MailerLite has certainly made a name for itself as a user-friendly and affordable platform, particularly for those just starting out or on a tighter budget. It offers a good range of features without being overly complicated, which can be a real strength.

MailerLite Email Marketing Functionality

MailerLite operates on a freemium model with several paid tiers that unlock more advanced features and higher subscriber limits. Here’s a breakdown of what you can generally expect at each level.

Free Plan:

• Subscribers: Typically limited to around 1,000 subscribers.
• Emails per month: Often capped at around 12,000 emails.
• Key Features:
  • Drag-and-drop email builder: For creating visually appealing emails without needing to code.
  • Basic email automation: Setting up simple automated workflows, such as welcome emails.
  • Landing pages: Creating standalone pages to capture leads.
  • Forms and pop-ups: Tools for growing your email list on your website.
  • Segmentation: Basic options for dividing your audience based on certain criteria.
  • Reporting and analytics: Tracking key metrics like open rates and click-through rates.
  • 24/7 email support: Even free users typically have access to support via email.

Growing Business:

• Subscribers: Scales up significantly, allowing for tens of thousands of subscribers depending on your needs.
• Emails per month: Higher sending limits, often unlimited sending to your subscriber base.
• Includes everything in the Free Plan, plus:
  • More advanced automation: Building complex workflows with triggers, delays, and conditional content.
  • Dynamic content: Personalising email content based on subscriber data.
  • A/B split testing: Experimenting with different subject lines, content, and send times to optimise campaigns.
  • Custom HTML editor: For those who prefer more control over their email design.
  • Facebook integration: For audience syncing and ad campaigns.
  • Multiple triggers and actions in automation.

Advanced:

• Subscribers: Even larger subscriber capacities.
• Emails per month: Usually unlimited sending.
• Includes everything in the Growing Business Plan, plus:
  • Multiple users: Allowing team access to the account.
  • Facebook Custom Audiences: More advanced integration with Facebook advertising.
  • Promotion pop-ups: More sophisticated pop-up options for capturing leads.
  • Preference centre: Allowing subscribers to manage their communication preferences.
  • Dedicated IP address (in some higher-end versions): Can improve deliverability for very large senders.

Take a look at our analysis and comparison of the features of the top ten email marketing platforms.

How Much Does MailerLite Cost (And Is It Worth It?)

MailerLite’s pricing is primarily based on the number of subscribers you have. Here are some typical “from” prices to give you an idea:

• Free Plan: £0 per month (with the aforementioned limitations).
• Growing Business: Prices often start from around £9 per month for up to 1,000 subscribers. As your subscriber list grows, the price increases incrementally. For example, you might expect to pay around £19 per month for up to 2,500 subscribers, and so on.
• Advanced: Pricing for the Advanced tier will be higher, reflecting the additional features and user capacity. It might start from around £39 per month for a similar subscriber count as the lower tiers, but the value lies in the added functionalities.

It’s important to check their website for the most up-to-date pricing as it can be subject to change. They usually offer monthly and annual billing options, with discounts often available for annual commitments.

In our opinion, MailerLite offers excellent value for money, particularly for individuals and small to medium-sized businesses. The free plan is surprisingly generous and allows you to get to grips with email marketing without any upfront cost. As your needs grow, the paid tiers remain competitively priced compared to many other platforms offering similar features.

The user-friendly interface means you’re less likely to need to hire a specialist just to manage your email campaigns, saving you money in the long run. The inclusion of landing page and form builders in even the lower tiers is a significant plus, as these are often offered as separate add-ons with other providers.

However, larger enterprises with very complex automation needs or a requirement for highly bespoke integrations might find that MailerLite’s more advanced features, while robust, may not be as extensive as some of the more enterprise-focused platforms.

Take a look at where MailerLite sits on our ranking of the most cost-effective email marketing platforms.

MailerLite: Strengths and Weaknesses

Strengths	Weaknesses
User-friendly interface	Advanced automation might not be as granular as some competitors
Competitive pricing, especially for smaller lists	Reporting and analytics, while good, could be more in-depth
Generous free plan	Fewer direct integrations with some niche platforms
Good range of features in lower tiers	Customisation options for some templates can be limited
Integrated landing page and form builders	Phone support is typically not available on lower tiers
Reliable deliverability

Our Analysis: What Type of Business is MailerLite Best Suited For?

MailerLite is particularly well-suited for:

• Small businesses and startups: The affordable pricing and ease of use make it an excellent choice for those with limited budgets and resources.
• Bloggers and content creators: The landing page and form features are ideal for building an email list and nurturing subscribers.
• E-commerce businesses: The platform offers features like product blocks in emails and automation for abandoned carts, making it useful for online shops, especially smaller ones.
• Non-profits and charities: The free and lower-tier plans can be very beneficial for organisations with tight budgets.
• Individuals and solopreneurs: The intuitive interface and comprehensive features allow individuals to manage their email marketing effectively.

While larger businesses can certainly use MailerLite, those with highly complex automation requirements, a need for very granular reporting, or numerous direct integrations with enterprise-level software might eventually outgrow it and need to consider more specialised (and often more expensive) alternatives.

Conclusion

Overall, MailerLite is a strong contender in the email marketing landscape, especially for those who prioritise ease of use, affordability, and a solid set of core features. It provides excellent value for money and is a particularly attractive option for smaller businesses, startups, and individuals looking to build and engage with their audience through email. While it might not have the most cutting-edge advanced features of some of its pricier competitors, it delivers a reliable and effective email marketing experience without breaking the bank. It’s a platform that empowers users to create professional-looking campaigns and build meaningful connections with their subscribers.

MailerLite Competitors

• Omnisend
• ActiveCampaign
• GetResponse
• Brevo
• HubSpot Marketing Hub
• Mailchimp
• Constant Contact
• Klaviyo
• Campaign Monitor

Check out our comparison of the best email marketing software, and see where MailerLite sits in the top ten.