What is the best email marketing platform for a small business?
There is no single best platform — it depends on your list size, budget and how you like to work. Cloud services such as Mailchimp, Brevo and MailerLite bill monthly and scale with your contacts, while a desktop app like Mass Mailing News is a one-time licence that sends through your own SMTP. This guide compares both.
How do you choose an email marketing platform?
Weigh a few factors against how you actually send. The biggest one for a small business is the pricing model, because a monthly per-contact fee grows every time your list does — while a one-time licence does not.
How do the top email marketing platforms compare?
The table compares five popular options for small businesses. Cloud platforms are billed monthly and scale with your list; Mass Mailing News is a one-time Windows licence. Pricing reflects entry plans as of September 2026 — check each vendor for current rates.
| Platform | Type | Free tier | Pricing model | Notable |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mass Mailing News | Windows desktop | Free edition (25 contacts per list) | One-time licence from $34.95 | Sends through your own SMTP; your list stays on your PC; no per-contact fees |
| Mailchimp | Cloud | 250 contacts, 500 emails/mo | Monthly, by contacts (from about $13/mo) | All-round platform; unsubscribed contacts still count toward your limit |
| Brevo | Cloud | 300 emails/day | Monthly, by emails sent (from about $9/mo) | Stores large contact lists on the free plan; strong for transactional email |
| MailerLite | Cloud | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/mo | Monthly, by subscribers (from about $12/mo) | Simple and budget-friendly for smaller lists |
| Constant Contact | Cloud | Free trial only | Monthly, by contacts (from about $12/mo) | Well-known for support and event marketing tools |
The platforms at a glance
Mailchimp
The best-known all-round platform, with templates, automation and analytics. Its free plan is now limited to 250 contacts and 500 emails a month, and paid plans scale by contact count — including unsubscribed contacts — so costs climb as your list grows.
Brevo
Priced by emails sent rather than contacts, which suits businesses with a large list that mail occasionally. The free plan allows 300 emails a day and stores a big contact list, though your emails carry Brevo branding until you upgrade.
MailerLite
A clean, affordable choice for smaller lists, with automation and landing pages even on lower tiers. The free plan covers up to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails a month, and paid plans are priced by subscriber count.
Constant Contact
Strong onboarding, support and event tools make it popular with less technical teams. There is no permanent free plan — only a short trial — and pricing scales with the number of contacts you store.
Mass Mailing News
A Windows desktop sender you buy once and own. It sends through your own SMTP (including Gmail), keeps your contact list on your PC, and has no monthly or per-contact fees — a different model from the cloud services above, best when you want predictable cost and control.
Where does a desktop app like Mass Mailing News fit?
It suits small businesses that want to avoid recurring fees and keep their list private. You pay once, send through your own SMTP, and your data never sits in a vendor cloud. The trade-off is that it runs on Windows and you manage your own sending reputation — in return for cost that does not rise with your list.
Why do cloud email marketing costs grow over time?
Because most cloud platforms charge by the number of contacts or emails, your monthly bill rises every time your list grows — and often keeps charging for unsubscribed contacts. Over a few years that recurring cost can far exceed a one-time licence, which is why a desktop tool can be cheaper for a growing small-business list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best email marketing platform for a small business?
It depends on your list size and budget. Cloud platforms like Mailchimp, Brevo and MailerLite bill monthly and scale with your contacts, while a desktop app such as Mass Mailing News is a one-time licence that sends through your own SMTP. Match the pricing model to how you send.
What is the cheapest way to send bulk email?
Free plans are limited (Mailchimp 250 contacts, MailerLite 250 subscribers, Brevo 300 emails a day). For a growing list, a one-time desktop licence is often cheapest over time because it avoids monthly per-contact fees that rise as you add contacts.
Do these email marketing platforms have a free plan?
Mailchimp, Brevo and MailerLite offer free tiers with contact or daily-send limits; Constant Contact offers only a trial. Mass Mailing News has a free edition that allows unlimited lists with up to 25 contacts per list.
What is the difference between a cloud platform and a desktop email sender?
Cloud platforms send from shared infrastructure, charge monthly, and store your list in a vendor cloud. A desktop sender like Mass Mailing News runs on your PC, sends through your own SMTP, keeps your list local, and is bought once instead of rented.
Is Mailchimp or Brevo cheaper?
It depends on how you send. Brevo charges by the number of emails sent, which suits a large list mailed occasionally; Mailchimp charges by contact count, including unsubscribed contacts. Compare against your own list size and sending frequency.