The Best Free Tools to Create and Manage Email Marketing Campaigns

Introduction

Email marketing remains one of the most powerful ways to connect with your audience. According to HubSpot, email generates every 1 spent—an ROI that’s hard to beat.

But what if you’re on a tight budget?

The good news is, you don’t need expensive software to run successful email campaigns. With the right best free tools, you can design stunning emails, automate follow-ups, and track performance—all without breaking the bank.

In this guide, we’ll explore:
✅ The top free email marketing tools (and how to use them effectively)
✅ Actionable tips to maximize deliverability and engagement
✅ Real-world examples of businesses crushing it with free tools

Let’s dive in!

Why Use Free Email Marketing Tools?

Before jumping into the tools, let’s look at why they’re worth considering:

✔ Cost-Effective – Perfect for startups, solopreneurs, and small businesses.
✔ User-Friendly – Most free tools are designed for beginners.
✔ Scalable – Many offer paid upgrades as your list grows.
✔ Feature-Rich – Automation, analytics, and templates are often included.

A study by Litmus found that personalized email campaigns improve click-through rates by 14%. With the right free tools, you can achieve similar results—without the hefty price tag.

The 10 Best Free Tools for Email Marketing

1. Mailchimp – Best All-in-One Free Plan

Best for: Beginners, small businesses

Mailchimp’s free plan allows up to 500 contacts and 1,000 sends/month, making it ideal for startups.

Key Features:

• Drag-and-drop email builder
• Basic automation (welcome emails)
• Audience segmentation
• Performance analytics

How to Use It:

• Start with a welcome series for new subscribers.
• Use pre-designed templates for faster campaigns.
• A/B test subject lines to improve open rates.

Limitation: The free plan includes a Mailchimp footer in emails.

2. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – Best for Automation

Best for: Transactional emails, automation workflows

Brevo’s free tier includes 300 emails/day and basic automation.

Key Features:

• Email and SMS marketing
• Drag-and-drop editor
• CRM integration
• Advanced analytics

How to Use It:

• Set up abandoned cart emails (if you run an e-commerce store).
• Use conditional logic in automation for personalized follow-ups.

Limitation: Limited to 300 emails/day on the free plan.

3. MailerLite – Best for Landing Pages & Popups

Best for: Growing your email list

MailerLite offers 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month for free.

Key Features:

• Landing page builder
• Popup forms
• Basic automation
• RSS-to-email campaigns

How to Use It:

• Create a lead magnet landing page to capture emails.
• Use automated welcome emails to nurture subscribers.

Limitation: No A/B testing in the free plan.

4. Moosend – Best for E-Commerce

Best for: Online stores, segmentation

Moosend’s free plan includes 1,000 subscribers and unlimited emails.

Key Features:

• Product recommendations in emails
• Advanced segmentation
• Real-time analytics

How to Use It:

• Send personalized product suggestions based on browsing history.
• Use abandoned cart automation to recover lost sales.

Limitation: Free plan lasts 30 days, then paid plans start.

5. Benchmark Email – Best for Surveys & Polls

Best for: Engaging subscribers

Benchmark offers 250 contacts and 14,000 emails/month for free.

Key Features:

• Survey and poll builder
• AI-powered subject line generator
• Event-triggered emails

How to Use It:

• Send feedback surveys to improve customer experience.
• Use AI suggestions to optimize subject lines.

Limitation: Limited design customization.

6. Zoho Campaigns – Best for CRM Integration

Best for: Zoho users, sales teams

Zoho’s free plan includes 2,000 contacts and 12,000 emails/month.

Key Features:

• Seamless Zoho CRM sync
• Pre-built templates
• Social media integration

How to Use It:

• Sync leads from Zoho CRM for targeted campaigns.
• Use social sharing to expand reach.

Limitation: No automation in the free plan.

7. HubSpot Email Marketing – Best for Lead Nurturing

Best for: Inbound marketing, CRM users

HubSpot’s free plan includes 2,000 sends/month and basic automation.

Key Features:

• Contact segmentation
• Personalization tokens
• Email scheduling

How to Use It:

• Create lead-nurturing sequences based on user behavior.
• Use personalized CTAs for higher conversions.

Limitation: HubSpot branding in free emails.

8. Mailjet – Best for Developers

Best for: API-driven email sending

Mailjet offers 6,000 emails/month for free.

Key Features:

• SMTP & API access
• Real-time analytics
• Collaborative email editing

How to Use It:

• Integrate with custom apps via API.
• Use team collaboration for faster approvals.

Limitation: Steeper learning curve for non-developers.

9. Sender – Best for High-Volume Sending

Best for: Businesses needing more sends

Sender’s free plan includes 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month.

Key Features:

• Unlimited sending to subscribers
• Automation workflows
• SMS marketing

How to Use It:

• Run seasonal promotions without worrying about limits.
• Use SMS + email combos for better engagement.

Limitation: Limited customer support on the free plan.

10. Omnisend – Best for E-Commerce Automation

Best for: Shopify, WooCommerce stores

Omnisend’s free plan includes 250 contacts and 500 emails/month.

Key Features:

• Cart recovery emails
• Product picker in emails
• Segmentation by purchase history

How to Use It:

• Set up post-purchase follow-ups for reviews.
• Use dynamic product blocks for personalized recommendations.

Limitation: Free plan caps at 500 emails/month.

How to Choose the Best Free Email Marketing Tool

Not sure which tool is right for you? Ask yourself:

🔹 How big is my email list? (Some tools limit contacts.)
🔹 Do I need automation? (Not all free plans include it.)
🔹 Will I use landing pages or popups? (MailerLite excels here.)
🔹 Am I selling products? (Moosend & Omnisend are e-commerce-focused.)

Pro Tips for Maximizing Free Email Tools

1. Clean Your Email List Regularly
   • Remove inactive subscribers to improve deliverability.
2. Segment Your Audience
   • Send targeted emails based on behavior (e.g., new vs. repeat customers).
3. Test Different Send Times
   • Use analytics to find when your audience is most engaged.
4. Optimize for Mobile
   • Over 60% of emails are opened on mobile (Litmus).
5. Use Personalization
   • Emails with personalized subject lines get 26% higher open rates (Campaign Monitor).

Final Thoughts: Start Small, Grow Smart

You don’t need a big budget to run successful email campaigns. With the best free tools, you can build relationships, drive sales, and grow your audience—without spending a dime.

Which tool will you try first? Let us know in the comments!

🚀 Ready to take your email marketing to the next level? Pick one tool from this list, set up your first campaign, and start seeing results today!

By leveraging these best free tools, you’ll not only save money but also gain valuable insights into what works for your audience. Happy emailing!