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If you need more than basic email campaigns and contact management, you'll quickly hit walls that require looking elsewhere.
Why Switch
Why people look for Benchmark Email alternatives
Limited automation capabilities for complex customer journeys
Basic segmentation options that don't scale with growing businesses
No advanced analytics or A/B testing features
Pricing becomes expensive as your list grows past 10,000 contacts
Missing integrations with popular business tools and platforms
Alternatives
Best Benchmark Email alternatives
13 alternatives ranked. 16 are cheaper. 26 offer free plans.
ActiveCampaign
Top PickGrowing businesses ready for advanced automation
Advanced marketing automation platform with CRM, lead scoring, and workflow automation.
Why consider ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign starts at $15 monthly but delivers automation capabilities that Benchmark Email can't match. The visual workflow builder and behavioral triggers justify the higher price for businesses focused on conversions.
Pros
- +Industry-leading automation and workflow capabilities
- +Advanced segmentation and behavioral tracking
- +Built-in CRM with sales pipeline management
Cons
- −Learning curve is steep for email marketing beginners
- −No free plan, trial period only
MailerLite
Users who want advanced features without the complexity
Budget-friendly email marketing with landing pages, website builder, and automation workflows.
Why consider MailerLite
MailerLite offers a clean interface and includes features Benchmark Email lacks. You get 1,000 contacts free with automation, landing pages, and even a basic website builder.
Pros
- +Intuitive design that's easier than Benchmark Email
- +Generous free plan with 1,000 contacts
- +Includes landing pages and website builder
Cons
- −Advanced features limited compared to enterprise tools
- −Fewer template options than major competitors
Brevo
Companies needing email, SMS, and basic CRM in one platform
All-in-one marketing platform with email, SMS, transactional email, and CRM capabilities.
Why consider Brevo
Brevo delivers 300 emails daily on the free plan and includes SMS marketing and transactional email capabilities. It's more comprehensive than Benchmark Email but maintains simplicity for basic campaigns.
Pros
- +Includes SMS marketing and transactional email
- +No contact limits on free plan, just daily send limits
- +Built-in CRM functionality
Cons
- −Daily send limits instead of monthly can be restrictive
- −SMS costs add up quickly with volume
HubSpot
Businesses already using other HubSpot products
Comprehensive marketing platform with email, landing pages, forms, and CRM integration.
Why consider HubSpot
HubSpot Marketing Hub provides 2,000 emails monthly free with basic automation and forms. The real value comes from integration with HubSpot's CRM and sales tools, creating a unified customer view Benchmark Email lacks.
Pros
- +Seamless integration with HubSpot's free CRM
- +2,000 monthly emails with no contact limits
- +Advanced analytics and reporting tools
Cons
- −Professional features require expensive upgrades
- −Can feel overwhelming for simple email marketing needs
Sequenzy
SaaS companies needing advanced customer lifecycle automation
AI-powered email marketing platform built specifically for SaaS companies with Stripe integration.
Why consider Sequenzy
Sequenzy connects directly with Stripe to trigger emails based on payment events and subscription changes. This level of integration with business metrics goes far beyond Benchmark Email's basic contact management.
Pros
- +Native Stripe integration for payment-based automation
- +AI-powered email optimization
- +Built specifically for SaaS business models
Cons
- −Limited to SaaS and subscription businesses
- −Pricing information not publicly available
GetResponse
Marketers who need email plus landing pages and webinars
Marketing automation platform with email, landing pages, webinars, and ecommerce features.
Why consider GetResponse
GetResponse includes webinar hosting and conversion funnels alongside email marketing. Starting at $19 monthly , it provides more marketing tools than Benchmark Email in a single platform.
Pros
- +Includes webinar hosting and marketing funnels
- +Strong automation and autoresponder features
- +Comprehensive analytics and A/B testing
Cons
- −Interface feels dated compared to modern alternatives
- −Feature abundance can overwhelm simple use cases
Kit
Content creators and course builders
Email marketing platform designed specifically for creators and content makers.
Why consider Kit
Kit focuses specifically on creators with features like subscriber tagging, content monetization, and creator-friendly automation. The approach differs significantly from Benchmark Email's business-focused simplicity.
Pros
- +Built specifically for content creators and course sellers
- +Advanced tagging and subscriber management
- +Creator-focused automation workflows
Cons
- −Limited traditional business marketing features
- −Pricing can get expensive with large lists
Klaviyo
Ecommerce stores needing behavior-based email automation
Email and SMS marketing platform built for ecommerce with advanced segmentation and automation.
Why consider Klaviyo
Klaviyo excels at ecommerce email marketing with deep integration into shopping platforms. The behavioral tracking and revenue attribution capabilities far exceed Benchmark Email's basic campaign reporting.
Pros
- +Deep ecommerce platform integrations
- +Advanced behavioral triggers and segmentation
- +Revenue tracking and attribution reporting
Cons
- −Expensive pricing that scales with email volume
- −Overkill for non-ecommerce businesses
Campaign Monitor
Small teams wanting beautiful templates with minimal setup
Email marketing platform with beautiful templates and simplified automation workflows.
Why consider Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor emphasizes design quality with professionally created templates and simple automation tools. The $10 monthly starting price includes features that Benchmark Email charges more for.
