Which Email Marketing Tool is Best for Your Business? A Comprehensive Guide

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Email marketing is a critical tool for businesses to engage customers directly, offering personalised communication and building strong customer relationships. It’s essential for driving conversions, building brand loyalty, and nurturing a community. 


In this guide, we’ll help you choose the right email marketing platform by comparing four of the most popular tools: 

  • MailerLite
  • Klaviyo
  • Brevo (formerly SendinBlue)
  • Mailchimp


We’ll focus on their features, pricing, and overall usability, so you can find the best fit for your business needs.


By the end, you'll know:

  • How to choose the best email marketing platform for your business.
  • The pros and cons of each platform, with a deep dive into their unique features.
  • Why we recommend MailerLite as the top pick for most small businesses.


Let’s dive in!

1. Choosing the Right Email Marketing Platform 

Choosing the right email marketing platform is pivotal for effectively managing your business's marketing campaigns. It involves weighing various features and functionalities that align with your marketing goals and technical requirements. Platforms like MailerLite, Klaviyo, Brevo (formerly SendinBlue), and Mailchimp offer diverse capabilities, each suitable for different business scales and needs.


  • MailerLite is user-friendly, making it ideal for startups and small businesses.
  • Klaviyo, with its advanced analytics and e-commerce integrations, caters well to businesses with robust marketing needs.
  • Brevo provides a balance of features suitable for companies requiring straightforward solutions without complex integrations.
  • Mailchimp, known for its extensive automation capabilities and integration options, serves a broad audience but can be costlier as needs grow. 

Understanding these platforms' unique offerings, from automation levels and integration capabilities to customer support and scalability, helps in making an informed decision that can enhance your email marketing effectiveness and ROI.

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2. Comparison Table 

When selecting an email marketing platform, it’s essential to consider all the key features and also how features offered in free plans meet your initial marketing needs. Here's a detailed comparison of what each platform and their offers in their free versions:

Feature MailerLite Klaviyo Brevo Mailchimp
Automation Simple and effective automation ideal for beginners Highly sophisticated automation for targeted campaigns Basic automation suitable for small campaigns Advanced automation with behavioral targeting
Ease of Use Very user-friendly with a clean interface Steeper learning curve due to advanced features Extremely user-friendly with straightforward navigation Intuitive design with drag-and-drop features
Integration Options Good, covers essential integrations for small businesses Best-in-class for e-commerce integration Adequate for basic needs, integrates with major software Extensive range including e-commerce and CRM tools
Customer Support Excellent 24/7 support known for being helpful and accessible Premium support available, especially useful for complex setups Support available during business hours with good responsiveness 24/7 support with chat and email
Pricing for Startups Free plan available; most budget-friendly paid plans start from $10/mo Free plan available; starts at $20/mo with premium features for more usage Free plan available; more affordable paid plans start from $25/mo Free plan available; paid plans start from $9.99/mo
Free Plan Features 1,000 contacts, 12,000 emails/mo, A/B testing included, branding remains, advanced segmentation 250 contacts, 500 emails/mo, basic automation, branding remains, limited segmentation 300 contacts, unlimited emails, no A/B testing, branding remains, basic segmentation 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo, no A/B testing, branding remains, basic segmentation

3. Which Tool Fits Your Business Best?

MailerLite: Best for Startups and Small Businesses

If you're just starting or running a small business, MailerLite is an excellent choice. It’s affordable, easy to use, and comes with a robust free plan that includes advanced features like A/B testing and segmentation. Its simple interface is perfect for beginners, and you won’t be overwhelmed with complex features you don’t need.


Why choose MailerLite?

  • Most cost-effective for small businesses.
  • User-friendly design makes creating campaigns a breeze.
  • Includes key features like automation and performance analysis, even in the free plan.


Klaviyo: Best for E-commerce and Advanced Analytics

Klaviyo shines in the e-commerce world. It integrates deeply with platforms like Shopify and Magento, making it the go-to for businesses that rely on targeted campaigns and sophisticated customer segmentation. Though it’s pricier, the advanced analytics and integrations justify the cost for growing businesses.


Why choose Klaviyo?

  • Best-in-class analytics and customer segmentation.
  • Ideal for businesses that rely on e-commerce.
  • Highly scalable, making it perfect for growing brands.


Brevo (formerly SendinBlue): Best for Simple, Affordable Campaigns

Brevo offers a balanced approach with its straightforward, easy-to-use platform. It’s great for businesses that don’t need complex integrations but still want the ability to run efficient, professional campaigns. Its free plan includes unlimited email sending, which is rare in this space.


Why choose Brevo?

  • Affordable with unlimited emails in the free plan.
  • Excellent for straightforward email campaigns.
  • Basic automation is perfect for small marketing teams.


Mailchimp: Best for Broad Integrations and Automation

Mailchimp is a well-known name in the email marketing world, and for good reason. It offers extensive automation features and integrates with a wide range of tools, making it a versatile option for businesses with more complex marketing needs. However, its cost can rise quickly as your subscriber base grows.


Why choose Mailchimp?

  • Powerful automations and integration options.
  • Good fit for mid-size businesses with advanced marketing needs.
  • Extensive templates and customisation options.

Sign up for a free account

with MailerLite

Sign up for a free account

with Klaviyo

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5. Our Top Pick: MailerLite

After comparing the features, pricing, and usability of these platforms, MailerLite stands out as the best choice for most businesses, especially startups and small businesses. Its combination of affordability, ease of use, and powerful features makes it an excellent option for getting started with email marketing.


MailerLite is exceptionally well-suited for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs, offering a straightforward, cost-effective solution. Its user-friendly design is perfect for those starting out or operating on a lean model, and its robust free plan makes it a compelling choice for businesses aiming to maintain low costs while still benefiting from essential email marketing tools.

Sign up for a free account

with MailerLite

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6. Final Thoughts

Choosing the best email marketing platform depends on your business size, goals, and marketing complexity. Whether you're a small startup, an e-commerce giant, or somewhere in between, there’s a tool on this list that can meet your needs.


If you're ready to dive in, we recommend starting with MailerLite for its ease of use and generous free plan. Try out a free account today and see how it can transform your email marketing efforts!

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