Cheap Email Marketing Software: Get Results on a Budget

You need email marketing software, but you don't have budget for platforms that charge hundreds per month. Good news: genuinely affordable email marketing software exists! There are some cheap options out there that deliver results that match premium platforms.

"Cheap" doesn't mean the same thing everywhere and for everyone. Some platforms are legitimately powerful, but charge less, while others are cheap because they're limited. You end up paying more when you outgrow them. Some free plans are genuinely useful, while others force upgrades quickly.

You need to understand which affordable options actually deliver value, and which ones are just low prices wrapped in limitations. That's why this guide covers the best cheap email marketing software in 2025, what you're getting at different price points, and how to maximize value without sacrificing results. We'll cover free plans to budget-friendly paid options that punch above their weight.

TL;DR: Best Value at Every Price Point

Free tier winners:

• Brevo: Unlimited contacts, 300 emails/day (best for building lists)
• MailerLite: 500 contacts, 12,000 emails/month with full automation (best free plan overall)
• Mailchimp: 250 contacts, 500 sends/month or 250 sends/day (most user-friendly free plan)

Under $20/month:

• MailerLite: $9/month for unlimited sends, up to 500 contacts, and good number of features (best value under $20)
• EmailOctopus: $9/month for 500 contacts and 10,000 emails (affordable upgrades)
• Sender: Generous free plan, $7/month for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails.
• Brevo: $8.08/month starter plan with 5,000 emails/month

Under $50/month:

• MailerLite: Still excellent value at higher tiers
• ConvertKit: $33/month for creators wanting simple automation and having under 1,000 subscribers.
• Bento: $30/month for under 3000 contact with unlimited emails and all the features.

Value considerations: "Cheap" isn't just about price, but about value. Free plans that lock critical features aren't actually cheap if you need to upgrade immediately. Paid plans that scale awkwardly get expensive fast, and it will come to pay once your business grows. True value means paying for what you need without hidden costs or rapid price escalation.

What Does "Cheap" Actually Mean?

Here's what "cheap" email marketing software actually means:

Free vs. free forever: Some free plans are generous enough to use long-term. Others are designed to push you toward paid plans quickly. Understanding which is which helps you find real value.

Per-contact vs. per-email pricing: Some platforms charge by contacts stored, others by emails sent. If you have a small business that probably won't grow much in near future, but want to establish good connection with your users, seek for those that charge by users with unlimited emailing options. But if you have a large list and don't expect to have number of emails to them rise as much, platforms that charge by number of sent emails might be the better option.

Hidden costs: Platform fees, users stored and emails sent aren't the only cost. Some "cheap" platforms charge extra for features you'll need - from automation, over advanced segmentation and removing branding, to the support offered in case something goes wrong. Others require minimums or have scaling costs that add up quickly. Be sure to understand properly what does you chosen plan cover.

ROI matters more than price: The cheapest platform isn't valuable if it limits your results. If a $50/month platform drives 10x more revenue than a $10/month platform, the higher cost is actually better value. Consider ROI, not just price.

The upgrade trap: Some platforms start cheap but get expensive fast as you scale. A $10/month plan that jumps to $200/month at 20,000 contacts might not be sustainable long-term. If your business starts offering new options and you wish to use integrations, you might realise each one implies additional charges. Consider how pricing scales before committing.

The reality check: Cheap email marketing software exists, but "cheap" should mean value, not just low prices. Free plans are great for getting started, but sustainable email marketing usually requires investment. The key is finding platforms that provide real value for your business and needs, at fair prices.

Best Free Email Marketing Software

Free plans are great for getting started, but they vary significantly. Here are the best free options:

MailerLite: Best Free Plan Overall

Who it's for: Growing businesses wanting solid automation and segmentation without paying.

What makes it stand out: MailerLite's free plan is genuinely generous. Up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month with full access to automation features. You get behavioral triggers, segmentation, multi-step sequences, and complex workflows even on the free tier.

