🔧 Best Email Marketing Tools for Small Business 2025

Table of Contents

• Quick Comparison

• BEST Email Marketing Platform - 2025

• 1. The Cluck Norris Method

• 2. Mailchimp

• 3. Brevo

• 4. Moosend

• 5. ConvertKit

• 6. HubSpot

  • Key Takeaways

  • Contact Limits and Free Plans

  • Value for Money

  • Growth Potential

• Conclusion

• FAQs

  • What should small businesses look for in an email …

  • How does the cost of email marketing tools affect …

  • What sets the automation features of top email mar …

Email marketing delivers a massive ROI - $36 for every $1 spent - and remains one of the most effective ways for small businesses to grow. With billions of email users worldwide, choosing the right email marketing tool is essential to connect with your audience, automate campaigns, and scale efficiently.

Here’s a quick look at the top tools for 2025:

• The Cluck Norris Method: Free email marketing strategies and automation tips for small businesses.

• Mailchimp: User-friendly with plans starting at $13/month, ideal for beginners.

• Brevo: Budget-friendly at $9/month with advanced automation and pay-as-you-go options.

• Moosend: Affordable with unlimited email sends starting at $9/month.

• ConvertKit: Perfect for creators, offering free plans for up to 10,000 subscribers.

• HubSpot: Comprehensive CRM and email marketing tools, starting at $20/month.

Quick Comparison

Key takeaway: Start with a tool that fits your budget and offers the features you need now, but can grow with your business. Brevo and Moosend are great for affordability, while ConvertKit is ideal for creators. For advanced CRM integration, HubSpot is a strong option.

BEST Email Marketing Platform - 2025

1. The Cluck Norris Method

The Cluck Norris Method combines cost-effective strategies, smart automation, scalable growth techniques, and straightforward design to transform your email marketing efforts. It’s more than just an email marketing tool - it’s a resource hub designed to show small businesses how to maximize any email platform with actionable tips and proven strategies.

Affordable Solutions for Small Businesses

Managing finances is a common hurdle for small businesses, with 20% shutting down in their first year [3]. The Cluck Norris Method tackles this issue by offering a free, twice-weekly newsletter filled with practical email marketing strategies.

This method emphasizes zero-based budgeting, helping businesses justify every email marketing expense [4]. By focusing on what truly drives revenue, the newsletter helps businesses prioritize investments in features that deliver measurable results, without breaking the bank.

Next, let’s explore how automation enhances these cost-saving strategies.

Smart Automation Strategies

Automation is at the heart of The Cluck Norris Method, teaching businesses how to set up triggered campaigns, nurture leads automatically, and craft personalized email journeys - all on autopilot.

The approach suggests starting small, with one automated workflow, testing it thoroughly, and expanding from there. Visual mapping techniques help you design email sequences that engage subscribers without overwhelming them. From welcome emails to cart recovery workflows, the method provides step-by-step guidance on activating the right triggers at the right time.

By tracking engagement metrics, you’ll learn to spot and fix bottlenecks in your workflows, making data-backed tweaks that improve performance over time. These automation strategies lay the foundation for scalable growth.

Built for Growth

With nearly 23.2% of small businesses failing within their first year and 48% closing within five years [5], growth is a critical focus of The Cluck Norris Method. It helps you create an email system that can handle increasing demand without sacrificing efficiency or quality.

You’ll learn how to scale your subscriber list - from 100 to 100,000 - while using advanced segmentation techniques to maintain personalization as your audience grows. The training also covers financial planning for managing higher email volumes and shows you how to diversify your content to attract new customer segments while keeping existing subscribers engaged.

Simple and User-friendly

Complex strategies can feel overwhelming, but The Cluck Norris Method simplifies them into easy-to-follow steps. Through its twice-weekly newsletter, advanced concepts are broken into lessons you can apply immediately.

