List of The Best Email Marketing Services
List of The Best Email Marketing Services and Software
When it comes to Return on investment, nothing beats email marketing services whether you are using or not.
Despite his age, he continues to generate $42 for every dollar invested and remains the most important strategic channel for most marketers.
This is not surprising either. According to Statista, 3.9 billion people worldwide now use e-mail, and the number is expected to grow to 4.48 billion by 2024. This channel is not just for any particular demographic either. Even Millennials love it.
Needless to say, email marketing is not just dead, it is flourishing! And if you are considering using email marketing services, you can count on:
reach more customers on their preferred communication channel,
increase sales, and even
increase your brand awareness.
So we have put together a list of 12 email marketing services for you to choose from.
But before we look at them, let's go back to the same page about what email marketing services are and why they are so important.
List of The Best Email Marketing Services - TABLE OF CONTENT
Table of CONTENT
What’s an email marketing service?
Why is email marketing so important for any Business?
GetResponse
Mailchimp
ConvertKit
Omnisend
iContact
AWeber
Sendinblue
MailerLite
ActiveCampaign
Moosend
Campaign Monitor
Drip
Email Marketing Services Feature Comparison
What’s the ROI you can expect from an email marketing service?
What types of businesses can benefit from using email marketing services?
Now, what’s the best email marketing services or software for your business?
What is an email marketing service?
An email marketing service is software or technology that helps you create, manage, generate leads and improve email marketing campaigns.
A good email marketing service makes it easy for you to send newsletters, product launches and abandoned shopping cart messages to your list, and gives you the tools to do so.
For example, the drag-and-drop editor of most email marketing services makes it easy to create polished emails without coding skills. And other features, such as segmentation and tagging, allow you to submit highly targeted and personalized campaigns.
Think of it as an assistant working for you behind the scenes. So while working on projects, your email marketing department will nurture potential customers in the background and increase your brand recognition in the process.
Why is email marketing so important for any business?
We have mentioned it before, but the main reason why email marketing is so important is that time and time again it has proven to be the most effective marketing channel.
In a study by the Content Marketing Institute, 31% of B2B marketers said that email newsletters were their best way to develop leads.
Not surprisingly, 9 out of 10 marketers use email to deliver content. And they do because the average clickthrough rate and conversion rate are worth it.
Average metrics generated with email campaigns. Data from GetResponse Email Marketing Benchmarks.
These statistics show us why email marketing is not just a great solution for your business - it's important.
Not only is it still the most effective marketing channel almost 50 years after its first use, but it has also managed to make a smooth transition to mobile devices.
Take a look at a real-time study of TechSoup Polska - it will give you a much clearer picture of the importance of email marketing.
A quick case study of a company that increased sales through email marketing
TechSoup Polska helps communities and social organizations access new technologies such as software and hardware by teaching them how to use them.
The company began using email marketing, especially a newsletter, to target its customers with new offers and suggestions.
TechSoup Polska's project coordinator Liza Nema said that the company uses segmentation to send customers offers on various products, interests and equipment.
Their strategy was simple:
The content was structured: the submitted content was divided into information sections to make it easier for customers to understand.
Each email had a consistency: Users were always aware of where the emails came from because TechSoup used brand colors and similar graphics.
Different emails were sent to different groups: They did not send the same email to everyone on the list. Instead, specific content was sent to segmented recipient groups, such as sending Google Ads training information to customers using the Google Platform for Nonprofits.
Techsoup Email Marketing Campaign
So how important was email marketing for TechSoup Polska's bottom line?
After 12 months, they had a 1200% increase in the order value of newsletters! (And by the way, they used GetResponse email marketing software!)
Now that you know what email marketing services are and why they are so important, let's take a look at our top ten email marketing service recommendations.
1. GetResponse
Key features
Create automated email campaigns using a marketing automation workflow builder
Preview and test your emails before sending them using Spam check and Inbox preview
Segment your lists using advanced filters
Track opens, clicks, unsubscribes, purchases, etc.
Send out emails according to each subscriber’s time zone or based on their behavior
Track and test your email efforts using analytics and A/B testing
Pricing
Plans start at $15/month for up to 1,000 subscribers. However, the tool's Plus plan, which starts at $ 49 / month, includes features such as sales funnels, contact scoring and automated workflow generators that make it even easier for small businesses to build. successful email campaigns. It offers two main types of discounts - 18% for annual plans and 30% biennial. There’s also an extra deal for nonprofit organizations.
Free Account
Free trial account available with access to all key features for 30 days – no credit card needed for signup.