The email builder uses content blocks (countdown timers, RSS feeds, product showcases) instead of templates, making it fast to build professional-looking emails. However segmentation for a free plan is robust - you can create persistent segments and view aggregate statistics.

The catch: Interface isn't as polished as Mailchimp or Klaviyo. Fewer pre-made templates on the free plan, though the block-based builder helps compensate.

Bottom line: If you're serious about email marketing and need automation from the start, MailerLite's free plan is hard to beat. It's one of the few platforms where the free tier doesn't feel like a trial.

Brevo: Best for Unlimited Contacts

Who it's for: Businesses building their list but not sending frequently.

What makes it stand out: Brevo's free plan offers almost unlimited contacts (100,000). You can store as many subscribers as you want without hitting a cap. This is rare and makes Brevo perfect for businesses actively building their list but not ready to send regularly yet.

Daily send limits are 300 emails per day (roughly 9,000/month if you send daily). You also get transactional email capabilities on the free plan, which many competitors charge extra for.

The catch: Email templates feel dated. Reporting features are limited and scattered. Daily send limits can be restrictive if you want to send larger campaigns.

Bottom line: Brevo is perfect if you need unlimited contact storage and can work within daily send limits. The unlimited contacts feature is genuinely useful for businesses in the list-building phase.

Mailchimp: Most User-Friendly Free Plan

Who it's for: Small businesses and beginners wanting an approachable free plan.

What makes it stand out: Mailchimp's free plan (up to 250 contacts, 500 sends/month) is solid and user-friendly. The interface is polished and approachable, making it perfect for non-technical team members.

The platform provides good templates, basic automation, and straightforward subscriber management. It's easy to get started even if you've never used email marketing software before.

The catch: Free plan limits are lower than competitors. You get 250 contacts versus even 1,000+ elsewhere. Advanced automation requires paid plans. Deliverability tools are basic.

Bottom line: Mailchimp is perfect if you are just staring with digital marketing and want the most user-friendly free plan and can work within 250 contact limits. Great for beginners, less ideal if you need higher limits or advanced automation from the start.

Other Free Options Worth Considering

Sender: 2,500 contacts and 15,000 emails per month free with full automation. Less well-known but generous limits.

EmailOctopus: 2,500 contacts and 10,000 emails per month free. Simple interface, good value. Free plan will include branding you can't remove.

Kit (ConvertKit): 10,000 subscribers with unlimited emails free. Very limited options. Good for creators, less ideal for general email marketing.

Bottom line for free plans

All provide legitimate value. Choose based on contact limits you need, automation requirements, and how user-friendly you want the interface to be.

Best Cheap Paid Email Marketing Software (Under $50/month)

Free plans are great if you are new to digital marketing or if your business is just starting and need merely basic features, but paid plans often unlock features worth paying for. Here are the best cheap paid options:

MailerLite: Best Value Under $50

Who it's for: Growing businesses wanting premium features without premium pricing.

What makes it stand out: MailerLite's paid plans start at just $9 per month (billed annually) for 500 contacts and include unlimited sends, advanced features, and priority support. Even at higher tiers, MailerLite remains affordable. The $22 per month (2,500 contacts) plan covers most growing businesses.

When you start paying you get full automation access, advanced segmentation, A/B testing, and all premium features. The price scales reasonably as you grow.

The catch: If you wish to get more technical if you pay, MailerLite doesn't offer as much as some might want. There are also no integrated tools for monitoring the deliverability and stats.

Bottom line: MailerLite offers good value for the price at the beginning. If you need solid automation and segmentation without paying premium prices, this is worth serious consideration.

EmailOctopus: Most Affordable Paid Plans

Who it's for: Budget-conscious marketers wanting affordable paid upgrades.

What makes it stand out: EmailOctopus offers 2,500 contacts and 10,000 emails per month on the free plan, but what really stands out is the pricing structure. Paid plans start at just $9 per month for 500 contacts, making it one of the most affordable options when you're ready to upgrade.

