This comparison focuses on the decision a solo practice actually faces: picking an email platform for a first list and a simple welcome sequence. It uses current official documentation, pricing and policies. It does not claim every platform was tested hands-on. Prices checked September 2026 and may change.
What we compared
- Starter position: free tier or entry paid plan
- What the free or starter plan actually includes
- How the platform charges as the list grows
- Core jobs: forms, broadcasts, automations, segmentation
- Fit for a service business versus a content or newsletter creator
The five platforms
Read the prices lightly. Each link below goes to the current official pricing page. Entry prices here are directional, not a quote.
AWeber
An established email-marketing platform aimed at small businesses and creators, with a free tier for up to 500 subscribers and a flat pricing approach for larger lists. It has strong automation for its price and a well-known focus on helping beginners actually send.
Kit
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) is built for creators, authors and educators who want to grow an audience and sell to it. It began with email and now includes landing pages, forms, broadcasts, automation, and commerce for digital products. Its strengths are clarity for creators, subscriber-centric design, and straightforward automation. Pricing scales with subscribers and paid features.
MailerLite
MailerLite is a popular low-cost email tool for small businesses, with a generous free plan up to a subscriber limit, a simple drag-and-drop editor, forms, landing pages, and automations. It is often recommended for list sizes that fit its free tier and for price-conscious solo businesses.
GetResponse
GetResponse is a full email-marketing platform skewed toward sales and the start of marketing automation, with landing pages, webinars, and funnel tools. It is a strong fit when email is part of a broader sales workflow rather than a standalone newsletter.
Official GetResponse pricing →
Systeme.io
Systeme.io is an all-in-one business platform that includes email, landing pages, funnels, an online course area, membership content, and a CRM in one subscription. It is attractive when you want to consolidate several tools, but it prioritises breadth over email-only polish.
Which to choose first
- Strictly a beginner with a small list, low cost, wanting simple sending: MailerLite or AWeber
- A creator, author or coach building an audience and future digital offers: Kit
- Email as part of a sales funnel and webinar workflow: GetResponse
- One subscription to cover email, funnels, courses and membership in one place: Systeme.io
- Prefer to start free and pay only when the list grows: choose the free-tier leader that fits your list size
Before you commit: check the price after the free or introductory plan, confirm you can export your list, and test cancellation and support. Those three checks matter more than most feature lists.
Next
See email and newsletter guidance, or read how to choose your first email platform.