What's the Best Free Email Marketing Tool for Small Businesses?
Free plans from Kit, Brevo, MailerLite, GetResponse and Mailchimp compared on subscribers, sends and automation, checked on each vendor's site in 2026.
3 min read · Updated
Short answer
The best free email marketing tool depends on which limit you will hit first. Kit has the largest free list (up to 10,000 subscribers) but no automations. Brevo stores up to 100,000 contacts and includes automation, but sends only 300 emails a day. MailerLite includes up to 3 automations and a landing page, but only for 250 subscribers. For most small businesses starting a newsletter, start with Kit or Brevo.
Free plan limits were checked on each company's own website in October 2026. They change often, so confirm on the pricing page before you build your list there.
Free plan comparison
| Tool | Free subscribers | Free emails | Automation on free? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Up to 10,000 | Unlimited broadcasts | No (no visual automations or sequences) |
| Brevo | Up to 100,000 contacts | 300 a day | Yes (up to 2,000 contacts in active automations) |
| MailerLite | 250 | 2,500 a month | Yes (up to 3 automations) |
| GetResponse | 500 | 2,500 a month | Drafts only |
| Mailchimp | 250 | 500 a month | No |
The honest breakdown
Kit (formerly ConvertKit): biggest free list
Up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited broadcasts, but no automated sequences on the free plan. Best for: a regular newsletter you send by hand, creators and coaches.
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue): most contacts, with automation
Up to 100,000 contacts and automation on the free plan, but only 300 emails a day (about 9,000 a month). Works well if you have a big contact list and email it occasionally, or send small automated sequences.
MailerLite: easiest editor for a small list
Clean drag-and-drop editor, one landing page and up to 3 automations on the free tier, but the free plan now stops at 250 subscribers. Best for: trying email marketing on a small list before paying.
GetResponse: free landing pages
500 contacts, 2,500 emails a month and one landing page free; automations can only be drafted until you pay. See GetResponse vs Mailchimp for the paid plans.
Mailchimp: name recognition, weakest free plan
The free plan is now 250 contacts, 500 emails a month, no automation flows, and Mailchimp branding on emails. Only worth using if you plan to upgrade to a paid plan quickly.
What to look for beyond the free plan
When you grow past the free tier, these features matter:
- Automation: welcome sequences, abandoned cart, follow-ups
- Segmentation: sending different emails to different groups
- Analytics: open rates, click rates, unsubscribes
- Integrations: connects with your website, CRM, and Shopify/WooCommerce
The honest verdict
Pick by the limit you will hit first: list size (Kit), automation with a big contact list (Brevo), or a polished editor on a small list (MailerLite). If you outgrow the free plan and sell online, Klaviyo is built for ecommerce. Don't overthink it: the best tool is the one you'll actually use to send emails consistently.
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