Have you ever heard of analysis paralysis? It describes how an abundance of choices actually makes it harder for us to select what’s best or right for us. 

Choosing the best email marketing software for your needs is a veritable minefield of exactly that making, and it’s one we’re here to guide you through as safely and smoothly as possible.

You know that email marketing is vital. You’ve bought into the need for software that makes it easy. A quick Google search later and you’re right in the middle of the minefield, with a zillion similar choices vying for your attention.

Chances are, you’ll feel so overwhelmed with the myriad of choices available. 

So we’re here today to help cut the complexity of choice. We’ll cover the pros and cons of AWeber, including the prices and the features—all the need-to-knows. Then we’ll show you some of the best alternatives so you can easily find the email marketing solution that’s right for you.

After this post, you’ll have a crystal clear view of whether AWeber is your best option, or if another email marketing tool might be your new best friend instead.

Get unlimited email sends & subscribers with Flodesk

We’ll never increase pricing because your email list is growing

Why choose an alternative to AWeber?

AWeber has been one of the most popular email marketing software providers for years. It’s got customizable templates and gives you plenty of control over when and how your emails are sent. So why look elsewhere? Is there really a better solution? 

We think so! Let’s take a look at some of AWeber’s drawbacks:

  • Inconsistent usability: You may find a lot of unfriendly and unexpected usability issues knocking about, like their temperamental “smart designer”—which a user complained “doesn’t always work terribly well”—RSS features or their code-your-own-if-you-can AMP for email service.
  • Paying for unsubscribed contacts: If someone unsubscribes from your list, you’ll still be charged for storing their details unless you manually delete them. Most email marketing solutions don’t do this.
  • Dated designs: While AWeber has a large range of templates, far too many of them look like they belong in the 90s. This is also true of their RSS “blog broadcasts” feature, which also suffers from unfriendly usability issues.
  • Unnecessary limitations: From limited autoresponder email triggers to rigid one-segment-at-a-time broadcast restrictions, AWeber remains strangely inflexible. They offer less freedom than most businesses require and than most competitors provide.
  • Deceiving appearances: Their landing page builder looks impressive, modern and friendly, but use it at your own risk. The Facebook and Google Analytics tracking features are not GDPR compliant—one savvy user reports that AWeber landing pages “lack cookie consent” functionality, which means if you use them, you’ll likely be breaking EU law. 

On top of all these issues, AWeber is also known to have a rather steep learning curve and a glitch-prone interface.

Of course, it’s not all bad. AWeber offers a free plan for up to 500 subscribers, which gives you access to all the basic features and up to 3,000 emails per month.

You’ll need a pro plan to access the full range of their features, however, including success essentials like A/B testing, analytics, and custom advanced segmentation.

Here’s a quick overview of their pro plan total-subscriber pricing structure:

  • Up to 500 subscribers: $19.99 per month
  • 501 to 2,500 subscribers: $29.99 per month
  • 2,501 to 5,000 subscribers: $49.99 per month
  • 5001 to 10,000 subscribers: $69.99 per month
  • 10,001 to 25,000 subscribers: $149.99 per month

And a selection of AWeber’s top features:

  • Fully responsive email templates
  • Landing page builder
  • Basic e-commerce abilities (sell products, accept donations, and enable subscriptions)
  • AMP for email
  • A generous range of integrations with third-party applications

8 best AWeber alternatives

By now you’re probably asking, “So what’s better than AWeber?”

Far be it from us to claim any of these email marketing solution variants below are “better,” though—we’ll let you decide that for yourself.

We’ve tried to go deep enough on each of these to give you an idea of what they offer, without going so deep as to overload you with information. Our best advice with any of these alternatives is to choose a solution that has the features you’re looking for and try them out before making any payment; if it turns out to be a good fit for you and ticks enough of your must-have boxes, then you have a winner!

Flodesk

Best email template builder for stunning designs and a scalable flat-rate plan that doesn’t charge more for your success.

We may be the newer kids on the block, but our trajectory speaks for itself: Flodesk is the fastest-growing email marketing platform on the market.

Everything about Flodesk exists to help small business owners effortlessly design beautiful, memorable emails in the most intuitive way possible. Whether you’re a novice or a pro, we simplify and supercharge your email marketing efforts. Oh, and we’re the only email service provider to do it all for a flat fee—which means your success lines your pockets, not ours.