The interface is clean and straightforward, automation features are solid, and you get access to segmentation and basic reporting. It's not as feature-rich as MailerLite, but the beginner price under $10 makes it easy to transition from free to paid.

The catch: It's the simple platform and it won't offer you many options when it comes both to design and the tools. Some users have reported that they had deliverability problems with it.

Bottom line: EmailOctopus is great if you want something simple, it has a decent free plan and affordable upgrades as you grow. The $9 per month entry point is pretty cheap for basic needs.

Brevo: Affordable Starter Plans

Who it's for: Businesses needing affordable paid plans with reasonable send limits.

What makes it stand out: Brevo's paid plans start at $8.08 per month (billed annually) for the Starter plan, which includes 5,000 emails per month and removes daily send limits.

You get transactional email capabilities, basic automation, and segmentation. The platform isn't as polished as Mailchimp or Klaviyo, but it delivers solid value for the price.

Bottom line: Brevo is great if you need affordable paid plans with reasonable send limits. The $8 per month starter tier is genuinely cheap, though you'll need higher tiers as you scale.

ConvertKit: Affordable for Creators

Who it's for: Content creators wanting affordable automation without ecommerce complexity.

What makes it stand out: ConvertKit's paid plans start at $33 per month for 1,000 subscribers with advanced features and unlimited emails. While not the cheapest option overall, it's affordable for creators who need automation, landing pages, and audience management tools.

The platform is built specifically for creators, so features align with creator workflows like email courses, product launches, and audience nurture. If you're monetizing through courses or digital products, ConvertKit's price is reasonable for what you get.

The catch: If your list frows, ConvertKit can become pricey. Additionally, some users did complain about performance and support.

Bottom line: ConvertKit is affordable for smaller creators who need automation and audience tools. Not the cheapest option, but good value if creator-focused features matter to your business.

Maximizing Value at Any Price Point

"Cheap" isn't just about platform costs. As mentioned, it's about maximizing ROI. Here's how to get more value regardless of which platform you choose:

Clean your list regularly: Paying for contacts you're not emailing wastes money. Use platforms with per-email pricing, or clean lists regularly to avoid paying for dead contacts.

Focus on engagement: High-engagement subscribers drive more revenue than large lists of inactive contacts. Smaller, engaged lists often deliver better ROI than large, unengaged lists, even on cheaper platforms.

Use automation effectively: Automated campaigns like welcome sequences, abandoned carts, and re-engagement often convert better than manual campaigns. Using automation effectively improves ROI, making any platform more valuable.

Test and optimize: Platforms provide tools, but testing and optimization drive results. Use analytics to identify what works, then improve. Better results will make any platform more valuable.

Avoid feature bloat: Paying for features you'll never use isn't value. Choose platforms that match your actual needs, not aspirational features. Simpler platforms often deliver better ROI if they match your requirements.

Consider long-term costs: Platform fees are just one cost. Factor in time spent managing platforms, integration costs, potential migration costs, and opportunity costs of limited features. Sometimes paying more upfront saves money long-term.

Where Cheap Software Falls Short

Understanding the limitations of cheap email marketing software helps you make informed decisions:

Limited automation: Free and cheap plans often limit automation capabilities. You might get basic sequences but not advanced branching logic or behavioral triggers.

Restricted features: Many cheap plans lock critical features behind paywalls. These often include advanced segmentation, A/B testing, removing branding, or even support which will cost extra.

Deliverability concerns: Cheaper platforms sometimes run on shared infrastructure with limited deliverability controls. If inbox placement matters, you might need platforms that invest more in deliverability infrastructure.

Scaling issues: Cheap plans that seem affordable can get expensive fast as you grow. Per-contact pricing especially scales poorly. As lists grow, costs escalate quickly.

Support limitations: Free and cheap plans usually mean community support, not direct access to customer service. If you need help, you might be on your own.

