Email marketing has always been a very successful technique till date to contact, engage and convert your target audience. You may start to improve the process by using free email automation tools and softwares for your marketing goals. In this post, we’ll look at the best 11 (1 added bonus) email marketing automation tools that you can use to take your email marketing to the next level.
What is Email Automation?
Email automation is the practice of using tools to send pre-written emails to a list of recipients automatically, without the need for human participation. It’s similar to having a computer programmer or robot that helps you rapidly and effectively send emails to many recipients.
To help you better grasp email automation, here is a straightforward example:
Suppose you’re a teacher and you want to inform all of your students and their parents every week through email about impending projects and exams. You can use email automation to send emails instead of manually typing and sending each one, which would take a lot of time.
You would first create a template email containing the crucial details for assignments and exams. Then, you would configure certain rules or triggers using an email automation service or piece of software. These triggers could be based on certain occasions or dates.
For instance, to remind everyone about the upcoming week, you could establish a trigger to send the email every Sunday night. The email automation tool will automatically send the template email to all of the kids and parents on your email list once you have set up the rules, saving you the time and effort of having to do it by hand every time.
Sending out newsletters, promotional emails, event invitations, or even customized emails to consumers are just a few of the many uses for email automation. With only a few clicks, you can quickly contact a huge number of individuals while also saving time and ensuring messaging consistency.
Overall, email automation is a powerful tool that facilitates communication by automating the email-sending process, making it simpler and more effective for companies, organizations, and people to keep in touch with their contacts.
Mailchimp is one of the most well-known and commonly used free email automation tools available. It is a paid service, though you can always use the free trial offered by the platform (No credit card required). It has a variety of functionalities, like email templates, dynamic list management, and automation processes. Mailchimp also offers comprehensive analytics, allowing you to follow the effectiveness of your campaigns and make data-driven choices.
What’s included in Mailchimp’s Free Plan?
Up to 2,000 subscribers and up to 10,000 emails per month.
Basic email templates
Marketing CRM
Basic automation
Reporting and analytics
Pros:
User-friendly interface: Mailchimp is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to navigate and manage their email marketing campaigns.
Automation features: Mailchimp offers powerful automation features, allowing users to create customized automated workflows, such as welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and personalized drip campaigns.
Extensive template library: Mailchimp provides a wide range of professionally designed email templates, making it simple for users to create visually appealing and engaging email campaigns.
Integration capabilities: Mailchimp integrates seamlessly with various third-party platforms and tools, including e-commerce platforms, CRMs, and social media platforms, enabling users to streamline their marketing efforts.
Robust analytics and reporting: Mailchimp offers detailed analytics and reporting features, providing insights into email open rates, click-through rates, subscriber engagement, and more, allowing users to track the performance of their campaigns effectively.
Cons:
Limited functionality in the free plan: Mailchimp’s free plan has certain limitations, such as a cap on the number of subscribers and limited access to advanced features like automation and segmentation.
Pricing structure: As your subscriber list grows, Mailchimp’s pricing can become more expensive compared to some other email marketing platforms, making it less cost-effective for larger businesses or high-volume senders.
Complexity for advanced users: While Mailchimp is user-friendly for beginners, it may lack some advanced features that more experienced users may require, leading to limitations in customization and advanced automation capabilities.
Limited customer support options: Mailchimp’s customer support is primarily provided through email and live chat, which may not be as responsive or comprehensive as phone support for urgent or complex issues.
HubSpot provides a range of marketing solutions, including free email automation software. With HubSpot, you can create automated email marketing campaigns that deliver personalized emails to your subscribers depending on their behavior and preferences. You can also use HubSpot’s drag-and-drop email editor to generate aesthetically stunning emails that are likely to capture your reader’s attention. Hubspot is slightly expensive compared to its rivals but the features and functionalities compensate for the price wisely. Don’t worry we have more options further.
What’s included in Hubspot’s Free Plan?
Hubspot is allowing users to send up to 2,000 emails per month with it’s free plan.
