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Since its launch in 2019, Flodesk has gained popularity for its visually stunning templates, clean, minimalist interface, and user-friendly design. It’s quickly become a go-to email marketing platform for bloggers, creatives, and affiliate marketers who value aesthetics and simplicity in their newsletters.
However, Flodesk isn’t for everyone. Its basic automation features and limited analytics might not meet the needs of marketers looking for more advanced tools to support their email marketing strategies.
To help you find the right fit, we’ve rounded up our top Flodesk alternatives that deliver the features, functionality, and flexibility you might be missing.
What’s Special About Flodesk?
Before we dive into our top Flodesk alternatives, let’s take a moment to appreciate what makes Flodesk stand out.
- Beautiful Templates: Flodesk’s professionally designed templates make creating visually stunning emails effortless, even for beginners.
- Ease of Use: Its intuitive drag-and-drop editor is simple and intuitive, ideal for users with little to no experience.
- Unique Pricing Model: Flodesk offers a $38/month flat-rate pricing, allowing unlimited emails to unlimited subscribers (which is an extremely rare find in the email marketing world)
- Digital Product Creators’ Checkout Plan: This allows you to create unlimited sales pages for digital products without Flodesk taking a cut of your revenue.
While these features make Flodesk a top choice for certain users, there are some areas where it falls behind. Perhaps you need stronger automation, more advanced reporting, or more integrations. If that’s the case, there are alternatives that might suit your needs better.
The Best Flodesk Alternatives
After extensive testing and research, we’ve identified the best alternatives to Flodesk that cater to various email marketing needs.
Whether you’re a creator, small business owner, or eCommerce store owner, these platforms offer solutions to help you grow and engage your audience.
Here’s a quick overview of the top contenders:
- Brevo – Affordable and feature-packed
- MailerLite – Best for simplicity and affordability
- Beehiiv – Empowering creators with growth and monetization tools
- Kit (Formerly ConvertKit) – Tailored features for content creators
- ActiveCampaign – Unmatched automation for scaling businesses
- GetResponse – Build end-to-end sales funnels
- Mailchimp – Versatile, but best for basic email needs
- Moosend – Affordable, feature-rich option for small teams
- Substack – Simplified newsletter creation and monetization
Let's dive in…
1. Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) stands out as one of the most budget-friendly email marketing tools, making it an excellent option for small businesses and those looking to get started with email marketing. Offering a combination of powerful automation features, transactional email capabilities, and even SMS marketing, Brevo provides incredible value for its very generous price point.
Why it’s a great Flodesk alternative
- Generous pricing plans with flexible pay-as-you-go options for less frequent users
- Build workflows triggered by user behavior with advanced automation
- Send time-sensitive messages with transactional emails, SMS marketing, and live chat capabilities
- Even the free plan includes a built-in CRM, allowing users to manage leads and sales pipelines all in one place
- Customizable forms & landing pages: create lead-capture forms and landing pages to boost conversions directly within the platform.
Cons of using Brevo
- Reports can be difficult to interpret for beginners
- Free plan includes daily sending limits and Brevo branding
Pricing
- Free Plan: Up to 100,000 subscribers, 300 daily emails, and access to automation workflows.
- Paid Plans: Start at $9/month for 5,000 emails, with additional features like A/B testing and advanced analytics on higher tiers.
Who is Brevo Best Suited For?
Brevo is ideal for small to growing businesses, and budget-conscious marketers who need a reliable, all-in-one platform for email campaigns, automations, and CRM. It’s also an excellent choice for ecommerce businesses with its transactional email and SMS capabilities.
What Sets Brevo Apart from Flodesk?
Brevo focuses on both functionality and affordability. Its ability to handle complex automations, send transactional emails, and offer CRM tools (all at a low price) makes it a practical choice for businesses that need a more advanced feature set than Flodesk.
