Email marketing still gives you direct access to a subscriber’s inbox, no algorithm deciding whether they see it, which is why it remains one of the higher-ROI channels available. This list covers 12 tools, a mix of self-hosted WordPress plugins and SaaS platforms with WordPress integrations, with a few important corrections on ones that have changed or disappeared.
Why Use One
- Engagement. Direct, targeted emails reach people who’ve already opted in, a fundamentally warmer audience than cold social reach.
- Lead generation. Opt-in forms and popups turn anonymous visitors into a list you actually own.
- Retention. Ongoing email contact keeps existing customers engaged without repeated ad spend.
- Convenience. Managing campaigns from the WordPress dashboard beats juggling a separate platform for sites already built there.
12 Email Marketing Plugins and Platforms
1. FluentCRM
Confirmed active, now on FluentCRM 3.0 ($90-349/yr, all features included, no addon upsells). Self-hosted, so your contact data lives on your own server rather than a third-party platform, with deep WooCommerce and LearnDash integration. Needs SMTP configured for reliable sending, and there’s a real learning curve around its automation builder.
2. Mailchimp
Still the best-known name in the category. Customizable templates, segmentation, automation, and analytics, with a free tier for small lists. Pricing climbs quickly as your subscriber count grows, worth checking current tiers against your actual list size before committing.
3. weMail
Confirmed active. WordPress-native email campaigns, subscriber management, and reporting, positioned as one of the more affordable options in this list, with a genuine free tier to start.
4. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue)
Rebranded from Sendinblue in 2023, same company and platform. Email plus SMS marketing, transactional email, automation, and segmentation in one account.
5. OptinMonster
Lead-generation and conversion tool rather than a full email platform, exit-intent popups, scroll-triggered forms, A/B testing, and behavior-based targeting, meant to grow the list that a separate ESP then emails.
6. MailPoet
Free (WordPress.org) for lists up to 1,000 subscribers, with a drag-and-drop editor and native WooCommerce integration. Automation is lighter than dedicated platforms like FluentCRM or Brevo, a reasonable tradeoff for simplicity.
7. SendPress
Worth a real caution here: SendPress’s own site still displays a 2017 copyright notice and lists a PHP 5.6 minimum requirement, both strong signals this product hasn’t seen meaningful development in years, even though the site is technically still up and selling licenses. Test thoroughly before relying on it, or pick a more actively maintained option from this list.
8. Sumo (List Builder, now BDOW!)
Worth a direct correction: Sumo’s product rebranded to BDOW! a while back (confirmed elsewhere in this campaign, v1.44, 10,000+ installs), and the original sumo.com domain has since been sold off entirely, it now hosts an unrelated AI product with no connection to the email/list-building tool. Look for BDOW! directly rather than searching for “Sumo.”
9. Contact Form 7 (Supporting Role Only)
Worth being honest about scope: Contact Form 7 is a form plugin, not an email marketing tool. It can feed form submissions into an email marketing service via integrations, but it doesn’t send campaigns, manage lists, or automate sequences on its own. Useful as a lead-capture front end paired with one of the actual ESPs above, not a standalone email marketing solution.
10. Drip
An e-commerce-focused SaaS platform (not a WordPress plugin in the traditional sense), with WooCommerce and Shopify integrations. Strong behavior tracking and workflow automation, but priced and featured for stores that have outgrown simpler tools, likely overkill for a basic newsletter.
11. FreshMail (Discontinued, Merged Into MailerLite)
Important correction: FreshMail’s own domain now redirects to a “moving to MailerLite” notice, meaning it’s no longer sold as an independent product. If you’re currently on FreshMail, MailerLite is the direct successor to migrate to.
12. Newsletter
Free (WordPress.org) plugin with unlimited subscribers and sends on the free tier, drag-and-drop composer, and segmentation. Premium unlocks automatic translation, professional template support, and more advanced targeting.
Choosing the Right One
Define what you actually need first: automation depth, integration with your specific stack (WooCommerce, LearnDash, CRM), budget, and how quickly your list is likely to grow (some pricing models punish list growth harder than others). Test with a free tier or trial before committing to a paid plan, and revisit the choice periodically since pricing and features shift over time, as several corrections in this list demonstrate.
Getting More Out of Whichever One You Pick
- Build the list deliberately. Opt-in incentives (discounts, exclusive content) convert better than a bare “subscribe” form.
- Segment early. Even basic segmentation (new vs. returning, purchase history) beats blasting one message to everyone.
- Test subject lines. A/B testing open rates is one of the highest-leverage, lowest-effort optimizations available.
- Design for mobile first. Most email opens happen on a phone; a template that isn’t responsive loses readers immediately.
- Automate the obvious sequences. Welcome emails, abandoned cart reminders, and post-purchase follow-ups are worth automating before anything more elaborate.
- Track real metrics. Open rate, click-through rate, and unsubscribe rate tell you more than vanity subscriber counts.