The reality check: Cheap email marketing software is great for getting started and testing, but sustainable email marketing usually requires investment. The key is finding platforms that provide real value at fair prices, not just the lowest possible cost.

Where Bento Fits: Value Beyond Price

If you've made it this far, you're probably evaluating cheap email marketing software seriously. Here's where Bento fits, especially if you're looking for value beyond just low prices.

Value-based pricing. Bento charges based on active contacts, not how much you email. This matters because sometimes you will need lots of emails even with smaller lists. You always have the option to clean your list from those contacts you are not emailing, so it won't affect the price.

But the great news is that Bento still falls under $50 mark - if you have anywhere under 3,000 contacts, Bento costs only $30. This includes all the tools and unlimited emails, so no hidden pricing that might surprise you.

Deliverability infrastructure included. Many cheap platforms treat deliverability as an afterthought - you get basic sending but need separate tools for reputation monitoring, authentication setup, or batching controls. Bento, however, has one of the highest deliverability levels in the industry, and it is platform that takes this very seriously. Any error that affect deliverability is looked into, and instantly referred to.

What is also very important is that Bento includes deliverability infrastructure like reputation monitoring, authentication setup, and batching controls in platform pricing, so you don't need separate tools. This creates value because poor deliverability means emails land in spam regardless of how cheap your platform is. Platforms that handle deliverability automatically help your emails reach inboxes, which improves ROI. It won't matter if you pay less if you send emails in vain, and they don't end up reaching your contacts.

Automation without complexity. Bento's automation is powerful without being overwhelming. You get behavioral triggers, segmentation, multi-step sequences, and personalized content without requiring a PhD in email marketing. This creates value because good automation improves results, making the platform more valuable regardless of price.

Operator-friendly value. Bento is built for operators who take email seriously. People who care about inbox placement, manage list quality, and want automation that actually improves results. If that's you, Bento provides value through tools and infrastructure that help you succeed, not just through low prices.

Constant support. Not only does Bento include support in the price (which many of the platforms don't), it is one of the main things we take care of. Bento offers constant support on Discord, and because it is a small business, the founder himself will personalise the help you need depending on your business. This is something you won't get with any of the bigger platforms, no matter how tempting the price looks.

When Bento makes sense

You want unlimited emails without hitting the daily or weekly limits. You need deliverability infrastructure without separate tools. You care about results more than just platform costs. You wish to have reliable support that will help you personal needs.

When cheap platforms make sense: You're genuinely testing email marketing for the first time. You have very small lists and send infrequently. You're budget-constrained and free or low-cost plans meet your needs.

The honest pitch: Bento isn't trying to compete with free plans or the cheapest possible options. If a free plan works for you, use it. But if you're ready to invest in email marketing and want value-based pricing with deliverability infrastructure included, Bento provides that combination.

Calculate true costs, not just platform fees. Platform pricing is just one cost, but take into consideration factors like time spent, integration costs, potential migration costs, need for support, and opportunity costs of limited features. Sometimes paying more upfront saves money long-term if it enables campaigns that drive revenue.

Focus on ROI, not price. The cheapest platform isn't valuable if it limits results. If a $50 per month platform drives 10x more revenue than a $10 per month platform, the higher cost is actually better value. Consider ROI, not just price, when evaluating affordable options.

Plan for how pricing scales. Cheap plans that seem affordable can get expensive fast as you scale. A platform that's $10 per month at 1,000 contacts might cost $200 or more per month at 50,000. Consider how pricing scales before committing.

Prioritize value over lowest price. Choose platforms that provide real value. Features you'll use, deliverability infrastructure, automation that improves results. Not just the lowest possible price. Value-based decisions often cost more upfront but deliver better ROI.

Choose based on your actual needs, the value you're getting, and how platforms scale as you grow. Start with free plans, test with real campaigns, measure ROI, then upgrade when affordable options drive better results. If you're evaluating Bento's value-based pricing, we're here to help.