Summary
Okay, so we try not to be biased here (and you will soon see that we are not).
But we think GetResponse is one of the best email marketing services out there, because of its versatility and ease of use.
Our e-mail template library is packed with templates that small businesses and freelancers can use to create professional and polished e-mail campaigns right out of the box.
All you have to do is use the drag and drop tool to customize the templates by adding your brand, images and text. And you can also test and preview them before sending them to the recipients.
But the most powerful part of the GetResponse platform is the functionality. It simplifies the more complex aspects of email marketing.
For example, you can use GetResponse's workflow builder to visualize email campaigns when you create them and decide when to send specific emails. So if you just want a particular offer to be sent to a reader if they click on a link, you can do so:
Not only can GetResponse automatically segment contacts on your email list, but it can also give them a score based on the level of engagement.
If a lead consistently opens emails or clicks on links, GetResponse will give them a higher "score" so you can easily see who your most engaged leads are.
So if you want to send an offer to people who often engage in your emails or are loyal customers, you can create a campaign aimed at subscribers or potential customers with high scores.
GetResponse's automation tool also lets you send autoresponders to segmented groups in your lists, such as new subscribers and shopping carts. instead of everyone on the list getting the same emails.
It also gives you access to other tools like a landing page builder, conversion funnel builder, Facebook and Google Ads and a webinar solution. Having these tools under one roof makes it easier to run successful email marketing campaigns without switching between platforms.
2. Mailchimp
Key features
Easily automate scheduled email campaigns
Check the success of each campaign with real-time reporting
Track open and click rates for individual campaigns
Pricing
Mailchimp's free subscription allows you to send emails for free to your contact list when 2000. However, the free plan has limited features. To unlock them, Mailchimp's Essentials plan starts at $9.99 / month and increases incrementally based on the number of subscribers you have.
Free Account
Yes – forever free plan.
Summary
MailChimp's simple drag-and-drop editing software comes with a variety of templates designed for responsiveness on all devices.
Small businesses can use the templates and add logos, text blocks and images, and then choose whether to send out emails using regular or automated campaigns (on the paid plan).
Mailchimp's regular campaigns use HTML emails that also have a standard text option, while automated campaigns allow you to trigger when an email is sent, as if someone were signing up for a webinar or subscribing to your newsletter:
There’s a Mailchimp mobile app, too. It automatically syncs updates with your Mailchimp account so that you can check on campaigns in real-time from anywhere.
More related content: Mailchimp Alternatives – In-Depth Comparison
3. Omnisend
Key features
Embed custom forms that feed subscribers into your email list
Combine email marketing campaigns with SMS, push notifications, and Facebook Messenger
Trigger email campaigns to send automatically
Pricing
Omnisend has four plans, including a perpetual free plan. Like the Mailchimp free plan, Omnisend is limited by the number of features you have access to.
The paid options start at $16 / month for the Standard plan which includes 15,000 emails and automation. And the Pro plan ($99 / month) includes advanced reporting and push notifications.
Free Account
Yes – forever free plan.
Summary
Omnisend is a combination of automation tools for marketing.
The tool is tailored for e-commerce platforms, as many of the pre-built automations are about abandoning shopping carts, welcome series and transactional emails.
By using the advanced features like segmentation, you can even send automated emails based on purchasing behavior. You can segment customers based on past purchases as the average order value or purchase frequency and target users with promotions accordingly.
For example, you could send an email campaign to push sales to people who have recently purchased a black t-shirt dress that costs at least $50:
For small ecommerce stores who rely on forming relationships with their customers, Omnisend’s segmentation options combined with automation workflows can get your email marketing efforts started quickly.
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4. iContact
Key features
Schedule automated email campaigns to be sent on triggering events rather than a time or date.
Design email campaigns using drag and drop (no HTML skills needed!)
Send campaigns to users based on advanced segmentation filters like gender, age, or past purchasing behavior.
Pricing
iContacts Essential Plan starts at $30 / month for 500 subscribers, which includes the tool's drag-and-drop editor, stock photos, and welcome series automation. Professional plan starts at $99 / month for the same number of subscribers.
Free Account
Free trial available for 30 days.
Summary
iContact's package of email marketing tools combines templates, RSS feeds, surveys, autoresponders to make it a versatile option for small businesses and freelancers.
Like other tools on our list, iContacts drag-and-drop editor lets you create polished email campaigns without the need for HTML knowledge. You can then use the easy-to-use A / B split tests on any of your email contacts to see which message resonates best:
The tool's form cabinets also allow you to upload forms directly to your website, landing pages and emails, making it easier to create your subscriber list and manage them throughout your life cycle.
iContact uses features like SpamcheckTM to increase the delivery rate and make sure that every email you send lands in your contact, not the spam folder. This makes it easier to track how successful your campaigns are, and ensures that every email you send has a chance to be read.
