MailerLite and HubSpot are two of the best options if you want to start for free. Both have meaningful free plans, not crippled demos, but tools you can actually use to grow your business. The question is which free plan serves you better, and what happens when you need to upgrade.
MailerLite is a focused email marketing tool with a generous free plan. HubSpot is a full business platform where the free tier includes a CRM, email marketing, forms, and more. They are solving different problems.
| Feature | MailerLite | HubSpot |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | ✓ Yes (up to 1,000 subscribers) | ✓ Yes (unlimited contacts) |
| Starting paid price | $9/mo | $15/mo per seat |
| CRM built-in | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Email automation | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| SMS marketing | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Landing pages | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Ease of use | Beginner-friendly | Moderate |
| Best for | Email-focused small businesses | Businesses wanting CRM + marketing free |
The free plans compared
MailerLite's free plan covers up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 email sends per month. It includes automation workflows, landing pages, and signup forms. It is one of the most generous free email marketing plans available.
HubSpot's free plan has no subscriber limit. You get a full CRM, email marketing (up to 2,000 sends per month), forms, and basic reporting. The catch is HubSpot branding on emails and limited customization until you pay.
If you just need email marketing, MailerLite's free plan is more useful day-to-day. If you also need a CRM and want everything in one place, HubSpot's free tier covers more ground.
Paid plans
MailerLite scales affordably from $9/mo. HubSpot's paid plans jump significantly, the Starter tier is $15/mo per seat, and as you add team members and features, costs rise quickly. HubSpot becomes expensive at scale in a way MailerLite does not.
Ease of use
MailerLite is one of the most beginner-friendly tools on the market. HubSpot has a polished interface but is more complex due to the breadth of features. If you want to get started in an afternoon, MailerLite is easier.
Choose MailerLite if...
- You want a simple, focused email marketing tool
- Your list is under 1,000 subscribers and you want to start free
- Ease of use is a priority and you don't want a steep learning curve
- You do not need a CRM or sales pipeline
- You want affordable paid plans as you grow
Choose HubSpot if...
- You want a free CRM alongside your email marketing
- Your team needs to manage deals and contacts in one place
- You plan to expand into sales and service tools over time
- You want a platform that grows into an enterprise system
The bottom line
Both MailerLite and HubSpot offer strong free plans. MailerLite is the better pure email tool. HubSpot is the better all-in-one platform. Your choice depends on whether you need a CRM.
Still not sure? Take the Marketing Automation Buyer's Guide quiz. It asks six questions and recommends the right platform based on your specific needs and budget.