Top features

  • Fully responsive emails for readers on any device.
  • Intuitive, easy-to-use email creation interface.
  • A wealth of the industry’s most visually stunning templates to suit your every need.
  • Powerful automated email workflows that you can build in under a minute.
  • Valuable list-building tools like landing pages and a web-form builder.
  • Easy-to-understand, comprehensive data analytics and subscriber insights.
  • Integration with Shopify, Facebook, Slack, Typeform, WordPress and more through Zapier.

Free training to make your campaigns more successful via our blog—learn everything from best practices for email list management to email marketing metrics for e-commerce and more.

Flodesk pricing

$38 USD per month gets you unlimited access to every Flodesk feature.

And when your subscriber list grows and your total number of emails increases… it’s still only $38 a month. Simple, affordable, stable—that’s the Flodesk price guarantee.

Pay annually and it’s only $418, saving you $38—that’s one month free!Get started with a no-obligation, unrestricted 30-day free trial today.

Get unlimited email sends & subscribers with Flodesk

We’ll never increase pricing because your email list is growing

HubSpot

Best email template builder for large or ambitious businesses who need more than email management software alone.

With Hubspot, their email marketing software is only the tip of the iceberg. This all-in-one CRM platform is a reputable favorite among many businesses, from small companies to large-scale enterprises.

As you might expect, since this is more than just an email marketing tool, getting access to all the bells and whistles comes with a slightly higher price tag. But if all you need is the CRM and email marketing tools, they are available for free, albeit with some expected usage limits. 

Be wary, though. HubSpot has a lot going on, and getting acclimatized to the platform can involve quite the learning curve.

Top features

  • Capture every interaction a contact has with you in a clear timeline.
  • Next-level personalization powered by advanced user insights and “smart rules.”
  • Forms and landing pages to build your email lists.
  • Fully responsive emails for readers on any device.
  • Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
  • Loads of beautifully designed and fully customizable email templates.
  • A/B tests for everything from subject lines to body copy.
  • Easy-to-understand analytics dashboard for campaign optimization.
  • Third-party integrations.
  • Time-zone-based sending.
  • Global and multilingual customer support.
  • Extensive range of help articles and courses via the Hubspot Academy.

HubSpot pricing

Hubspot prices their email services based on your total marketing contacts and chosen tier. The following prices are based on Hubspot’s Starter tier:

  • Up to 1,000 contacts: $50 per month
  • Up to 2,000 contacts: $100 per month
  • Up to 4,000 contacts: $195 per month

For anyone interested in additional features, there are also Professional and Enterprise tiers at the following entry-level costs:

  • Up to 2,000 contacts: $890 per month (Professional) 
  • Up to 10,000 contacts: $3,200 per month (Enterprise) 

If you’re looking for a free plan, Hubspot also offers a Free Forever plan that allows up to 2,000 Hubspot-branded emails per month. As with most free and entry-level tier plans, the number of available features is limited.

Mailchimp

Best email template builder for newer businesses looking for a free plan that’s rich in functionality.

Mailchimp is probably the most well-known of all the email marketing services available, especially when you step outside of the marketer’s bubble. You don’t have to live and breathe emails to know this often-trusted name.

Like AWeber, Mailchimp charges you more as your number of subscribers increases. They also offer three tiers, each loaded with additional features. However, they offer an enticingly unrestricted free and easy entry point into the world of email marketing.

A word of warning for those on paid plans: you’ll be charged to host unsubscribed contacts, so pay attention and prune your lists often. You may also find yourself up against a bit of a learning curve when you’re getting started.

Top features

  • A free plan that covers every need a brand-new business could have.
  • A website builder that includes custom domain creation.
  • A large library of email templates.
  • Real-time feedback and smart recommendations to help both novices and pros improve their emails.
  • Pre-designed, sleek, modern templates that are also fully customizable.
  • An impressive selection of third-party integrations with simple setups.
  • Easy-to-understand, powerful reports that cover essentials and advanced metrics.
  • Pre-built email marketing automation.
  • Automatic list segmentation.
  • Fully responsive emails with A/B testing capabilities.
  • Send-time optimization.
  • Mobile app version.

