Drip vs MailerLite
Drip and MailerLite are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. MailerLite is the more affordable option at $12/mo, which is $27 less than Drip's $39/mo entry point. MailerLite offers a free plan (250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month), while Drip does not. Drip stands out with SMS marketing, while MailerLite offers landing pages.
Quick Verdict
Drip wins on deliverability, integrations.
MailerLite wins on price, rating, free tier.
Best for most users: MailerLite (small businesses).
Drip
Marketing automation for ecommerce
Drip is a focused ecommerce marketing platform known for its powerful visual automation builder and behavior-based segmentation. It's designed specifically for online stores that want sophisticated marketing automation without the complexity of enterprise tools.
MailerLite
Email marketing tools for growing businesses
MailerLite is known for its simplicity, affordability, and clean design. It's one of the best options for small businesses and beginners who want professional email marketing without complexity. The built-in website builder and digital product sales features add extra value.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Drip | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $39/mo | $12/mo |
| Free Plan | No free plan | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month |
| Founded | 2013 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 50 | 90 |
| Integrations | 150 | 140 |
| Deliverability Rate | 98% | 97% |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | No | Yes |
| Segmentation | Yes | Yes |
| Drag & Drop Editor | Yes | Yes |
| SMS Marketing | Yes | No |
| Ecommerce Features | Yes | Yes |
| API Access | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-Language | No | No |
| Web Push Notifications | No | No |
| Live Chat | No | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes |
Drip: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Excellent ecommerce automation
- + Visual workflow builder
- + Strong Shopify integration
- + Revenue attribution
- + Behavior-based segmentation
Cons
- − No free plan
- − More expensive starting price ($39)
- − No landing page builder
- − Limited to ecommerce focus
- − Smaller company, less known
MailerLite: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Excellent value for money — most affordable paid plans
- + Clean, intuitive interface perfect for beginners
- + Built-in website and landing page builder
- + Sell digital products directly
- + Strong drag-and-drop email editor
Cons
- − Free plan limited to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails/month
- − No SMS marketing
- − Fewer integrations than competitors
- − Strict approval process for new accounts
- − Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign
The Verdict
Drip and MailerLite are closely matched — both score within 0.2 points of each other in our overall rating. Your decision should come down to specific needs rather than overall quality. On deliverability, Drip reports 98% compared to 97% for MailerLite — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Drip | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $39/mo | $12/mo Winner |
| Deliverability | 25% | 98% Winner | 97% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 Winner |
| Integrations | 10% | 150 Winner | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | No | Yes Winner |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Drip if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a ecommerce
- + You're a d2c brands
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($12/mo)
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You need built-in landing pages
- + You're a small businesses