Startups are always looking for ways to make their businesses stronger. One of the best ways for startups and small companies to connect with customers, build relationships, and stand out in a crowded market is through email marketing.

But small business owners who don’t have big budgets can’t afford pricey email marketing tools.
The good news is, there are powerful free email marketing tools that provide great benefits without costing money.

Mailchimp

One of the most popular email marketing tools, especially for beginners.

Why it’s great:

• Simple Editor: Drag-and-drop builder for professional-looking emails.
• Audience Segmentation: Target subscribers by interests, location, or behavior.
• Analytics: Track open rates, click rates, and engagement.
  📌 Limit: Free plan has restrictions on monthly emails and user limits, but it’s enough for small businesses starting out.

Sendinblue

A powerful tool for both email marketing and SMS marketing.

Why it’s great:

• Email Campaign Builder with drag-and-drop design.
• Automation: Create simple workflows like welcome emails and follow-ups.
• Multi-channel marketing: Send both email and SMS campaigns.
  📌 Limit: Free plan allows 300 emails/day (≈9,000/month).

Benchmark Email

An easy-to-use email marketing platform perfect for beginners.

Why it’s great:

• Drag-and-drop builder for professional emails.
• Automation Tools: Set up welcome emails, follow-ups, and more.
• Responsive Design: Optimized for mobile devices automatically.
  📌 Limit: Free plan covers 500 subscribers and monthly sends.

ALSO READ: Email Marketing for Small Businesses: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Moosend

A lesser-known tool, but one of the strongest for automation.

Why it’s great:

• Advanced Automation: Automate tasks like reminders, abandoned cart follow-ups, etc.
• Email Templates: Wide range of customizable templates.
• Analytics: Track open, click, and bounce rates.
  📌 Limit: Free plan allows unlimited emails for up to 1,000 subscribers.

MailerLite

A simple, startup-friendly email marketing tool with great customer support.

Why it’s great:

• Easy-to-use drag-and-drop editor.
• Automation: Send emails triggered by customer actions.
• Landing Pages: Build landing pages to grow your email list.
  📌 Limit: Free plan supports 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails.

HubSpot Email Marketing

Part of the larger HubSpot CRM platform, making it a good choice for businesses wanting both email and CRM integration.

Why it’s great:

• CRM Integration: Send personalized campaigns using stored customer data.
• Email Templates: Professionally designed and ready to use.
• Analytics: Monitor open rates, click-through rates, and more.
  📌 Limit: Free plan allows 2,000 emails/month with unlimited contacts.

Summary

Free tools like Mailchimp, Sendinblue, Benchmark Email, Moosend, MailerLite, and HubSpot Email Marketing give startups the ability to launch professional email campaigns, automate workflows, track performance, and scale over time—without breaking the bank.