When you run a small business, every consumer matters. And if you’re not already using email marketing, you’re missing out on potential customers. But don’t worry — it’s not too late to jump on the bandwagon. With the right platform, you can grow your customer base, increase sales, and proactively address your customers’ needs without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we’ll take a closer look at the best marketing platforms for SMB. We will also tell you what they are best for, what might trip you up, and how to choose the one that’s right for your needs.
Why Email Marketing Still Matters
Some say that email is no longer an effective tool for marketing. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Emails have never lost their value and remain one of the best tools for building relationships with customers and bringing them back. It’s personal, direct, and gets you right into your customer’s inbox — without any complex algorithms.
Here are just some of the reasons small businesses love emails:
- High ROI – You can make an average of $36 for every $1 you spend.
- Full control – Unlike TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, you own your email list.
- Great for automation – Emails allow you to set up automated campaigns, meaning you can do business without hanging around your computer day and night.
Now, let’s dive into the platforms that can help you grow and make the most of email marketing.
1. Mailchimp – The All-in-One Classic
Best for: Beginners and all-in-one marketing needs
Mailchimp has been around for a while, and for good reason. It’s one of the most popular email marketing platforms out there, especially among small businesses that are just dipping their toes into email marketing and working on a budget.
Pros:
- No learning curve required;
- Free plan for up to 500 contacts;
- Clean drag-and-drop email builder;
- Built-in CRM and landing pages.
Cons:
- Gets pricey as your list grows;
- Automation tools are limited in the free version.
Verdict
If you’re just getting started and want something simple that does a little bit of everything, Mailchimp is a safe bet. It’s like a Swiss Army knife — handy, versatile, and easy to use right out of the box. You can build campaigns, track performance, and stay in touch with your clients without having to dig into the technical stuff.
2. ConvertKit – The Creator’s Best Friend
Best for: Content creators and solopreneurs
If you’re running a blog, selling digital products, or building an online brand, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better service than ConvertKit. It’s designed with creators in mind, offering tools that help you build and nurture your audience.
Pros:
- Great for segmenting your list;
- Visual automation builder;
- Built-in tools for landing pages and forms;
- Strong focus on building relationships.
Cons:
- Not as flexible with design;
- A bit pricey for smaller lists.
Verdict
Unlike some other platforms, ConvertKit isn’t too flashy, but it gets the job done. If you’re more interested in connecting with your audience than sending fancy emails, this is a great choice.
3. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – Big Features, Small Price
Best for: Transactional emails and multi-channel marketing
Brevo is a perfect tool for small businesses on the lookout for a service that can do more than just send emails. Some other perks you get on top of emailing functionality are SMS marketing, automation, and even CRM — all that without the hefty price tag of an enterprise-level platform.
Pros:
- Generous free plan (300 emails/day);
- Great automation options;
- SMS and chat marketing built-in;
- Pay-as-you-go pricing available.
Cons:
- Daily sending limits on the free plan;
- The interface can feel clunky at first.
Verdict
If you’re on the lookout for a powerful email tool without the price of expensive solutions, Brevo may be right up your alley. Whether you’re sending reminders, promoting sales, or nurturing leads across email and SMS, this platform can do all that and then some — without burning a hole in your pocket.
4. MailerLite – Simple, Clean, Effective
Best for: Clean design and budget-friendly automation
Another great email marketing solution worth taking a close look at is MailerLite. It keeps things simple but effective. While not loaded with bells and whistles like some other email services, it does the job, and what it does, it does perfectly well.
Pros:
- Drag-and-drop editor is a breeze;
- Affordable plans with robust features;
- Great customer support;
- Landing pages and pop-ups included.
Cons:
- Fewer integrations than bigger platforms;
- The approval process can delay sign-up.
Verdict
For those looking to get up and running fast without having to wade through menus, MailerLite is a great pick. It’s easy to use, clean, and wallet-friendly – just what most small businesses need.
5. Constant Contact – Built for Small Biz
Best for: Local businesses and events
Constant Contact is one of the few platforms that has always been focused on small businesses, and it shows. The service is packed with features designed to help you grow and manage your list, especially if you’re often running events or promotions.
Pros:
- Excellent support and onboarding;
- Great event and survey tools;
- Simple templates;
- Solid deliverability.
Cons:
- On the pricier side;
- Not as customizable as others.
Verdict
If you’re after an email marketing tool that’s easy to use and has great customer service features, Constant Contact has you covered. It may be a little more expensive than other platforms, but the extra features can make all the difference.
6. GetResponse – Automation Pro
Best for: Automation and marketing funnels
For those who’re after a powerful email tool offering advanced automation features and deeper insights into conversion funnels, GetResponse is the way to go. This platform offers way more than just basic emails. It’s like having your own marketing team that creates customer journeys, builds sales funnels, launches campaigns, and even hosts webinars when needed.
Pros:
- Advanced automation builder;
- Webinar hosting included;
- Great analytics;
- Pre-built sales funnels.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve;
- Overkill for very small email lists.
Verdict
If you’re a small business looking to scale, and the learning curve doesn’t freak you out, GetResponse could be a game-changer. It’s not just an email marketing tool — it’s a full-fledged marketing system that can reward you with serious firepower once you’ve got it rolling.