Basic automation
Contact management
Lead capture forms
Reporting and analytics
Pros:
All-in-one marketing platform: HubSpot offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including email marketing, CRM, social media management, content creation, and analytics, allowing users to manage their entire marketing strategy from one platform.
Robust automation capabilities: HubSpot provides powerful automation features, enabling users to create sophisticated workflows and nurture leads with personalized email campaigns.
Extensive reporting and analytics: HubSpot offers detailed analytics and reporting features, allowing users to track email performance, measure campaign success, and gain insights into their audience’s behavior.
Contact management and segmentation: HubSpot’s CRM allows users to manage and segment their contacts effectively, helping them deliver targeted and personalized email content.
Integration with other HubSpot tools: Users can take advantage of seamless integration with other HubSpot tools, such as their CMS and sales tools, creating a unified and streamlined marketing and sales process.
Cons:
Learning curve: HubSpot’s extensive features and functionalities can have a steep learning curve, especially for users who are new to marketing automation platforms.
Limited scalability: HubSpot’s free version has limitations on the number of contacts and emails, making it less suitable for businesses with larger audiences or high-volume email campaigns.
Pricing: The paid plans of HubSpot can be relatively expensive, especially for small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
Dependency on the HubSpot ecosystem: While HubSpot offers a wide range of tools, users may feel locked into the HubSpot ecosystem and find it challenging to integrate with external platforms.
Customer support: Some users have reported mixed experiences with HubSpot’s customer support, citing delays in response times or difficulty in resolving issues.
ActiveCampaign is a robust email marketing automation system that includes free email marketing, marketing automation, and CRM integration. You can use ActiveCampaign to create targeted campaigns that send personalized content to your audience based on their behavior, interests, and choices. The most interesting part is that all of this is offered at a very reasonable price that feels light to your pocket and boosts your business like a rocket.
What’s included in ActiveCampaign’s Free Plan?
ActiveCampaign’s free version allows users to send up to 500 emails per month.
Basic automation
Contact management
Reporting and analytics
Pros:
Advanced automation features: ActiveCampaign offers robust automation capabilities, allowing users to create highly personalized and sophisticated automated email campaigns based on customer behavior and triggers.
Powerful segmentation and personalization: ActiveCampaign provides advanced segmentation options, enabling users to target specific segments of their audience with personalized content, resulting in higher engagement and conversion rates.
CRM integration: ActiveCampaign seamlessly integrates with its CRM functionality, allowing users to manage contacts, track interactions, and gain a comprehensive view of their customers’ journey.
Comprehensive email deliverability tools: ActiveCampaign includes features to help optimize email deliverability, such as automated list cleaning, bounce management, and engagement tracking, ensuring that emails reach the intended recipients’ inboxes.
Extensive third-party integrations: ActiveCampaign offers a wide range of integrations with other tools and platforms, allowing users to connect their email marketing efforts with various third-party applications.
Cons:
Learning curve: ActiveCampaign’s advanced features and functionalities can be complex, requiring a learning curve for users who are new to marketing automation platforms.
Price for scaling: As user lists and email volume increase, ActiveCampaign’s pricing can become more expensive compared to some other email marketing platforms, making it less cost-effective for larger businesses or high-volume senders.
Template limitations: Some users have reported that ActiveCampaign’s email template library could benefit from more diverse and modern design options.
Customer support: While ActiveCampaign offers support through email and chat, some users have mentioned that response times can be slow during peak periods.
ConvertKit is a FREE to use popular email marketing automation solution for bloggers, podcasters, and other content providers. ConvertKit allows you to bisect your subscribers effortlessly and deliver personalized emails based on their interests and behavior. ConvertKit also includes a number of email marketing automation capabilities, such as email sequences and auto-responders.
What’s included in ConvertKit’s Free Plan?
ConvertKit’s free version includes access to their email marketing tools, allowing users to send unlimited emails to up to 1,000 subscribers.
Visual automation editor
Tag-based segmentation
Reporting and analytics
Pros:
User-friendly interface: ConvertKit is known for its simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users, especially bloggers and creators, to set up and manage their email marketing campaigns.
