Several email platforms offer free plans, but the limits vary a lot. Some cap contacts at 250; others allow thousands. Most leave out automations, which is where email produces the most revenue for many businesses.
This guide compares free plans from well-known platforms, based on their public pricing pages reviewed on October 11, 2026. WhopMail publishes this guide and does not offer a free plan, which we explain below.
Free plans compared
| Platform | Free contacts | Free sends | Automations on free plan |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kit | Up to 10,000 subscribers | Unlimited broadcasts | No |
| beehiiv | Up to 2,500 subscribers | Check current plan | No (automations start on Lite) |
| Mailchimp | 250 contacts | 500 per month (250 per day) | No |
| Klaviyo | 250 active profiles | 500 per month | Check current plan |
Sources: Kit pricing, beehiiv pricing, Mailchimp pricing, Klaviyo pricing.
Which free plan fits?
- Kit has the largest free list size and suits creators starting a newsletter.
- beehiiv suits newsletter publishers who want built-in growth and monetization tools as they grow.
- Mailchimp suits very small businesses sending an occasional update.
- Klaviyo suits ecommerce stores testing email before they scale.
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What free plans usually leave out
- Automations: welcome sequences, abandoned checkout, and win-back flows often require a paid plan.
- Custom branding: many free plans add the platform's logo to your emails.
- Sending volume: small monthly caps can stop a launch halfway.
- Support: free plans often have limited or community-only support.
- Integrations: connections to your store or membership platform may be paid.
When it's worth paying
A free plan is fine while you're building your first few hundred subscribers. It's usually worth paying when:
- You need a welcome sequence or abandoned checkout flow.
- You send more than your free plan's monthly cap.
- You want email to react to purchases, renewals, or cancellations.
- You need to see which emails produce revenue.
One recovered sale or renewal a month often covers the cost of a paid plan.
Why WhopMail doesn't have a free plan
WhopMail starts at $29.95 per month for 3,000 contacts, with unlimited sends on every plan. Every plan includes automations, Whop and Shopify connections, custom sending domains, and in-email purchases. We'd rather include those features from day one than limit them behind a free tier.
If you're starting from zero, a free plan elsewhere is a reasonable first step. When you're ready for automations and revenue tracking, you can import your list into WhopMail from a CSV.
FAQ
What is the best free email marketing tool?
For the largest free list, Kit allows up to 10,000 subscribers. For a very small business sending occasional updates, Mailchimp's free plan may be enough. The best choice depends on whether you need automations.
Can you do email marketing for free?
Yes, for small lists and occasional campaigns. Most free plans limit contacts, sends, or automations, so costs usually start once your list grows.
Do free email plans include automation?
Often not. Mailchimp and Kit's free plans exclude automations. Check each platform's current plan before choosing.
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