Top 10 email marketing platforms (Their Cost and Worth)

Email marketing platforms are specially designed to assist users in managing marketing campaigns that use one of the digital world’s oldest and most reliable avenues.

This form of marketing not only serves as a straight line to potential (and existing) customers but also as a powerhouse for brand building. Likewise, mail use is ubiquitous, with billions of users worldwide. This makes it indispensable for any company looking to expand their reach. 

They offer a wide range of tools and features that businesses use to target their audience and create compelling messages. Regardless of the size of the business, to achieve its marketing goals efficiently, an email marketing platform will be pivotal. But, finding the best email marketing solution platforms.

The significance of Email marketing for businesses

The reason email marketing is so important for businesses is that it offers a direct (and personal) way to reach audiences. It therefore provides a high return on investment (ROI) versus other marketing channels. Due to its versatility, businesses can tailor their message to different audience subsegments. 

For instance, a luxury travel brand can retarget thousands of existing customers all at once, while also being able to further segment their audience by offering hiking-oriented trips.

Components of successful Email marketing campaigns

An important factor to keep in mind is that successful email marketing campaigns don’t just coalesce when certain conditions are met—intention and long-term effort and essential. On a technical level, to achieve this, several foundational elements are necessary:

• Targeted content: Email campaigns can deliver relevant and personalized content to the right audience at the right time. This is especially important for companies looking for a newsletter platform.
• Engaging design: Emails with visual appeal and a clear call-to-action (CTA) can seriously increase engagement rates.
• Consistent scheduling: Regularly scheduled emails keep the audience engaged (without overwhelming them).
• Performance tracking: Metrics like open rates, click-through rates, and conversion rates allow the user to measure the effectiveness of their campaign. 

Why use an Email marketing platform?

By leveraging an email marketing platform, a business can procure several advantages— from streamlining operations, legal compliance, the ability to scale a valuable avenue of marketing, to and integration with various other business tools such as social media marketing, CRM software, or e-commerce platforms. Apart from these, the most important benefits include:

• Automation: Automating repetitive tasks like sending welcome emails or follow-up messages will save time and increase efficiency. 
• Segmentation and personalization: Businesses can segment their audience and 
• Improve efficiency and impact: Email platforms provide advanced tools for targeting and analytics. This helps increase the efficiency and effectiveness of campaigns.

Criteria for choosing an Email marketing platform

With a wide variety of platforms to choose from, analysis paralysis can easily set in. Thankfully, there are a couple of helpful pointers here—no matter the type or size of your organization, certain features are always a priority. These include: 

• User-friendly interface: Having a platform that isn’t difficult to navigate reduces the learning curve and therefore increases productivity. 
• Email automation: Look for tools that allow you to schedule emails, create automatic responses, and manage your email sequences.
• Security: Adding a new SaaS product to your stack is always a risk to your IT infrastructure, so you must ensure the solution you’re using can fend off common cyber attacks. 
• List management: Efficiently managing your subscriber lists (including segmentation)is essential for your campaign. 
• Design tools: A good platform offers intuitive design tools and templates so you can easily create visually appealing emails. 
• Analytics and reporting: Detailed reporting on campaign performance is critical for understanding (and thus improving) your email marketing efforts.

Scalability and support

Planning in a way that accounts for drawbacks and challenges is important—but planning for success is indispensable. As a business or organization expands, marketing strategies naturally become more intricate, complex, and resource-intensive. To accommodate growth and expand your email list, a platform that offers sufficient scalability and support has to be chosen. Otherwise, you’ll spend exorbitant sums of money by switching platforms and hunting for features. 

Email marketing platforms with AI integrations 

Then again, you must be vigilant and observe the direction in which the market is going. With entire companies devoted to AI app development, there are plenty of solutions that’ll let you automate everything from lead segmentations to outreach pitch generation. This can be a tremendous time saver, especially for tasks that involve a lot of data crunching, such as campaign planning. 

The role of cost in decision-making

Cost is a big factor in the decision-making process. Many email marketing platforms offer a range of pricing options. These include everything from free plans to monthly subscriptions or pay-as-you-go models. In the beginning, it’s best to start with a free plan or demo, followed by a non-binding 6-12-month package. If you end up liking the product, you can easily extend the subscription. Be sure to tell their sales team that, and there might even be a discount involved. 

Top 10 Email marketing platforms for 2024

Now that you know how to pick the best email marketing solution platforms, it’s time to tackle the software itself. Keep in mind that this is our subjective list, not an end-all-be-all guide. You should first consider your business’s specific goals, and then choose one of the following: 

1. Mailchimp

Tailored for small to medium-sized businesses, Mailchimp shines with its user-centric design, making email marketing accessible and effective. From crafting engaging newsletters to executing targeted campaigns, its features are diverse. You get everything from automation and A/B testing capabilities to advanced analytic features. 

