How we make this list: we compare vendor pricing pages, product documentation and plan limits, and print the month we checked each price. We don’t accept payment for rankings.
QUICK ANSWER
Brevo is the best cheap email marketing software in 2026 because its paid plan starts at $9 a month and it charges by emails sent, not contacts. Moosend matches that $9 start with unlimited sends, and Sender has the biggest free plan at 2,500 subscribers. Mailchimp is the priciest entry here at $13 a month.
Key takeaways
5 of 8 shortlisted tools have a free plan, and the lowest listed paid start is $9 a month (Brevo, Moosend, Sender and EmailOctopus) (Nov 2026).
Brevo ranks first because it pairs the lowest paid price with email, SMS and a CRM in one account.
Moosend gives unlimited sends for $9 a month but has no free plan, only a 30-day trial.
Sender and EmailOctopus have the largest free plans, each covering 2,500 subscribers at no cost.
Every price in this list rises with list size, so price your real subscriber count before you pick.
The best cheap email marketing software keeps your monthly bill under $13 while your list is small, and it does not charge you for features you will never use. Every tool below was priced at 500 contacts, and the ranking follows the real monthly cost for a typical small sender, including what the free plan covers.
Brevo wins on price because it charges for emails sent instead of contacts stored. Starter costs $9 a month for 5,000 emails, and a list of 2,000 people that you email twice a month stays inside that allowance. The same account also covers SMS, WhatsApp and a basic CRM, so a small shop can run its whole outreach from one login.
The cheap tier has two gaps that matter once you send more often. Automation and A/B testing only arrive on Standard at $18 a month, and Starter emails carry the Brevo logo unless you pay to remove it. If your plan is one newsletter a week with no flows, Starter is enough. If you want welcome and win-back flows, budget for Standard.
What we like
Lowest paid start in this list at $9 a month (Nov 2026).
Volume pricing suits a large list emailed a few times a month.
Email, SMS, WhatsApp and a CRM sit in one account.
Watch out for
Automation and A/B testing need Standard at $18 a month.
The free plan caps sends at 300 emails a day.
Starter keeps Brevo branding unless you pay for removal.
Moosend is the cheapest way to send a lot of email. Pro starts at $9 a month for 500 contacts, or $7 a month billed annually, and every paid plan includes unlimited campaigns and sends. Automation, landing pages, forms, A/B testing and an AI writer all come with Pro, so there is no second bill for the features that other tools hold back.
The catch is that there is no free plan to fall back on, only a 30-day trial with no card. After the trial you pay, even if your list is small. Prices also climb with contact count, so a 10,000-contact list costs $88 a month on monthly billing. Moosend suits senders who email often and know their list size.
What we like
Pro starts at $9 a month, $7 a month billed annually (Nov 2026).
Unlimited sends on every paid plan, with no monthly cap.
Automation, landing pages and A/B testing are all included on Pro.
Watch out for
No free plan, only a 30-day trial.
Price rises with contacts, reaching $88 a month at 10,000 contacts.
Transactional email needs the Moosend+ plan or Enterprise.
Sender gives you the most room before you ever pay. The free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails a month, with automation, segmentation, landing pages and 24/7 support included. When you do pay, Standard starts at $9 a month, which keeps it tied with the cheapest tools in this list.
The catch is the smaller integration list. Common platforms such as WooCommerce and WordPress connect directly, but a niche booking or point-of-sale system may need Zapier. SMS is also a prepaid add-on rather than part of the email plans. For a sender who mostly needs email, those gaps rarely bite.
What we like
Free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails a month (Nov 2026).
Automation and 24/7 support are included on the free plan.
Paid Standard starts at $9 a month.
Watch out for
Fewer native integrations than Mailchimp or Brevo.
SMS is a prepaid add-on, not part of the email plans.
Free emails carry Sender branding until you upgrade.
EmailOctopus keeps the bill low by doing one job. There is no SMS channel, no CRM and no course builder, so you pay for email and nothing else. The free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month, and Pro starts at $9 a month billed annually, or $10 a month on monthly billing.
The catch is the ceiling on the free plan. Reports only last 30 days, and you get one form and one landing page until you pay. Some integrations, such as Shopify, run through Zapier rather than a direct link. If you only send newsletters and simple automations, the price is hard to beat.
What we like
Free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month (Nov 2026).
Pro starts at $9 a month billed annually, $10 a month monthly.
