Marketing automation does not have to be expensive. These are the most affordable platforms in 2026 that are still worth using: not just cheap but good value for money. Each is cheaper than most alternatives in its category and capable enough to grow with you.
How to think about price
Cheapest is not always best. The cheapest tool that does not do what you need is more expensive than a more expensive tool that does. That said, there is genuine value in tools that are affordable: especially if you are just starting out or working with a tight budget. These are the tools that give you the most for the least.
MailerLite's free plan covers 1,000 subscribers with automation and landing pages. On paid plans, it starts at $10/mo for up to 1,000 subscribers: one of the lowest starting prices for a full-featured email platform.
- Free plan up to 1,000 subscribers
- Starting at $10/mo on paid plans
- Automation and landing pages included
- No features locked behind expensive tiers
Brevo's send-based pricing makes it dramatically cheaper for businesses with large contact lists. You can store unlimited contacts and pay only for what you send. For a list of 10,000+ contacts you email twice a month, Brevo will almost certainly cost less than any contact-based alternative.
- Unlimited contacts at no extra cost
- Starting at $9/mo for 5,000 emails/month
- Free plan with 9,000 sends/month
- Cheapest option as lists grow large
Moosend starts at $9/mo and delivers automation capability that rivals tools twice its price. If you need real automation without paying premium prices, Moosend is the best value in the market.
- Starting at $9/mo for 500 subscribers
- 30-day free trial
- Advanced automation at this price point
- Best automation per dollar available
Mailchimp's free plan is the most widely known starting point for email marketing. 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month with no time limit. Not the most generous free plan but the most familiar, with the largest library of integrations and resources.
- Free plan, no time limit
- 500 contacts and 1,000 emails/month
- No commitment required
- Large ecosystem of integrations and support resources
The cheapest option is not always the best option
If you are growing, choosing the cheapest tool now can mean paying migration costs later. MailerLite, Brevo, and Moosend are all tools you can stay with as you grow: they are not just entry-level options. Starting on one of these tools is a sound long-term choice, not just a budget compromise.