Is MailerLite really free?

Yes. MailerLite's free plan allows up to 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month, forever. No credit card required. The free plan includes automations, signup forms, landing pages, and the drag-and-drop editor. Paid plans start at $9/month for up to 500 subscribers (with unlimited emails and priority support) — but most small businesses don't need to upgrade until they exceed 1,000 subscribers.

What's the difference between MailerLite and Mailchimp?

MailerLite is more generous on its free plan (1,000 subscribers vs Mailchimp's 500), has a cleaner interface, and includes automation on the free tier (Mailchimp charges for this). MailerLite also has better deliverability scores in independent tests and is GDPR-compliant by default. Mailchimp is more well-known and has more integrations, but for small businesses starting out, MailerLite is the better choice in 2026.

What is domain authentication and why does it matter?

Domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records) tells email providers like Gmail and Outlook that MailerLite is authorised to send emails on behalf of your domain. Without it, your emails are far more likely to land in spam. It's a one-time DNS setup that takes about 20 minutes but dramatically improves deliverability. MailerLite provides the exact records you need to add — you just paste them into your domain registrar's DNS settings.

Can I use a Gmail or Hotmail address as my sender email?

You can, but you shouldn't. Sending mass emails from a free Gmail or Hotmail address triggers spam filters and damages deliverability. Gmail and Hotmail have DMARC policies that reject bulk emails sent through third-party services. Use a domain-based email address (e.g. hello@yourbusiness.com). If you don't have one, get Google Workspace for $6/month or use Zoho Mail free. This is the single most important step for inbox delivery.

📧 Guide 13 · Free Email Marketing

Own your audience.
No algorithm.
No ad spend.

Your Instagram followers can be taken away. Your Google ranking can drop. Your email list is yours forever. MailerLite is free for your first 1,000 subscribers with full automation — welcome sequences, scheduled newsletters, and booking integrations included.

❌ What You're Paying

~~Mailchimp paid: $20/month~~

~~Klaviyo: $45/month~~

~~ActiveCampaign: $49/month~~

✅ MailerLite Free

1,000 subscribers forever free

12,000 emails/month included

Automation, forms, landing pages — all free

📧 Email ROI: £42 return per £1 spent — highest of any marketing channel

Glow Studio

Welcome to Glow Studio ✨

Hi Sarah! So happy you're here...

Now

Newsletter

March: New spring colour menu

This month we're launching our...

Mon

Glow Studio

Your exclusive member offer 💆

As a valued customer, here's...

Fri

📬

Avg open rate (email)

42%

💰

ROI per £1 spent

£42

👥

Free subscribers

1,000

Why MailerLite over Mailchimp in 2026

MailerLite ⭐

1,000 free subscribers

✓ Automation free

✓ 12K emails/mo free

✓ Landing pages free

✓ GDPR ready

Mailchimp

500 free subscribers

✗ Automation = paid

✗ Branding on free

✓ More integrations

✗ More expensive

Brevo (Sendinblue)

Unlimited subscribers free

✓ 300 emails/day

✓ SMS included

✗ Smaller template library

✓ Good for high volume

Klaviyo

250 free contacts

✓ Best for ecommerce

✗ Expensive at scale

✗ Overkill for services

✓ Shopify native

📧

1,000 subscribers free12,000 emails/month included

⚡

Automation on free planWelcome sequences, birthday emails, drip campaigns

🛡

GDPR-compliant by defaultDouble opt-in, unsubscribe, data export built in

🎉

Email marketing is live!

List, welcome sequence, newsletter template, and booking integration — all set up and running.

Save $600/year vs Mailchimp paid

Now build the full customer retention stack:

🎟

Digital Loyalty Cards

Save $480/yr

📍

Google Maps Ranking

Free — more customers

📊

Website Analytics

Save $228/yr

Unlock AI Support

One-time $5 — Unlimited help with your email marketing setup. 7 days.

Domain authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

Welcome sequence writing for your business

Newsletter templates and subject line formulas

Zapier + MailerLite booking integration

50 messages · 7 days access

Each guide has its own $5 support session.

Own your audience. No algorithm. No ad spend.

Own your audience.
No algorithm.
No ad spend.