Tag-based system: ConvertKit utilizes a tag-based system for segmenting subscribers, allowing users to easily target specific groups with personalized content based on their interests and behaviors.
Visual automation editor: ConvertKit offers a visual automation editor that allows users to create complex automated workflows visually, making it easier to design and implement sophisticated email sequences.
Landing page and form builder: ConvertKit provides a built-in landing page and form builder, allowing users to create customizable opt-in forms and landing pages to grow their email list.
Subscriber-centric approach: ConvertKit places a strong emphasis on building relationships with subscribers. It allows users to send personalized emails and track subscriber engagement, leading to better audience engagement and connection.
Cons:
Limited customization options: Some users have noted that ConvertKit’s email templates and design options are relatively limited compared to other platforms, which may restrict the visual customization of email campaigns.
Lack of advanced features: ConvertKit’s focus on simplicity means that it may lack some advanced features, such as A/B testing or advanced automation capabilities, which may be important for users with more complex marketing needs.
Pricing scalability: As user lists grow, ConvertKit’s pricing can become more expensive compared to other email marketing platforms, making it less suitable for larger businesses or high-volume senders.
Limited integrations: While ConvertKit offers integrations with popular tools and platforms, some users have mentioned that they would like to see a wider range of integrations available.
Drip is an email marketing automation software for ecommerce businesses. Drip allows you to build personalized email messages that are tailored to your consumers’ behavior and preferences. Drip also has a number of ecommerce-specific capabilities, such as abandoned cart reminders and product recommendations. I would recommend Drip to Shopify store owners who want to provide the best buying experience to their customers. Drip is a paid service but it offers a FREE trial as well.
What’s included in Drip’s Free Plan?
Email marketing: Drip’s free version includes access to their email marketing tools, allowing users to send up to 500 subscribers with unlimited email sends.
Basic automation
Segmentation and tagging
Customizable email templates
Basic reporting and analytics
Pros:
Advanced automation capabilities: Drip offers powerful automation features, allowing users to create complex, behavior-based email workflows and personalized customer journeys.
Segmentation and tagging: Drip provides robust segmentation and tagging options, enabling users to target specific segments of their audience with tailored content and offers.
E-commerce focus: Drip is specifically designed for e-commerce businesses, offering features such as product recommendations, cart abandonment emails, and purchase tracking, making it ideal for online retailers.
Customizable email templates: Drip offers a wide selection of customizable email templates, allowing users to create visually appealing and on-brand email campaigns.
Integrations and API access: Drip integrates with various e-commerce platforms, CRMs, and other tools, providing users with flexibility and the ability to connect their marketing efforts seamlessly.
Cons:
Learning curve: Drip’s advanced features and capabilities can have a learning curve, especially for users who are new to marketing automation platforms or those without an e-commerce focus.
Pricing for scaling: As user lists and email volume increase, Drip’s pricing can become more expensive compared to some other email marketing platforms, making it less cost-effective for larger businesses or high-volume senders.
E-commerce specialization: While Drip’s e-commerce focus is a strength, it may limit its appeal to businesses operating outside of the e-commerce industry.
Lack of pre-built integrations: Some users have reported that Drip’s integrations with certain platforms or tools may require custom development work or API access, which can be a limitation for users without technical expertise.
GetResponse is one of the best free email marketing automation tool with a variety of capabilities such as attractive email templates, list management, and automation processes. GetResponse allows you to design targeted campaigns that offer personalized information to your subscribers based on their behavior and interests. It is FREE to use initially and offers you up to 2500 newsletters/month.
What’s included in Getresponse’s Free Plan?
Email marketing: Drip’s free version includes access to their email marketing tools, allowing users to send up to 500 subscribers with 2500 newsletters/month email sends.
Basic automation
Segmentation and tagging
Customizable email templates
Basic reporting and analytics
Pros:
All-in-one marketing platform: GetResponse offers a comprehensive suite of marketing tools, including email marketing, automation, landing page creation, webinars, and more, allowing users to manage multiple aspects of their marketing campaigns from a single platform.
