StackCompassWhat email marketing tools really cost
Entry prices run $0 to $97/mo, but the sticker number is the least useful fact on any pricing page. This table puts every tool we track on one scale, with its free tier, its verified entry price, and the pricing model that decides what you pay in a year.
| Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Pricing model note |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/mo, automations, landing pages | $12/mo | Prices are yearly-billing rates and scale with subscriber count. |
| AWeber | No free plan (14-day trial) | $12.49/mo | Prices shown at 500 subscribers with annual billing; tiers scale with list size. |
| Systeme.io | 2,000 contacts, 3 funnels, 1 course, 1 blog, 1 custom domain, unlimited emails | $17/mo | Annual billing gives 2 months free. 0% transaction fees on all tiers. |
| GetResponse | No free plan (Free trial, no card) | $19/mo | Prices are for the smallest list size and scale with contacts. Annual billing is cheaper. |
| Kit | 1,000 subscribers, unlimited broadcasts, landing pages, 1 basic automation | $33/mo | Prices shown at 1,000 subscribers and scale with list size. |
| Beehiiv | Up to 2,500 subscribers, unlimited sends, website, custom domains | $43/mo | Free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers. Paid prices shown are annual-billing rates. |
| GoHighLevel | No free plan (14-day free trial) | $97/mo | 14-day free trial on all plans. Unlimited contacts and users on every tier. Usage-based telecom/AI charges are separate. |
Brevo also has a free plan (300 emails/day) with paid tiers priced by send volume; its current dollar amounts are not stated on the fetchable pricing page, so we do not quote them. See the Brevo page.
The three pricing models, and who each punishes
- By list size
- Kit, GetResponse, MailerLite, AWeber. Cheap at 500 subscribers, meaningfully pricier at 10,000. Punishes hoarding dead subscribers; clean your list and you literally pay less.
- By send volume
- Brevo. A big list you rarely email costs little. Punishes daily senders; rewards occasional broadcasts to large audiences.
- Flat tiers
- Systeme.io, Beehiiv, GoHighLevel. Predictable bills with high ceilings (Beehiiv's $43/mo covers up to 100,000 subscribers on annual billing). Punishes nobody until you cross a tier line; best for planning.
FAQ
How much does email marketing software cost in 2026?
From $0 to roughly $97/mo at entry, on verified prices as of 2026-07-29. Real free plans: Systeme.io (2,000 contacts), Beehiiv (2,500 subscribers), Kit (1,000 subscribers), MailerLite (250 subscribers), Brevo (300 emails/day). Cheapest paid entries: MailerLite from $12/mo, AWeber from $12.49/mo, Systeme.io $17/mo, GetResponse from $19/mo. GoHighLevel starts at $97/mo because it is agency infrastructure, not just email.
Why do email tool prices climb after the first month?
Three pricing models hide in the sticker prices. Most tools (Kit, GetResponse, MailerLite, AWeber) price by LIST SIZE, so growth raises the bill on the same plan. Brevo prices by SEND VOLUME. Beehiiv and GoHighLevel sell flat tiers with generous limits. Model the tool against your expected list in 12 months, not your list today.
Which email tool has the best free plan?
By raw capacity, Beehiiv: up to 2,500 subscribers with unlimited sends (verified 2026-07-29). By breadth, Systeme.io: 2,000 contacts plus funnels, a course and a blog on the free tier. Kit's 1,000-subscriber free plan is the strongest for creator monetization features.
Are annual prices really cheaper?
Usually 15 to 20 percent. Beehiiv's $43/mo and AWeber's $12.49/mo shown here are annual-billing rates; monthly billing runs higher (AWeber Lite is $15 monthly). Systeme.io gives 2 months free on annual. We label which is which because mixed billing bases are the most common way pricing tables mislead (all verified 2026-07-29).