Keap vs MailerLite
Keap is a all-in-one marketing platform while MailerLite is a email marketing platform. Keap has been around since 2001, giving it a 9-year head start over MailerLite (founded 2010). MailerLite is the more affordable option at $12/mo, which is $287 less than Keap's $299/mo entry point. MailerLite offers a free plan (250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month), while Keap does not. Keap has the edge with SMS marketing.
Quick Verdict
Keap wins on integrations.
MailerLite wins on price, deliverability, rating, free tier.
Best for most users: MailerLite (small businesses).
Keap
CRM-powered sales and marketing automation for small businesses
Keap (formerly Infusionsoft, founded 2001, acquired by Thryv in 2024) is a premium all-in-one CRM and marketing automation platform built for sales-driven small businesses that need contact management, email sequences, SMS marketing, invoicing, and appointment scheduling in a single tool. Its strength lies in powerful automation workflows and a dedicated Customer Success Manager, but the $299/month starting price for just 1,500 contacts makes it one of the most expensive options in its category.
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 | Keap | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $299/mo | $12/mo |
| Free Plan | No free plan | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month |
| Founded | 2001 | 2010 |
| Email Templates | 70 | 90 |
| Integrations | 5,000 | 140 |
| Deliverability Rate | 93% | 97% |
| Marketing Automation | Yes | Yes |
| A/B Testing | Yes | Yes |
| Landing Pages | Yes | 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 | Yes | Yes |
| Advanced Analytics | Yes | Yes |
Keap: Pros & Cons
Pros
- + Powerful drag-and-drop automation builder that handles complex multi-step sales workflows with conditional triggers
- + True all-in-one platform combining CRM, email, SMS, invoicing, payments, and appointment scheduling
- + Dedicated Customer Success Manager included with every plan for hands-on onboarding and support
- + Deep contact management with tagging, segmentation, and centralized views that reduce manual data entry
- + Built-in text marketing with tiered messaging plans and voice minutes integrated directly into automations
Cons
- − Extremely expensive at $299/month for only 1,500 contacts, with costs escalating quickly for additional contacts and users
- − Steep learning curve with complex campaign builder layouts and no undo button, causing frustration during setup
- − Email marketing capabilities feel half-baked compared to dedicated email platforms despite the premium pricing
- − Invoicing feature is rigid and does not support hourly billing or flexible customization
- − Dated mobile experience and slow feature development compared to more agile competitors like GoHighLevel
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
MailerLite edges ahead with a 4.6/5 rating compared to Keap's 4.2/5. The gap comes mainly from value for money (4.8 vs 3.7) and deliverability (4.4 vs 3.9). On deliverability, MailerLite reports 97% compared to 93% for Keap — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | Keap | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $299/mo | $12/mo Winner |
| Deliverability | 25% | 93% | 97% Winner |
| Rating | 25% | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 Winner |
| Integrations | 10% | 5000 Winner | 140 |
| Free Tier | 10% | No | Yes Winner |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose Keap if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a sales driven small businesses
- + You're a service based businesses
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($12/mo)
- + You need a free plan to get started
- + You're a small businesses
- + You're a beginners