Short learning curve with no extra channels to manage.
Watch out for
Email only, with no SMS channel at any price.
Free-plan reports expire after 30 days.
Shopify connects through Zapier rather than directly.
Free trial14 days of premium features, no card required
PlatformsWeb, API
MailerLite is cheap for what it bundles. Comfort starts at $12 a month for up to 500 subscribers and adds a website builder, landing pages and digital product sales next to the email tools. The editor is clean, the templates look good without much work, and a new account starts with a 14-day premium trial.
The catch is the small free plan. It covers 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month, so a growing list hits the paid tier fast. Live chat is also limited on the free plan and only becomes 24/7 on Power at $25 a month. At $12 a month, though, Comfort stays one of the lowest paid entries here.
What we like
Comfort starts at $12 a month for up to 500 subscribers (Nov 2026).
Website builder, landing pages and digital product sales are built in.
Clean editor that a non-designer can learn in an afternoon.
Watch out for
Free plan now covers only 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month.
24/7 live chat needs the Power plan at $25 a month.
Paid accounts move up a tier automatically when subscriber limits are passed.
Constant Contact costs $12 a month for Lite at up to 500 contacts, and the price buys something the cheaper tools do not offer: live phone and chat support on every plan. The interface is built for owners who send a few times a month rather than for marketers, and event tools, social posting and SMS sit in the same account.
The catch is that there is no free plan at all, only a free trial, so the meter starts running from day one. Lite is also thin: one automation template and no A/B testing, while fuller automation sits on Standard at $35 a month. Nonprofits can cut the price with a 20% discount on 6-month prepay or 30% on 12-month prepay.
What we like
Live phone and chat support on every plan, including Lite.
Simple interface suited to owners who send a few times a month.
Event registration and social posting built into the same account.
Watch out for
No free plan, only a free trial (Nov 2026).
Lite allows one automation template and no A/B testing.
Abandoned-cart and fuller automation need Standard or Premium.
AWeber is a low-cost pick for senders who want help getting started. Lite starts at $12.49 a month billed annually, or $15 a month on monthly billing, and covers landing pages, sign-up forms, AI writing help and a Canva link for images. Paid plans include chat, email and phone support, and a Done For You option can build your first emails and landing pages.
The catch is the entry path, which is muddled right now. The pricing page leads with a 14-day trial, while AWeber help pages still describe a free plan for up to 500 subscribers. Lite also caps you at one list, three automations and three landing pages, and it adds a 1% fee on ecommerce sales.
What we like
Lite starts at $12.49 a month billed annually (Nov 2026).
Chat, email and phone support are listed on paid plans.
Landing pages, forms and AI writing help are included on Lite.
Watch out for
Pricing page leads with a 14-day trial, not a free plan.
Lite caps you at one list, three automations and three landing pages.
Mailchimp is the priciest entry in this cheap list, and it earns its place on integrations alone. It links to more than 300 tools, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Square and QuickBooks, so sales data can shape who gets which email. Essentials starts at $13 a month for up to 500 contacts, and the free plan covers 250 contacts and 500 emails a month.
The catch is the price curve. Costs climb steeply as your list grows, and Mailchimp counts unsubscribed contacts toward your bill, so a messy list costs real money. The free plan is also thin: no automation, no scheduling and no A/B testing, with email support ending after 30 days.
What we like
More than 300 integrations, the widest in this list.
Essentials starts at $13 a month for up to 500 contacts (Nov 2026).
Mature reporting and testing tools on the higher tiers.
Watch out for
Prices climb steeply as your list grows.
Unsubscribed contacts still count toward billing.
Free plan has no automation, no scheduling and no A/B testing.
Sources used: vendor pricing pages, docs and changelogs, checked Nov 2026.
Criterion
Weight
What we looked at
Monthly cost at 500 contacts
50%
We priced each tool at 500 contacts on monthly and annual billing, since that is the size where cheap tools show their real cost.
Free plan size
25%
We noted how many subscribers and emails each free plan covers, since a big free plan can delay the first bill for months.
Included features at the entry price
25%
We checked whether automation, A/B testing and branding removal come with the cheapest plan or need an upgrade.
What is the best cheap email marketing software?
Brevo is the best cheap email marketing software in 2026 because its paid plan starts at $9 a month and it charges by emails sent, not contacts. Moosend matches the $9 start with unlimited sends, and Sender is the best free pick, with 2,500 subscribers and automation at no cost.
