12 Best Benchmark Email Alternatives

Our Pick for SaaS Companies

Sequenzy

AI-powered email for SaaS. If you're running a software business rather than a general SMB, Sequenzy is built for your use case with Stripe integration and transactional emails.

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Best for

SaaS founders

Pricing

$49/month for 10,000 subscribers

Pros

AI generates email sequences
Native Stripe integration
Transactional + marketing together
Built for SaaS specifically
47% cheaper than Benchmark at 10k

Cons

Smaller free tier (100 vs 500)
Fewer integrations
Less multi-language support
Newer platform

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Mailchimp

The market leader everyone knows. More integrations than Benchmark (300+ native), stronger brand recognition, and a massive ecosystem. More expensive but feature-rich.

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Best for

People who need maximum integrations

Pricing

$135/month for 10,000 contacts (Standard)

Pros

Integrates with everything (300+)
Massive template library
Landing pages included
Website builder included
Been around forever

Cons

Much more expensive than Benchmark
Counts unsubscribed contacts
Interface can be overwhelming
Complex pricing structure

MailerLite

Similar ease of use to Benchmark but cheaper. Good visual editor, landing pages, and even a website builder. Great for budget-conscious marketers who value simplicity.

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Best for

Budget-conscious marketers who need simplicity

Pricing

$73/month for 10,000 subscribers (Growing Business)

Pros

Cheaper than Benchmark ($73 vs $93)
Website builder included
Landing pages included
Generous free tier (500 subs)
Easy to use

Cons

Fewer integrations
Support slow on lower tiers
Less multi-language support
Automation not as visual

Brevo

Formerly Sendinblue. Budget-friendly all-in-one marketing with email, SMS, and CRM. Charges per email sent, not per contact—great for large lists with infrequent sends.

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Best for

Budget-conscious businesses with large lists

Pricing

$25/month for 20,000 emails (unlimited contacts)

Pros

Very affordable
Transactional email included
SMS marketing available
CRM included
Pay by emails, not contacts

Cons

Interface less polished
Template design basic
Support can be slow
Gets complex at scale

ActiveCampaign

The automation powerhouse. If Benchmark's automation feels too basic, ActiveCampaign offers advanced workflows, CRM integration, and sophisticated segmentation.

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Best for

Marketers who need powerful automation

Pricing

$149/month for 10,000 contacts (Starter, annual)

Pros

Best-in-class automation
Built-in CRM
Advanced segmentation
Machine learning features
Excellent deliverability

Cons

More expensive than Benchmark
Steeper learning curve
Can be overwhelming
Starter plan has limits

Constant Contact

SMB-focused like Benchmark but with event marketing tools. Good for small businesses that host events and need integrated marketing.

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Best for

Small businesses with event marketing needs

Pricing

$160/month for 10,000 contacts (Standard)

Pros

Event marketing tools
Phone support on all plans
Social media integration
Website builder included
Good for SMBs

Cons

More expensive than Benchmark
Eliminated free plan (June 2025)
Templates can feel dated
Send limits apply

AWeber

Classic email marketing since 1998. Similar simplicity to Benchmark with excellent customer support (24/7 phone). Great template library with 600+ options.

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Best for

Traditional marketers who value reliability and support

Pricing

$135/month for 10,000 subscribers (Plus)

Pros

24/7 phone support
600+ templates
Excellent deliverability
25+ years experience
Landing pages included

Cons

More expensive than Benchmark
Interface feels older
Fewer advanced features
Less modern feel

GetResponse

Marketing platform with unique webinar hosting. More features than Benchmark including conversion funnels and landing pages. Good for marketers who run webinars.

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Best for

Marketers who need webinars and funnels

Pricing

$75/month for 10,000 contacts (Starter)

Pros

Webinar hosting built-in
Conversion funnels
Landing pages included
AI features
Cheaper than Benchmark

Cons

Webinars cost extra (Creator plan)
Interface can be complex
Gets expensive with add-ons
Learning curve steeper

Moosend

Budget email marketing with clean interface. Cheaper than Benchmark with unlimited sends. Good automation for the price. No daily send limits.