2. MailerLite
MailerLite is an excellent choice for users seeking an affordable email marketing tool that balances simplicity and functionality. Its clean interface is similar to Flodesk's, but MailerLite offers more advanced features, including stronger automation and A/B testing.
Additionally, MailerLite's pricing plans can be cheaper for smaller lists, making it a great budget-friendly option for those just starting out on their email marketing journey.
Why it's a great Flodesk alternative
- Easily create email campaigns with a user-friendly interface and drag-and-drop editor
- Develop basic workflows to nurture leads effectively (even on the free plan!)
- A/B testing capabilities to optimize email performance by experimenting with different elements
- Gain valuable insights to improve campaign performance with their report features.
Cons of using Mailerlite
- Limited automation options compared to Mailerlite’s competitors.
- Reporting features are quite basic.
- Customization of templates can feel restrictive, and there is less variety within the template library
Pricing
- Free Plan: Up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month.
- Paid Plans: Start at $10/month for up to 500 subscribers with unlimited emails.
Who is Mailerlite Best Suited For:
MailerLite is ideal for small businesses, solopreneurs, and creatives looking for a balance of affordability, functionality, and ease of use. Its automation tools and integrations make it a powerful option to grow your audience without the stress of a steep learning curve.
What Sets Mailerlite Apart from Flodesk:
MailerLite combines intuitive design with more advanced features like A/B testing, a website builder, and more advanced automations, offering substantial value on both its free and paid plans.
Mailerlite vs Flodesk comparison
3. Beehiiv
Beehiiv is a newsletter platform designed specifically for creators, writers, and independent publishers looking to grow and monetize their audience. Beehiiv offers powerful tools for growth, monetization, and analytics, making it a top choice for content creators aiming to turn their passion into profit.
Why it's a great Flodesk alternative
- Build an audience of up to 2,500 subscribers at no cost
- Set up paid subscriptions, manage ad placements, and use the Boost feature for passive income
- Growth tools included such as referral programs, embeddable forms, and customizable pop-ups to grow your subscriber list
- Track performance, revenue, and subscriber engagement in a unified dashboard with 3D Analytics
- Establish a professional brand with secure, custom domains for your newsletters
Cons of using Beehiiv
- Limited template options for email design
- Automation features only available on paid plans
- Lacks pre-built landing page templates
Pricing
- Free Plan: Up to 2,500 subscribers and unlimited emails.
- Paid Plans: Start at $39/month, offering advanced features like automation and premium subscriptions.
Who is Beehiiv Best Suited For?
Beehiiv is perfect for writers, journalists, and content creators who want to grow their audience, monetize their newsletter, and build a community. It’s an ideal platform for those seeking a comprehensive, all-in-one solution for newsletter publishing.
What Sets Beehiiv Apart from Flodesk?
Beehiiv prioritizes functionality for creators with advanced monetization tools, growth-focused features, and detailed analytics – areas that Flodesk falls short in. Its ability to combine newsletter publishing, SEO-optimized web pages, and monetization in one platform makes it an excellent choice for creators ready to scale up!
4. Kit
Kit (formerly ConvertKit) was designed specifically for creators like bloggers, YouTubers, and course instructors. It combines ease of use with powerful features such as audience segmentation and visual automation workflows.
While Flodesk focuses on design, Kit delivers powerful tools for segmentation, automation, newsletter monetization, and analytics so that you can focus on building more meaningful connections with your audience.
Why it’s a great Flodesk alternative
- Map out workflows with ease with the easy-to-use drag-and-drop automation builder
- Precisely segment your audience for more personalized campaigns
- Connect with over 70 popular ecommerce tools like Shopify, Stripe, and Wix plus
- Collaborate and grow your audience with fellow creators via their Creator Network
- Build your email list faster with custom Opt-In Forms and Landing Pages
Cons of using Kit
- Lacks pre-built templates for designing visually appealing emails
- Pricing can get steep for creators with large lists
- No built-in A/B testing for email content
Pricing
- Free Plan: Up to 300 subscribers.
- Paid Plans: Start at $15/month.
