With so many tools out there that allow you to grow and nurture an email list, what is the right one for you? Never fear, I’m here to compare five of the popular email marketing (EM) systems for you using these categories: cost, easy to use, and features. Let’s get started!

Mailchimp

It’s been around for a while and one of the easier EM tools to use out there. It has a free plan that includes up to 2000 subscribers all the way up to a premium for pros who have 10000+ subscribers. It’s a great starter system and you can get a lot done through the free plan. Automations, integrations, sign-up forms, landing pages, ads, regular broadcasts are all included. The downside? A lot of their pre-designed templates aren’t included when you’re not paying. So, if you don’t like to create emails yourself, you’ll want to bump up to the Essentials which is $9.99/month. Mailchimp has come out with a new feature called “Customer Journey” where they help you design a full sequence of emails such as: welcome, nurture, sales, etc. Of course, you have to have a paid plan to use this, but it could really help guide you when you’re just getting started. Overall, Mailchimp is a great EM tool if you’re just starting out.

Click here to check out Mailchimp

Mailerlite

Like Mailchimp, Mailerlite is a great beginner EM tool. I’ve tried both and I honestly prefer it over Mailchimp. It’s super user friendly and has a free plan as well. You get up to 1,000 subscribers, automation, landing pages, basic integrations, and forms. Just like Mailchimp, you don’t get a lot of extra bells and whistles unless you start paying. Their package prices range from $10/month for 1,000 subscribers and unlimited emails (with extra pre-designed templates) all the way up to $210/month for 50,000 subscribers. If you’re looking for a free starter email marketing tool, this is it. When it’s time to pay, I suggest moving to Converkit or Flodesk.

Head over to Mailerlite here.

Convertkit

An all-around great email marketing tool that I would rate as ‘intermediate’ on the learning curve. It’s got everything you need, including integrations, and a great visual view for building out complicated automation sequences. They do have a free plan, but you don’t get automations and integrations included which makes it pointless because you can’t run your welcome, nurture, and sales sequences unless you pay. I suggest using this one once you’ve gone over 1000 subscribers. If I wasn’t using Flodesk, this would be the tool I would use.

This link will take you to Convertkit

Flodesk

Are you a creative and love the beauty that can be designed online? Flodesk, is the one for you! Their features are a bit more limited compared to Convertkit and Mailchimp, but they definitely make up for it with the most beautiful emails. And they have, by far, the best customer service!! Whether you contact them privately or in their own Facebook group, they are so quick to answer. Flodesk takes a different approach with payment, a flat rate of $38/month for everything. You grow, the price doesn’t change, ever. Their layout is also a bit different, but super intuitive and user friendly. They have pre-designed templates for any kind of email you’re looking to send or you can design your own from scratch. Automations, integrations, landing pages, and forms are all included. This is my tool of choice and I couldn’t be happier with it.

Go here to check out Flodesk to get 50% and pay only $19/month when you join (affiliate link).

Kartra

This is the super-robust, advanced tool on the block. If you’ve got a list already, are looking to scale your business, and need other features such as building a membership and/or course, this is what you’ve been waiting for! The features and abilities are endless with Kartra: everything any of the tools I have mentioned above AND memberships/courses, affiliates, calendars, and sales pages. They allow for countdown timers, any kind of sales page you’re looking for, and robust analytics. If you are planning on selling a digital product, growing and selling to your email list, and/or creating a membership/course you need Kartra. It has a hefty cost of $99/month but will save you money in the long run. How? You don’t need another email marketing tool, a place to run your course/membership (i.e. Teachable), a funnels tool, and a place to sell your digital product (i.e. SamCart). Adding it all up you have over $300 worth of systems you have to pay for AND make sure they connect and integrate well. You’re saving $200+/month by using Kartra. It’s a no-brainer really!

Click here to see the buzz about Kartra

Now that you’ve got an idea of what’s out there, check out a couple of them based on your needs for your business. And as always, send me an email or comment below with questions, etc!