Mailchimp pricing

  • Up to 2,000 contacts and 10,000 emails per month: available free
  • Up to 2,500 contacts and 25,000 emails per month: $34 per month (Essentials tier)
  • Up to 2,500 contacts and 30,000 emails per month: $59 per month (Standard tier)
  • Up to 2,500 contacts and 37,500 emails per month: $299 per month (Premium tier)

GetResponse

Best email template builder for businesses that need an all-in-one marketing tool.

With perhaps the widest range of the latest features in one place, it’s easy to see why GetResponse is so popular. This AWeber alternative is especially attractive to larger businesses looking to cut back on the number of tools needed to get the job done.

With both free and affordable plans as well as the ability to create personalized marketing campaigns, GetResponse has a lot going for it. However, you’ll be needing their more expensive plans to get the most out of their service, including their customer support.

Top features

  • Effortless, code-free email and landing page creation.
  • Email spam tests.
  • Landing pages, forms and pop-ups that can be built with no coding required.
  • Web push notifications.
  • Mobile-responsive emails.
  • Highly customizable messaging and audience segments.
  • A/B testing for copy, visuals and call-to-actions.
  • Tools to score and nurture your lists.
  • Over 5000 Shutterstock images licensed for you to use.
  • Built-in paid ads creator and management tools for Google and social media ads.
  • SMS marketing.

GetResponse pricing

As with all other entries so far (with the exception of Flodesk), the prices in each tier increase along with the number of subscribers you have. The prices below are based on their entry-level Email Marketing plan.

  • Up to 500 subscribers: free
  • Up to 1,000 subscribers: $19 per month
  • Up to 2,500 subscribers: $29 per month
  • Up to 5,000 subscribers: $54 per month

Sendinblue

Best email template builder for digital marketing teams and agencies.

Sendinblue is another market-leading email solution with an army of dedicated enthusiasts. This is a particularly popular option among businesses that tackle their email marketing as a team, thanks to features like a shared inbox.

Often considered more of a digital marketing suite than email service provider, Sendinblue is nonetheless a worthy contender, ticking all the essential boxes. However, it does suffer from limited design elements and a surprisingly short supply of templates.

Top features

  • Intuitive drag-and-drop email creation.
  • Customizable landing pages and sign-up forms.
  • Recipient personalization through dynamic content.
  • Creation of highly niche audience segments.
  • Easy email marketing automation and push notifications.
  • A/B testing and advanced analytics, including heat maps.
  • Send time optimization backed by machine learning.
  • SMS marketing.
  • Live chat and shared inbox.
  • Third-party integrations available via APIs.

Sendinblue pricing

Uniquely, Sendinblue offers unlimited contacts with all their plans. Instead, the price is determined by tier and monthly email volume.

  • Up to 9000 emails per month: free
  • Up to 20,000 emails per month: $25 per month (Lite plan)
  • Up to 20,000 emails per month: $65 per month (Premium plan)

Campaign Monitor

Best email template builder for anyone who values a designer product and has the budget to match.

Well respected in the industry, Campaign Monitor ticks all the essential email marketing boxes like ease of use, mobile optimization and robust customization. And much like any designer product, the visuals are what make this email service provider stand out.

With a large selection of templates, each as beautiful as the next, it’s easy to see why small and large businesses alike are drawn to Campaign Monitor. Careful though, the price escalation as your email list grows can be quite the profit-eater.

Top features

  • Refined audience segmentation powered by customer data for highly targeted emails.
  • Powerful, customizable automations based on audience interactions.
  • Incredible insight and control over the customer journey experience.
  • Easy-to-use drag-and-drop interface with idyllic customization and mobile optimization.
  • Ability to choose sections of your email templates to lock for future use.
  • Comprehensive reporting suite via an interactive analytics dashboard.
  • A/B testing on all essentials from copy to images.
  • Effortlessly simple third-party integrations to connect your website, CRM or e-commerce platform.

Campaign Monitor pricing

Prices for Campaign Monitor are based on your subscribers and tier level. A free trial is available, but a free plan is not.