Advanced automation capabilities: GetResponse provides robust automation features, allowing users to create highly personalized and targeted email workflows based on customer behavior and triggers.
Landing page editor: GetResponse includes a built-in landing page editor, enabling users to create customized and visually appealing landing pages to capture leads and promote their offers.
Webinar hosting: GetResponse offers integrated webinar hosting, allowing users to conduct live webinars, automate webinar funnels, and engage with their audience in a more interactive way.
A/B testing and analytics: GetResponse provides A/B testing functionality to help users optimize their email campaigns. It also offers detailed reporting and analytics, allowing users to track key metrics and measure the effectiveness of their marketing efforts.
Cons:
Learning curve: Some users have reported that GetResponse’s interface and features can have a learning curve, especially for users who are new to email marketing platforms or those with limited technical experience.
Pricing for scalability: As user lists and email volume increase, GetResponse’s pricing can become more expensive compared to some other email marketing platforms, making it less cost-effective for larger businesses or high-volume senders.
Template limitations: While GetResponse offers a variety of email templates, some users have mentioned that the available designs can be limited, and customization options may be somewhat restricted.
Limited webinar participants: The number of participants allowed in GetResponse’s free webinar hosting feature is limited, which may be a constraint for users with larger audiences or frequent webinars.
Campaign Monitor is an email marketing automation solution with a range of capabilities such as customizable email templates, list management, SMS service and email marketing automation processes. With Campaign Monitor, you can develop targeted campaigns that can send personalized emails to your subscribers based on their behavior and interests. Yes it offers a FREE trial but you will be amazed to know that their basic plan starts from as low as $9/month.
What’s included in Campaign Monitor’s Free Plan?
Campaign Monitor’s free version allows users to send up to 500 emails per month to 250 subscribers.
Basic automation
Segmentation and tagging
Customizable email templates
Basic reporting and analytics
Pros:
User-friendly interface: Campaign Monitor is known for its intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to create, send, and track email campaigns without technical expertise.
Customizable email templates: Campaign Monitor offers a wide range of customizable email templates, allowing users to create visually appealing and on-brand email campaigns.
Advanced segmentation and personalization: Campaign Monitor provides robust segmentation options, enabling users to target specific segments of their audience with personalized content based on their behavior, demographics, or custom fields.
Drag-and-drop email builder: Campaign Monitor features a drag-and-drop email builder, making it simple for users to design and customize their emails without coding skills.
Reporting and analytics: Campaign Monitor offers detailed reporting and analytics, allowing users to track key email metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions, providing insights for campaign optimization.
Cons:
Limited scalability: Campaign Monitor’s free version has limitations on the number of subscribers and emails, making it less suitable for businesses with larger audiences or high-volume email campaigns.
Pricing for additional features: Some advanced features, such as advanced automation or additional integrations, may only be available in higher-tier paid plans, resulting in additional costs for users with more specific requirements.
Third-party integrations: While Campaign Monitor offers a range of integrations with popular platforms, the number of integrations may be more limited compared to some other email marketing platforms.
Basic automation limitations: Some users have reported that Campaign Monitor’s automation capabilities may be less advanced compared to other platforms, which may be a limitation for users with complex automation needs.
AWeber is a prominent email marketing automation platform with a variety of features such as email templates, list management, and automation workflows. AWeber allows you to develop targeted campaigns that provide personalized information to your subscribers. AWeber is one of the most affordable and best free email marketing solution that you can opt for in 2024. It has a FREE plan that offers upto 500 contacts, 1 email automation, 1 landing page and 1 email list.
What’s included in AWeber’s Free Plan?
AWeber’s free version allows users to send up to 3,000 emails per month to up to 500 subscribers.
Basic automation
List management
Email templates
Basic reporting and analytics
Pros:
User-friendly interface: AWeber offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to create, send, and automate email campaigns without technical expertise.
Extensive email template library: AWeber provides a vast collection of professionally designed email templates, allowing users to create visually appealing and engaging emails.
