Pricing Evolution:

• Free plans have become more limited across platforms

• Email marketing solutions are priced on a "per month" basis, ranging from as low as $7 up to $1,499+ per month

• Most platforms now charge based on subscriber count rather than email sends

• Automation capabilities - Essential, not optional

• Mobile-responsive templates - Must-have

• Integration ecosystem - Connect with your existing tools

• Deliverability rates - Your emails need to reach inboxes

• Customer support - Responsive help when you need it

• Pricing scalability - Costs that grow reasonably with your business

• Analytics depth - Understand your campaign performance

• GDPR compliance - Essential for global businesses

SQUARESPACE EMAIL CAMPAIGNS - www.squarespace.com/email-marketing
Keeps all marketing endeavours in-house and makes email marketing a simple and beautiful process with templated emails, audience management, and marketing analytics. Starter Plan starts at $6 per month with three blast campaigns, NO automated campaigns, and Squarespace branding. Core Plan allows for 5,000 sends per month, five campaign blasts per month, and automated campaigns without Squarespace branding. However, it lacks key features like subscriber segmentation, advanced automations, and useful analytics compared to dedicated platforms. Best for: Existing Squarespace website owners who want basic email marketing integration.

MAILCHIMP - www.mailchimp.com
Still a major player, but the landscape has shifted. Mailchimp now offers free plans only for up to 500 subscribers (reduced from 2,000), making it less attractive for growing businesses. However, it remains user-friendly with excellent design flexibility and integrations. Mailchimp has the edge with a snappy, visually pleasing UI that feels faster and more intuitive. Best for: Established businesses that value design and don't mind paying for premium features.

BREVO (formerly Sendinblue) - www.brevo.com
Brevo is an excellent option for great value without needing top-tier features. Offers generous free plans and competitive pricing with strong automation capabilities. Popular among European businesses and growing rapidly worldwide. Best for: Businesses wanting advanced features at budget-friendly prices.

ACTIVECAMPAIGN - www.activecampaign.com
ActiveCampaign takes the top spot for its unmatched automation features, even if it's not the most budget-friendly choice. The go-to platform for sophisticated marketing automation and customer journey mapping. Best for: Businesses serious about advanced email marketing and automation.

HUBSPOT - www.hubspot.com
Full CRM integration with email marketing as part of a comprehensive marketing suite. Free tier available with paid plans for advanced features. Best for: Businesses wanting an all-in-one marketing platform.

KIT - www.kit.com
The creator's choice. Designed specifically for bloggers, podcasters, and content creators. Excellent automation and subscriber management. Best for: Content creators, bloggers, and online course creators.

AWEBER - www.aweber.com
AWeber has more email templates, more landing pages, better automation tools, cheaper pricing, and considerably better customer support compared to some competitors. AWeber offers an enormous 700 templates while Mailchimp offers 100 templates. Still solid for traditional email marketing but faces stiff competition. Best for: Small businesses wanting reliable, traditional email marketing.

FLODESK - www.flodesk.com
The Instagram of email marketing. Gorgeous, mobile-first templates with flat-rate pricing regardless of subscriber count. Best for: Creative businesses, photographers, and design-focused brands.

GETRESPONSE - www.getresponse.com
GetResponse caters to specific needs, making it a strong alternative depending on your situation. Includes webinar functionality and e-commerce features. Best for: Businesses running webinars or with advanced e-commerce needs.

ACTIVECAMPAIGN - www.activecampaign.com
ActiveCampaign takes the top spot for its unmatched automation features, even if it's not the most budget-friendly choice. The go-to platform for sophisticated marketing automation and customer journey mapping. Best for: Businesses serious about advanced email marketing and automation.