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Best for

Budget-conscious marketers

Pricing

$88/month for 10,000 contacts (Pro)

Pros

Cheaper than Benchmark ($88 vs $93)
Unlimited email sends
Clean interface
Good automation
30-day free trial

Cons

Smaller company
Fewer integrations
Limited template variety
Less established

#10

ConvertKit

Creator-focused platform with landing pages, digital product sales, and a strong creator community. More expensive than Benchmark but built for creators specifically.

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Best for

Creators who want monetization tools

Pricing

$119/month for 10,000 subscribers (Creator)

Pros

Digital product sales built-in
Creator network for growth
Newsletter recommendations
Landing page builder
Strong creator community

Cons

More expensive than Benchmark
Minimal email design
Not for general SMBs
Learning curve for non-creators

#11

EmailOctopus

Budget-friendly via Amazon SES. Much cheaper than Benchmark with a generous free tier. Basic features but covers newsletter essentials well.

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Best for

Budget-focused newsletter senders

Pricing

$44.50/month for 10,000 subscribers (Pro)

Pros

Much cheaper than Benchmark
2,500 free subscriber tier
Amazon SES integration
Simple interface
No complexity

Cons

Very basic features
Limited automation
Fewer templates
Less polished experience

#12

Drip

E-commerce email marketing with deep Shopify and WooCommerce integrations. More expensive than Benchmark but purpose-built for online stores.

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Best for

E-commerce businesses

Pricing

$184/month for 10,000 contacts

Pros

Deep e-commerce integrations
Revenue tracking
Visual workflow builder
Advanced segmentation
All features included

Cons

Much more expensive
E-commerce focus only
Not for general SMBs
Overkill for simple needs

Why Consider Alternatives to Benchmark Email

You need more powerful automation

Benchmark's automation covers basics—welcome series, birthday emails, drip campaigns. But for complex conditional logic, behavior-based triggers, or multi-step workflows, platforms like ActiveCampaign or Customer.io offer more power.

Pricing gets expensive at scale

At 10,000 contacts, Benchmark costs $93/month. Alternatives like MailerLite ($73), GetResponse ($75), and Sequenzy ($49) offer similar or better features at lower prices. EmailOctopus is just $44.50.

You need transactional emails

Benchmark is marketing-only. For password resets, order confirmations, and notifications, you need a separate service. Platforms like Sequenzy and Brevo handle both marketing and transactional in one place.

You're building a SaaS product

Benchmark is built for general SMBs, not SaaS companies. If you need Stripe integration, subscription-based triggers, or behavior-based automation from your app, purpose-built tools like Sequenzy or Customer.io are better fits.

Send limits feel restrictive

Benchmark limits sends to 10x your contact count (100k emails at 10k contacts). If you email frequently, platforms like MailerLite or Moosend offer unlimited sends. Sequenzy includes 300k at 10k contacts.

Feature Comparison

Feature	Benchmark Email	MailerLite	Brevo	Mailchimp	GetResponse	Sequenzy
Price at 10k subs	$93	$73	$25 (20k emails)	$135	$75	$49
Free tier	500 contacts	500 subs	300 emails/day	500 contacts	None	100 subs
Email sends	100k (10x)	Unlimited	Pay per send	12x limit	Unlimited	300k
Transactional				true (Mandrill)
Automation	Basic	Good	Good	Good	Good	SaaS-focused
Integrations	1,500+	200+	150+	300+	200+	Growing

When to Use Each Platform

Choose MailerLite if...

You want similar simplicity at lower cost
Budget is a significant concern
You need landing pages and forms
Unlimited sends are important

Choose Stay with Benchmark Email if...

