12 Best Email Marketing Automation Tools That Drive Results

Did you know that automated emails generate 320% more revenue than non-automated emails? That’s right – businesses leveraging the best email marketing automation tools are seeing dramatically better results with significantly less effort. After analyzing performance data across industries, I’ve compiled this definitive list of the 12 most effective platforms that can transform your email strategy from a time-consuming chore into your most powerful revenue driver.

ActiveCampaign

When it comes to sophisticated email automation, ActiveCampaign consistently stands at the top of my list. This powerhouse platform offers unmatched automation capabilities that make it perfect for businesses ready to take their email marketing to the next level.

Key Features

• Predictive sending that uses AI to determine when your contacts are most likely to open emails
• Visual automation builder with 135+ triggers for creating complex, personalized workflows
• Split testing for entire email sequences (not just individual emails)
• CRM integration with sales automation features
• Advanced segmentation and personalization options

Pricing

ActiveCampaign’s pricing starts at $15/month for basic features with 500 contacts, but most of the powerful automation features come with the Plus plan starting at $49/month. While not the cheapest option, the ROI it delivers makes it worth every penny for serious marketers.

Pros

• Exceptional automation capabilities with visual workflow builder
• Excellent deliverability rates (consistently above 95%)
• Robust CRM functionality built right in
• Powerful segmentation options for targeted messaging
• A/B testing for entire sequences, not just individual emails

Cons

• Steeper learning curve than some competitors
• Higher price point as your subscriber list grows
• Some users report the interface can feel overwhelming at first

Best For

ActiveCampaign is ideal for SaaS companies, agencies, and medium-sized businesses that need sophisticated automation and have outgrown basic email platforms. If you’re serious about email marketing and want to create truly personalized customer journeys, this is your tool.

Brevo (Formerly Sendinblue)

I’ve watched Brevo evolve from a simple transactional email service into one of the most budget-friendly yet powerful email automation platforms on the market. It’s no wonder we’re seeing it pop up everywhere these days!

Key Features

• Ready-to-use workflow templates for quick campaign setup
• AI subject line generator to improve open rates
• Website tracking for behavior-based automation
• Integrated SMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook ads
• Transactional and marketing email separation (on separate IPs)

Pricing

Brevo offers a surprisingly generous free plan that includes up to 300 emails per day and access to its automation features. Paid plans start at just $29/month for 20,000 subscribers, making it one of the most affordable options for the features you get.

Pros

• Excellent value for money with robust features at lower price points
• Free CRM with lead scoring capabilities
• High email deliverability rates (99%+)
• Includes transactional emails and SMS marketing
• Clean, intuitive user interface

Cons

• Limited automation templates compared to some competitors
• Additional user accounts cost extra ($12/month per user)
• Removing Brevo’s branding costs extra on lower-tier plans

Best For

Brevo is perfect for budget-conscious businesses and ecommerce store owners who want sophisticated automation without breaking the bank. It’s also great for businesses that want to keep all their email marketing (including transactional emails) within a single platform.

Mailchimp

Mailchimp has come a long way from its humble beginnings as a simple newsletter tool. Today, it’s evolved into a comprehensive marketing platform with powerful automation capabilities, though its heart still lies with creative businesses.

Key Features

• Content studio tool that resizes content for various email layouts
• Creative assistant AI that generates email designs from brand assets
• Subject line helper and content optimizer with real-time suggestions
• Website builder, signup forms, and landing pages
• 300+ integrations with popular platforms

Pricing

Mailchimp offers a free plan with up to 500 contacts and 1,000 monthly email sends. The Essential plan starts at $13/month, but you’ll need the Premium plan (starting at $350/month) to unlock advanced automation features like comparative reporting and sophisticated A/B testing.

Pros

• Intuitive, drag-and-drop email builder
• Excellent design tools for creative professionals
• Strong analytics and reporting features
• Wide range of integrations
• Good deliverability rates

Cons

• Advanced automation features only available on higher-priced plans
• Can get expensive quickly as your list grows
• Contact management isn’t as flexible as some competitors

Best For

Mailchimp shines for creative agencies, designers, and businesses that prioritize visual branding in their email campaigns. It’s also a good fit for beginners who want room to grow into more advanced features over time.

HubSpot

HubSpot is the Swiss Army knife of marketing platforms, and its email automation capabilities are no exception. While it’s more than just an email tool, its marketing automation features deserve a spot on this list.

