Best email marketing platforms……..Okay, confession time: I used to hate email marketing.
Like, truly despised it. I thought it was for people who wore blazers unironically and said things like, “Let’s touch base offline.”
Then I started my first little side hustle — a scrappy handmade candle business run out of my apartment in Queens — and suddenly realized: oh crap, email is how you actually talk to customers.
Because no one’s checking your Instagram when they’re half-awake on a Monday morning. But emails? They’re right there. Sitting in that inbox like a friendly tap on the shoulder saying, “Hey, remember me? The one who sells candles that smell like fresh coffee and bad decisions?”
And so began my chaotic journey through the world of email marketing platforms. Spoiler alert: it’s like dating apps for business owners — they all promise the world, but only a few will really understand your weird habits.
☕ The First Mistake: Thinking “Any” Email Tool Will Do
When I started, I went with the first free email tool I found. Didn’t even read the reviews. I was like, “Email is email, how hard can it be?”
Hah. Rookie mistake.
Turns out, not all email platforms are built the same. Some make you feel like a tech genius, others make you question your life choices.
You ever try to design a newsletter in a platform that crashes every time you move a picture one pixel to the left? I swear I aged five years that day.
💌 The Real MVPs: Email Marketing Platforms That Actually Work
After years of trial, error, and mild emotional damage, I’ve found a few platforms that actually make email marketing… kinda fun? Or at least less painful.
Here’s my real list — not some corporate copy-paste nonsense.
1. Mailchimp — The One Everyone Starts With (For a Reason)
Ah, Mailchimp. The email world’s golden retriever.
It’s friendly, reliable, a little goofy (in a good way), and somehow still manages to get the job done. I started with Mailchimp because it was free, and honestly? It wasn’t bad.
You get nice-looking templates, basic automation, and analytics that make you feel like you actually know what you’re doing.
Pros:
- Free plan for small lists
- Adorable chimp branding (yes, that matters)
- Integrates with everything
- Easy drag-and-drop builder
Cons:
- Gets pricey fast once your list grows
- Some automation features are locked behind paywalls
Best for: Beginners who just want to send something without crying.
2. ConvertKit — The Minimalist Overachiever
When I switched to ConvertKit, it felt like moving from a noisy apartment to a calm studio with exposed brick and plants.
It’s clean and simple. It’s built for creators.
You can tag subscribers, automate sequences, and make it all feel personal — like you’re writing a letter to a friend, not blasting a promo to a thousand strangers.
I once set up a 7-day email sequence that automatically sent tips to new subscribers. I forgot about it completely. A month later, someone replied, “This series helped me so much!”
And I was like, oh right, I did that.
Pros:
- Super easy automations
- Perfect for writers, bloggers, and solo entrepreneurs
- Focused on storytelling, not salesy spam
Cons:
- Templates are kinda meh
- Not great for fancy graphics or big eCommerce stores
Best for: Creatives who like minimal effort with maximum connection.
3. ActiveCampaign — The Control Freak’s Dream
Okay, hear me out: ActiveCampaign is powerful. Like, scary powerful.
It’s the kind of platform that makes you feel like Tony Stark — except instead of building suits, you’re building email automations that basically read your customers’ minds.
You can track site visits, score leads, send dynamic content, and even do SMS marketing.
But… it’s not for the faint-hearted.
I remember opening the dashboard for the first time and thinking, “This looks like NASA software.” Took me a week to get comfortable, but once I did? Game-changer.
Pros:
- Ridiculously smart automations
- Deep data and segmentation
- CRM and sales tools built-in
Cons:
- Learning curve steeper than the 7 train escalator at Queensboro Plaza
- Pricey for small businesses
Best for: Businesses ready to scale fast.
4. Klaviyo — The E-Commerce Powerhouse
If you run an online store, stop scrolling and pay attention. Klaviyo is basically Shopify’s favorite child.
It’s made for e-commerce — tracking who buys what, when, and how many times they ignored your 20%-off sale.
You can set up abandoned cart emails, product recommendations, and customer birthday messages that actually convert.
I swear, after switching to Klaviyo, my friend who runs a t-shirt business said her sales jumped 30%.
Pros:
- Deep Shopify integration
- Smart product recommendations
- Gorgeous email templates
Cons:
- Overkill if you’re not selling stuff
- Gets expensive quickly
Best for: E-commerce stores that want to make data look sexy.
5. Beehiiv — The New Kid With Big Energy
Alright, Beehiiv is the cool, shiny newcomer.
It’s built for newsletter creators who want growth, not just emails. Think Substack vibes, but with more customization and actual ownership of your audience.
I started playing with it for a side project and loved how modern it felt. The analytics are beautiful, the monetization options are solid, and it’s built by former Morning Brew guys — so you know it’s newsletter-obsessed.
Pros:
- Built for writers and content creators
- Great design + community features
- Easy referral and growth tools
Cons:
- Still catching up on integrations
- Limited advanced automation (for now)
Best for: Newsletter junkies and personal brands.
🧠 So, Which One’s Actually the Best?
Here’s the thing — there’s no single “best email marketing platform.” I know, boring answer, but it’s true.
It’s kinda like picking your favorite pizza place in Queens. Depends on the mood. Sometimes you want that fancy wood-fired spot. Other times, you just want a $3 slice that hits perfectly greasy.
So here’s how I’d break it down:
- If you’re brand new: Start with Mailchimp or ConvertKit.
- If you’re a control freak (no shame): Go ActiveCampaign.
- If you sell online: Klaviyo, hands down.
- If you’re writing a newsletter: Beehiiv or ConvertKit all the way.
💬 Real Talk: Why Email Still Works in 2025
I know people keep saying “email is dead.” Those people are wrong.
Email’s not dead — it’s just smarter now.
Unlike social media, you own your list. Algorithms can’t ghost you. And when you send a good email — one that actually feels like a human wrote it — people respond.
I’ve had folks hit reply just to say, “This made me laugh,” or “I needed this today.”
That’s connection. And connection is literally the foundation of growing a business.
🪄 My Secret Email Hack (Don’t Laugh): best email marketing platforms
Okay, this might sound silly, but before I send a campaign, I email it to myself first.
Not for testing links or formatting (though yeah, that too). But because if I wouldn’t open it — if it doesn’t make me smile or care or at least feel something — I don’t send it.
Your subscribers aren’t robots. They’re people. People who get too many emails, spill coffee on their keyboards, and procrastinate reading their inbox just like you.
So be real. Be funny. Be messy. And use the right email platform to make that human connection a little easier.
✨ Final Thoughts about best email marketing platforms
Look — growing your business doesn’t have to mean shouting louder than everyone else. Sometimes, it just means showing up in someone’s inbox with something genuine to say.
Whether it’s a small update, a killer deal, or a funny story about that time your cat walked across your keyboard mid-email (true story), the right platform helps you do it well.
Pick your email tool like you’d pick a good friend — dependable, easy to be around, and always helps you show up as your best self.
Outbound Links:
- Ann Handley’s blog on writing better emails — because she gets it.
- Morning Brew — for Beehiiv newsletter inspiration.