How much does cheap email marketing software cost?
Cheap email marketing software costs $9 to $13 a month at the entry tier in Nov 2026. Brevo, Moosend, Sender and EmailOctopus start at $9 a month, MailerLite starts at $12 a month, Constant Contact starts at $12 a month, AWeber starts at $12.49 a month and Mailchimp starts at $13 a month. Every price rises with list size, so check the cost at your real subscriber count.
Is there a free email marketing software that stays free?
Yes, and 5 of the 8 tools in this list have a free plan. Sender covers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails a month, EmailOctopus covers 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month, and Brevo sends 300 emails a day free. Moosend, Constant Contact and AWeber have no free plan, only a free trial. Our best free email marketing software guide compares the free plans in more detail.
Which cheap tool is best if I send a lot of email?
Moosend is the best cheap tool for frequent senders because Pro includes unlimited sends for $9 a month at 500 contacts. Brevo is the next best pick if you send a few times a month, since Starter covers 5,000 emails for $9 a month. Sender is the best pick if you want a large free send allowance, at 15,000 emails a month.
How should I run a best cheap email marketing software comparison?
Run a best cheap email marketing software comparison at your real list size, not at the headline price. Pick your subscriber count, note the monthly price on monthly and annual billing, the free plan limit and which features the entry plan includes, then check whether automation and branding removal cost extra. The best email marketing software for small business guide applies the same check to small-business use.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest email marketing software in 2026?
Brevo, Moosend, Sender and EmailOctopus are the cheapest email marketing software in 2026, each starting at $9 a month. Brevo charges by emails sent, Moosend includes unlimited sends, Sender has the biggest free plan, and EmailOctopus is the simplest of the four. All four prices rise with list size.
What is the best cheap email marketing software for a small list?
Sender is the best cheap pick for a small list because its free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails a month with automation included. Brevo is the best paid pick at $9 a month, since it charges by emails sent rather than contacts stored.
Is Moosend or Brevo cheaper?
Moosend and Brevo both start at $9 a month at 500 contacts, so the cheaper pick depends on how you send. Moosend includes unlimited sends, which wins if you email often. Brevo charges by emails sent, which wins if you email a few times a month to a large list.
Can I use email marketing software for free?
Yes, you can use email marketing software for free. Sender covers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails a month, EmailOctopus covers 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month, and Brevo sends 300 emails a day free. Free plans carry the vendor logo and cap automations or reports.
How many emails can I send for free each month?
The free monthly send limit depends on the tool. Sender allows 15,000 emails a month, EmailOctopus allows 10,000, Brevo allows about 9,000 if you send 300 a day every day, and MailerLite and Mailchimp allow 2,500 and 500 a month. Sender gives the highest free send limit in this list as of Nov 2026.
Does Constant Contact have a free plan?
No, Constant Contact has no free plan as of Nov 2026. It offers a free trial, then paid plans start at $12 a month for Lite at up to 500 contacts. Every plan includes live phone and chat support, which is the main reason to pick it over a free tool.
Is Mailchimp worth $13 a month?
Mailchimp is worth $13 a month only if you use its integration library. It links to more than 300 tools, including Shopify, WooCommerce and QuickBooks. If you only send newsletters, Brevo, Sender or EmailOctopus do the same core job for $9 a month.
What should I pay for email marketing in 2026?
A sender with under 1,000 contacts should pay $9 to $13 a month for email marketing in 2026. Brevo, Moosend, Sender and EmailOctopus start at $9 a month, MailerLite and Constant Contact start at $12 a month, and Mailchimp starts at $13 a month. Pay more only if you need bundled webinars, courses or advanced automation.
Final verdict
Pick Brevo if you want the lowest paid price and email plus SMS in one account.
Pick Moosend if you send often and want unlimited sends for $9 a month.
Pick Sender if you want the biggest free plan and a $9 paid plan.
Pick EmailOctopus if you only need email and want the simplest cheap setup.
Pick MailerLite if you want email plus a simple website for $12 a month.
Pick Constant Contact if you want phone support on every plan and will pay $12 a month for it.
Pick AWeber if you want simple newsletters with round-the-clock support.
Pick Mailchimp if you need the widest set of app integrations.
Compare the 10 best email marketing software in 2026 by price, free plan and best fit. See where Mailchimp and Brevo win, their limits, and which to pick.