Pros
- +High-quality email templates and design tools
- +Simple automation without overwhelming complexity
- +Reasonable pricing for small to medium businesses
Cons
- −Limited advanced marketing features
- −Fewer integrations than major competitors
Constant Contact
Local businesses and nonprofits needing event management
Email marketing platform with event marketing, surveys, and appointment scheduling features.
Why consider Constant Contact
Constant Contact includes event marketing, surveys, and social media tools alongside email campaigns. The $12 monthly price point targets small businesses that need more than basic email but less than enterprise automation.
Pros
- +Includes event management and social media tools
- +Strong customer support and onboarding
- +Good template selection for local businesses
Cons
- −Limited automation compared to modern alternatives
- −Higher pricing for advanced features
AWeber
Small businesses wanting reliability over advanced features
Email marketing and automation platform with built-in landing pages and CRM.
Why consider AWeber
AWeber has operated since 1998 with a focus on deliverability and customer support. While less feature-rich than newer alternatives, it provides steady email marketing without the complexity that overwhelms Benchmark Email users.
Pros
- +Excellent deliverability and inbox placement
- +Strong customer support and training resources
- +Simple interface focused on core email features
Cons
- −Limited modern features like advanced automation
- −Pricing higher than comparable alternatives
Drip
Ecommerce businesses needing advanced behavioral automation
Email marketing platform designed for ecommerce with advanced segmentation and behavior-based automation.
Why consider Drip
Drip starts at $39 monthly and delivers ecommerce automation that Benchmark Email cannot match. The platform focuses specifically on turning email subscribers into customers through behavioral triggers.
Pros
- +Advanced ecommerce automation and behavioral triggers
- +Detailed customer journey mapping and analytics
- +Strong integration with major ecommerce platforms
Cons
- −Expensive pricing that increases quickly with volume
- −Complex features may overwhelm simple email needs
Mailchimp
Businesses wanting the most generous free plan available
All-in-one marketing platform with email, landing pages, social ads, and customer journeys.
Why consider Mailchimp
Mailchimp gives you 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly emails free, plus basic automation and landing pages. The platform has more features than Benchmark Email, but the interface can feel overwhelming if you just want to send simple campaigns.
Pros
- +Market-leading free plan with automation included
- +Extensive app integrations and third-party connections
- +Strong template library and design tools
Cons
- −Interface complexity can overwhelm beginners
- −Expensive once you exceed free plan limits
Price Chart
How Benchmark Email compares on price
Of the 26 alternatives tracked, 16 start at a lower price than Benchmark Email's $19/mo. 26 offer a free plan.
At Scale
Which stay cheaper as you grow?
Cheapest plan price at each contacts tier. Some tools that look cheap at 1K contacts get expensive fast.
| Tool | 1K | 5K | 10K |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benchmark Email | $36/mo | $108/mo | $168/mo |
 Mailchimp | — | $13/mo | $13/mo |
 Selzy | $10/mo | $30/mo | $60/mo |
 MailerLite | $15/mo | $39/mo | $73/mo |
 GetResponse | $16/mo | $48/mo | $69/mo |
 Moosend | $16/mo | $48/mo | $88/mo |
 Flodesk | $25/mo | $52/mo | $72/mo |
 AWeber | $25/mo | $60/mo | $100/mo |
 Omnisend | $20/mo | $65/mo | $115/mo |
Checklist
What to look for in an alternative
First, decide what you actually need beyond basic email sends. Advanced automation, detailed analytics, CRM integration, or ecommerce features will narrow your options significantly. Don't pay for features you won't use , but also don't get stuck with a platform you'll outgrow in six months. Pricing structures vary wildly between providers.
Some charge by contacts, others by emails sent, and a few offer unlimited everything. Calculate your true costs at 12 months out, not just today's list size. Free plans can be great for testing, but check the upgrade path before you invest time building campaigns.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Benchmark Email prioritizes simplicity, which means fewer features. Most alternatives offer more automation, better analytics, and advanced segmentation options that Benchmark Email lacks.
MailerLite provides the most comprehensive free plan with 1,000 contacts, automation workflows, landing pages, and even a website builder. Mailchimp's free plan is also strong but more limited.
If you need advanced automation, detailed analytics, or CRM integration, tools like ActiveCampaign or Klaviyo justify their higher prices. For simple campaigns, stick with budget options.
Yes, most email platforms accept CSV imports. Export your contacts from Benchmark Email and import them into your new platform. Just watch for deliverability issues when switching domains.
Klaviyo leads for advanced ecommerce automation, while Drip offers behavioral triggers that fire based on customer actions. Both integrate deeply with shopping platforms in ways Benchmark Email cannot.
Gmail through Google Workspace handles basic email marketing for very small lists. However, you'll lose templates, automation, and analytics that even Benchmark Email provides.
Calculate your needs 12 months out, not just today. A cheaper tool that you'll outgrow costs more in migration time than paying slightly more upfront for the right feature set.
Still considering Benchmark Email?
Check it out before committing to an alternative.
More on Benchmark Email
Joonas Rotko
Author & founder of That Marketing Buddy
I score marketing software for AI-stack fit (MCP, API, agent-readiness), backed by 10+ years in digital marketing. I track 36 tools so you can find the right fit.
This page may contain affiliate links. I earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This never influences the recommendations.