The Best Cheap Email Marketing Software for Small Businesses

Introduction
In today's digital landscape, email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to reach and engage customers. However, small businesses often face budget constraints, making it essential to find affordable yet powerful email marketing software. In this article, we’ll explore the best cheap email marketing software options that deliver top-notch performance without breaking the bank. We will evaluate their features, pricing, usability, and overall effectiveness to help you make an informed decision.

1. MailerLite
Overview: MailerLite is a popular email marketing software known for its affordability and ease of use. It offers a generous free plan, making it an excellent choice for small businesses starting with email marketing.
Key Features:

• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Create professional-looking emails without any coding knowledge.
• Automation Tools: Automate workflows, such as welcome emails and follow-up sequences.
• Landing Pages: Build landing pages to complement your email campaigns.
• 24/7 Customer Support: Access to customer support whenever you need it.
  Pricing: MailerLite offers a free plan that includes up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $10 per month, offering additional features such as advanced reporting and unlimited emails.
  Pros:
• User-friendly interface.
• Excellent customer support.
• Free plan with robust features.
  Cons:
• Limited templates in the free plan.
• Basic automation compared to higher-priced competitors.

2. Sendinblue
Overview: Sendinblue is another affordable option, especially for small businesses looking for an all-in-one marketing platform. It combines email marketing with SMS marketing, allowing for a more integrated approach to customer engagement.
Key Features:

• Email & SMS Marketing: Send both email and SMS campaigns from a single platform.
• Transactional Emails: Send transactional emails such as order confirmations and password resets.
• Marketing Automation: Create advanced automation workflows to nurture leads.
• A/B Testing: Test different email variants to optimize performance.
  Pricing: Sendinblue offers a free plan that includes unlimited contacts but limits you to 300 emails per day. Paid plans start at $25 per month, which includes 20,000 emails per month and additional features like advanced segmentation and A/B testing.
  Pros:
• Integrated email and SMS marketing.
• No limit on the number of contacts.
• Advanced automation features.
  Cons:
• Daily email sending limit in the free plan.
• Some advanced features require higher-tier plans.

3. Moosend
Overview: Moosend is a budget-friendly email marketing tool that offers a solid feature set for small businesses. Its user-friendly interface and robust automation capabilities make it a strong contender in the affordable email marketing space.
Key Features:

• Advanced Segmentation: Segment your audience based on behavior, demographics, and more.
• Personalization: Personalize emails to improve engagement and conversion rates.
• Landing Page Builder: Design custom landing pages to enhance your marketing campaigns.
• Analytics & Reporting: Track the performance of your email campaigns with detailed reports.
  Pricing: Moosend offers a free plan with unlimited emails for up to 1,000 subscribers. Paid plans start at $8 per month, which includes advanced segmentation, landing page builder, and more.
  Pros:
• Competitive pricing.
• Powerful segmentation and personalization tools.
• Unlimited emails in the free plan.
  Cons:
• Limited third-party integrations.
• Lacks phone support.

4. Benchmark Email
Overview: Benchmark Email is designed for small businesses that need a simple yet effective email marketing solution. It offers a straightforward interface, making it easy for beginners to get started.
Key Features:

• Drag-and-Drop Editor: Quickly create beautiful emails with the drag-and-drop editor.
• Responsive Templates: Access a variety of responsive templates optimized for mobile devices.
• Automation Pro: Set up automated email campaigns based on user actions.
• Surveys & Polls: Gather customer feedback directly through your emails.
  Pricing: Benchmark Email offers a free plan that includes 3,500 emails per month for up to 500 subscribers. Paid plans start at $13.99 per month, offering features like unlimited emails, advanced reporting, and A/B testing.
  Pros:
• Easy to use for beginners.
• Responsive customer support.
• Free plan available.
  Cons:
• Limited customization options.
• Fewer templates compared to competitors.

5. Mailchimp
Overview: Mailchimp is one of the most well-known email marketing platforms and offers a free plan that caters to small businesses. While it’s slightly more expensive than other options on this list, its robust features make it worth considering.
Key Features:

• Marketing CRM: Manage your audience with a built-in CRM system.
• Content Studio: Store and manage images and files for your campaigns.
• Behavioral Targeting: Send targeted emails based on user behavior.
• Reports & Analytics: Detailed reports to track the performance of your campaigns.
  Pricing: Mailchimp’s free plan includes 500 subscribers and 1,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at $11 per month, with additional features like custom branding, advanced segmentation, and A/B testing.
  Pros:
• Comprehensive feature set.
• Strong brand reputation.
• Wide range of integrations.
  Cons:
• Higher price point compared to other budget options.
• Limited features in the free plan.

Conclusion
Choosing the right email marketing software depends on your business's specific needs and budget. MailerLite and Moosend are excellent choices for those seeking affordability with a solid feature set. Sendinblue offers added value with its integrated SMS marketing, while Benchmark Email provides simplicity for beginners. Mailchimp, though slightly more expensive, delivers a comprehensive solution with powerful features. Evaluate these options based on your business goals, and you'll be well on your way to executing successful email marketing campaigns.

Comparison Table:

Software	Free Plan	Starting Price	Key Features	Best For
MailerLite	Yes	$10/month	Drag-and-Drop Editor, Automation Tools	Beginners
Sendinblue	Yes	$25/month	Email & SMS Marketing, Transactional Emails	Integrated Marketing
Moosend	Yes	$8/month	Advanced Segmentation, Personalization	Budget-Conscious Users
Benchmark	Yes	$13.99/month	Responsive Templates, Automation Pro	Simplicity and Ease
Mailchimp	Yes	$11/month	Marketing CRM, Behavioral Targeting	Comprehensive Features