MailerLite is a popular email tool because it is simple and has a free plan. The pricing page I reviewed lists the Free plan at 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month, with two user seats. It also says Free accounts are locked from sending campaigns and automations once they pass 250 active subscribers. If you are outgrowing that, or you want features built around a store, there are real options. I run my own stores and teach high-ticket dropshipping at Ecommerce Paradise, and I use email for abandoned carts, quote follow-ups, and long sales cycles.
Everything below comes from each vendor’s own page as I reviewed it. Where a page does not show a number, I write “not shown” instead of guessing. Prices change, so confirm them before you buy. Some links in this article are affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission if you sign up, at no extra cost to you.
If you are still deciding what to sell, start with my guide to what high-ticket dropshipping is. Then come back and pick the email tool that fits your funnel.
MailerLite Alternatives at a Glance
| Tool | Starting price | Free option | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omnisend | Paid plans from $16 a month | Yes, 250 contacts and 500 emails a month | Online stores that want email, SMS, and push in one place |
| Kit | Creator at $33 a month for 1,000 subscribers | Yes, up to 10,000 subscribers | Creators who sell digital products and newsletters |
| AWeber | Lite from $12.49 a month billed annually | 14-day trial | Small senders who want 24/7 support |
| GetResponse | Starter at $19 a month | Free trial, length not shown | Owners who want funnels, webinars, and email together |
| Brevo | Paid prices not shown | Yes, up to 300 emails a day | Senders who want a free plan with paid channels |
Email only works when there is a store and traffic behind it. If you want a high-ticket store built for you, start here. See the done-for-you store build →
What MailerLite Costs and Where It Falls Short
The MailerLite pricing page lists a Free plan, two paid plans, and an Enterprise plan. The paid plans appear as Comfort and Power on the page, and the FAQ gives starting prices of $12 and $25 a month. The page does not say which subscriber count those prices cover, and it does not show a price for 500 subscribers.
Both paid plans list a 14-day trial with no credit card and a 10% saving on annual billing. Comfort lists three user seats and unlimited templates, and Power lists unlimited users and unlimited emails under a fair use policy. The Free plan includes a 14-day trial of premium features, and Enterprise is custom for 200K-plus subscribers.
The main drawback for a growing store is the hard stop on the Free plan. Once you pass 250 active subscribers, you cannot send campaigns or run automations until you upgrade. If you want my full take on the tool, read my MailerLite review.
How to Pick an Email Platform
Start with your list size and growth. Email prices rise with subscribers, so a tool that looks cheap at 500 contacts can cost much more at 10,000. Check the price at the list size you expect in a year.
Next, check what you need to automate. A store wants abandoned cart and post-purchase flows, while a creator wants sequences and paid newsletters. Test the exact flow you need before you move your list.
Finally, think about channels. Some tools add SMS and push, and some sell them as extras. Decide whether you will use them before you pay for a plan that bundles them.
1. Omnisend
Omnisend is the email tool I recommend most for online stores. The pricing page lists a Free plan with 250 contacts and 500 emails a month, a Standard plan, a Pro plan, and a custom plan. The page says paid plans start from $16 a month.
Standard shows $11.20 a month and Pro shows $41.30 a month, and both figures appear to be 3-month upfront rates rather than list prices. Standard lists 500 contacts and 6,000 emails a month, and Pro lists 2,500 contacts with unlimited emails. The Free plan lists all features as available, including SMS, web push at 500 a month, unlimited forms, segments, and automations.
Standard adds AI tools and unlimited web push, and Pro adds a product recommender, dynamic content, advanced reporting, and removal of Omnisend branding. SMS is a paid add-on, with a $50 monthly default selection and SMS from $0.007. A free trial is not shown, and the Free plan has no stated time limit.
For a detailed match-up, read my Omnisend vs MailerLite comparison. Omnisend suits stores that want email, SMS, and push in one place.
2. Kit
Kit lists a Free plan, a Creator plan, and a Pro plan. Free allows up to 10,000 subscribers with unlimited landing pages, forms, and email broadcasts, plus selling digital products and subscriptions. Creator is $33 a month or $390 billed yearly for 1,000 subscribers, and Pro is $66 a month for the same starting tier.
The Kit pricing page shows Pro at $50 a month on a limited-time offer that applies only to the first year, and the plan renews at the standard rate afterward. Creator and Pro list a 14-day trial with no credit card. Creator adds unlimited visual automations and sequences, A/B testing of subject lines, SMS marketing, removal of Kit branding, and 24/7 support.
Pro adds Subscriber Signals, a Growth Concierge team, engagement analytics, unlimited users, and deliverability reporting. Subscriber limits above the 1,000 starting tier are not shown. Kit suits creators who sell digital products, and I cover it in my Kit vs MailerLite guide.