5. ConvertKit
Features
Link email sign up forms to custom landing pages
Add trigger and automation rules to individual campaigns
Create custom drip email marketing campaigns from scratch
Pricing
ConvertKit offers a perpetually free, limited plan that includes unlimited landing pages and 1000 subscribers. Paying for the Creator plan ($29 / month) unlocks automated funnels, integrations and support.
Free Account
Free trial available for 14 days.
Summary
ConvertKit is an email marketing service specifically designed for advertisers such as bloggers, designers, startups, or anyone who has a small business looking to expand their list.
First, ConvertKit plays super well with most of the leading third-party apps on the web, including WordPress, Zapier, Squarespace, Instapage, Shopify and WooCommerce, so it's quick and easy to start using the tool no matter what platform you 're using.
They have three key areas to help with email marketing:
Registration forms via e-mail
Email automation
Email Designer
Each of these features makes it easy for you to create simple, responsive elements on your site to increase subscribers and nurture relationships.
Unlike other email marketing tools, ConvertKit also lets you edit sequences once they're up and running.
For example, you can use ConvertKit's automated workflows to customize content, create custom paths, and connect to subscriber events without having to build new workflows. Just click on the event you want to edit and press save:
Read more: GetResponse vs. ConvertKit: thorough review
6. AWeber
Features
Free template library with hundreds of designs to choose from
Combines landing pages and signup forms to help you boost subscribers
AI-powered email template designer to create branded emails automatically
Pricing
AWeber's prices depend on how many subscribers you have and the length of the contract. The cheapest plan is $ 19 / month for up to 500 subscribers, and then the price increases step by step with the premium plans as your contact list increases.
You get a discount of 14% with a quarterly plan or 15% with an annual plan.
Free Account
Free trial available for 30 days.
Summary
AWeber takes its email marketing service back to basics.
The drag-and-drop designer lets you easily create custom emails thanks to the large library of free templates. If you're in a hurry or need help with your design, their AI-powered assistant even builds branded email templates for you in seconds.
All you have to do is enter the URL of your website, and the designer will create a custom template for you that you can edit:
On top of this technology, AWeber is also one of the few email marketing services that offers all the features, no matter which plan you choose.
And if you have any questions or concerns, they also have 24/7 customer support available to help you.
You may also want to read: GetResponse vs AWeber comparison & Best AWeber Alternatives in 2021
7. MailerLite
Features
Custom HTML and rich text editor for more complex projects
A vast template library to send out targeted emails to users easily
Built-in photo editor to tweak images
Pricing
Like many other tools on our list, MailerLite has a perpetual free plan, allowing you to send 12,000 emails a month to up to 1,000 subscribers.
However, the perpetually free plan has limited features, so if you need more, start their paid plans at $ 15 / month for 1,001-2,500 subscribers and unlimited email.
Free Account
Yes – forever free plan.
Summary
MailerLite is aimed at small and medium-sized businesses and solo entrepreneurs who want to easily send out professional marketing campaigns.
The tool's growing list of integrations includes Magento, Shopify and WordPress, making it targeted at e-commerce providers.
For example, you can use MailerLite's drag-and-drop editor to build automated email campaigns to target abandoned carts, subscribers, or even get feedback on products with built-in surveys.
MailerLite has also created a comprehensive educational program for its customers.
Each month, they publish webinars, tutorials, and marketing guides to help customers create more successful email marketing campaigns.
You may also want to read: GetResponse vs MailerLite
8. Sendinblue
Features
Import your existing email list easily using .csv and text file uploads
Create custom transactional emails to send automatically after customer purchases
Send out email campaigns to unlimited contacts
Pricing
Sendinblue is the only tool on our list that charges you for the number of emails you send, not your subscriber list. The free account allows you to send up to 9000 emails per month (300 emails per day) before you have to pay.
When your business scales, you can then upgrade to a plan that matches your needs. The Lite plan includes 100,000 emails / month, no daily sending limit and AB testing for $25 / month.
Free Account
Yes – forever free plan.
Summary
Sendinblue ticks many boxes for an email marketing service, such as having a form, segmentation and automation.
In addition to having a built-in CRM and landing page builder, it also has a specific tool for building transactional emails.
If you sell products online, this tool is a must.
