Best Free Email Marketing Tools 2026: Top 10 Platforms Compared
Email marketing delivers an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent. But when you’re starting out, paying $50+/month for email software isn’t realistic.
Good news: Several excellent email marketing platforms offer genuinely useful free plans. We’ve tested them all to help you choose the right one.
Quick Comparison
| Platform | Free Subscribers | Emails/Month | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | 500 | 1,000 | Beginners |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | Unlimited | 300/day | Growing lists |
| MailerLite | 1,000 | 12,000 | Creators |
| Sender | 2,500 | 15,000 | Best value |
| Benchmark | 500 | 3,500 | Simplicity |
1. Sender — Best Free Plan Overall
Free Plan: 2,500 subscribers, 15,000 emails/month
Sender offers the most generous free plan in the industry. You get features that competitors charge for.
What You Get Free
- ✅ 2,500 subscribers
- ✅ 15,000 emails/month
- ✅ Automation workflows
- ✅ Segmentation
- ✅ Pop-up forms
- ✅ Email + SMS campaigns
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge free limits | Less known brand |
| Full automation | Basic templates |
| SMS included | Limited integrations |
Best For: Small businesses wanting maximum value from a free plan.
2. Brevo (Sendinblue) — Best for Unlimited Contacts
Free Plan: Unlimited subscribers, 300 emails/day
Brevo’s unique model limits daily sends instead of subscriber count—perfect if you have a large list but don’t email frequently.
What You Get Free
- ✅ Unlimited contacts
- ✅ 300 emails/day (9,000/month)
- ✅ Email templates
- ✅ Basic automation
- ✅ CRM included
- ✅ Transactional emails
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited contacts | Daily send limit |
| Built-in CRM | Brevo branding |
| Good deliverability | Basic automation only |
Best For: Businesses with large lists and moderate email frequency.
3. MailerLite — Best for Content Creators
Free Plan: 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/month
MailerLite combines simplicity with powerful features. The drag-and-drop editor is one of the best in the industry.
What You Get Free
- ✅ 1,000 subscribers
- ✅ 12,000 emails/month
- ✅ Landing pages
- ✅ Pop-ups and forms
- ✅ Automation
- ✅ A/B testing
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Beautiful templates | Approval process |
| Easy to use | Limited reporting |
| Landing pages included | 12k email cap |
Best For: Bloggers, creators, and newsletter writers.
4. Mailchimp — Best for Beginners
Free Plan: 500 subscribers, 1,000 emails/month
Mailchimp is the most recognized name in email marketing. While the free plan has shrunk, it’s still solid for beginners.
What You Get Free
- ✅ 500 contacts
- ✅ 1,000 emails/month
- ✅ Basic templates
- ✅ Landing pages
- ✅ Forms and pop-ups
- ✅ Basic reporting
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Easy interface | Small free limits |
| Great resources | Mailchimp branding |
| Wide integrations | Basic automation only |
Best For: Absolute beginners who want an easy start.
5. Benchmark Email — Best for Simplicity
Free Plan: 500 subscribers, 3,500 emails/month
Benchmark focuses on simplicity without sacrificing functionality. Great for those who want no-frills email marketing.
What You Get Free
- ✅ 500 contacts
- ✅ 3,500 emails/month
- ✅ Drag-and-drop editor
- ✅ Basic automation
- ✅ Reports
- ✅ Sign-up forms
Best For: Users who want straightforward email marketing.
Key Features to Compare
Automation
| Platform | Free Automation |
|---|---|
| Sender | ✅ Full |
| Brevo | ✅ Basic |
| MailerLite | ✅ Full |
| Mailchimp | ❌ Paid only |
| Benchmark | ✅ Basic |
Landing Pages
| Platform | Free Landing Pages |
|---|---|
| Sender | ✅ Yes |
| Brevo | ❌ No |
| MailerLite | ✅ Yes |
| Mailchimp | ✅ Yes |
| Benchmark | ❌ No |
How to Choose
Choose Sender if: You want the most features for free
Choose Brevo if: You have lots of contacts but don’t email daily
Choose MailerLite if: You’re a content creator who values design
Choose Mailchimp if: You’re brand new to email marketing
Getting Started Tips
- Start with one platform — Don’t overthink it
- Build your list first — Focus on subscribers before fancy campaigns
- Keep emails simple — Text-heavy emails often perform best
- Test everything — Subject lines, send times, content
- Upgrade when needed — Free plans are stepping stones
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I switch platforms later?
Yes! All platforms let you export subscribers as CSV files. Migration is straightforward.
Do free plans include automation?
Most do now. Sender and MailerLite offer the best free automation.
Is email marketing still effective?
Absolutely. Email consistently outperforms social media for ROI.
Conclusion
For most users, Sender offers the best free email marketing experience with 2,500 subscribers and full automation.
If you have a large list, Brevo’s unlimited contacts model might work better.
Start with any platform on this list—they’re all solid choices for beginners.
Last updated: January 2026