Email marketing tools have wildly different pricing models — some charge by contacts, others by emails sent, and some are free forever. This guide breaks down the real costs for the top platforms so you can pick the right one for your list size and budget.
Quick Comparison: Email Marketing Pricing at a Glance
| Tool | Free Plan | Paid From | Best For | Score | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klaviyo | Free up to 250 contacts | From $20/mo (contact-based) | E-commerce brands | 89/100 | Full breakdown → |
| Mailchimp | Free up to 500 contacts | Essentials from $13/mo | Small businesses & beginners | 86/100 | Full breakdown → |
| Brevo | Free (300 emails/day) | Starter from $9/mo | Budget-friendly all-in-one | 86/100 | Full breakdown → |
| ActiveCampaign | 14-day free trial | Starter from $15/mo | Advanced automation | 87/100 | Full breakdown → |
| Beehiiv | Free up to 2,500 subs | Scale from $39/mo | Newsletter publishers | 87/100 | Full breakdown → |
| Mailerlite | Free up to 1,000 subs | Growing Business from $9/mo | Simple email campaigns | 85/100 | Full breakdown → |
Detailed Pricing Breakdown
Below you’ll find individual pricing breakdowns for each tool, including hidden costs, plan limits, and our verdict on value for money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Email Marketing tool has the best free plan?
Klaviyo, Mailchimp, Brevo, Beehiiv, Mailerlite offer a permanent free tier — not just a trial.
What’s the cheapest paid Email Marketing tool?
Pricing varies significantly by team size and features needed. Use the comparison table above to find the best fit for your budget.
Do these tools charge per user or per month?
Most Email Marketing tools use per-user/seat pricing, which means costs scale with your team size. Some (like Klaviyo and Mailchimp) charge based on contact count instead. Check each tool’s full pricing page for the exact model.