You can set the function to link to your website using API, SMTP Relay or a plugin. As soon as a customer places an order, Sendinblue automatically sends them an email with details such as order confirmation number, date of purchase and delivery address:
The tool also has pre-built workflows that you can use to send out email campaigns easily. Or if you want to customize them to meet your specific marketing goals - you can do that too.
Read more: Sendinblue vs GetResponse comparison
9. ActiveCampaign
Features
ActiveCampaign Integrates with over 200 apps and services
Build email campaigns quickly and easily with its drag-and-drop designer
Track where your contacts live or travel for better targeting
Pricing
ActiveCampaign's Lite plan starts at $15/month for up to 500 contracts ($/ month if you pay for an annual plan.) This gives you unlimited forms via email, marketing automation and sign-up.
If you need more contacts or features, the Plus subscription is $ 70 / month ($49 / month if paid annually), or there is an Enterprise option that starts at $229 / month if you pay for a year in advance.
Free Account
14-day free trial.
Summary
ActiveCampaign's email marketing tool focuses on customer relationships thanks to the built-in CRM.
First, features like lead scoring and advanced segmentation allow you to create targeted content to be sent to subscribers on a smaller scale. If you are a freelancer or small business owner, you can target contacts and send personalized offers and information easily.
ActiveCampaign also has powerful automation features.
You can use their automation to update contact data and sales leads automatically. On top of this, you can use the tool to build complex workflows that combine triggers, actions, and logic to send out targeted emails.
It is more complicated than the other tools on our list. But if you're looking for an email marketing service that can effectively target smaller groups of contacts, ActiveCampaign has the features to make it happen.
You may also want to read: GetResponse vs ActiveCampaign
10. Moosend
Features
Track email analytics automatically in real-time
Customize emails with the code view tool if you know your way around HTML or CSS
Segment lists based on signup data
Pricing
The free plan includes unlimited email, registration forms, reporting and analysis. If you need landing pages, transactional emails, and phone support, the Pro plan starts at $8/month.
Free Account
Yes – forever free plan.
Summary
Moosend is aimed at agencies and e-commerce providers looking for a cheap tool that still gives a bang.
It has all the marketing automations most other tools have, such as multiple email campaigns, newsletters and mailing lists. It also has a number of customizable templates you can use to create quick and easy responsive email campaigns.
What makes this tool perfect for small businesses and freelancers is that you can add custom opt-in forms to your marketing platforms, such as your blog or Facebook page:
That way, you can easily create your subscriber list using an omnichannel approach, while still having access to other tools such as automated workflows and real-time campaign analysis!
11. Campaign Monitor
Key features
Contact list segmentation that helps you get more granular with your campaigns
Link review tool that ensures your emails are ready to be sent
Visual reporting that lets you see which links in your campaigns had the most clicks
Pricing
Campaign Monitor offers three plans: Basic, Unlimited and Premier.
As with most email marketing providers, prices vary depending on list size and access to some key features.
The base plan starts at $9 per 500 contacts, but if you want to use marketing automation for more than just welcoming new subscribers, you will want to look at a minimum of $29 per 500 contacts.
Campaign Monitor also has an option per campaign for those who only send emails occasionally and do not want to add another fixed cost.
Free Account
Yes – forever free, but limited to 5 contacts only. Aimed to let you test the account.
Summary
Campaign Monitor offers a reliable email and automation solution.
The drag-and-drop email builder, along with the 20+ email templates, will help you get your campaigns ready in no time.
The visual reporting and advanced segmentation will help you run multiple data-driven applications that ensure high returns.
Although prices set it a bit higher, the pay-per-campaign option can be a useful option to help you limit your monthly costs.
Read more: GetResponse vs. Campaign Monitor Comparison
12. Drip
Key features
Behavior-based automation built for ecommerce businesses
Dynamic content and personalization
You can send SMS campaigns in your workflows
Pricing
Drip offers only one primary type of plan based on the size of your email list.
Prices start at $19 and allow you to upload up to 500 contacts to your account and give you access to email support. Once you have crossed $ 99 per month, you can also contact their team via chat.
If you also want to send SMS or MMS to your contacts, you have to pay extra. For 1000 SMS it is $15 per month and for MMS it is $30.
Free Account
14 free trial period available.
Summary
Drip focuses exclusively on two channels - email and SMS.
The main functions aim to help e-commerce companies grow and better understand what marketing communications give them the best results.
While it lacks some features commonly available from other providers, such as landing pages and Facebook ads, it offers useful integrations to help you overcome it.
Read More: GetResponse vs. Drip Comparison
List of The Best Email Marketing Services Feature Comparison
To make your job of choosing the best email marketing service easier, we have selected X-key features and highlighted which platforms offer them in their tool.