Key Features

• All-in-one CRM integration
• AI email writer to help craft compelling messages
• Customizable user experiences based on behavior
• Advanced analytics and conversion tracking
• Multi-channel campaign management

Pricing

HubSpot’s Marketing Hub starts at $50/month for the Starter plan, which includes basic email marketing features. However, for serious automation, you’ll need the Professional plan at $890/month or higher. The pricing can quickly escalate to $2,000+ per month for enterprise features.

Pros

• Seamless integration with HubSpot’s CRM and other tools
• Powerful analytics and reporting capabilities
• Great user interface and experience
• Excellent customer support
• Comprehensive marketing solution beyond just email

Cons

• Significantly higher price point than dedicated email platforms
• Can be overkill for businesses only needing email automation
• Steep learning curve due to the platform’s breadth

Best For

HubSpot is ideal for mid-to-large businesses that want to integrate their email automation with a comprehensive marketing and sales platform. It’s particularly valuable for companies already using other HubSpot tools or those looking for an all-in-one solution.

GetResponse

GetResponse has transformed from a simple autoresponder into a comprehensive email marketing platform with some unique features that set it apart from the competition.

Key Features

• Advanced list management capabilities
• Conversion funnels for selling products and services
• Webinar hosting integrated with email marketing
• Website builder and landing page creator
• Automated segmentation based on user behavior

Pricing

GetResponse’s pricing starts at around $19/month for 1,000 contacts with basic automation features. More advanced automation capabilities are available on the Plus plan at $49/month and higher.

Pros

• User-friendly interface with intuitive workflow builder
• Strong A/B testing capabilities
• Good deliverability rates
• Unique webinar functionality integrated with email
• Comprehensive analytics and reporting

Cons

• Some advanced features have a learning curve
• Mobile app could use improvement
• Template designs aren’t as modern as some competitors

Best For

GetResponse works well for influencers and businesses that incorporate webinars into their marketing strategy. It’s also excellent for those who need strong list management capabilities and want to create comprehensive marketing funnels.

Omnisend

If you’re in ecommerce, Omnisend deserves your attention. This platform was built specifically with online stores in mind, and it shows in every feature.

Key Features

• Dynamic customer lifecycle tagging
• SMS and email integration in single campaigns
• Pre-built workflows for ecommerce (abandoned cart, welcome series, etc.)
• Product recommendation blocks based on shopping history
• Integration with major ecommerce platforms like Shopify and WooCommerce

Pricing

Omnisend offers a free plan for up to 250 contacts and 500 emails per month. The Standard plan starts at $16/month for up to 500 contacts and 6,000 emails. The Pro plan, which includes unlimited email sends and SMS credits, starts at $59/month for 2,500 contacts.

Pros

• Purpose-built for ecommerce businesses
• Seamless integration with major shopping platforms
• Excellent pre-built automation workflows for online stores
• Combined SMS and email capabilities
• Strong segmentation based on shopping behavior

Cons

• Less valuable for non-ecommerce businesses
• SMS costs can add up quickly
• Limited customization compared to some general platforms

Best For

Omnisend is the perfect choice for ecommerce businesses of all sizes, particularly those using platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, or Magento. Multi-store operations will especially benefit from its specialized features.

Klaviyo

Klaviyo has become the darling of the ecommerce world, and for good reason. This powerful platform combines deep data analysis with sophisticated automation to drive serious revenue for online stores.

Key Features

• Pre-built automation for ecommerce email sequences
• Dynamic product recommendations based on user interests
• AI-powered content creation for emails and segments
• Predictive analytics for customer lifetime value and churn risk
• Deep integration with Shopify and other ecommerce platforms

Pricing

Klaviyo’s pricing starts at $45/month for up to 500 contacts, making it one of the pricier options. However, ecommerce businesses typically see a strong ROI that justifies the cost.

Pros

• Unmatched ecommerce-specific features
• Powerful segmentation based on shopping behavior
• Excellent predictive analytics
• Strong deliverability rates
• Robust reporting focused on revenue metrics

Cons

• Higher price point than many competitors
• Primarily valuable for ecommerce (less so for other business types)
• Can be complex for beginners

Best For

Klaviyo is the gold standard for Shopify store owners and other ecommerce businesses serious about maximizing revenue through email marketing. It’s particularly valuable for stores with larger product catalogs and those focused on customer lifetime value.

Benchmark

Benchmark offers a nice balance of simplicity and power, making it accessible to beginners while still providing the automation capabilities needed by growing businesses.

