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 email marketing software for small business in 2026 because its paid plan starts at $9 a month and it charges by emails sent, not contacts. Sender is the best free option, with 2,500 subscribers and automation at no cost. Constant Contact is the best pick if you want phone support on every plan.
Key takeaways
6 of 8 shortlisted tools have a free plan, and the lowest listed paid start is $9 a month (Brevo) (Nov 2026).
Brevo ranks first because it pairs the lowest paid price with email, SMS and a CRM in one account.
Sender and EmailOctopus have the largest free plans, each covering 2,500 subscribers at no cost.
Constant Contact is the only tool here with no free plan, but every plan includes live phone and chat support.
Prices rise with list size on every tool in this list, so price your real subscriber count before you pick.
The best email marketing software for small business keeps costs low while your list is small, sets up in an afternoon, and gives you a human to call when something breaks. Every tool below was priced at small list sizes and judged on setup time and included support.
Brevo is the cheapest way into paid email marketing on this list, and its pricing fits how small businesses actually send. You pay by emails sent each month, not by contacts stored, so a large list that you email twice a month costs less here than on tools that charge per contact. Starter starts at $9 a month for 5,000 emails, and the same account covers SMS, WhatsApp and a basic CRM.
The catch is that the cheap tier is thin in two places that matter. Automation and A/B testing only arrive on Standard at $18 a month, and the Brevo logo stays on Starter emails unless you pay for removal. A shop that wants welcome series and win-back flows should budget for Standard from the start.
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, so one big send to 1,000 people takes four days.
Starter keeps Brevo branding unless you pay for removal.
Sender has the most generous free plan in email marketing, and that is what puts it second. The free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails a month, with automation, segmentation, landing pages and 24/7 support included. A small business can run a real newsletter program for months, or years, without paying anything.
The catch is that Sender is a smaller company with a shorter integration list than the big names. Setup is quick on common platforms such as WooCommerce or WordPress. If you need a direct link to a niche booking or point-of-sale system, check the integration list first, because you may end up wiring it through Zapier instead.
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 does one job and does it at a low price. There is no SMS channel, no CRM and no course builder to learn, so a small business can import a list, pick a template and send a first newsletter the same day. The free plan covers 2,500 subscribers and 10,000 emails a month, and Pro starts at $9 a month billed annually.
The catch is that the same focus that makes setup fast also caps what the tool can grow into. Free-plan reports only last 30 days, and you get one form and one landing page until you pay. A shop that later wants SMS or abandoned-cart flows will outgrow it and need to move.
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.
Some integrations, such as Shopify, run through Zapier rather than a direct link.
Free trial14 days of premium features, no card required
PlatformsWeb, API
MailerLite suits a small business that wants one account for email and a simple web presence. 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 that the free plan shrank in June 2026 and is now small. 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.
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 is the easiest tool here for an owner who wants a human on the phone. Every plan, including Lite at $12 a month, includes live phone and chat support, and the interface is built for people who send email a few times a month rather than for marketers. Event tools, social posting and SMS sit in the same account, which suits local shops, clubs and nonprofits.
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 and abandoned-cart emails sit on Standard at $35 a month or Premium at $80 a month.
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 has been serving small senders for years, and it still shows in the setup. 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 for you.
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 safe pick when your business already runs on many apps. 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.
Starting price$19/month, or $15.58/month billed annually…
Free planYes
Free trial14 days
PlatformsWeb, iOS, Android, API
GetResponse is the all-in-one pick for a small business that sells knowledge. Starter starts at $19 a month for 1,000 contacts and bundles email with landing pages, forms, a website builder and AI writing help, while higher tiers add webinars and a course creator. The free plan covers 500 contacts and 2,500 emails a month, and Starter includes three user seats.
The catch is the price and the automation limit. At $19 a month, Starter is the priciest entry in this list, and it allows only one custom automation workflow, so a welcome series plus a cart recovery flow needs Marketer at $59 a month.
What we like
Webinars, a website builder and a course creator can replace separate tools.
Free plan covers 500 contacts and 2,500 emails a month (Nov 2026).
Starter includes three user seats at no extra cost.
