your tech stack.

ActiveCampaign use cases

ActiveCampaign shines in automation and segmentation, with deep logic that allows you to send targeted email sequences. Anyone needing to reach audiences at different stages in the funnel may find ActiveCampaign useful. From increasing sales to personalizing campaigns, ActiveCampaign’s success stories speak for themselves.

ActiveCampaign pricing

After a free trial, plans start at $29 monthly, paid annually, for up to 1,000 contacts.

ActiveCampaign reviews

Pros:

  • Deliverability
  • Integrations
  • Automation platform

Cons:

  • Pricier compared to other options
  • Learning curve
  • Editor and templates need improvement, especially if you’re creating a newsletter

Read more at Capterra and G2.

7. Flodesk

Flodesk

Ideal for beginners and pro creators alike, Flodesk offers an intuitive email builder and attractive templates with customization and sharing options. Whether or not you have a website, Flodesk empowers you to grow your email list with visually stunning emails, transforming subscribers into sales.

Flodesk notable features

  • Enjoy unlimited subscribers even on the free plan, with ecommerce, email marketing, and forms functionality available with paid plans. Great for transactional emails.
  • Flat-rate pricing means you won’t need to upgrade if you add more subscribers or send more emails.
  • Unlike many checkout tools, Flodesk does not impose platform fees, allowing you to retain 100% of your revenue, with only the Stripe processing fee applied.
  • Flodesk lets you create on your timeline, only paying when you’re ready to publish.

Flodesk use cases

Great for newsletter creation for ecommerce businesses, Flodesk allows you to “design emails people love to get.” Here’s a success story on how one lifestyle brand achieved three sold-out launches worth a read, and you can check out the Flodesk blog for more.

Flodesk pricing

Start with a free plan that includes unlimited subscribers. Paid plans with more capabilities are $35 per month, billed annually, with the option to add ecommerce functionality at $24 monthly.

Flodesk reviews

Pros:

  • Flat-rate pricing and unlimited emails
  • Modern templates
  • No extra cost for adding subscribers

Cons:

  • Analytics could be better
  • Inability to set payment currency for checkout
  • Some users report poor customer support

Read more at Capterra and G2.

8. Ghost

Ghost CMS

Designed for modern publishing, Ghost empowers creators to build, share, and grow their business with ease. The app is open-source and investor-free, giving publishers complete control over website design, advanced creator tools for web and email newsletters, and audience growth features.

Ghost notable features

  • Ghost is a creator-first email marketing solution, incorporating website creation, newsletters, memberships, and payment processing.
  • The Ghost editor offers an editing workflow for various content types, including writing, photography, videos, podcasts, and more, allowing creators to easily compose and publish diverse content.
  • Retain all content rights and have access to 100% of your data.
  • Premium tiers with 0% fees enable creators to publish private content for paying members and generate revenue without losing a percentage to payment fees.

Ghost use cases

Creators, publishers such as media outlets, businesses, and developers looking for an all-in-one platform use Ghost. The platform combines website development, email newsletters, payment processing, private content publishing, and other publishing tools. Explore creators using Ghost here.

Ghost pricing

Get started for free; paid plans start at $9 monthly, paid annually, for up to 500 members.

Ghost reviews

Pros:

  • Robust content editor built for writers
  • All-in-one platform
  • Free and premium themes

Cons:

  • Can get pricey once you start to grow beyond 500 members
  • Analytics may be too basic
  • May be tricky for non-coders if you want more customizations

Read more at Capterra and G2.

9. AWeber

AWeber

AWeber, a pioneer in small-business email marketing since 1998, is a user-friendly email marketing software with over 1 million customers globally. The platform empowers users to build responsive landing pages, manage contacts, and send impactful emails without technical expertise.

AWeber notable features

  • The platform collaborates with over 1,000 partner software solutions, ensuring smooth integration with your favorite apps.
  • Save time using pre-built autoresponders, custom sign-up forms, and landing pages, all designed to grow your email list.
  • Access reports to understand performance, A/B split test for optimization, and enhance deliverability without expert knowledge.
  • Ensure your emails reach recipients' inboxes with reliable deliverability.

AWeber use cases

The email-forward platform is built for email marketing and automation, helping creators, solo entrepreneurs, and small businesses grow their subscriber lists with email marketing campaigns. One user launched a virtual product during the pandemic using AWeber’s landing page builder to save her wine-tour business; another used AWeber’s automation tools to grow affiliate income. Read more success stories here.

AWeber pricing

Get started for free; paid plans start at $12.50 per month, billed annually.

AWeber reviews

Pros:

  • Free forever plan with no credit card required for sign-up
  • User-friendly interface
  • Templates, workflows, and automations with triggers

Cons:

  • Lack of native photo editing tools
  • Visual appeal is underwhelming
  • Landing pages and forms may be cumbersome to set up and integrate

Read more at Capterra and G2.

10. Customer.io

Customer.io

Customer.io is a customer engagement platform catering to marketing teams, enabling the creation of data-driven campaigns across various messaging channels. Its product suite includes Journeys, an automation tool for comprehensive engagement, and Data Pipelines, a customer data platform linking your entire tech stack. Great for SaaS companies.

Customer.io notable features

  • Automate and personalize marketing messages for specific customer groups with targeted offers and messages.
  • Connect with customers how they want to be reached, leveraging the communication channels they use the most.
  • Collect and route data to all your tools, linking first-party data seamlessly and syncing with popular platforms like Google Ads and Facebook Ads.
  • A visual workflow build helps you build campaigns visually, integrating automated or API-triggered workflows, broadcasts, and transactional messages.

Customer.io use cases

The platform is “for tech companies that want to build trust,” with customers such as Notion, Guardio, and Spotahome. Wedio uses Customer.io to increase revenue by 25%; Mailgun boosted its customer onboarding rate by 30%. Read more success stories here.

Customer.io pricing

The Essentials plan starts at $100 monthly.

Customer.io reviews

Pros:

  • Automations and workflows
  • Abundant integrations
  • Excels in campaign creation and management

Cons:

  • One of the priciest options on our list
  • Might not be suitable for independent creators
  • Analytics may be lacking

Read more at Capterra and G2.

What is the best MailerLite alternative?

Thanks to its suite of creator-friendly tools that simplify every aspect of newsletter management, beehiiv is the clear winner in our book when it comes to MailerLite alternatives.

If you want to launch a newsletter affordably and easily, monetize it, ensure it gets delivered, and share it with the world, beehiiv should be your go-to email marketing tool.

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article may be affiliate links, which can provide compensation to Marketer Milk at no cost to you if you decide to purchase a paid plan. This site is not intended to provide financial advice and is for entertainment only. You can read our affiliate disclosure in our disclaimers.
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