Best email marketing & marketing automation tools in 2024! Review of the leading software so you can find the right email marketing tool that will grow your email list & business.
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Best Email Marketing Platforms in 2024: A Comprehensive Review
Email marketing remains a cornerstone of business growth, and choosing the right platform is essential. We’ve narrowed it down to the top three best email marketing platforms we recommend—Kit, ActiveCampaign, and Bento. Each of these platforms is suited to different user needs, from beginner-friendly simplicity to advanced customization and automation. Here’s an in-depth look to help you determine which platform fits your goals best.
Email Marketing Tool #1: Kit (Previously ConvertKit)
- Ideal for: Beginners, content creators, and those looking for a simple interface with basic automation features.
- Usability: The dashboard is user-friendly, displaying key metrics like open rates and subscriber growth without overwhelming details.
- Email builder: Includes basic templates (but no drag-and-drop email builder), and options for duplicating past emails to save time.
- Automation: Automation features are straightforward and include a Sequence Builder, which allows users to set up basic email chains with timing specifications and template options, as well as a basic Visual Automation builder.
- Segmentation: Primarily uses tags for segmentation, which is manageable for smaller lists but can get complex at scale.
- A/B Testing: Simple A/B testing is available for subject lines only, limiting insights for content or layout adjustments.
- E-commerce: Built-in e-commerce tools are geared toward selling digital products, such as e-books and newsletters, directly within the platform.
- Pricing: Free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers, though it includes ConvertKit branding. Paid plans (Creator and Pro) start at approximately $29/month, with pricing scaling based on subscriber count.
Kit is beginner-friendly and accessible, offering a clean interface and simple automations that are easy to set up. The free plan is appealing for users with smaller lists, providing a straightforward start to email marketing. However, its features are limited, and it may not satisfy more advanced users seeking deeper customization or insights.
Email Marketing Tool #2: ActiveCampaign
- Ideal for: Email marketers seeking robust automation options and CRM integration.
- Usability: Customizable dashboard with marketing and e-commerce views for enhanced data control and navigation.
- Email builder: Offers a variety of templates, an HTML option, and drag-and-drop elements for customization, along with an AI tool for generating branded templates.
- Automation: Advanced automation builder supports complex workflows with conditions, decision points, and actions, plus AI-powered workflow suggestions.
- Segmentation: Supports advanced segmentation using lists, tags, and custom fields, and the platform includes CRM capabilities as an add-on.
- A/B Testing: Comprehensive A/B testing for subject lines, sender information, and workflow variations, allowing for deeper insights into campaign performance.
- E-commerce Integration: Integrates well with platforms like WooCommerce, Shopify, and Stripe, enabling automated responses for actions like cart abandonment.
- Pricing: Lite, Plus, Professional, and Enterprise plans start at approximately $49/month, with additional features and CRM access on higher tiers.
ActiveCampaign’s advanced automation and segmentation features make it ideal for businesses looking to scale, and its CRM integration offers robust customer relationship management. Comprehensive A/B testing options provide insights to optimize campaigns effectively. However, the platform can feel slower to navigate, and the learning curve is steeper for beginners, especially as costs increase and features such as CRM tools are moved to add-on plans.
Email Marketing Tool #3: Bento
- Ideal for: Users comfortable with technology who need high customization and extensive automation.
- Usability: Highly responsive interface with minimal load times and a dashboard offering detailed tracking and analytics.
- Email builder: Includes thousands of templates, a drag-and-drop interface, and the advanced Shoji rich text editor that supports robust formatting and customization.
- Automation: The Flows builder allows for detailed workflows with complex triggers and actions; batching emails enhances deliverability. Like Kit, Bento has a powerful Sequence builder for easily setting up email sequences.
- Segmentation: Extensive segmentation options which allow for powerful and granular contact segmentation.
- Form builder: Provides a Typeform-like experience with customizable logic, offering an interactive way to collect audience data. Although Bento lacks a built-in landing page builder and instead integrates with platforms like WordPress for custom site tracking.
- Pricing: Starter plan at $30/month for up to 3,000 users, with no additional add-ons and unlimited emails.
Bento’s extensive customization options and powerful automation tools make it an excellent choice for technically-minded users, with its responsive interface and streamlined pricing model enhancing its appeal. The platform’s advanced AI tools further support email creation and workflows. However, Bento has a higher learning curve and requires more technical knowledge to leverage fully.
Conclusion
For simplicity and ease of use, Kit is the best option for beginners and creators. ActiveCampaign strikes a balance between functionality and automation, making it ideal for businesses ready to scale. Bento offers unmatched flexibility for those needing high customization and powerful automation tools.
Testing out free trials or demos of each platform can help identify the one that best aligns with your business goals and user experience preferences.