Who is Kit Best Suited For:
Kit is ideal for content creators who need more than just beautiful templates. If you’re building an email list to promote your content, sell digital products, or offer online courses, Kit provides the tools to help you succeed.
What Sets Kit Apart:
Kit focuses more on substance over style. Compared to Flodesk, Kit’s analytics, advanced automations, monetization features, and integrations make it a more scalable tool for creators who want to grow their audience and income.
View our Kit vs Flodesk comparison here
5. ActiveCampaign
If automation is your top priority, ActiveCampaign is pretty hard to beat. It’s a powerful email marketing platform that combines email marketing with CRM tools, making it a popular choice for growing businesses.
Why It’s a Great Flodesk Alternative
- Comprehensive automation workflows
- CRM integration to manage leads and customers
- In-depth analytics and reporting
- Conditional content to personalize emails
- Integration with over 850 tools, including eCommerce platforms
Cons of using ActiveCampaign:
- Steep learning curve for beginners due to its advanced feature set
- Pricing increases quickly with list growth or additional features
- Limited design customization for email templates
Pricing:
- Starts at $19/month for 1,000 contacts
Who ActiveCampaign is Best Suited For:
ActiveCampaign is an ideal solution for growing businesses that require advanced tools to streamline their marketing and sales processes.
What Sets ActiveCampaign Apart?
ActiveCampaign’s standout features revolve around its sophisticated automation and CRM capabilities, which help businesses personalize and optimize customer interactions.
Try ActiveCampaign free for 14 days
6. GetResponse
GetResponse is a feature-packed email marketing platform that’s perfect for bloggers and small businesses looking to build sales funnels. Its standout feature, the Conversion Funnel, lets you create and execute entire sales journeys using tried-and-tested templates.
Unlike Flodesk, GetResponse includes advanced tools for automation and online stores, making it ideal for selling digital products, webinars, and training.
Why it’s a great Flodesk alternative
- Build comprehensive sales funnels with the Conversion Funnel.
- Create advanced automation workflows using triggers and conditions.
- Design high-performing landing pages and signup forms with A/B testing.
- Host live and on-demand webinars (available on higher-tier plans)
- Use AI tools for email content suggestions and product recommendations.
- Content monetization features (such as paid newsletters and course creator) also available
Cons of using GetResponse
- Advanced automation features are only available on higher-tier plans
- The interface can feel outdated compared to others
Pricing
- Paid Plans: Start at $19/month.
- Free Trial: Available to explore its features risk-free.
Who is GetResponse Best Suited For?
GetResponse is ideal for eCommerce businesses, content creators, and small to medium businesses that need advanced tools for sales funnels, automations, and lead generation.
What Sets GetResponse Apart?
GetResponse stands out with its Conversion Funnel, AI-powered tools, and webinar hosting, offering more advanced features compared to Flodesk’s design-centric approach.
However, it’s important to note that these advanced features are only available on higher-tier plans.
Try GetResponse for free today
7. Mailchimp
Mailchimp is one of the most well-known names in email marketing; however, its appeal stems more from its brand recognition and range of tools, than customer satisfaction.
While it offers handy features like social media ads, landing pages, and more, it falls short in terms of usability and design compared to platforms like Flodesk. Its multi-channel capabilities can be useful, but they often come at the expense of an intuitive user experience.
Why It’s a Great Flodesk Alternative
- Multi-channel tools for email, social ads, landing pages, and more
- AI-powered recommendations to improve campaign performance
- A/B testing for subject lines and content
- Free plan available for small businesses
Cons of using Mailchimp
- Outdated interface and limited design flexibility
- Pricing structure can become pretty expensive for larger lists
- Lack of strong automation compared to tools like ActiveCampaign
Pricing
- Free for up to 500 subscribers
- Paid plans start at $13/month
Who is Mailchimp Best Suited For:
Mailchimp is best for small businesses and beginners with very basic marketing needs, as well as those seeking an all-in-one platform to manage email, social ads, and landing pages.
