EmailOctopus vs MailerLite
EmailOctopus and MailerLite are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. MailerLite has been around since 2010, giving it a 4-year head start over EmailOctopus (founded 2014). EmailOctopus is the more affordable option at $9/mo — that's $1 less than MailerLite's $10/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. MailerLite has the edge with A/B testing, ecommerce integrations, advanced analytics. Both tools work well for beginners and bloggers.
Quick Verdict
EmailOctopus wins on price, deliverability.
MailerLite wins on rating, integrations.
Best for most users: EmailOctopus (beginners).
EmailOctopus
Email marketing made easy
EmailOctopus is a stripped-back email marketing tool that focuses on simplicity and affordability. It's ideal for small businesses and creators who want the essentials without paying for features they won't use. Built on Amazon SES for reliable deliverability.
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 | EmailOctopus | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $9/mo | $10/mo |
| Free Plan | 2,500 subscribers | 500 subscribers |
| Founded | 2014 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 30 | 90 |
| Integrations | 45 | 140 |
| Deliverability Rate | 97.5% | 97% |
| 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 | ✕ | ✓ |
EmailOctopus: Pros & Cons
Pros
- +Generous free plan (2,500 subscribers)
- +Very affordable Pro plan
- +Simple and clean interface
- +Good deliverability using Amazon SES
- +Easy migration from other platforms
Cons
- −Limited feature set compared to competitors
- −No A/B testing
- −Small template library
- −Basic automation capabilities
- −No ecommerce features
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 1,000 subscribers
- −No SMS marketing
- −Fewer integrations than competitors
- −Strict approval process for new accounts
- −Limited automation compared to ActiveCampaign
The Verdict
MailerLite edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to EmailOctopus's 4.2/5. The gap comes mainly from support (4.7 vs 3.8) and feature depth (4.4 vs 3.9). On deliverability, EmailOctopus reports 97.5% compared to 97% for MailerLite — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | EmailOctopus | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $9/mo | $10/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 97.5% | 97% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 45 | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose EmailOctopus if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($9/mo)
- + You're a solopreneurs
- + You're a indie and bootstrapped
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You need ecommerce integrations
- + You need A/B testing
- + You need advanced analytics
- + You're a freelancers