The pricing is flexible, starting with a free basic plan and scaling up to suit more demanding needs. Its standout quality is the ease with which users can design captivating emails using its rich template collection, making it a favorite for those who value both aesthetics and functionality.

Pros:

• Intuitive and user-friendly
• A rich selection of design templates

Cons:

• Automation features are somewhat limited in cheaper plans

MailChimp tutorial 2024 by SantrelMedia

This video by SantrelMedia serves as a comprehensive MailChimp tutorial tailored for beginners. It covers the creation of email campaigns, development of email lists, crafting landing pages, conducting surveys, and more.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h71BKbaWHKI

2. Constant Contact

This platform is a powerhouse for small businesses and nonprofits, offering a seamless blend of email creation tools, robust contact management, and effective social media marketing integration. The starting point is a monthly plan, with a generous 60-day trial but no free tier. 

Constant Contact excels in event management tools, setting it apart for businesses that frequently host events or workshops. It’s a bit pricier, but for those who need its unique features, it’s worth every penny. The platform also boasts exceptional customer support, making it a reliable partner for your email marketing journey.

Pros:

• Excellent for event management
• Strong and responsive customer support

Cons:

• Slightly more expensive than some rivals

ConstantContact email marketing platform tutorial For beginners 2024

insightful Constant Contact Tutorial for Beginners 2024 by ViaaTechno

3. Brevo (ex SendinBlue)

Versatility is the name of the game with Brevo (ex SendinBlue), catering to businesses that want to blend their email marketing with SMS campaigns. Its standout feature is the unique pricing model based on emails sent, not contacts stored, ideal for those with large mailing lists but infrequent sends. 

The platform offers robust automation features, although the free version is somewhat limited in design options. It’s a great choice for businesses looking to scale their email efforts without breaking the bank.

Pros:

• Innovative pay-per-email pricing
• Robust automation features

Cons:

• Limited design options in the free version

Brevo Email marketing platform tutorial

SendInBlue (Now Brevo) Email marketing tutorial 2023 (Full In-Depth Tutorial) by Manizha & Ryan

4. GetResponse

A one-stop shop for marketers, GetResponse brings together email marketing, landing pages, and even webinar hosting under one roof. Catering to various list sizes, its pricing is based on the number of contacts, with a free plan for starters. 

The platform’s shining star is its conversion funnel feature, streamlining the creation of automated sales funnels. It’s a bit complex for beginners but a powerhouse for seasoned marketers looking to integrate various aspects of their digital campaigns.

Pros:

• Integrated webinar hosting
• Handy conversion funnel feature

Cons:

• Complexity can be daunting for new users

5. Campaign Monitor

Campaign Monitor is a dream come true for brands prioritizing sleek, visually appealing emails. This platform offers a delightfully easy-to-use interface and a drag-and-drop email builder that lets you create stunning emails with minimal effort. 

It’s tailored for businesses that desire a blend of simplicity and design excellence. Although there’s no free plan, the results you get from its high-quality design capabilities justify the investment. It’s particularly suited for creative industries or any business looking to elevate their email aesthetics to the next level.

Pros:

• Superior email design quality
• Intuitive and straightforward user interface

Cons:

• No free plan, which might deter small startups

6. AWeber

Emphasizing simplicity and effectiveness, AWeber is a veteran in the email marketing arena, highly favored by small to medium-sized enterprises. It combines automation, segmentation, analytics, and a vast array of integrations with other tools. 

The platform offers both a free and a paid plan, catering to businesses at different growth stages. AWeber’s charm lies in its straightforward approach to email marketing, making it easy to launch campaigns without getting bogged down in complexity.

Pros:

• Wide range of integration options
• Straightforward and no-nonsense approach

Cons:

• The interface and design options can feel a bit dated

7. ActiveCampaign

For businesses that deeply value customer relationships and detailed tracking, ActiveCampaign stands out with its sophisticated automation and CRM capabilities. It’s more than just an email marketing tool; it’s a comprehensive platform for managing customer journeys. 

The pricing reflects the advanced features, scaling based on contact numbers and the depth of features required. ActiveCampaign is particularly adept at creating complex, customized automation workflows, making it a top choice for businesses looking to deeply personalize their customer interactions.

Pros:

• Advanced automation and CRM integration
• Detailed tracking and reporting

Cons:

• The complexity and depth of features can be overwhelming for beginners

8. HubSpot Email Marketing

HubSpot offers a holistic approach to email marketing, seamlessly integrating with its suite of sales, marketing, and service tools. This platform is ideal for businesses looking to centralize their marketing efforts. 

