The cheapest email tool depends on how your list grows
Set your list size for each of the next three years. The table adds up what each tool costs at today’s prices.
| Tool | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Three years | Data |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EmailOctopus | Free | Free | €312 | €312 | In the EU |
| Brevo | €168 | €252 | €336 | €756 | In the EU |
| MailerLite | €204 | €348 | €528 | €1,080 | In the EU |
| GetResponse | €192 | €324 | €576 | €1,092 | Not stated |
| Mailchimp | €285.84 | €485.40 | €809.04 | €1,580.28 | Outside the EU |
| ActiveCampaign | €180 | €468 | €948 | €1,596 | EU region on some accounts |
| Systeme.io | Free | $204 | $204 | $408 | In the EU |
Each year is twelve times today’s monthly price at that list size, before VAT. Prices can change, so this is what today’s price lists add up to, not a forecast. Dollar totals sit after the euro ones and are not converted.
Lowest price at each size
This is the lowest reading in euros today, free plans included. Paid plans billed in dollars are left out of this ranking, because we do not convert currencies.
| Contacts | Once a month | Twice a month | Every week |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 | Systeme.io, Free | Systeme.io, Free | Systeme.io, Free |
| 1,000 | Systeme.io, Free | Systeme.io, Free | Systeme.io, Free |
| 2,500 | EmailOctopus, Free | EmailOctopus, Free | EmailOctopus, Free |
| 5,000 | EmailOctopus, €26 | EmailOctopus, €26 | EmailOctopus, €26 |
| 10,000 | Brevo, €28 | Brevo, €28 | EmailOctopus, €36 |
Three worked examples
A newsletter that stays small. 500, 500 and 1,000 contacts over three years, once a month. EmailOctopus comes to €0 and GetResponse to €576, the lowest and highest of the euro tools.
A list that grows steadily. 1,000, 2,500 and 5,000 contacts over three years, twice a month. EmailOctopus comes to €312 and ActiveCampaign to €1,596, the lowest and highest of the euro tools.
A list that doubles and then some. 2,500, 5,000 and 10,000 contacts over three years, every week. EmailOctopus comes to €744 and ActiveCampaign to €3,204, the lowest and highest of the euro tools.
Why the order changes
Free plans end. A free plan can win year 1 and lose its lead by year 3. Check what ends it: EmailOctopus limits subscribers and emails, Brevo limits emails a day, and MailerLite locks sending above 250 active subscribers.
Prices rise in steps. List sizes are sold in bands, so one new contact can move you into the next band and its price.
Sending rhythm counts at Brevo and EmailOctopus. Brevo charges by emails sent. EmailOctopus has a sending limit per tier, so a weekly list can need a higher tier than its contact count suggests. Change the rhythm above to see it.
Billing period. EmailOctopus and ActiveCampaign show annual billing. Paying monthly costs more than these figures.
What this leaves out
The figures cover the plan only. They leave out VAT, add-ons and the charges for going over a limit. Each tool page lists those, with a link to the page we read them from. See for example Brevo or GetResponse.
If you already pay Mailchimp, the Mailchimp calculator starts from your current plan.