The method provides ready-to-use email templates, subject line ideas, and campaign frameworks, removing the guesswork from your marketing efforts. Every strategy is designed to directly improve your results, focusing on what matters most to your business. Best of all, these tactics work across a variety of email platforms, making them accessible to businesses of all sizes.

2. Mailchimp

Mailchimp stands out as a solid email marketing platform, offering transparent pricing plans that cater to small businesses eager to start or grow their email campaigns.

Budget-Friendly Options for Small Businesses

Mailchimp provides a range of pricing plans tailored to different needs. For those just starting, the free plan supports up to 500 contacts and allows 1,000 emails per month. As businesses grow, they can opt for the Essentials plan, starting at $13–$15 per month for 500 contacts and 5,000 monthly emails, or the Standard plan, which begins at $20–$23 per month for the same contact limit but with 6,000 monthly sends [7]. The Premium plan, designed for larger-scale operations, is priced at $350 per month [7].

However, it’s worth noting that since 2019, Mailchimp’s pricing model includes charges for unsubscribed contacts and limits on email sends and audience sizes. This means businesses might incur costs for contacts who are no longer actively engaged [6]. Despite this, Mailchimp’s pricing remains competitive, especially when paired with its automation tools that simplify campaign management.

Streamlined Automation Features

Mailchimp’s automation tools make it easier to deliver timely, targeted emails. The platform includes pre-built templates for essential campaigns like welcome series, abandoned cart reminders, re-engagement efforts, and birthday messages [9]. Its visual workflow builder helps users design and visualize automation sequences, while triggers can be set based on website activity, email interactions, or list behavior [9].

These tools deliver measurable results. Businesses with connected stores have reported generating up to four times more orders through automated marketing flows compared to bulk emails. Additionally, automated emails can increase click rates by up to 127% [8]. A recent example comes from March 2023, when Shapeways improved its email open rate by 283% and click-through rate by 525% using Mailchimp’s Zapier integration for audience segmentation [8].

• Louise Lau, Performance Marketing Manager, Shapeways [8]

The free plan includes one automated sequence, while higher-tier plans unlock advanced customer journey features [8].

Built for Growth

Mailchimp’s pricing and features scale alongside a business’s growth. The Essentials plan supports up to 50,000 contacts, the Standard plan accommodates up to 100,000 contacts, and the Premium plan offers unlimited scalability [10].

Mailchimp also integrates seamlessly with platforms like Shopify, WordPress, and Salesforce, making it a versatile hub for marketing efforts. However, as contact lists grow, some users have noted that costs can rise quickly, and advanced automation features are often reserved for higher-tier plans [11][12]. These factors underscore Mailchimp’s adaptability for businesses aiming to scale.

Simple and User-Friendly Design

Mailchimp is known for its approachable interface, which caters to users with little to no technical expertise. Its drag-and-drop builder and pre-designed templates make it easy to create professional emails without needing advanced design skills. This simplicity has made Mailchimp a go-to choice for small businesses and beginners alike.

3. Brevo

Brevo is a standout choice for businesses looking for a budget-friendly email marketing tool that doesn't skimp on features. With a solid 4.7/5 rating as a Top Email Marketing Software, it has gained attention for offering a powerful set of tools at competitive prices [16]. Let’s dive into why Brevo is an excellent option, especially for small businesses.

Affordability for Small Businesses

Brevo’s pricing structure is a game-changer for small businesses. Instead of charging based on the number of stored contacts, it follows an email-based pricing model, which can lead to considerable savings as your contact list grows [13]. The free plan is particularly generous, allowing up to 300 emails per day and providing access to essential tools like SMS, AI content generation, and transactional emails [15][16].

For businesses ready to scale, paid plans start at just $9 per month for 5,000 emails and include 24/7 email support [13][15]. The Business plan, starting at $18 per month, adds unlimited marketing automation capabilities [13][15]. There’s also a pay-as-you-go option, where pre-paid email credits never expire and are significantly cheaper - 25% to 60% less than other providers [17].