Ease of use is your top priority
You need multi-language support
The 1,500+ integrations matter
You value established platforms

Choose ActiveCampaign if...

You need advanced automation
CRM integration is important
Segmentation needs are complex
Marketing sophistication matters

Choose Brevo if...

You need transactional + marketing
Large list, infrequent sends
Budget is tight
SMS marketing is useful

Choose Sequenzy if...

You're running a SaaS business
Stripe integration is valuable
You need transactional emails
AI-generated sequences appeal

Should you switch from Benchmark Email?

Benchmark Email is genuinely good at what it does: simple email marketing for SMBs with multi-language support and a gentle learning curve. To understand different email campaign approaches, see our guide.

But there are legitimate reasons to consider alternatives:

If you need more powerful automation: ActiveCampaign

Benchmark's automation covers the basics well, but for complex conditional logic, advanced segmentation, or sophisticated CRM integration, ActiveCampaign is the industry leader. Check our automation guide to understand what's possible.

If you want similar simplicity at lower cost: MailerLite

MailerLite offers a similar ease of use at $73/month for 10k subscribers vs Benchmark's $93. Plus unlimited email sends instead of Benchmark's 10x limit. Templates aren't as varied, but functionality is comparable. Use our email validator to ensure list quality before switching.

If you're running a SaaS business: Sequenzy

Benchmark is built for general SMBs—not software companies. If you need Stripe integration, transactional emails, and behavior-based automation from your app, Sequenzy is purpose-built. $49/month vs Benchmark's $93.

If you need transactional emails: Brevo or Sequenzy

Benchmark is marketing-only. For password resets, receipts, and notifications, you need something else. Brevo and Sequenzy both handle transactional and marketing in one platform.

The pricing comparison

At 10,000 subscribers:

Benchmark Email: $93/month (Pro plan, 100k emails)
Mailchimp: $135/month (Standard, 12x sends)
ActiveCampaign: $149/month (Starter, annual)
MailerLite: $73/month (Growing Business, unlimited)
GetResponse: $75/month (Starter, unlimited)
Moosend: $88/month (Pro, unlimited)
Brevo: $25/month (20k emails, unlimited contacts)
Sequenzy: $49/month (300k emails)
EmailOctopus: $44.50/month (Pro)

See our full pricing comparison page for more platforms.

When Benchmark Email is still the right choice

Stick with Benchmark if:

Ease of use is genuinely your top priority
You need multi-language support (15+ languages)
The 1,500+ integrations ecosystem matters
You value 20+ years of platform stability
Simple automation covers your needs

Benchmark's strength is being approachable. If you're not a power user and just need reliable email marketing that works internationally, it delivers. Read our guide to email marketing tools and use our A/B test calculator to optimize your current setup before deciding to switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

MailerLite comes closest to Benchmark's simplicity while being $20/month cheaper at 10k subscribers. Moosend is also beginner-friendly. Both have visual builders and intuitive interfaces.

Brevo at $25/month for 20k emails (unlimited contacts). EmailOctopus at $44.50/month for 10k subscribers. Sequenzy at $49/month. All are significantly cheaper than Benchmark's $93.

ActiveCampaign is the automation leader—complex workflows, CRM integration, machine learning. It's more expensive ($149/mo at 10k) but automation capabilities are unmatched. For SaaS, Sequenzy has specialized behavior-based automation.

No. Benchmark is marketing-only. For transactional emails, consider Brevo (includes both), Sequenzy (includes both), or add a separate service like SendGrid or Postmark.

For budget-conscious users, yes—MailerLite is $20/month cheaper with unlimited sends and includes a website builder. Benchmark wins on integrations (1,500+ vs ~200) and multi-language support (15+ languages).

Sequenzy is purpose-built for SaaS with Stripe integration, transactional emails, and behavior-based automation. Customer.io is also strong for product-led growth but more expensive (~$190/mo at 10k).

