Why people leave Campaign Monitor
Campaign Monitor built their reputation on beautiful email design when competitors looked like Microsoft Word. In 2026, that advantage has eroded. MailerLite, Flodesk, and Mailchimp all have excellent design tools. But Campaign Monitor's pricing still reflects that premium positioning.
The pricing problem
At $99/month (Lite) to $258/month (Premier) for 10,000 subscribers, Campaign Monitor isn't cheap. And the Lite plan has send limits - 2,500 emails per campaign. For a 10,000 subscriber list, that means you can only email 25% at a time. Most users need Essentials ($162/month) for unlimited sends. For more comparisons, see our Campaign Monitor comparison page.
Compare that to:
- Flodesk: $38/month flat, unlimited subscribers
- MailerLite: $73/month, unlimited sends, landing pages included
- Sequenzy: $19/month with AI sequences and Stripe sync
The design advantage has shrunk
In 2015, Campaign Monitor's templates stood out. In 2026, the competition caught up. MailerLite and Flodesk have beautiful, modern templates. Mailchimp's design tools have improved significantly. The design premium is harder to justify when alternatives look just as good. Learn more about modern email platform options in our best email marketing tools for SaaS guide.
Agency features at agency prices
Campaign Monitor's agency features (white-labeling, client management) require higher tiers. If you're running an agency, you're paying Premier prices. Mailchimp offers similar capabilities at lower prices. Evaluate whether Campaign Monitor's specific agency workflow justifies the cost.
The alternatives, honestly
If design is your priority: Flodesk
Flodesk matches Campaign Monitor's design quality at $38/month flat - no matter your list size. Unlimited subscribers, unlimited sends. The catch: automation is basic and integrations are limited. For visual brands and creators who want beautiful emails without complex automation, it's compelling.
If you want design + value: MailerLite
MailerLite at $73/month for 10,000 subscribers gives you beautiful templates, landing pages, website builder, and solid automation. Design quality rivals Campaign Monitor. The savings add up: $89+/month difference at 10,000 subscribers, or $1,068+/year.
If you run a SaaS: Sequenzy
Campaign Monitor wasn't built for software companies. Sequenzy is. AI generates sequences for onboarding, churn prevention, feature adoption. Stripe integration syncs billing data automatically. At $19/month, it's significantly cheaper with SaaS-specific features.
If automation matters most: ActiveCampaign
ActiveCampaign at $79/month for 10,000 subscribers costs half of Campaign Monitor Essentials with dramatically better automation. If Campaign Monitor's automation feels limiting, this is the upgrade. Design tools are solid, just not quite as polished.
When Campaign Monitor still makes sense
Be honest about switching costs. Stick with Campaign Monitor if:
- You're an agency dependent on their white-label workflow
- Your team knows the editor and switching would disrupt
- You have complex integrations that would need rebuilding
- Design quality and workflow justify the price to you
But if you're paying premium prices and feeling underwhelmed, the alternatives have genuinely caught up. Use our email deliverability checker and SPF checker to ensure you're set up correctly on any platform.