Advanced automation capabilities: AWeber offers advanced automation features, including behavioral triggers and autoresponders, allowing users to deliver personalized and timely messages to their subscribers.
List segmentation and targeting: AWeber allows users to segment their email lists based on various criteria, enabling targeted messaging and better engagement with specific subscriber groups.
Integrations and third-party apps: AWeber offers seamless integrations with numerous third-party applications, such as WordPress, Shopify, and PayPal, enhancing its functionality and allowing users to connect their email marketing efforts with other tools.
Cons:
Limited scalability: The free version of AWeber has limitations on the number of subscribers and emails, making it less suitable for businesses with larger audiences or high-volume email campaigns.
Design limitations: Some users have mentioned that AWeber’s email editor may have design limitations, which can restrict the customization options for creating visually unique and advanced email templates.
Pricing for additional features: Some advanced features, such as advanced automation or access to certain integrations, may require upgrading to higher-tier paid plans, resulting in additional costs for users with specific needs.
Learning curve for automation: While AWeber offers automation capabilities, some users have reported that setting up more complex automated sequences can have a learning curve for users who are new to email marketing automation.
Pardot is a marketing automation application (also known as Marketing Cloud Account Engagement) from Salesforce. With Pardot, you can develop targeted campaigns that offer personalized content to your subscribers based on their behavior and interests. Pardot also has a number of analytics options that allow you to track the performance of your campaigns and make data-driven choices. It is very reliable as it is powered by salesforce. However it is a paid service, if you don’t want to compromise with speed and quality of service then Pardot automation service is built for you.
What’s included in Pardot’s Free Plan?
Pardot does not offer a free version. They provide a free 14-day trial period, allowing users to explore and experience the platform’s features before making a purchasing decision.
Pros:
Integration with Salesforce: Pardot is owned by Salesforce, which allows for seamless integration with Salesforce CRM, providing a unified marketing and sales platform for businesses.
Advanced lead scoring and nurturing: Pardot offers robust lead scoring and nurturing capabilities, allowing users to track and prioritize leads based on their engagement and behavior, leading to more targeted and personalized marketing efforts.
Advanced automation and workflows: Pardot provides powerful automation and workflow features, enabling users to create complex, multi-step automation sequences and customized customer journeys.
Advanced reporting and analytics: Pardot offers extensive reporting and analytics capabilities, providing users with detailed insights into email performance, lead generation, and campaign effectiveness.
Customization and branding: Pardot allows users to customize and brand their emails, landing pages, and forms, providing a consistent and professional look across all marketing assets.
Cons:
Pricing: Pardot is considered a higher-end marketing automation platform, and its pricing can be more expensive compared to some other email marketing solutions, making it less accessible for small businesses or those with budget constraints.
Complexity: Pardot’s advanced features and functionality may have a steeper learning curve, requiring more technical expertise and training to fully utilize the platform’s capabilities.
Implementation time: Setting up Pardot and integrating it with Salesforce may take time and resources, especially for businesses without prior experience with Salesforce or marketing automation platforms.
Limited native integrations: While Pardot integrates seamlessly with Salesforce, its native integrations with other third-party applications may be more limited compared to other marketing automation platforms.
Sendinblue has recently re-positioned themselves as Brevo which is an all-in-one marketing platform with a variety of capabilities, including email marketing automation, Drag and drop editor, SMS and Whatsapp campaigns. Sendinblue allows you to design targeted campaigns that provide personalized information to your subscribers depending on their behavior and interests. Sendinblue also provides a number of automation capabilities, such as email sequences and autoresponders. It’s FREE plan offers upto 300 emails/day, which means it is one of the best platform to start your marketing journey.
What’s included in Brevo’s Free Plan?
Sendinblue’s (Brevo) free version allows users to send up to 300 emails per day to an unlimited number of subscribers.
Basic automation
Advanced segmentation
Email templates Library
Basic reporting and analytics
Pros:
All-in-one marketing platform: Sendinblue offers a comprehensive suite of free email automation tools, including email marketing, SMS marketing, marketing automation, landing page creation, and more, allowing users to manage multiple aspects of their marketing campaigns from a single platform.
