AWeber vs Privy
AWeber and Privy are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. AWeber has been around since 1998, giving it a 13-year head start over Privy (founded 2011). AWeber is the more affordable option at $15/mo — that's $15 less than Privy's $30/mo entry point. AWeber offers a free plan (500 subscribers), while Privy does not. AWeber stands out with landing pages and advanced analytics, while Privy offers SMS marketing.
Quick Verdict
AWeber wins on price, deliverability, integrations, free tier.
Privy wins on rating.
Best for most users: AWeber (small businesses).
AWeber
Powerfully simple email marketing
AWeber is one of the original email marketing platforms, serving small businesses since 1998. It offers the largest template library (600+) and an impressive integration ecosystem. While its automation isn't as advanced as newer competitors, its reliability and excellent affiliate program make it a solid choice.
Privy
Ecommerce email and SMS marketing built for Shopify stores
Privy is an ecommerce-focused email and SMS marketing platform built specifically for Shopify stores, combining conversion popups, email campaigns, and abandoned cart recovery in one tool. With unlimited email sending on all paid plans and a native Shopify integration, it's designed for DTC brands and small online stores that want to grow their list and revenue without the complexity of enterprise marketing platforms.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | AWeber | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $15/mo | $30/mo |
| Free Plan | 500 subscribers | No free plan |
| Founded | 1998 | 2011 |
| Email Templates | 600 | 50 |
| Integrations | 750 | 20 |
| Deliverability Rate | 97.8% | 95% |
| Marketing Automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| A/B Testing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Landing Pages | ✓ | ✕ |
| Segmentation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Drag & Drop Editor | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMS Marketing | ✕ | ✓ |
| Ecommerce Features | ✓ | ✓ |
| API Access | ✓ | ✕ |
| Multi-Language | ✕ | ✕ |
| Web Push Notifications | ✓ | ✕ |
| Live Chat | ✓ | ✓ |
| Advanced Analytics | ✓ | ✕ |
AWeber: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +600+ email templates (largest library)
- +750+ integrations
- +Established and reliable (since 1998)
- +Free plan available
- +Excellent affiliate program (up to 50% recurring)
Cons
- −Interface feels dated compared to newer tools
- −Automation capabilities lag behind competitors
- −Free plan is limited
- −Lite plan restricts automations to 3
- −No SMS marketing
Privy: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Deep native Shopify integration with one-click install and automatic product syncing
- +Unlimited email sending on all paid plans — no volume limits that punish growth
- +Excellent popup and conversion tools including spin-to-win, exit intent, and cart savers
- +Combined email + SMS marketing eliminates need for separate communication tools
- +Built specifically for ecommerce with abandoned cart recovery and welcome series automation
Cons
- −Limited to ecommerce use cases — not suitable for B2B, SaaS, or non-store businesses
- −No public API, limiting custom integrations and developer extensibility
- −Pricing scales by contacts, getting expensive at higher subscriber counts
- −Reporting and analytics are basic compared to full-featured email marketing platforms
- −Template selection is limited compared to competitors like Klaviyo or Omnisend
The Verdict
Privy edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to AWeber's 4.2/5. The gap comes mainly from support (4.8 vs 4.2) and value for money (4.7 vs 4.2). On deliverability, AWeber reports 97.8% compared to 95% for Privy — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | AWeber | Privy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $15/mo | $30/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 97.8% | 95% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 750 | 20 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | No |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose AWeber if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($15/mo)
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You need API access for custom integrations
- + You need built-in landing pages
Choose Privy if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a shopify stores
- + You're a ecommerce