How did we pick these tools?
I sent the same 4-email campaign through 11 tools using a real 1,800-contact freelance newsletter list, then scored each on deliverability, ease of use, automation depth, and price at 1k, 5k, and 10k contacts. Full methodology on the How We Test page.
The five below are the only ones I’d pay for with my own money.
How do the top picks compare?
| Feature | MailerLite Winner | Kit | Systeme.io |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (1k contacts) | $0/mo | $0/mo | $0/mo |
| Price (5k contacts) | $39/mo | $66/mo | $27/mo |
| Visual automations | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Landing pages | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Paid newsletter support | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ |
| Full funnel builder | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
1. MailerLite: best for most freelancers
From $0/mo (up to 1,000 subscribers) · Try MailerLite free
MailerLite hit 98.2% inbox placement in my test, the best of the eleven, and its editor is the fastest I’ve used. The free plan includes automations, landing pages, and signup forms. Most competitors paywall all three.
Best for freelancers who want a clean, fast tool that won’t need replacing at 10,000 subscribers.
2. Kit (formerly ConvertKit): best for creators
From $0/mo (up to 10,000 subscribers) · Try Kit free
Kit’s free tier now covers 10,000 subscribers, by far the most generous cap here. The catch: automations sit behind the paid plan, which is $66/mo at 5,000 contacts. Its tag-based subscriber model and creator network are excellent if you sell digital products or run a paid newsletter.
Best for content creators and newsletter writers who’ll grow past 5k subscribers.
3. Systeme.io: best all-in-one
From $0/mo · Try Systeme.io free
Not a dedicated email tool, but unlimited sends on the free plan plus a full funnel builder make it the best consolidation play. Its email features are simpler than MailerLite’s. Read the full review for where the ceiling is.
Best for freelancers who also need funnels and course hosting.
4. Moosend: best budget pick at scale
From $9/mo · Try Moosend
Moosend’s pricing curve stays flat where competitors’ bend upward: at 10,000 contacts it costs roughly half what MailerLite does. The interface feels a generation older. The automations and segmentation underneath it are full-featured.
Best for price-sensitive freelancers with lists over 5,000.
5. The tool your client already pays for
The best email tool for client work is usually whatever the client already pays for. Before migrating anyone, check whether the limitation they’re hitting is the tool or the strategy. A migration costs 10 to 20 billable hours. A better welcome sequence costs two.
Which one should you pick?
- Just starting out: MailerLite. Free, fast, and you won’t outgrow it soon.
- Selling digital products: Kit. The creator ecosystem justifies the upgrade cost.
- Want funnels and email on one bill: Systeme.io.
- Big list, small budget: Moosend.
Frequently asked questions
Are free email marketing plans good enough to start?
Yes. MailerLite, Kit, and Systeme.io all have free plans that handle a real freelance newsletter. Upgrade when you need advanced automations or pass the contact cap, not before.
What about Mailchimp?
Mailchimp didn't make the list: its free plan has shrunk to 500 contacts with Mailchimp branding, and per-contact pricing rises faster than every tool above. It isn't bad. The tools above just give you more for the money.
Does switching email tools hurt deliverability?
Briefly, sometimes. New sending infrastructure needs warming up. Migrate during a quiet period, keep sending volume steady for two weeks, and clean your list before importing.