What Sets It Apart from Flodesk:
Mailchimp’s broad feature set may suit businesses seeking an all-in-one marketing solution, however, its outdated interface and limited design options make it less appealing for users who prioritize aesthetics and ease of use.
Mailchimp vs Flodesk comparison
Watch our Mailchimp VS Flodesk video here:
8. Moosend
Moosend may not be as well-known as some of its competitors, but it offers an impressive set of advanced features at an affordable price. It’s perfect for small businesses seeking more advanced email marketing capabilities than Flodesk provides.
Why It’s a Great Flodesk Alternative
- Custom automation workflows to engage and convert leads
- Landing page and form builders for easy lead generation
- Advanced analytics to help with data-driven decisions
- Drag-and-drop email editor with intuitive design
Cons of using Moosend
- Signup forms and landing pages have limited customization options
- Fewer integrations compared to its competitors
- No free plan; only a 30-day trial is available
Pricing
- Free trial for 30 days
- Paid plans start at $9/month for 500 subscribers and unlimited emails
Who is Moosend best suited for:
Moosend is ideal for budget-conscious users who still need access to powerful email marketing tools. It’s particularly well-suited for small businesses and freelancers who want to take advantage of automation, analytics, and customization options without overspending.
What Sets Moosend apart:
Moosend prioritizes advanced functionalities over visual aesthetics, focusing on more advanced features like custom automation workflows, detailed analytics, and an intuitive drag-and-drop email editor – all at an affordable price.
Sign up for a free 30 day trial
9. Substack
Substack is a simple yet powerful platform designed for writers, bloggers, and creators who want to connect directly with their audience. Substack focuses closely on helping users build and monetize their newsletters. With built-in subscription tiers and a searchable directory, Substack makes it easy to grow your audience and turn your content into a steady income stream.
Why it’s a great Flodesk alternative
- Publish newsletters directly to your audience with minimal setup
- Create free and paid subscription tiers to share exclusive content
- Automatically archive newsletters into a shareable blog format
- Grow your audience with Substack’s searchable directory and recommendations
- Built-in social features allow readers to discover and follow other newsletters
Cons of using Substack
- Very basic designs with limited customization options
- A 10% fee on premium subscription earnings, plus Stripe fees
- No automation or audience segmentation features
Pricing
- Substack is free to use, however, they do charge a 10% fee on each transaction (plus Stripe processing fees)
Who is Substack Best Suited For?
Substack is perfect for writers and bloggers who want a simple way to share their content, grow their audience, and monetize their work. It’s ideal for those who prioritize direct audience connection over advanced design or automation tools.
What Sets Substack Apart from Flodesk?
Substack focuses on empowering creators to monetize their content through paid subscriptions, offering tools like a searchable directory and subscription tiers.
How to Choose the Right Flodesk Alternative
Now that you’ve had an overview of each tool, it’s time to really narrow down your options. You can start by asking yourself these four questions:
- What’s your budget? Affordable options like MailerLite and Moosend are great for smaller budgets, while ActiveCampaign and GetResponse provide advanced features for those willing to invest more.
- Is ease of use important to you? If you want to get up and running quickly, choose an easy-to-use tool like MailerLite or Kit.
- Do you need advanced automation? Platforms like ActiveCampaign and Kit excel in creating sophisticated workflows to engage and nurture your audience.
- Do you need an in-built CRM? If combining email marketing with customer relationship management is essential, ActiveCampaign is a standout choice.
Final Thoughts
While Flodesk’s visually stunning email designs are hard to beat, the alternatives we’ve listed above go beyond aesthetics, offering powerful features to boost your email marketing strategy. Whether you’re a growing business, managing an online store, or creating content, there’s a platform here to help you reach your goals.
Lucky for you, every tool on this list offers a free plan or free trial, making it easy for you to try each one you’ve shortlisted out, and discover which one is the perfect fit for your business.
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