Bird (Previously SparkPost) provides CRM services for marketing, sales, and payments. Their pricing structure is straightforward, with options for businesses of all sizes, starting at $45/month for 3,000 contacts. Bird offers features such as email, SMS, and WhatsApp sends, global coverage, GDPR compliance, and advanced deliverability services. Additionally, they provide support across multiple channels, including live chat and email, with custom pricing available for enterprise-level services.
Reasons for Considering Bird (Previously SparkPost) Alternatives
Customer service is often unresponsive, leading to unresolved issues and service disruptions.
Billing and admin issues are frequently reported, causing frustration among users.
There is no spell check feature within emails, which can be a significant limitation.
Domain verification resets periodically, creating inconvenience for users.
A Quick Look
Here are the top 5 alternatives to Bird:
Flodesk
Keap
Ontraport
Kartra
Woodpecker
Best Alternatives to Bird (Previously SparkPost)
1. Flodesk
Flodesk is the most intuitive email marketing platform for small businesses, designed to help them grow, nurture, and monetize email lists beautifully. It allows emails to be easily created, sent, and automated to increase reach and drive sales—no coding or design experience needed. Trusted by over 100,000 businesses globally, Flodesk offers powerful features without the hassle of complicated tools. Plus, with flat-rate pricing, costs stay the same no matter how big the list grows.
Pros of Using Flodesk
Beautiful Emails: Flodesk is the top choice for creating visually appealing emails that reflect a brand's unique style and identity.
Custom Fonts: Flodesk is the only platform that allows custom font uploads, enabling emails to match brand fonts perfectly.
Simple and Intuitive: Flodesk provides powerful features in a simple, easy-to-use interface without the complexity of outdated platforms.
Cons of Using Flodesk
No SMS Notifications: Flodesk does not support SMS notifications, which can be a drawback for businesses looking to integrate multi-channel communication strategies.
Not for All Enterprises: Flodesk does not offer API and web hooks for enterprises that might want to trigger automations from business logic, limiting its utility for larger businesses with complex needs.
Pricing
Flodesk is the only email platform that simplifies pricing, charging $38 per month regardless of how many emails are sent or how large an email list grows.
Unlimited Emails and Subscribers: Lists can grow without limits, and emails can be sent as needed, all without additional costs.
Flat Rate, Big Savings: Flodesk's pricing is simple — it remains at just $38 per month, regardless of list size.
Reviews
Flodesk reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with users praising its beautiful templates, ease of use, and exceptional value for money, making it a beloved choice for small businesses looking to grow their email lists effortlessly.
Flodesk is incredibly intuitive and makes designing beautiful emails a breeze. The templates are stunning and easy to customize. - LucyParis P. (Rating: 5/5)
The simplicity and elegance of Flodesk's interface are unmatched. It has transformed the way I approach email marketing. - Sarah M. (Rating: 5/5)
2. Keap
Keap offers CRM and marketing automation solutions tailored for small businesses. Their services include customer relationship management, lead capture, email and text marketing, sales automation, appointment scheduling, invoicing, and integration with over 5,000 business apps.
Pros of Using Keap
Automation of Manual Tasks: Automates repetitive tasks across workflows, freeing up time for other business activities.
Nurturing Customers: Attracts and captures leads, nurtures them into customers, and creates loyal customers through service automation.
Consistent and Personal Customer Experience: Combines CRM with automation to create tailored campaigns and uses AI and pre-built templates for ease.
Cons of Using Keap
Complexity for New Users: The extensive range of features and integrations might be overwhelming for new users who are not familiar with CRM and marketing automation tools.
Cost: Advanced CRM and automation tools like Keap often come with a higher price tag, which might be a barrier for very small businesses or startups with limited budgets.
Pricing
Keap offers pricing plans that scale with the number of subscribers. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:
2,000 Subscribers: $268 per month.
10,000 Subscribers: $468.70 per month.
Reviews
Keap reviews reveal that users appreciate its ease of use, automation capabilities, and customer support, but some find it expensive and note a steep learning curve.
"Keap has streamlined our sales process, making it easier to manage leads and follow-ups." - Michael S. (Rating: 4.0/5)
"The interface is a bit clunky, but the automation features are very helpful." - Sarah T. (Rating: 2.5/5)
3. Ontraport
Ontraport offers CRM and automation tools for mid-sized businesses. Their services include marketing and sales automation, payment processing, and content management systems, all designed to streamline business operations.
Pros of Using Ontraport
Unified Platform: Ontraport integrates marketing, sales, and support into one platform, reducing the need for multiple tools.
Scalability: The platform can handle millions of contacts and hundreds of millions of emails per month, suitable for growing businesses.
Customizable: Extensive customization options are available without the need for coding, adaptable to various business needs.
Cons of Using Ontraport
Steep Learning Curve: Ontraport's extensive range of features and customization options can be overwhelming for new users, requiring a significant time investment to master the platform.
Cost for Advanced Features: While Ontraport offers a lot of functionality, accessing its more advanced features can become expensive, which might be a barrier for smaller businesses with limited budgets.