3. AWeber
AWeber lists a Lite plan from $12.49 a month billed annually and a Plus plan from $19.99 a month billed annually. Both are tiered by subscribers, from 500 up to 150,000. At 500 subscribers, Lite is $15 a month or $150 a year and Plus is $30 a month or $240 a year.
Lite lists one email list, three landing pages, three automations, three users, and removal of AWeber branding. Plus lists unlimited lists, landing pages, automations, segments, and users, with priority support and advanced reporting. Sales tracking lists a 1.0% transaction fee on Lite and 0.6% on Plus.
The AWeber pricing page shows a 14-day trial on both plans. A Done For You setup service is listed at $20 a month billed annually plus a $79 setup fee. The Free plan appears only as a link with no details, so confirm what it includes. AWeber suits small senders who want 24/7 support, and I compare it in my AWeber vs MailerLite guide.
4. GetResponse
GetResponse lists Starter at $19 a month or $15.58 on annual billing, Marketer at $59 or $48.38, and Creator at $69 or $56.58. Enterprise (MAX) is custom. The page does not state which contact tier these prices apply to.
Starter lists unlimited monthly email sends, AI content generators, a welcome email series, one custom automation workflow, and a landing page builder. Marketer adds unlimited automation workflows, advanced segmentation, abandoned cart recovery, sales funnels, and promo codes. Creator adds webinars, a website builder, and a course creator.
The GetResponse pricing page shows a free trial link, though its length is not shown, and it does not describe a free plan. GetResponse suits owners who want funnels, webinars, and email in one tool. See my GetResponse vs MailerLite guide for a direct match-up.
5. Brevo
Brevo lists Free, Starter, Standard, Professional, and Enterprise plans. The Free plan says free forever with no credit card, and the FAQ says approved accounts can send up to 300 emails a day. Paid prices are not shown on the page I reviewed.
Starter lists emails from 5,000 a month, a drag-and-drop editor, AI content generator, segmentation, and no Brevo logo. Standard adds unlimited marketing automation, A/B testing, and one landing page. Professional lists emails from 150,000 a month, WhatsApp, popups and push channels, 10 seats, contact scoring, and ecommerce features.
The page shows a yearly toggle with a 10% saving. SMS credits are sold separately, and the FAQ mentions pay-as-you-go credits without prices. Brevo suits senders who want a free plan and the option to add other channels later.
What Each Option Costs Per Year
Here is the yearly math at the entry tier. These totals are my own math from the listed figures. Kit Creator is $390 on yearly billing or $396 at $33 a month, and AWeber Lite at 500 subscribers is $150 on annual billing or $180 monthly.
AWeber Plus at 500 subscribers is $240 annually or $360 monthly. GetResponse Starter is about $187 on annual billing or $228 monthly, Marketer is about $581 or $708, and Creator is about $679 or $828. Omnisend paid plans start from $16 a month, which is $192 a year at the list price.
MailerLite starting prices of $12 and $25 a month come to $144 and $300 a year, though the page does not state the subscriber tier. Brevo paid prices are not shown. Prices rise with your list, so check the quote at your real subscriber count.
Other Email Tools Worth a Look
If you are comparing a wider set, my guide to Mailchimp alternatives compares seven platforms by price and free plans. For a deeper ecommerce focus, read my guide to Klaviyo alternatives. Both pages cite prices from each vendor’s own site.
Email for a High-Ticket Store
High-ticket buyers take longer to decide, so email does more work. A lead may read three or four messages before they ask for a quote. Plan a short sequence that answers the questions a careful buyer asks.
Start with a welcome email that explains who you are and what you sell. Follow with product details, delivery and warranty answers, and a clear next step. Add an abandoned cart message for people who start checkout and stop.
After the sale, send an order update and a short thank-you. Ask for a review after the product arrives. A strong post-purchase flow brings repeat buyers and referrals.
Collecting and Keeping Leads
Put a sign-up form where buyers are already reading, such as a product page or a quote request page. Offer something specific, like a buying guide for your niche. I use Shopify for my stores, and I connect the email tool to the store so purchases tag the right contacts.
A CRM keeps long conversations organized. I recommend HubSpot for tracking each lead from first message to sale. Keep the email list clean by removing addresses that never open.
Hiring Help for Email
Email gets easier to hand off once you write down your flows. A virtual assistant from OnlineJobs.ph can load a campaign, schedule sends, and check the list. Include examples of past emails so they match your tone.
For banners and header images, Canva gives you templates without a designer. For a custom set of email graphics, a freelancer on Fiverr can deliver a reusable pack. Keep the design simple so it loads fast on a phone.
Costs to Watch as You Grow
The first cost is list growth. AWeber and Kit price by subscribers, and prices rise at each tier. Clean your list before you move it, since you pay for contacts that never open.
The second cost is add-ons. Omnisend sells SMS as an add-on, and Brevo sells SMS credits separately. Ask what each channel costs before you turn it on.
The third cost is promotional pricing. Kit shows a Pro offer that applies only to the first year, and Omnisend shows 3-month upfront rates. Check what the plan renews at when the promotion ends.