Watch out for
Starter allows only one custom automation workflow.
At $19 a month, it is the priciest entry in this list.
Free plan has no integrations and keeps GetResponse branding.
We priced each tool at 500 to 1,000 contacts and noted what the free plan covers, since a small list is where the cost gap is widest.
Setup time
30%
We favored tools a small team can launch in an afternoon, with templates, forms and landing pages included rather than added on.
Included support
30%
We checked which support channels come with the entry plan, since a small business rarely has a specialist to call on.
What is the best email marketing software for small business?
Brevo is the best email marketing software for small business in 2026 because its paid plan starts at $9 a month and it charges by emails sent, not contacts. Sender is the best free pick, and Constant Contact is the best pick if you want phone support on every plan.
How much does email marketing software for small business cost?
Email marketing software for small business costs $9 to $19 a month at the entry tier in Nov 2026. Brevo, Sender and EmailOctopus start at $9 a month, MailerLite, Constant Contact and AWeber start at $12 to $12.49 a month, Mailchimp starts at $13 a month and GetResponse starts at $19 a month. Every price rises with list size, so check the cost at your real subscriber count.
Is there a free email marketing software for small business?
Yes, free email marketing software exists for small business, and 6 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. 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 email marketing tools for small business are the easiest to set up?
EmailOctopus, MailerLite and AWeber are the easiest email marketing tools for small business to set up. EmailOctopus keeps the menu short because it only does email, MailerLite pairs a clean editor with ready templates, and AWeber adds a Done For You service that builds your first emails and landing pages. Brevo and GetResponse take longer because they bundle SMS, CRM or webinar tools.
How should I run a best email marketing software for small business comparison?
Run a best email marketing software for small business comparison at your real list size, not at the headline price. Pick your subscriber count, note the monthly price, the free plan limit and which support channels the entry plan includes, then check whether automation and branding removal cost extra. The best cheap email marketing software guide applies the same check to the lowest-cost tools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best email marketing software for a small business with under 500 contacts?
Brevo is the best pick for a small business with under 500 contacts because Starter starts at $9 a month for 5,000 emails and the free plan sends 300 emails a day. Sender is the best free alternative, since its free plan covers 2,500 subscribers. MailerLite Comfort at $12 a month is the best pick if you also want a simple website.
What is the top email marketing software for small business 2026?
The top email marketing software for small business 2026 is Brevo, based on price at small list sizes, setup time and included support. Sender ranks second for the largest free plan, EmailOctopus ranks third for the simplest setup, and MailerLite ranks fourth for bundling email with a website builder. All four start at $12 a month or less.
Is Mailchimp or Brevo better for a small business?
Brevo is better than Mailchimp for most small businesses because it starts at $9 a month against Mailchimp at $13 a month, and it charges by emails sent rather than contacts stored. Mailchimp is better only if you need its wider integration library or its reporting on the higher tiers. Mailchimp also counts unsubscribed contacts toward your bill.
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, GetResponse and Mailchimp allow 2,500, 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.
What should a small business pay for email marketing in 2026?
A small business should pay $9 to $13 a month for email marketing in 2026 if its list is under 1,000 contacts. Brevo, 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.
Is GetResponse worth $19 a month for a small business?
GetResponse is worth $19 a month only if you use the extras it bundles, such as webinars, a website builder and a course creator. Starter allows just one custom automation workflow, so a business that only sends newsletters will get the same core job done for $9 to $12 a month on Brevo, Sender or EmailOctopus.
Final verdict
Pick Brevo if you want the lowest paid price and email plus SMS in one account.
Pick Sender if you want the biggest free plan and automation at no cost.
Pick EmailOctopus if you only need email and want the simplest setup.
Pick MailerLite if you want email plus a simple website in one account.
Pick Constant Contact if you want phone support on every plan.
Pick AWeber if you want simple newsletters with round-the-clock support.
Pick Mailchimp if you need the widest set of app integrations.
Pick GetResponse if you want webinars and courses bundled with email.
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.
Our 2026 shortlist of the 8 best free email marketing software, with real starting prices, free plan details, pros, cons and a clear pick for each use case.