Easy-to-use interface: Sendinblue provides a user-friendly interface that makes it accessible for users of all levels of experience to create and send professional email campaigns without technical expertise.
Advanced automation capabilities: Sendinblue offers advanced automation features, allowing users to create automated workflows based on customer behavior, triggers, and segmentation, enabling personalized and timely communication with subscribers.
Transactional email and SMS: Sendinblue provides the ability to send transactional emails and SMS messages, making it suitable for businesses that require automated notifications, order confirmations, or other transactional messages.
Robust reporting and analytics: Sendinblue offers detailed reporting and analytics, allowing users to track email campaign performance, delivery rates, open rates, click-through rates, and other key metrics to measure the effectiveness of their campaigns
Cons:
Limitations on free version: The free version of Sendinblue has certain limitations, such as daily email send limits, limited access to templates, and advanced features available only in paid plans, which may be restrictive for businesses with larger subscriber lists or more complex marketing needs.
Learning curve for advanced features: Some users have mentioned that utilizing advanced features and automation capabilities of Sendinblue may require a learning curve and technical understanding.
Limited third-party integrations: While Sendinblue offers integrations with popular platforms, the number of integrations available may be more limited compared to some other email marketing platforms.
Basic template customization options: Users have reported that the customization options for email templates in Sendinblue can be somewhat limited compared to other platforms, which may affect the ability to create highly personalized and unique designs.
Sender.net is a versatile and comprehensive email marketing platform that empowers businesses and individuals to connect with their audience effectively. With its user-friendly interface and powerful features, Sender.net enables users to create, send, and track personalized email campaigns with ease. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned marketer, Sender.net offers a wide range of free email marketing autiomation tools and resources to optimize your email marketing efforts. From customizable templates and automation workflows to advanced analytics and segmentation options, Sender.net provides the necessary tools to engage subscribers, nurture leads, and drive conversions. With Sender.net, you can harness the power of email marketing automation to build strong relationships and achieve your business goals.
What’s included in Sender.net’s Free Plan?
Sender.net’s free version allows users to send up to 15,000 emails per month to up to 2,500 subscribers.
Basic automation
Advanced segmentation
List Management
Email templates Library
Basic reporting and analytics
Pros:
User-friendly interface: Sender.net offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to create, send, and automate email campaigns without technical expertise.
Email automation: Sender.net provides robust email automation features, allowing users to create personalized and targeted email workflows based on customer behavior, triggers, and segmentation.
Advanced reporting and analytics: Sender.net offers detailed reporting and analytics, providing users with insights into email performance, open rates, click-through rates, conversions, and more, helping to optimize campaign effectiveness.
Landing page builder: Sender.net includes a built-in landing page builder, allowing users to create custom landing pages to capture leads and promote their offers without the need for additional tools.
Customer support: Sender.net offers responsive customer support, including email and chat support, to assist users with any questions or issues they may encounter.
Cons:
Limited scalability: The free version of Sender.net has limitations on the number of subscribers and emails, making it less suitable for businesses with larger audiences or high-volume email campaigns.
Template customization options: Some users have mentioned that the customization options for email templates in Sender.net may be more limited compared to other platforms, which can impact the ability to create highly personalized designs.
Advanced automation limitations: While Sender.net offers automation capabilities, some users have reported that the advanced automation features and workflows may have certain limitations compared to more robust marketing automation platforms.
Third-party integrations: While Sender.net integrates with popular platforms, the number of integrations may be more limited compared to some other email marketing platforms.
Advanced features in paid plans: Some advanced features, such as A/B testing or certain automation workflows, may only be available in higher-tier paid plans, which may require an upgrade for users with specific needs.
Free Email automation tools may help you save time, enhance engagement, and drive conversions from your leads and audience. You may take your email marketing to the next level and obtain even greater results by utilizing one of the 11 tools described in this article. Whether you’re a blogger, an eCommerce firm, or a marketing agency.
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