Benchmark includes 1,500+ integrations, multi-language support, and 24/7 customer service. Budget alternatives like EmailOctopus and Brevo trade features for lower prices. You're paying for ecosystem and support.

Mailchimp has more integrations (300+ native), stronger brand recognition, and more features. But it costs $42/month more ($135 vs $93) and has a more complex interface. Benchmark is simpler and cheaper.

EmailOctopus offers 2,500 free subscribers with 10k emails/month. Benchmark and MailerLite both offer 500. Brevo offers 300 emails/day free. For testing, EmailOctopus gives the most room.

Yes. Benchmark allows CSV export of subscribers. Most alternatives have import tools. Templates won't transfer—you'll need to recreate them in your new platform's editor.

Mailchimp with 300+ native integrations. Zapier extends any platform to thousands more. Benchmark's 1,500+ claim includes Zapier-connected integrations.

If you need sophisticated automation, CRM, and advanced segmentation, yes. ActiveCampaign is more powerful than Benchmark. If you just need simple newsletters, you're paying for features you won't use.

Yes, 10x your contact count. At 10k contacts, that's 100k emails/month. MailerLite and Moosend offer unlimited sends. Sequenzy includes 300k at 10k contacts.

Drip is purpose-built for e-commerce with deep Shopify/WooCommerce integrations. Klaviyo is the industry standard for e-commerce but expensive. Benchmark's e-commerce integrations work but aren't specialized.

Go to Account Settings > Billing > Cancel Subscription. Export your subscribers first via Contacts > Export. Monthly subscriptions cancel immediately; annual subscriptions cancel at period end.

All Pricing Tiers

0-100 subscribers: Free (Free annually) - 2k emails/month

101-1,000 subscribers: $19/month ($205/year annually) - 20k emails/month

1,001-5,000 subscribers: $29/month ($313/year annually) - 125k emails/month

5,001-10,000 subscribers: $49/month ($529/year annually) - 300k emails/month

10,001-25,000 subscribers: $99/month ($1069/year annually) - 875k emails/month

25,001-50,000 subscribers: $199/month ($2149/year annually) - 2M emails/month

50,001-100,000 subscribers: $349/month ($3769/year annually) - 4.5M emails/month

100,000+ subscribers: Custom pricing (Custom annually) - Unlimited emails/month

Yearly billing: All plans offer a 10% discount when billed annually.

12 Benchmark Email Alternatives for Every Budget

TL;DR

12 Best Benchmark Email Alternatives

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Why Consider Alternatives to Benchmark Email

Feature Comparison

When to Use Each Platform

Should you switch from Benchmark Email?

If you need more powerful automation: ActiveCampaign

If you want similar simplicity at lower cost: MailerLite

If you're running a SaaS business: Sequenzy

If you need transactional emails: Brevo or Sequenzy

The pricing comparison

When Benchmark Email is still the right choice

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best Benchmark Email alternative for ease of use?

What's the cheapest Benchmark Email alternative?

Which alternative has the best automation?

Does Benchmark Email have transactional emails?

Is MailerLite better than Benchmark Email?

Which alternative is best for SaaS companies?

Why is Benchmark more expensive than some alternatives?

Is Mailchimp better than Benchmark Email?

Which alternative has the best free tier?

Can I migrate from Benchmark Email easily?

Which alternative has the most integrations?

Is ActiveCampaign worth the extra cost?

Does Benchmark Email have a send limit?

Which alternative is best for e-commerce?

How do I cancel Benchmark Email?

Ready to try Sequenzy?

Sequenzy vs Benchmark Email: Direct Comparison

More Alternatives

MailerLite Alternatives

Mailchimp Alternatives

Sequenzy - Complete Pricing Guide

Pricing Model

All Pricing Tiers

Free Plan Features (0-100 subscribers)

Paid Plan Features (1,000 - 100,000 subscribers)

Enterprise Plan Features (100,000+ subscribers)

Important Pricing Notes

Contact