• Adrian Goldner, Brevo user [14]

Automation Capabilities

Brevo takes automation to the next level by integrating email, SMS, WhatsApp, and push notifications into unified workflows. With ready-made templates, businesses can launch automated campaigns in no time [18]. Features like autoresponders, website tracking triggers, "if/then" scenarios, lead scoring, and automated contact management make it easy to engage with customers effectively. For those looking to go the extra mile, Brevo also supports landing page creation and cross-promotional campaigns - all from a single dashboard.

The free plan includes email automation workflows for up to 2,000 contacts, while unlimited automation is available starting at $65 per month [18]. Website tracking further enhances targeting by triggering automations based on user behavior, creating personalized engagement opportunities.

In April 2025, Adbloom used Brevo’s automation tools to experiment with innovative marketing strategies. Andrew Abony, CEO and Co-Founder of Adbloom, shared:

• Andrew Abony, CEO and Co-Founder of Adbloom [19]

These features make Brevo an excellent choice for businesses looking to streamline operations and scale efficiently.

Scalability for Business Growth

Brevo’s flexible pricing ensures you only pay for what you use, making it easy to scale as your business grows. Medium-sized companies can take advantage of enhanced automation and integration options to simplify workflows, while larger enterprises can opt for tailored solutions with advanced security and personalized support [19][20].

Ease of Use and User-Friendly Interface

Brevo combines powerful tools with an intuitive interface, making it accessible even for those without technical expertise. It offers customizable templates and contact fields, smooth integration capabilities, and high email deliverability rates. Flexible segmentation options allow for highly personalized campaigns, and responsive customer support ensures you can make the most of the platform [18].

4. Moosend

Moosend offers professional email marketing tools at a price that small businesses can appreciate. It has gained attention for its strong feature set combined with affordability, making it an appealing choice for companies looking to maximize their marketing efforts without breaking the bank.

Affordable Options for Small Businesses

Moosend keeps its pricing straightforward and budget-friendly. With a 30-day free trial, businesses can explore all the core features before committing [21][24].

Most users pay between $9 and $315 per month, depending on their subscriber count, which ranges from 500 to 50,000 contacts [23]. The Pro plan starts at just $9 per month for 500 subscribers and includes unlimited email sends, a benefit that many competitors charge extra for [23][24]. Here's a quick look at the pricing breakdown:

For businesses that send emails less frequently, Moosend offers a pay-as-you-go option, starting at $350 for 350,000 email credits, which never expire [21]. Additional savings include 15% off for bi-annual contracts, 20% off for annual contracts, and a 25% discount for non-profits [23].

• Alex Melvani, Membership Officer at WWF [26][22]

Next, let’s dive into how Moosend’s automation tools can elevate your email campaigns.

Automation Tools to Streamline Marketing

Moosend simplifies email automation with its visual workflow editor. This tool helps you build multi-step workflows using behavior tracking, segmentation, and even an AI-powered recommendation engine [26][27][29]. Pre-built templates allow you to trigger emails based on specific customer actions, making it easier to create effective campaigns [27][28].

Triggered emails are proven to perform better, with a 70.5% higher open rate and 152% higher click-through rate compared to standard newsletters [28].

In April 2025, Marilia Dimitriou, Moosend’s Lead Content Editor, showcased practical automation examples. These included welcome email sequences designed to engage new subscribers right after signup, real-time order confirmations to enhance customer satisfaction, and replenishment reminders for products like coffee or pet supplies [Source: Ecommerce Email Marketing Automation Guide, Moosend Blog, April 25, 2025].

• Dipak Raghuwansi, Email Marketing Associate | Vogue [26][22]

Scalable Plans for Growing Businesses

Moosend is built to grow with your business. Its flexible plans can handle anything from startups to enterprises, accommodating up to 1 million contacts for $5,840 per month. However, most small businesses will find the lower tiers more than sufficient [23].