7. SendPulse – Multi-Channel on a Budget
Best for: Multichannel campaigns on a shoestring
If you’re looking to work with multiple channels, not just emails, SendPulse can be the best fit. It allows you to combine email, SMS, web push, Viber, and even chatbots, and manage them in one dashboard. Considering you also get a free plan, that’s a lot of bang for your buck.
Pros:
- Multi-channel marketing;
- AI personalization features;
- Drag-and-drop editor;
- Decent free plan.
Cons:
- UI isn’t the sleekest;
- Support can be hit or miss;
Verdict
SendPulse might not be the prettiest platform out there, but if you’re after the tool that supports multi-channel marketing and doesn’t cost all the money in the world, SendPulse is worth taking a look at.
8. AWeber – Reliable and Ready to Go
Best for: Reliable service and simple automation
AWeber is perhaps the oldest name among email marketing tools, and yet, it’s gone nowhere. Just like years ago, people praise this tool for its simplicity, reliability, and great deliverability. For businesses that want a dependable tool without the fuss, this one is an easy pick
Pros:
- Easy to use;
- Great templates;
- Top-notch support;
- Free plan up to 500 subscribers.
Cons:
- Limited advanced features;
- The interface feels a bit dated.
Verdict
If you value support and want a no-nonsense platform, AWeber gets the job done.
9. Mail Mint – Email Marketing Inside WordPress
Best for: WordPress users, funnel builders, and WooCommerce store owners
Mail Mint is a powerful email marketing automation plugin built natively for WordPress. It allows you to capture leads, segment audiences, send targeted campaigns, recover abandoned carts, and even run entire funnel-based email automation—all without leaving your WordPress dashboard. Perfect for small businesses and creators who want complete control without the cost and complexity of external SaaS tools.
Pros:
- 100% WordPress-native with deep WooCommerce integration
- Unlimited leads and advanced audience segmentation
- Visual automation builder with pre-made workflows
- Built-in lead form builder and newsletter automation
Cons:
- Newer tool with fewer third-party integrations compared to older SaaS platforms
- Some advanced features (cart recovery, conditional flows) require Pro
Verdict
If you’re running your business on WordPress, Mail Mint gives you everything you need to manage leads, automate email flows, and boost sales—all in one place. It may not yet match the ecosystem of long-standing SaaS providers, but its simplicity, affordability, and funnel integration make it a game-changer for WordPress marketers.
10. Moosend – Affordable with Smart Features
Best for: Budget-friendly automation
Moosend might not be as well-known as some other brands, but it’s definitely gaining steam. With strong automation tools and budget pricing, it’s a favorite among startups.
Pros:
- Affordable pricing;
- Robust automation features;
- AI-powered product recommendations;
- Intuitive interface.
Cons:
- Fewer integrations;
- Smaller template library.
Verdict
Don’t let the name fool you — Moosend is smart, fast, and frugal. A solid pick if you’re watching your budget but want to grow.
11. HubSpot Email Marketing – Part of a Bigger Ecosystem
Best for: Businesses already using HubSpot
If you’re using HubSpot CRM, their email marketing tool is a no-brainer. It’s tightly integrated and makes managing campaigns a breeze.
Pros:
- Integrated with HubSpot CRM;
- Smart personalization tools;
- Great reporting;
- Free for basic use.
Cons:
- Full features only with paid tiers;
- Not ideal as a standalone email tool.
Verdict
It shines when part of the full HubSpot ecosystem. If you’re already in that world, it’s a smooth ride.
How to Choose the Right Platform
With so many email marketing platforms out there, how do you decide which one is the right fit for you? Here are a few things you should be looking out for.
First things first, it’s the budget. SMBs are often strapped for budgets, and investing in a full-fledged platform from the get-go might not be the smartest move. If budget is a concern, start with a service that has a free plan and the ability to upgrade as your list grows.
Ease of use is another factor that should be on your list. If you aren’t tech-savvy or you just don’t want to spend hours putting together a nice email, it’s important to make a choice in favor of a simple tool with built-in design templates. Choosing the right platform can be a key part of revenue enablement, helping you grow your audience and sales without unnecessary complexity or costs.
Besides design features, consider what other functionality you get. Depending on your marketing goals, pick a service that offers landing pages, segmentation, or automation features. GetResponse, for example, can create customer journeys and build funnels, making it the top choice for those looking to level up their marketing campaigns. Businesses using Salesforce Marketing Cloud often rely on an SFMC developer to customize these features and create highly targeted email journeys.
You won’t always be a small business. There will come a time when your business will grow, and instead of 300-500 emails, you’ll need to send thousands. With that in mind, make sure the platform you choose allows you to upgrade your plan. Planning for growth like this is essential to increase conversion rate smoothly as your outreach expands.
Last but not least, customer service. You might not need it every now and then, but if you have any technical issues, it’d be nice to know that you can always contact someone and your issue can be resolved easily and quickly — without back and forth.
No one platform is perfect, but the best one is the one that fits your business goals, team size, and budget.
Final Thoughts
Email marketing is still a goldmine for SMBs. It’s affordable, effective, and — when done right — can turn casual visitors into lifelong customers. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling fast, there’s a platform out there that’s just right for you.
So don’t sit on the sidelines. Pick a tool, start sending, and watch your business grow one email at a time.