Moving Away From MailerLite Safely
Before you cancel, export your subscribers, groups, and unsubscribe list. Save your best emails and automation steps as notes. Keep a record of every form that feeds your list.
Set up the new tool and import your list first. Send a test to your own address and check how it looks on a phone. Run a small sequence before you move everything.
Cancel only when the new platform is delivering well. Check MailerLite’s current terms first, since the page I reviewed does not show cancellation details. Update the forms on your store so new sign-ups reach the new tool.
When MailerLite Is Still the Right Pick
Switching is not always the right call. If your list is small and your emails are simple, MailerLite’s Free plan can carry you. The paid plans also list a 14-day trial with no credit card, which makes it low risk to test.
If you only send newsletters and do not need store automations, you may not need a more complex tool. Move when the 250 subscriber cap or a missing feature starts costing you sales. Match the tool to your real flows and avoid paying for features you will not use.
Common Mistakes With Email Platforms
The first mistake is buying on price at a small list size. A plan that is cheap at 500 contacts may not be cheap at 10,000. The second mistake is moving your list in the middle of a big sale.
The third mistake is collecting customer data before your business is set up. If you have not formed your company, read my guide to business formation for high-ticket dropshipping. To start a company quickly, Bizee is one option I recommend for LLC filings.
The fourth mistake is building an email list for a product you cannot source. Pick a niche from my high-ticket niches list first. My guide to finding suppliers for high-ticket dropshipping covers the sourcing side.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best free MailerLite alternative?
Kit lists a Free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers, Omnisend lists a Free plan with 250 contacts and 500 emails a month, and Brevo lists a free plan with up to 300 emails a day. Which one fits depends on whether you sell products or run a newsletter.
How much does MailerLite cost?
The pricing page lists a Free plan for up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month. The FAQ gives starting prices of $12 and $25 a month for the paid plans, without stating the subscriber count. Check the quote at your real list size.
Which MailerLite alternative is best for an online store?
Omnisend is built around ecommerce and lists SMS, web push, and a product recommender. GetResponse lists abandoned cart recovery on Marketer, and Brevo lists ecommerce features on Professional. Test the flows you need before you commit.
Do I need SMS for a high-ticket store?
Not on day one. Email handles most follow-up, and SMS adds cost on several of these tools. Add it once your email flows are working and you know your buyers will respond.
Will my subscribers transfer to another tool?
Yes, you can export and import your list, but your automations do not move automatically. Save your sequences as notes and rebuild them in the new tool. Test before you cancel.
Final Verdict on MailerLite Alternatives
Omnisend is the best pick for an online store that wants email, SMS, and push together, Kit fits creators who sell digital products, AWeber suits small senders who want steady support, GetResponse fits owners who want funnels and webinars, and Brevo fits senders who want a free plan with room to add channels. MailerLite is still worth it for simple newsletters on a small list.
Start with a free plan or a trial, build one real flow, and confirm current pricing on the vendor page before you pay for anything. Then spend your attention on the store itself, because email only works when buyers have a reason to come back.
Want a high-ticket store ready for your email flows? Let my team build it for you. Get your store built →
Prefer to learn the model yourself? Start with my free mini course, or go deeper in the masterclass and coaching. Free mini course → Masterclass → Coaching →
Related Articles
If you found this useful, these guides go deeper on related topics:
- MailerLite Review 2026: The Best Free Email Marketing Platform for New E-Commerce Stores
- Omnisend vs MailerLite in 2026: Ecommerce-Specific Email Platform vs Simple Newsletter Tool, Which Fits Your Business?
- Kit vs MailerLite in 2026: Honest Comparison of Pricing, Features, Free Plans, and Who Each Platform Is Built For
- AWeber vs MailerLite in 2026: Which Email Marketing Platform Is Right for Your Business?
- Mailchimp Alternatives 2026: 7 Email Platforms Compared by Price, Free Plan and Fit
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and world traveler from Seattle, Washington, and the founder of Ecommerce Paradise, a platform focused on helping entrepreneurs build and scale profitable high-ticket ecommerce and dropshipping businesses. With over a decade of hands-on experience, Trevor specializes in high-ticket dropshipping strategy, niche and product selection, supplier recruiting and onboarding, Google & Bing Shopping ads, ecommerce SEO, and systems-driven automation and scaling. Through Ecommerce Paradise, he provides free education via in-depth guides like How to Start High-Ticket Dropshipping, advanced training through the High-Ticket Dropshipping Masterclass, and fully done-for-you turnkey ecommerce services for entrepreneurs who want a faster, more hands-off path to growth. Trevor is known for emphasizing sustainable, real-world ecommerce models over hype-driven tactics, helping store owners build scalable, sellable, and location-independent brands.
He maintains homes in Seattle and Bali, spends most of the year overseas, and usually returns to Seattle for about a month each summer.