  • Up to 500 subscribers on Unlimited Plan: $29 per month
  • Up to 1,000 subscribers on Unlimited Plan: $59 per month
  • Up to 3,000 subscribers on Unlimited Plan: $99 per month

Constant Contact

Best email template builder for small businesses looking for an all-in-one online marketing platform.

Like AWeber, Constant Contact is about as old as it gets in the world of email marketing software. Dating back to 1995, this provider has been relied on for decades as a relatively straightforward platform for startups and medium-sized businesses.

Careful though, Constant Contact is known to be surprisingly limited when it comes to email automation workflows; what it does offer in this area is then further restricted by an interface that makes automation tricky to customize. What’s more, it may seem like an ideal all-in-one platform, but the rising price tag can really hold back your growth as you build up your subscriber list.

Top features

  • One of the best average email delivery rates in the industry.
  • Drag and drop visual email builder.
  • Over 300+ pre-built and customizable email templates.
  • Real-time analytics and audience insights.
  • Audience segmentation and behavior triggers.
  • Heat maps to track clicks and optimize your email campaigns.
  • A/B testing.
  • In-built image library and Canva integration. 
  • Plenty of third-party integrations, including WordPress, Shopify and Microsoft Outlook.
  • Automatic list management removes your duplicate contacts.
  • Broad range of tools to promote events and create newsletters, landing pages and even connect to your social media accounts.

Constant Contact pricing

Constant Contact does not have a free plan, but they do have a free trial. After that, their plans are split into a Core and a Plus tier, with prices based on your chosen tier and how many subscribers you have.

The following prices are based on their Core tier:

  • Up to 500 contacts and 12,000 monthly emails: $9.99 per month
  • Up to 2,500 contacts and 60,000 monthly emails: $35 per month
  • Up to 5,000 contacts and 120,000 monthly emails: $55 per month

Mailerlite

Best email template builder for beginners.

This provider is most suitable for anyone just getting started and looking to learn the ropes of email marketing. Small businesses or solopreneurs, in particular, are likely to be a big fan of Mailerlite’s super simple no-frills user interface.

Though reasonably new compared to the other AWeber alternatives in this post, it’s tough to fault Mailerlite as a novice-friendly entry point—it does what it does beautifully. But as your email lists and ambitions grow, Mailerlite’s basic bare-bones approach is likely to fall short of fulfilling your needs.

Top features

  • Hassle-free drag-and-drop email designer.
  • Simple subscriber management and automatic deletion of duplicate entries.
  • Easy-to-build email marketing automation workflows.
  • Inbuilt photo editing.
  • Retargeting for recipients who haven’t opened your email.
  • Ability to create landing pages, survey forms and pop-ups.
  • Click maps that give invaluable customer engagement and interaction insights.
  • A/B testing and detailed reporting for campaign insights.
  • Time-saving RSS emails.
  • Third-party API integrations.
  • 24/7 customer support.

Mailerlite pricing

As with most of our other AWeber alternatives, Mailerlite offers a free plan with limited features along with paid tiers that add additional features as your subscriber list grows.

  • Up to 1,000 subscribers, 12,000 monthly emails and one user: free
  • Up to 1,000 subscribers, unlimited emails and three users: $10 per month (Growing Business plan)
  • Up to 1,000 subscribers, unlimited emails and users: $21 per month (Advanced plan)

They also offer an Enterprise plan with additional features, though you’ll need to contact Mailerlite directly for a quote.

Check out Mailerlite’s top alternatives and see how it stacks up!

Choosing the best AWeber alternative for you

If you’re set on an alternative to AWeber but wondering how to choose, any of these eight contenders is more than up to the challenge.

The best way to choose the right AWeber alternative for you is to go with your gut, grab a free trial and see how it goes.

That said, if you’re planning for success and growth (which you are, right?), it’s only wise to consider your investment in the long term. And in that light, we believe the best choice stands a clear mile above the rest.

Only Flodesk gives you effortlessly scalable freedom and ROI. With a flat fee forever model, we’re the only option that provides every necessary feature and benefit without charging you more for your well-deserved, hard-won successes.

True, Flodesk is only free for 30 days, but after that, it’s the best bang for your buck on the market, and the best tool to elevate your brand for maximum engagement and conversion.

(It won’t take you even half those 30 days to fall in love with the Flodesk service—we’re certain of that!)