Author's note: This comparison is accurate January 25, 2021. We do our best to keep it as accurate as possible, and we check it regularly, but if you want to familiarize yourself with the offer from our competitors, you should check it on their official website or contact their representatives.
What’s the ROI you can expect from an email marketing service?
Marketing can be a costly endeavor, especially for small businesses or start-ups.
This is another reason why email marketing has retained the top as the most popular marketing channel.
A study by DMA found that the average email ROI is $42 for every $1 spent.
Now there are a few explanations for this.
First, over 80% of consumers check their emails daily – More than half of them do it 1 to 3 times each day. It's more than any other marketing channel that Facebook or Google can say.
Second, and as we've shared before, email gives you a more personal way for you to talk to your customers. This is an area where you can get in touch with them by first name and talk to them about their 1-on-1 issues.
In the end, email converts better than other channels.
In GetResponse's annual email marketing reference values, we see that email generates average clickthrough rates of above 3.4%.
And if you look at triggered emails specifically, the engagement is 3x time higher.
If you are still not convinced, you can look at another case study:
LandCafe realized the power of email marketing when the company used it to increase its online artisanal coffee bean sales.
Instead of sending its customers a sales email, LandCafe created a campaign to educate customers about their products.
The company used GetResponse to launch the campaign which comprised six emails that explained:
Where the coffee comes from
Why their coffee is better than other brands ‘
The differences between single-origin and blended coffee
The characteristics of different coffee depending on its origin
A masterclass on coffee grinding
How to read the labels of the product in detail
When LandCafe finally launched the campaign, it's like landing in customers' inboxes:
The company's founder, Łukasz Janik, said the campaign was built specifically for their main target audience: people who know the difference between the quality of mass-produced and artisanal coffee.
"GetResponse customers make conscious choices, which gave us the idea of an educational campaign that can make subscribers more aware and ready to buy," he said.
The results?
Sales rose 41.30% during the campaign, and 13.30% after customers were sent a discount coupon to encourage a first purchase.
Now that we've explored the best email marketing services, let's discuss the types of businesses that benefit from them.
What types of businesses can benefit from using email marketing services?
A 2018 Inbox Report by Fluent found that 80% of Americans check their email at least once a day. This means that all types of businesses should use email marketing as a way to increase revenue.
If we limit it, email marketing can help businesses in three key areas:
To build strong relationships between brand and customers
Increase customer or subscriber loyalty by nurturing emails
Increase conversions through sales and marketing offerings
And thanks to less expensive services, email marketing is no longer just for big business. In fact, email marketing is one of the best options for small businesses, consultants and freelancers who need to increase their budgets on a tight budget.
You can further divide the benefits into three important areas:
Key Benefit # 1: You can use email to build and strengthen relationships with your customers and prospects
If you own a small business or are a freelancer, it is difficult to expand your customer base.
But email marketing can give you a quick way to expand your audience and your paying customer base.
You can send out product updates or blogs to your list and strengthen the relationship with subscribers. All you need to do is take advantage of the features of an email marketing service like templates and segmentation to send polished, professional campaigns.
If you’re a consultant or freelancer, you can offer discounted packages at Christmas time to existing customers instead of sending it manually to each client. Using the segmentation and personalization features in your email marketing service, you can even customize your offer based on the client’s previous purchase.
Will it boost your sales or revenue immediately? No. But email marketing works best when you do it consistently and frequently.
Main benefit # 2: You can use email marketing as a two-way street to learn more about your customers
How much do you really know about your customers?
For small businesses and solo entrepreneurs, one of the most useful aspects of email marketing is gaining insight into the customer's needs, buying habits and feedback.
You can use email campaigns to send out surveys and request feedback at:
What they hope to get out of being on your list
Topics they want you to include in your content
Your previous work
Product releases so you can improve future offers
You can also use these campaigns to discover which links your customers are clicking on and which products and offers they are most interested in.
Keep in mind that you may find your product or service good.
But how are your customers doing?
Once you have the answers, you can use all the information you get to offer better content and solutions to your customers who actually interest them.
Now, what’s the best email marketing services or software for you?
Choosing the right email marketing service comes down to what you need.
Ultimately, your choice will come down to two factors: how big your contact list is, and what your overall email marketing strategy is.
Although some tools are cheaper than others, they also lack some advanced features such as segmentation and automation.
Whatever your needs are, one thing is for sure: choosing the right email marketing service is important to building an email marketing strategy. Take your time, research - and invest wisely!