MailerLite Alternatives: Which Email Marketing Tool Is Right for You?

MailerLite has become one of the most recommended email marketing tools for small businesses, particularly those looking for a generous free plan and a clean, straightforward interface. Its free plan allows up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails — more generous than most competitors at the same price point.

But no platform suits everyone. If you are evaluating MailerLite or already using it and wondering whether something else would serve you better, here is an honest comparison with the main alternatives.

Brevo — better for high-frequency senders

The fundamental difference between MailerLite and Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) is in how they charge. MailerLite prices by subscriber count — as your list grows, so does the monthly cost. Brevo prices by email volume — a large list that you email infrequently costs far less than on MailerLite.

For a business with 5,000 subscribers but a quarterly newsletter and occasional announcements, Brevo is almost always cheaper than MailerLite. For a business with 500 subscribers sending weekly campaigns, MailerLite’s pricing is hard to beat. Calculate your own expected usage pattern and compare the actual cost at both current scale and anticipated growth before committing.

ConvertKit / Kit — the creator and content publisher’s tool

ConvertKit (rebranded as Kit) has built its following specifically among bloggers, content creators, online course sellers and newsletter publishers. Its tag-based subscriber management, visual automation builder and landing page features are designed around a creator workflow rather than a broadcast email model.

If you run a newsletter, sell digital products, or have a content audience you want to segment by interest and engagement, Kit’s approach is more intuitive than MailerLite’s. Pricing is subscriber-based and comparable to MailerLite for smaller lists. For product retailers or service businesses sending promotional campaigns, MailerLite or Brevo are usually a better fit.

Mailchimp — and why you might still choose it

Mailchimp is the name most people know, and despite its price increases, it remains a strong choice if you rely heavily on third-party integrations. Its app marketplace is the most extensive in email marketing — virtually every CRM, ecommerce platform, and marketing tool integrates with Mailchimp. If you need to connect email marketing to a complex existing tech stack, Mailchimp’s integration library may be the deciding factor.

For a simple use case — a list, a template, a newsletter — MailerLite is typically cheaper and simpler than Mailchimp at equivalent feature levels. The calculus changes when integrations matter.

Choosing the right tool for your situation

The right email marketing platform depends on three things: how many subscribers you have now and expect to have in two years; how often you send; and what you need the tool to integrate with. Modelling the cost at projected scale — not just today’s price — before committing avoids the disruption of switching later.

We set up and integrate email marketing for clients as part of web design and digital marketing projects. If you are choosing a platform for the first time or considering switching, we are happy to advise on what suits your situation specifically.

Our view on Mailerlite

We are a Norwich agency established in 2015, and we have worked with businesses on both sides of this comparison over the years. Our honest view: the right choice depends on your business, your team and where you want to be in two years — not on which platform is currently the most talked-about.

If you would like a straight opinion on which makes more sense for you — or whether you should leave the decision alone entirely and focus on something that will move the needle more — a free, no-pressure conversation is always available.