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Quick Summary
Best Overall: Brevo Free - 300 emails/day, unlimited contacts
Best for Creators: MailerLite Free - 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails/mo
Most Recognizable: Mailchimp Free - 500 contacts, 1,000 sends/mo
1. Brevo (Sendinblue) Free
Best Overall- Unlimited contacts
- 300 emails per day (9,000/month)
- Email editor with templates
- Basic automation workflows
- SMS marketing (pay per message)
2. MailerLite Free
- 1,000 subscribers
- 12,000 emails per month
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Landing pages and popups
- Basic automation
3. Mailchimp Free
- 500 contacts
- 1,000 sends per month
- Email templates
- Landing pages
- Basic automations
4. Sender Free
- 2,500 subscribers
- 15,000 emails per month
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Automation workflows
- SMS marketing
5. ConvertKit (Kit) Free
- 1,000 subscribers
- Unlimited emails
- Landing pages
- Subscriber tagging
6. Benchmark Email Free
- 500 contacts
- 3,500 emails per month
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Basic automations
7. Omnisend Free
- 250 contacts
- 500 emails per month
- Email + SMS
- Pre-built automation
| Tool | Free Contacts | Monthly Emails | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brevo | Unlimited | ~9,000 | Large lists, low volume |
| MailerLite | 1,000 | 12,000 | Creators and bloggers |
| Mailchimp | 500 | 1,000 | Brand recognition |
| Sender | 2,500 | 15,000 | Most generous limits |
| ConvertKit | 1,000 | Unlimited | Creator commerce |
| Benchmark | 500 | 3,500 | Simple campaigns |
| Omnisend | 250 | 500 | E-commerce |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most generous free email marketing plan?
Sender offers the most generous free plan with 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month. Brevo is best if you have a large list but send infrequently (unlimited contacts, 300/day).
Is Mailchimp still worth using for free?
Mailchimp's free plan has been reduced to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month - quite restrictive compared to alternatives. MailerLite and Sender offer more generous free tiers. However, Mailchimp's brand recognition and template quality are still strong.
When should I upgrade from a free email plan?
Upgrade when you hit subscriber limits, need advanced automation, want to remove platform branding, or need better deliverability controls. Most businesses outgrow free plans at around 2,000-5,000 subscribers.