Email marketing continues to be one of the most powerful tools in a small business owner’s digital toolkit. But if you’re just starting out or watching your budget, choosing the right free email marketing platform can feel overwhelming.
Good news: there are plenty of tools that offer generous free plans and are built to grow with your business.
Here are our top 5 picks for the best email marketing platforms for small business owners in 2025:
1. MailerLite
Best for: Beginners who want sleek designs without the fluff
MailerLite offers a clean, simple interface that’s perfect if you’re new to email marketing. It includes drag-and-drop design tools, automation workflows, and even a landing page builder all on the free plan.
Free plan includes:
- Up to 1,000 subscribers
- 12,000 monthly emails
- 1 website/landing page
- Email automation and scheduling
- Basic reporting
Why we like it: MailerLite strikes a great balance between simplicity and flexibility. It’s beginner-friendly, but still offers tools that feel premium.
2. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Best for: Businesses focused on transactional and SMS emails
Brevo stands out by combining email with SMS marketing and built-in CRM features. It’s ideal if you need more than just newsletter capabilities.
Free plan includes:
- Unlimited contacts
- Up to 300 emails/day
- Drag-and-drop editor
- Transactional email features
- Real-time reporting
Why we like it: Ideal for e-commerce businesses or service-based companies seeking automated emails, such as appointment reminders or order confirmations.
3. Moosend
Best for: Small teams that want powerful automation features
Moosend is often overlooked, but it’s a great option if automation is your top priority. You can create detailed customer journeys even on the free plan.
Free plan includes:
- Up to 1,000 subscribers
- Unlimited emails
- Automation workflows
- Sign-up forms and landing pages
- Reporting dashboard
Why we like it: Its email builder is intuitive, and it provides access to features that are usually behind a paywall with other platforms.
4. HubSpot Email Marketing
Best for: Businesses already using HubSpot CRM
If you’re using (or considering) HubSpot’s CRM, their email marketing tool integrates seamlessly, and the free version is surprisingly capable.
Free plan includes:
- Up to 2,000 emails/month
- CRM integration
- Forms, landing pages, and email templates
- Basic automation
- Smart content and personalisation tools
Why we like it: Great for B2B or service-based businesses that are managing leads and marketing in one place.
5. Mailchimp
Best for: Classic users who want an all-in-one marketing hub
Mailchimp is a long-time favourite in the email marketing world, and for good reason. Their free plan has been trimmed down in recent years, but it’s still useful for small lists and basic campaigns.
Free plan includes:
- Up to 500 contacts
- 1,000 monthly email sends
- Basic email templates
- 1 audience (list)
- Reporting
Why we like it: It’s easy to get started, and as your business grows, you can scale up into more advanced tools like A/B testing and audience segmentation.
Which Platform Should You Choose?
When it comes to email marketing platforms, there’s no one-size-fits-all. The best choice depends on your goals, whether that’s automating client communication, sending newsletters, or nurturing leads through your sales funnel.
Whichever platform you choose, make sure it supports the way you want to work.
At In The Willow, we help small businesses create email marketing strategies that actually get opened and drive results for more bookings, better engagement, or higher conversions.
Need help getting set up or figuring out what tool is right for your business?
Let’s chat!
Book a Free 30-minute Discovery Call today.
We support small businesses in Sydney, Geelong, Melbourne, Yarraville, Bairnsdale, Western Sydney, Hills District, Rouse Hill, Castle Hill, Kellyville, and Beaumont Hills.