Introduction
Choosing the right email marketing tool as a small business can feel overwhelming. There are dozens of platforms, each claiming to be the best — but most small businesses don’t need complex enterprise features.
This guide compares the best email marketing tools for small businesses, focusing on ease of use, pricing, and features that actually matter when you’re running a lean team.
Quick recommendations (TL;DR)
- Best overall for small businesses: MailerLite
- Best for creators & advanced automation: ConvertKit
- Best all-in-one (email + SMS): Brevo
If you want the simplest and most affordable starting point, MailerLite is usually the best choice.
What small businesses should look for in an email tool
Before comparing tools, here’s what actually matters for small businesses:
- Easy setup and clean interface
- Affordable pricing that scales slowly
- Essential automation (welcome emails, follow-ups)
- Reliable deliverability
- No unnecessary complexity
Anything beyond this is often overkill early on.
1. MailerLite — Best overall for small businesses
MailerLite is one of the most beginner-friendly email marketing tools available. It offers a clean interface, generous features, and pricing that makes sense for small teams.
Why MailerLite works well
- Extremely easy to use
- Generous free plan
- Visual email editor
- Automation without complexity
- Landing pages and forms included
Downsides
- Fewer advanced automation options than creator-focused tools
- Not built for enterprise-level workflows
Best for:
Small businesses, freelancers, consultants, and anyone new to email marketing.
2. ConvertKit — Best for creators and automation-heavy businesses
ConvertKit is designed for creators, educators, and businesses that rely heavily on email as their main growth channel.
Why ConvertKit stands out
- Powerful automation and tagging
- Strong audience segmentation
- Clean, distraction-free editor
- Built for selling digital products
Downsides
- Higher pricing
- Slight learning curve for beginners
- Fewer design-focused templates
Best for:
Content creators, coaches, and businesses where email drives revenue.
3. Brevo — Best all-in-one option
Brevo combines email marketing with SMS, chat, and basic CRM features, making it appealing for businesses that want multiple channels in one platform.
Why Brevo is useful
- Email + SMS marketing
- Automation workflows
- Transactional emails
- Competitive pricing
Downsides
- Interface can feel busy
- Slightly less beginner-friendly than MailerLite
Best for:
Businesses that want email and SMS under one roof.
Side-by-side comparison
| Tool | Ease of Use | Pricing | Automation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | Very easy | Affordable | Moderate | Small businesses |
| ConvertKit | Moderate | Higher | Advanced | Creators |
| Brevo | Moderate | Flexible | Moderate | Multi-channel needs |
Which email marketing tool should you choose?
- Choose MailerLite if you want simplicity, affordability, and fast setup.
- Choose ConvertKit if email automation is central to your business model.
- Choose Brevo if you want email plus SMS in one platform.
For most small businesses, MailerLite offers the best balance of features and pricing.
Final recommendation
There’s no single “best” email marketing tool for everyone, but there is a best choice for most small businesses.
If you want to start quickly, keep costs low, and avoid unnecessary complexity, MailerLite is the safest and most practical option. As your business grows, you can always upgrade or switch tools later.
Leave a Reply