The platform’s automation and segmentation tools allow businesses to reach more customers while saving time and cutting costs. For example, one company reported a 729.27% increase in registrations over three years using Moosend [30].

Starting with the free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers, businesses can easily upgrade to the Pro plan at $9 per month, which includes all features without restrictions. For larger companies, Moosend+ and Enterprise plans offer tailored solutions with advanced features [31].

Easy to Use with Reliable Support

Moosend’s intuitive design makes it accessible even for beginners. Its drag-and-drop editors and pre-made templates simplify campaign creation, helping users produce professional-quality emails quickly [27]. The platform also boasts an impressive 98% sender reputation, ensuring excellent deliverability rates [25]. Plus, customer support is available 24/5 and is frequently praised for being responsive and helpful [27].

• George Levetikos, Chief Integration Officer, MullenLowe Group [26][22]

While Moosend does have some minor drawbacks, such as limited form design options and fewer integrations compared to some competitors, these issues are often outweighed by its affordability and ease of use [27]. For small businesses looking for a practical and efficient email marketing platform, Moosend delivers a strong mix of features and value.

5. ConvertKit

ConvertKit stands out as a tool designed for creators and small businesses, offering a mix of affordability, automation, and ease of use. Its features are crafted to help users build meaningful connections with their audience [32].

Pricing That Works for Small Businesses

ConvertKit provides flexible pricing to accommodate businesses at various stages. The free Newsletter plan supports up to 10,000 subscribers and includes unlimited emails, forms, and landing pages [58,60]. This no-cost option allows small businesses to explore the platform's capabilities without making a financial commitment.

When you're ready to upgrade, ConvertKit’s paid plans grow with your subscriber base. The Creator plan starts at $29 per month for up to 1,000 subscribers, while the Creator Pro plan begins at $59 per month for the same number. Here's a snapshot of pricing for different subscriber levels:

ConvertKit also offers a 16% discount for annual subscriptions and a 30-day refund policy for all plans, including yearly contracts [58,59]. These pricing options, combined with robust automation tools, make ConvertKit a strong choice for growing businesses.

Automation That Saves Time

ConvertKit’s automation features are designed to make email marketing effortless. Its visual automation builder allows users to create workflows by simply dragging and dropping elements [35]. These workflows can respond to specific triggers, like a subscriber clicking a link or filling out a form, ensuring that each recipient gets content tailored to their actions [35]. For instance, you can set up sequences based on the lead magnet or form a subscriber uses, delivering personalized content from the start [37].

A great example of ConvertKit’s automation in action comes from food blogger and YouTuber Nisha Vora. In 2024, she used ConvertKit to add freebies and landing pages to her YouTube videos, which helped her grow her email list by 100,000 subscribers in just one year [34].

The free Newsletter plan includes one basic visual automation and one email sequence, while the Creator plans offer unlimited visual automations and sequences [33]. This allows users to start small and expand their automation as their needs evolve.

Built for Growth

ConvertKit is designed to grow alongside your business. With the free Newsletter plan, you can manage up to 10,000 subscribers at no cost, making it a great entry point for small businesses. As your audience grows, the pricing scales, with the Creator plan ranging from $29 per month for 1,000 subscribers to $2,299 per month for 400,000 subscribers. The Creator Pro plan starts at $59 per month and goes up to $2,599 per month [38].

While this pay-as-you-grow model offers flexibility, businesses with larger subscriber lists should be prepared for higher monthly costs.

User-Friendly Design

ConvertKit earns praise for its clean, intuitive interface, making it easier to use compared to some more complex platforms. With a rating of 4.35 out of 5, users highlight the platform’s simplicity, especially when setting up automation sequences [63,65]. Its tagging and segmentation tools also allow for detailed subscriber organization without making the process overwhelming [36]. This balance between power and simplicity makes ConvertKit a top choice for small business owners looking for advanced features without a steep learning curve.