Key Features

• Range of automated email flows (welcome series, abandoned cart, etc.)
• AI-powered email builder
• Comprehensive analytics and reporting
• Strong segmentation capabilities
• Opt-in forms and landing page creation

Pricing

Benchmark offers a free plan, but its automation features are only available on paid plans starting at $13/month for 500 contacts.

Pros

• Clean, intuitive interface
• Strong focus on deliverability
• Good template selection
• Solid customer support
• Reasonable pricing structure

Cons

• Automation only available on paid plans
• Fewer advanced features than some competitors
• Limited integration options compared to larger platforms

Best For

Benchmark is ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs who want a straightforward email automation platform without a steep learning curve. It’s particularly good for those just starting with email automation who don’t need overly complex features.

Drip

Drip was built from the ground up for ecommerce, with a focus on turning casual browsers into loyal customers through sophisticated automation.

Key Features

• Ecommerce-specific automations
• Advanced segmentation capabilities
• Visual workflow builder
• Unlimited email sends on all plans
• Revenue attribution reporting

Pricing

Drip starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 contacts, with pricing increasing as your subscriber count grows.

Pros

• Purpose-built for ecommerce businesses
• Powerful segmentation and personalization
• Strong visual workflow builder
• Detailed revenue reporting
• Good deliverability rates

Cons

• Higher price point than some competitors
• Limited template options
• Can be complex for beginners

Best For

Drip is perfect for established online storefronts looking to maximize customer lifetime value through sophisticated email automation. It’s particularly valuable for businesses that want deep insights into how their email campaigns impact revenue.

MailerLite

MailerLite proves that powerful email automation doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. This platform offers an impressive set of features at a price point that works for businesses of all sizes.

Key Features

• Intuitive automation workflow builder
• Landing page and form creation
• RSS feed integration for automated content delivery
• A/B testing capabilities
• Advanced segmentation options

Pricing

MailerLite offers a generous free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Paid plans start at just $9/month, making it one of the most affordable options on this list.

Pros

• Excellent value for money
• Clean, intuitive interface
• Strong deliverability rates
• Good customer support
• Solid feature set for the price

Cons

• Limited templates on the free plan
• Less advanced segmentation than premium competitors
• Fewer integrations than larger platforms

Best For

MailerLite is perfect for bloggers, small businesses, and startups that need powerful automation without the premium price tag. It’s particularly good for content creators who want to automate their newsletter delivery.

Constant Contact

Constant Contact has been around forever (in internet years), and there’s a reason for its longevity. This platform offers reliable email automation with a focus on ease of use.

Key Features

• Intuitive user interface
• Extensive third-party integrations
• AI-powered spam detection
• Event marketing tools
• Social media campaign integration

Pricing

Constant Contact’s plans start at $12/month for basic email features, with automation available on higher-tier plans.

Pros

• Very user-friendly interface
• Excellent customer support
• Strong deliverability rates
• Good for event marketing
• Reliable performance

Cons

• More expensive for larger lists
• Limited template flexibility
• Fewer advanced automation features than specialists

Best For

Constant Contact is ideal for small businesses and organizations that prioritize ease of use and reliable customer support. It’s particularly strong for businesses that combine email marketing with event management.

Lemlist

Lemlist takes a different approach to email automation, focusing on personalization and multi-channel outreach for sales teams.

Key Features

• Multi-channel campaigns (email, LinkedIn, calls)
• Dynamic personalization options
• A/B testing capabilities
• Automated follow-ups based on recipient behavior
• Team collaboration tools

Pricing

Lemlist’s pricing starts at €32/month (approximately $35) per user, with additional costs for certain advanced features.

Pros

• Powerful personalization capabilities
• Strong multi-channel approach
• Good for sales teams and outreach
• Intuitive interface
• Effective follow-up automation

Cons

• Some users report buggy integrations
• Warm-up feature costs extra
• Less focused on marketing emails than sales outreach

Best For

Lemlist is perfect for sales teams that need to automate personalized outreach across multiple channels. It’s particularly valuable for businesses using cold email as part of their sales strategy.

Email Marketing Automation Tools Comparison

Finding the best email marketing automation tools for your business doesn’t have to be overwhelming. The key is matching your specific needs with the right platform’s strengths. Whether you’re running an ecommerce store, managing a blog, or driving B2B sales, there’s an automation tool on this list that can transform your email strategy from a time-consuming chore into your most powerful marketing channel. Start with a free trial of the platform that best matches your business type, and don’t be afraid to experiment until you find your perfect fit!