There’s no doubt that Mailerlite is one of the most user-friendly email marketing tools out there. It's a personal favorite of mind that I tout here on the blog and use in some of my businesses. However it is not for every business.
Why a Mailerlite Alternative?
Mailerlite is great because it is intuitive and gets you in the habit of sending out emails, which is 95% of the battle. Where mailer lite lacks for for me personally is in the ability to create automation triggers based on user activity on my website. Here are some other reasons:
The good news is that numerous other email marketing tools offer better features to help your business grow online.
Here’s the first one.
1. ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign is one of the best Mailerlite alternatives in the market right now. The email marketing software is fairly easy to use and offers powerful automation features. Moreover, you get complete control over your email marketing workflows with ActiveCampaign. (Related: ActiveCampaign vs. Mailerlite: Which One is Best for Infopreneurs)
For instance, it lets you send personalized messages to a highly targeted segment of your audience. Plus, it lets you send automated pre-designed emails in response to specific actions such as (1) purchases, (2) subscription to newsletter, (3) engagement, and more.
Email marketing analytics is where ActiveCampaign stands out. It gives you detailed reports that can help you identify your best email marketing strategies. Another area where ActiveCampaign really shines is the flexibility it gives you to automate your workflows.
However, it’s not the most user-friendly email marketing tool and can also be a little slow.
2. GetResponse
GetResponse is another Mailerlite alternative that might interest you. The features include:
In addition, it offers exciting tools like webinars, polls, special offers, screen sharing, etc. to help you effectively communicate with your audience.
List management is where this all-in-one email marketing software shines. It lets you organize and segment your email list based on data. GetResponse even lets you create and manage Facebook and Instagram ads.
The basic subscription plan doesn’t come with all the automation features. Moreover, the advanced automation features of the tool might take some getting used to.
3. AWeber
AWeber is another great Mailerlite alternative that lets you automate your email marketing workflows and connect with your audience. The tool is great for trigger-based email automation. For instance, you can set up an email to be sent out to your new email newsletter subscribers.
Effective list segmentation is another quality that makes AWeber a great option for starter sites and small businesses. For instance, you can create a rule that unsubscribes someone from a certain list as soon as they take a particular action. Another cool thing is that AWeber integrates with Canva, enabling you to create catchy images for your emails easily.
Pre-written automated email campaigns is an area where AWeber stands out from its competition. You can customize these campaigns according to your marketing needs, which would save you a lot of time and effort.
A high price is something that could make you think twice before investing in AWeber. Another drawback would be the lack of built-in sophisticated automation features.
4. Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the oldest and most popular email marketing tools in the market. The tool has been evolving since its inception in 2001, and the folks behind it continue to add exciting new features on a regular basis. What makes it a great Mailerlite alternative is its easy-to-use interface and powerful email marketing features.
Moreover, with Mailchimp’s customer journeys (Automation workflows), you can create fully automated sequences. This can help you nurture new leads and convert them into paying customers on autopilot. (Related: Mailerlite vs. Mailchimp: Best Lightweight Email Marketing Software)
Mailchimp stands out when it comes to user-friendliness. In addition, it gives you actionable marketing analytics, helping you focus on what works.
Before August 2022, Mailchimp’s free plan offered 2000 free contacts, which made this tool a no-brainer for many small businesses. But any new accounts that are created after 29th August will only get 500 contacts.
This can be a drawback because the generous number of free contacts used to be a great attraction for small businesses. Another noteworthy drawback is that you don’t get email scheduling on the free plan.
5. ConvertKit
ConvertKit is another great option if you’re considering switching from Mailerlite. The interesting thing about ConvertKit is that it’s geared toward content creators. So, it’d be a perfect option if you’re using content marketing to grow your business.
The SAAS platform has a simple and user-friendly interface. You won’t need to be an email marketing expert to use this tool effectively. Moreover, it lets you create segments and send out sequences and broadcasts to your list. (Related: Convertkit vs. Mailerlite: Which One Will Help You Sell More Consulting Services?)
Email marketing automation and list segmentations are two features where ConvertKit shines. Moreover, features like payment integration, buy now button, tip jar, etc. make it a perfect Mailerlite alternative for e-commerce business owners.
ConvertKit lacks a bit in the marketing analytics department. For instance, you don’t get to track your audience’s locations. Plus, forms and email templates aren’t as customizable as you may like.
6. Sendinblue
One thing that keeps many marketers from changing their email marketing tool is the fact that they have to get used to a new interface. Sendinblue is easy to use, so you’ll get familiar with its features in no time. Plus, it has all the qualities of an effective email marketing platform.
It helps you convert your prospects and leads through automation and retargeting. Moreover, the A/B testing feature lets you test two different subject lines to identify the better-performing one.
The free and basic plans of the tool offer limited features, so you might have to upgrade to get the most out of it.
The Verdict
Mailerlite is one of the most user-friendly and lightweight email marketing tools out there. But, it does lack in certain aspects, including: (1) automation templates, (2) third-party integrations, and (3) design templates.
The good thing is there are plenty of great alternatives to the email marketing tool. Hopefully, by now, you have a clear winner based on your marketing needs and wants.