6. HubSpot

HubSpot is a comprehensive platform that combines email marketing with CRM, sales, and service tools. However, its pricing structure and complexity may require careful consideration, especially for small businesses.

Affordability for Small Businesses

HubSpot's pricing can be a hurdle for smaller companies. Its modular system offers various tiers: Starter ($20/month for basic email tools), Professional (starting at $890/month for advanced automation), and Enterprise ($3,600/month). Each tier requires an annual commitment, with potential implementation costs ranging from $12,000 to $60,000 [39]. For businesses aiming to use advanced email automation, the Professional tier is often necessary, which significantly increases costs. On average, mid-sized businesses spend between $10,000 and $50,000 annually on HubSpot subscriptions [39].

That said, HubSpot does provide free tools across its hubs, including a free CRM that supports unlimited users and up to 1 million contacts [44]. While the free tools are helpful, businesses often need to upgrade as their needs grow.

Automation Capabilities

HubSpot stands out for its automation features, making tasks like personalized workflows, automated responses, and drip campaigns easier to manage. The platform's visual drag-and-drop workflow builder allows users to set up triggers, conditions, and actions for tasks like sending welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, follow-ups, and nurturing sequences [40][41].

HubSpot also integrates CRM data to personalize messaging and includes tools like lead scoring and segmentation to help businesses prioritize prospects and tailor their communications [41].

Research highlights the impact of automation, with studies showing it can boost lead generation by up to 80% and improve sales productivity by 14% [41]. HubSpot also provides real-time workflow tracking, enabling businesses to monitor performance and fine-tune strategies [41].

These tools not only streamline operations but also help businesses achieve measurable growth.

Scalability for Business Growth

One of HubSpot's strengths is its modular design, which allows businesses to pay for only the features they need. This flexibility makes it ideal for companies transitioning from small startups to larger enterprises [44]. Small businesses can begin with HubSpot's free CRM and basic tools, upgrading to more advanced plans as their requirements expand [43][44].

Over 167,000 companies worldwide, including well-known names like Trello and Dropbox, started with HubSpot's free CRM when they were smaller organizations [44]. The platform also supports managing multiple brands within a single account. This feature simplifies campaign management while maintaining brand consistency [45].

A notable example of HubSpot's scalability comes from Airbnb. By leveraging HubSpot's automation tools, their team managed a 45% increase in lead volume without needing to hire additional staff [44].

Ease of Use and User-Friendly Interface

While HubSpot offers a wide range of features, its complexity can be daunting for small business owners with limited technical skills. The platform does provide extensive educational resources through HubSpot Academy, which can help users get up to speed. However, mastering the platform can still be a challenge. For businesses that require a fully integrated suite of marketing, sales, and service tools, HubSpot's capabilities make it a powerful, albeit complex, option.

Feature and Price Comparison

Based on the detailed reviews above, this comparison breaks down the strengths of each platform. Selecting the right email marketing tool is about balancing cost, features, and the growth potential. Here’s how the leading platforms stack up for small businesses looking to get the most out of their investment in 2025.

Key Takeaways

This table highlights critical differences in pricing, automation features, and target audiences. Pricing often reflects trade-offs - costs tend to rise as your needs grow. For instance, Brevo offers one of the most budget-friendly starting prices at $9 per month for 5,000 emails, making it a strong choice for businesses keeping a close eye on expenses [14].

The Cluck Norris Method, on the other hand, emphasizes teaching the strategies behind automation rather than offering a platform for execution. In contrast, HubSpot provides a modular CRM solution that allows businesses to start small but can become costly, with its Professional tier reaching $890 per month [46].

Contact Limits and Free Plans

Contact limits are another important factor. HubSpot stands out with a free plan that supports up to 1 million contacts, while ConvertKit offers a free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers, making it particularly appealing for creators launching their email lists [46]. Most other platforms, like Mailchimp, tie their pricing to subscriber count, which can influence long-term costs.