With its easy-to-use drag-and-drop email builder, powerful analytics, and personalization options, HubSpot stands out for businesses that prioritize a cohesive customer experience. The pricing is tiered, catering to different business sizes and needs.

Pros:

• Seamless integration with HubSpot’s CRM
• Comprehensive analytics and personalization

Cons:

• Can be costly, especially for smaller businesses

9. MailerLite

MailerLite is a straightforward yet powerful email marketing solution, perfect for startups and small businesses. It offers a range of features like automation, landing pages, and a built-in photo editor, all within a clean, intuitive interface. 

Furthermore, the platform has a competitive pricing structure, including a generous free plan. Its simplicity doesn’t sacrifice functionality, making it a great choice for those who want an effective, no-frills email marketing platform.

Pros:

• User-friendly and straightforward.
• Offers a generous free plan.

Cons:

• Limited advanced features compared to some competitors

10. Drip

Drip is tailored for e-commerce businesses, focusing on automation and personalization to drive sales. It integrates seamlessly with many e-commerce platforms, providing detailed insights into customer behavior. 

The platform’s strength lies in its ability to create personalized customer journeys, making it a valuable tool for businesses looking to boost their online sales. Drip’s pricing is based on the number of contacts, making it scalable for growing e-commerce businesses.

Pros:

• Strong e-commerce integration
• Advanced personalization and automation

Cons:

• More expensive than some other options, especially for large contact lists

Email marketing platform comparison

Now that we have a neat, readable list of all the platforms, along with a short digest of their most important features, it’s time to take a closer, more detailed look. 

By directly honing in on key features, we’ll compare and contrast these platforms, allowing you to have a clear overview of how they stack up against each other in terms of the features most important to your needs.

Automation and segmentation

MailChimp and ActiveCampaign both offer robust automation and segmentation but with key differences. MailChimp is user-friendly, ideal for beginners, and provides basic automation capabilities along with straightforward segmentation options

On the other hand, ActiveCampaign offers much more advanced AI features. Segmenting leads, and crunching data from separate threads are just the tip of the spear—more than a third of all businesses use AI features, and ActiveCampaign has the funds to catch the wave early.

In terms of in-depth data analysis and customizing workflows, it stands head and shoulders above the competition—but the complex features might be overkill for SMBs when compared to MailChimp’s intuitive usability.

Design and Templates

Constant Contact and GetResponse both offer robust design features and templates but with notable differences. 

Constant Contact shines with its user-friendly design interface and a diverse range of visually appealing, easily customizable templates, suitable for users valuing simplicity and professional design. 

GetResponse, in contrast, offers advanced design capabilities, including dynamic content and responsive templates, catering more to users seeking in-depth customization and sophisticated design elements. Both platforms are equipped to cater to different design preferences and skill levels.

Analytics and Reporting

Campaign Monitor and Klaviyo both excel in analytics and reporting, yet they cater to distinct analytical needs. 

Campaign Monitor offers streamlined, user-friendly reports, emphasizing key metrics such as open rates and click-through rates, ideal for businesses seeking straightforward campaign insights. 

Klaviyo, in contrast, provides more detailed analytics, focusing on customer behavior and engagement trends, making it suitable for those who require deeper data analysis to refine their marketing strategies. Each platform offers unique strengths in data interpretation and reporting.

E-commerce Integration

Klaviyo excels with its deep integration with e-commerce platforms, offering advanced segmentation and personalized marketing based on customer purchase history and behavior. 

Drip, while also strong in e-commerce integration, focuses more on automating the customer journey and utilizing data to create personalized experiences across multiple channels. Both are powerful for e-commerce, but Klaviyo leans towards in-depth customer data analysis, whereas Drip emphasizes a holistic customer journey approach

CRM Integration

ActiveCampaign stands out with its robust built-in CRM system, seamlessly integrating sales and marketing processes. It’s ideal for businesses seeking a comprehensive solution for customer data management and marketing automation. 

ConvertKit, while offering CRM integrations, focuses more on simplicity and ease of use, catering to content creators and small businesses that require straightforward CRM functionalities without the complexity of advanced systems.

To cap everything off, always keep an eye out for advanced security features. It’s no coincidence that successful ransomware attacks are down by as much as 40% since their peak in 2021–mainly because SaaS businesses have redoubled their focus on security features in the last two years. However, this is far from a reason to rest on our laurels when it comes to safeguarding data.

Cost vs. value analysis

Even though each of our top-rated email marketing solution platforms has its particular niche, sometimes it comes down to who provides the best bang for the buck. 

