Compare the best email marketing tools for side hustlers in 2026. Mailchimp, ConvertKit, Beehiiv and more — grow your audience and revenue.
| Tool | Rating | Starting Price | Free Tier | Automation | Landing Pages | Analytics | Templates | Segmentation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp | 4.4/5 | Free (500 contacts) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| ConvertKit | 4.6/5 | Free (10,000 subscribers) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Beehiiv | 4.5/5 | Free (2,500 subs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| MailerLite | 4.4/5 | Free (1,000 subs) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Substack | 4.3/5 | Free (takes 10% of paid subs) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Brevo (Sendinblue) | 4.3/5 | Free (300 emails/day) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
6 tools reviewed for 2026
All-in-one email marketing platform
Mailchimp remains the most recognized name in email marketing. The free tier supports 500 contacts with 1,000 sends per month. The AI Content Optimizer predicts how your emails will perform before you send them.
Visit Mailchimp →Email marketing built for creators
ConvertKit (now Kit) is designed specifically for creators. The free tier is extraordinary: 10,000 subscribers with unlimited emails, landing pages, and commerce features. The visual automation builder makes it easy to create complex email sequences.
Visit ConvertKit →The newsletter platform built for growth
Beehiiv was built by former Morning Brew team members who understand newsletter growth. The referral program is built in. The ad network connects you with sponsors. The Boost network lets newsletter creators cross-promote each other.
Visit Beehiiv →Simple email marketing with powerful features
MailerLite offers the best value in email marketing. Paid plans start at just $10/month for 500 subscribers. The free tier supports 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 monthly emails. Website builder and digital product selling are included.
Visit MailerLite →Start a newsletter, build a community
Substack removes every barrier to starting a newsletter. There is zero upfront cost — Substack takes 10% only when you earn money through paid subscriptions. The Substack network can drive discovery.
Visit Substack →Complete marketing platform at an affordable price
Brevo offers more than just email marketing — it includes SMS campaigns, WhatsApp messaging, a CRM, and transactional emails in one platform. The free tier has unlimited contacts with 300 emails per day.
Visit Brevo (Sendinblue) →