Best Free Email Marketing Software in 2026

Four tools you can start using for free, what each free plan really includes, and when it is time to pay.

Affiliate disclosure: Ray Compass is reader-supported. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Free-plan limits change often (several tools cut theirs in 2026), so confirm the details on each official site before you sign up.

Our Quick Picks

Short on time? Start here.

1BrevoBest for big lists

2KitBest for creators

3MailerLiteBest for small lists

4MailchimpBest known, tightest free plan

Free Plans Side by Side

Approximate limits as of October 2026.

Tool	Contacts	Emails
Brevo	Unlimited stored	300 per day
Kit	Up to 10,000	Unlimited broadcasts
MailerLite	Up to 250	2,500 per month
Mailchimp	Up to 250	500 per month

Most free plans also add the provider’s branding to your emails.

The Free Plans Reviewed

Brevo

BEST FOR BIG LISTS

Brevo flips the usual model: you can store a very large contact list for free, and the limit is how much you send. That suits businesses with a big audience that they email a few times a month.

Free plan: unlimited stored contacts, up to 300 emails per day (about 9,000 per month). Paid plans start around 9 USD per month.

ProsGenerous contact storage, includes a CRM and basic automation.

ConsThe 300 per day cap slows large campaigns.

Visit Brevo

Kit

BEST FOR CREATORS

Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is built for creators who sell courses, newsletters or digital products. Its free plan has the biggest subscriber allowance in this comparison.

Free plan: up to 10,000 subscribers, unlimited email broadcasts, landing pages and forms. Automation on the free plan is limited.

ProsHuge free audience limit, simple tools for selling digital products.

ConsFewer automations on the free plan, less suited to online stores.

Visit Kit

MailerLite

BEST FOR SMALL LISTS

MailerLite is clean and quick to learn. Its free plan shrank in mid-2026, so it now fits people who are just starting to build a list.

Free plan: up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails per month, 2 user seats, and caps of 3 automations, 3 forms and 1 landing page.

ProsEasy editor, automations and a landing page builder included.

ConsThe free plan was cut in 2026, so you outgrow it fast.

Visit MailerLite

Mailchimp

BEST KNOWN

Mailchimp is the name most people know, with plenty of templates and integrations. Its free plan has become one of the tightest, so check the limits closely.

Free plan: about 250 contacts and 500 emails per month (up to 250 per day). Limits have changed over time, so confirm on the official site.

ProsFamiliar interface, many templates and integrations.

ConsLow free limits, and costs climb as your list grows.

Visit Mailchimp

How to Choose

Large list, few emails: Brevo.

Selling courses or a newsletter: Kit.

Just starting out and want simple: MailerLite.

Already use Mailchimp: stay if you are under its free limits.

When Free Stops Being Enough

Move to a paid plan when you need several automations, want to remove the provider’s branding, or your list passes the free cap. Paid plans from most of these tools start at roughly 9 to 12 USD per month at small list sizes, so compare them before you commit. For paid options, see our full email marketing comparison.

FAQ

Is free email marketing software really free?

Yes, within limits on contacts, sends and features. You can use it for as long as you stay under them.

Which free plan gives the most subscribers?

Kit, with up to 10,000 subscribers at the time of writing.

Do free plans have automation?

Some do, but with caps. Check how many automations your chosen plan allows.