Pricing
Ontraport offers pricing plans that scale with the number of subscribers. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:
2,000 Subscribers: $95.20 per month.
10,000 Subscribers: $269 per month.
Reviews
Ontraport reviews highlight its robust features and excellent customer support, but users often mention a steep learning curve and high pricing as drawbacks. Overall, the platform is praised for its efficiency in managing marketing and sales operations, despite some finding it complex and not very intuitive.
"Ontraport offers a comprehensive suite of tools, but the learning curve can be steep for new users." - Sarah K. (Rating: 3/5)
"The automation features in Ontraport are top-notch, making it easy to manage complex marketing campaigns." - Michael B. (Rating: 4.5/5)
4. Kartra
Kartra offers tools for building landing pages, managing email marketing, creating membership sites, and more. The platform also includes features for hosting webinars, automating customer journeys, and managing affiliate programs.
Pros of Using Kartra
All-in-One Platform: Combines multiple marketing tools into one platform.
Ease of Use: Pre-built templates and done-for-you campaigns make it easy to get started.
Automation: Powerful automation features for email marketing and sales funnels.
Cons of Using Kartra
High Cost: Kartra's pricing can be a significant barrier for small businesses or startups with limited budgets. The advanced features and all-in-one nature of the platform come at a premium, which might not be justifiable for every business.
Complexity: Despite its user-friendly interface, the extensive range of features and tools can be overwhelming for new users. It requires a considerable time investment to fully understand and utilize all the functionalities effectively.
Pricing
Kartra offers pricing plans to suit different business needs. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:
2,000 Subscribers: $95.20 per month.
10,000 Subscribers: $183.20 per month.
Reviews
Kartra reviews highlight its ease of use, excellent customer support, and comprehensive feature set, but users often mention performance issues, bugs, and high costs as significant frustrations.
"Kartra has transformed my business with its all-in-one marketing tools and seamless integrations." - Michael T. (Rating: 4.5/5)
"Kartra is a solid platform with a lot of features, but it can be overwhelming for beginners." - Sarah M. (Rating: 3/5)
5. Woodpecker
Woodpecker offers tools for cold email campaigns, email verification, and email warm-up. It also provides features for B2B lead finding, managing client campaigns through an agency panel, and monitoring email deliverability to avoid spam folders.
Pros of Using Woodpecker
Scales Conversations: Allows scaling one-to-one conversations with prospects and customers in a personalized way.
High Deliverability: Ensures cold emails reach inboxes instead of spam folders.
Comprehensive Tools: Provides a comprehensive set of tools for cold email campaigns, including email verification and warm-up.
Cons of Using Woodpecker
Limited Integrations: While Woodpecker offers some integrations, it lacks the extensive range of integrations that other platforms provide, which can be a limitation for businesses relying on a diverse set of tools.
Learning Curve: New users may find Woodpecker's interface and features challenging to navigate initially, requiring a significant time investment to become proficient with the platform.
Pricing
Woodpecker offers pricing plans to accommodate various business needs. Here are the pricing details for 2,000 and 10,000 subscribers:
2,000 Subscribers: $67 per month.
10,000 Subscribers: $188 per month.
Reviews
Woodpecker reviews highlight its ease of use, intuitive interface, and effective email marketing features, but users also mention frustrations with poor customer support, high costs, and missing features.
"A simple yet effective tool for cold emailing." - Dawid W. (Rating: 5.0/5)
"Woodpecker is good for small teams but lacks some advanced features." - Sarah K. (Rating: 3.0/5)
What to Consider When Selecting a Bird (Previously SparkPost) Alternative?
Pricing and Cost-effectiveness: Evaluate the pricing plans and ensure they align with your budget. Look for platforms that offer flat-rate pricing or scalable plans to avoid unexpected costs as your subscriber list grows.
Ease of Use: Consider how user-friendly the platform is, especially if you lack technical expertise. Platforms with intuitive interfaces and drag-and-drop features can save time and reduce the learning curve.
Automation Capabilities: Check for robust automation features that can streamline your marketing efforts. This includes email automation, sales funnels, and customer journey mapping to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
Integration Options: Ensure the platform can integrate seamlessly with other tools you use, such as CRM systems, eCommerce platforms, and analytics tools. Extensive integration capabilities can simplify data management and improve workflow.
Customer Support: Reliable customer support is crucial for resolving issues quickly. Look for platforms that offer multiple support channels, including live chat, email, and dedicated account managers, to ensure you get the help you need when you need it.
Which One Should You Go With?
While each of these platforms offers unique features and benefits, Flodesk stands out for its simplicity, beautiful email designs, and flat-rate pricing. If you're seeking an intuitive and cost-effective solution to grow your email list, Flodesk is a fantastic choice. Ultimately, any of these alternatives can serve your needs well, but Flodesk's user-friendly approach makes it especially appealing for small businesses.
Flodesk Team is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs and businesses to create stunning, effective emails. With expertise in email marketing, automation, and design, we’re here to share insights, tips, and strategies to help you grow your brand.