Mailchimp

• Cost: Free plan available; paid plans start from $9.99/month.
• Value: Ideal for small businesses and startups, offering a comprehensive set of features even on the free plan. Costs increase with the subscriber count.

Constant Contact

• Cost: Starts from $20/month.
• Value: Known for its vast template library and excellent customer support. It’s user-friendly with good engagement tools, providing good value for small businesses.

SendinBlue

• Cost: Free plan available; paid plans start from $25/month.
• Value: Combines email and SMS marketing. It’s valuable for businesses seeking transactional email services and a strong automation feature set.

GetResponse

• Cost: Starts from $15/month.
• Value: Offers automation, landing pages, and conversion funnels. Great for businesses focused on e-commerce and integrated marketing campaigns.

Campaign Monitor

• Cost: Based on subscriber count; starts from $9/month.
• Value: High customization and advanced analytics make it suitable for medium to large businesses requiring detailed campaign tracking and personalization.

AWeber

• Cost: Free plan available; paid plans offered.
• Value: Easy to use with a basic feature set, making it a good choice for beginners and small businesses. Less valuable for larger businesses needing advanced features.

ActiveCampaign

• Cost: Starts from $9/month.
• Value: Known for advanced automation and CRM integration, it’s ideal for businesses seeking a sophisticated, all-in-one email marketing and CRM solution.

HubSpot Email Marketing

• Cost: Free plan available; paid plans are part of the HubSpot Marketing Hub packages.
• Value: Offers a robust set of tools integrated with HubSpot’s CRM, perfect for businesses seeking comprehensive inbound marketing strategies.

MailerLite

• Cost: Free plan available; paid plans start from $10/month.
• Value: Simple and intuitive, it’s great for beginners and small businesses, offering basic automation and design capabilities at an affordable cost.

Drip

• Cost: Starts from $19/month.
• Value: Specialized in e-commerce CRM and automation. It’s valuable for e-commerce businesses looking for targeted email marketing strategies but may be costly for small startups.

Case studies and success stories

Brands both big and small have successfully utilized email marketing platforms to hypercharge their growth. Let’s take a look at how brands have successfully leveraged their features: 

Small Business Success with MailChimp

Yuool is a Brazillian footwear company with a pronounced emphasis on sustainability and comfort. While those are two laudable priorities, outreach is essential no matter how solid your business formula is — so Yuool enlisted the help of MailChimp.

Since the partnership began, Yuool’s performance online has skyrocketed. Now, 13% of total sales are made online, and 34% of sales come from repeat customers, while the click-through rate for web-based welcome journeys sits at around 7.4%.

A Jump in Applications with Campaign Monitor

Girls Who Code is an international nonprofit with a noble goal—helping increase the number of women in computer science and IT to bridge the gender gap in one of today’s fastest-growing and most critical industries.

This organization opted for Campaign Monitor, and their email campaign became wildly successful—with a staggering 40% open rate, a 22% increase in click-to-open rate, and an overall increase of 150% in applications.

Better merchandise sales for rock band with GetResponse

Sabaton, a Swedish heavy metal band chose GetResponse. Heavy metal might not be your jam, but thankfully, results aren’t a matter of taste. Using a combination of split testing and several automation, the band was able to increase the efficacy of its campaigns.

This has resulted in impressive metrics like a 44.17% T-shirt flash sale open rate, an 11.63% flash sale click-through rate, and a 36.14% Black Friday sale open rate speak volumes about how the platform helped an enormously popular band supercharge merchandise sales.

Peering into the future of Email marketing

While email doesn’t immediately associate us with the term cutting-edge, recent tech advances haven’t left this trusty workhorse untouched. In particular, three avenues for advancement stand out.

First, the integration of email with other marketing pathways is already in full swing—omnichannel strategies are quickly becoming the norm, and email has an important role to play in this new, cohesive approach to outreach.

In tandem with that, email marketing platforms are becoming increasingly modular—very shortly, we might see features such as seamless integration with document software development kits, for example, or other third-party tools such as analytics platforms or data visualization tools.

Finally, the advent of the recent AI wave is unlikely to leave email marketing untouched. Of course, this also resulted in numerous AI email assistants, many of whom are merely specialized versions of the GPT-3.5 or GPT-4 API. 

Final words

The choice of email marketing platform is critical—where the right one can open up new avenues for outreach and renew old ones, the wrong one can significantly hamper your overall digital marketing efforts.

Whether you need a straight-to-the-point, user-friendly platform, or one that doubles as an expansive marketing arsenal, thankfully, there are plenty of good choices of all stripes to go around.