Value for Money

When done right, email marketing delivers a high ROI, but choosing the right tool is key [14]. Small businesses often succeed with platforms offering basic paid plans in the $8–15 range. For e-commerce businesses, more feature-rich solutions typically start around $16–49 monthly [14].

Growth Potential

Your business's growth path matters just as much as the initial cost. Mailchimp, for example, offers an accessible free plan but may not scale well as your subscriber base expands [47]. On the other hand, Brevo is designed to grow alongside your business, offering a smoother transition as your needs evolve.

No single platform excels in every category. The best choice depends on your priorities - whether it’s mastering email strategy with The Cluck Norris Method, starting affordably with Brevo, or utilizing HubSpot’s robust CRM capabilities. Matching the tool to your specific needs is the key to success.

Conclusion

Picking the right tool can make a big difference for your business. With an average ROI of $36 for every $1 spent, your choice can directly influence your profits [48].

Let’s break it down: Brevo shines for small businesses on a budget, offering a solid mix of features at an affordable price. One user even highlighted its feature-rich platform and reliable support as key reasons for its value.

If you’re a content creator or blogger, ConvertKit is tailored for you with automation tools designed specifically for creators. On the other hand, HubSpot is ideal for businesses needing advanced CRM integration, though it comes with a higher price tag.

When deciding, focus on three main factors: your budget, the complexity of features you need, and how fast you plan to grow. For beginners, Mailchimp is a great starting point with its intuitive interface. Meanwhile, Moosend offers powerful automation workflows for businesses looking to expand their marketing strategies.

FAQs

What should small businesses look for in an email marketing tool in 2025?

When selecting an email marketing tool in 2025, small businesses should prioritize a few important aspects to ensure the platform aligns with their goals:

• Ease of use: The platform should be intuitive and user-friendly, making it accessible even for those with minimal technical skills.

• Cost-effectiveness: Choose a plan that fits your budget while still offering the features you need to succeed.

• Automation and segmentation: These tools streamline your workflow and allow you to send personalized messages to the right audience at the right time.

• Integrations: Confirm that the platform works smoothly with your existing tools, like CRM software or e-commerce systems.

• AI and multichannel support: Platforms with AI can refine your campaigns with valuable insights, while multichannel options let you engage customers across various platforms.

By keeping these factors in mind, small businesses can find a tool that boosts efficiency, strengthens customer connections, and grows alongside their needs.

How does the cost of email marketing tools affect small business growth?

The cost of email marketing tools can have a big impact on how small businesses allocate resources and plan for growth. Many tools offer affordable options, like free plans or entry-level pricing around $10 per month for smaller contact lists. These lower-cost plans give businesses the chance to experiment with email campaigns without committing to large upfront expenses. However, premium plans - ranging between $500 and $1,400 per month - come with advanced features and support larger lists but can stretch budgets thin, potentially limiting how often campaigns are sent or how far they reach.

For small businesses, pricing that’s both flexible and scalable is a must. Starting with smaller, cost-effective plans allows businesses to explore features like automation and gradually invest more as their audience grows. The key is finding a tool that strikes the right balance between affordability and functionality, ensuring email marketing remains a driver of sustainable growth. :::

What sets the automation features of top email marketing tools apart for small businesses?

The automation features in top email marketing tools for small businesses in 2025 vary widely in complexity, user-friendliness, and how well they connect with other platforms. Some tools shine with AI-powered workflows, which create personalized campaigns that adjust based on customer behavior. Others cater to simplicity, offering pre-designed automation templates that are quick and easy to set up.

For instance, certain platforms stand out in multi-channel coordination, seamlessly integrating email, SMS, and social media for unified communication. Meanwhile, others focus on real-time tracking or detailed audience segmentation to help small businesses zero in on their target customers. The ideal tools strike a balance between powerful features, ease of use, and affordability, making them a practical choice for small business owners with limited time and budgets. :::