MailerLite vs Privy
MailerLite and Privy are both popular choices in the email marketing platform space. MailerLite is the more affordable option at $10/mo — that's $14 less per month than Privy's $24/mo entry point. Both offer free plans to get started. MailerLite stands out with landing pages and advanced analytics, while Privy offers SMS marketing. Both tools work well for beginners.
Quick Verdict
MailerLite wins on price, deliverability, integrations.
Best for most users: MailerLite (small businesses).
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.
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 | MailerLite | Privy |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Starting Price | $10/mo | $24/mo |
| Free Plan | 1,000 subscribers | 100 mailable contacts, basic popup tools |
| Founded | 2010 | 2011 |
| Email Templates | 90 | 50 |
| Integrations | 140 | 20 |
| Deliverability Rate | 97% | 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 | ✓ | ✕ |
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
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
MailerLite and Privy are closely matched — both score within 0.0 points of each other in our overall rating. Your decision should come down to specific needs rather than overall quality. On deliverability, MailerLite reports 97% compared to 95% for Privy — a meaningful difference if inbox placement is critical for your campaigns.
| Criterion | Weight | MailerLite | Privy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | 30% | $10/mo | $24/mo |
| Deliverability | 25% | 97% | 95% |
| Rating | 25% | 4.6/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Integrations | 10% | 140 | 20 |
| Free Tier | 10% | Yes | Yes |
Weights determine how much each criterion counts toward the final score. See full methodology
Choose MailerLite if…
- + You want lower starting costs ($10/mo)
- + You need API access for custom integrations
- + You need built-in landing pages
- + You need advanced analytics
Choose Privy if…
- + You need SMS marketing
- + You're a shopify stores
- + You're a ecommerce