MailerLite vs Thunderbird

Brevo

Mailchimp

Gmail

Brevo is a CRM and email marketing solution that helps businesses run multi-channel marketing campaigns across email, WhatsApp, SMS, web push, and Facebook ads. Teams can trigger transactional emails, SMS, and WhatsApp notifications over Brevo SMTP and APIs.

Mailchimp is an email and SMS marketing platform that combines artificial intelligence with marketing automation capabilities. The platform features a drag-and-drop builder, content creation tools, and audience management functions to help businesses design and distribute marketing campaigns across multiple channels.

Gmail is a free, advertising-supported email service offered as part of Google Workspace (formerly G Suite), with 15GB of storage, color-coded inbox filters, and 'unsend' button

From newsletters to automated customer journeys—join 700,000 businesses scaling the easy way with MailerLite. 

Subscriber Management

Email Tracking

Campaign Scheduling

Customer Segmentation

Contact Management

Campaign Analytics

CAN-SPAM Compliance

Event Triggered Actions

WYSIWYG Editor

Autoresponders

A/B Testing

Reviews for MailerLite come from a wide variety of industries, including marketing and advertising (10% of reviewers), health, wellness and fitness (8%), and writing and editing (8%). The most frequent use case for MailerLite cited by reviewers is email marketing (81% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Most users consider MailerLite to offer strong value for money, especially praising its generous free plan and affordable upgrades. Most reviewers appreciate the transparent pricing, but some users say recent price increases and subscriber limits reduce accessibility for growing lists.

Value for money

The MailerLite integrations most frequently cited by reviewers are: WordPress (a website builder product rated 4.8 out of 5 for its integration with MailerLite), Zapier (an integration product, 4.8), and WooCommerce (an eCommerce product, 4.6).

Integrations

MailerLite is an email marketing program offering key features such as email campaign management, marketing automation, mobile optimization, and list management, among others.

MailerLite

Web-based

iPhone

iPad

ActiveCampaign

Constant Contact

GetResponse

HubSpot Marketing Hub

AWeber

Moosend

Flodesk

SendGrid

Drip

Kajabi

Klaviyo

Zoho Campaigns

Squarespace

Omnisend

Campaign Monitor by Marigold

Free Plan

Growing Business

Advanced

Limited formatting and design flexibility

Founder

The rich text composer can be infuriating - the backspace button on the keyboard has some sort of bug in that scenario where it will just delete an entire email. But I've just got into the habit of writing in Word and copy pasting into the email editor.

47% of reviewers feel negative about MailerLite’s text and image formatting. Reviewers find the editor restrictive, citing issues with image size limits, font options, and alignment inconsistencies. They say formatting text or images can be clunky, with glitches such as disappearing toolbars or unintended deletions. Some users report challenges in achieving complex designs or maintaining consistent themes across pages. Users think these limitations make it harder to create visually appealing emails or websites without extra effort.

Slow performance and loading times

Publisher

Early on in my adoption of MailerLite I did have some issues with the software loading slowly, and occasionally not loading at all.

69% of reviewers feel negative about MailerLite’s performance and speed. Reviewers indicate that the platform can be slow to load, especially when importing contacts or navigating between sections. They say delays and occasional lag disrupt workflow, with some users experiencing freezing or unresponsive pages. Some reviewers find that the editor and website builder can be sluggish, making tasks more time-consuming. Users think these speed issues are frustrating, particularly when working under tight deadlines or managing large lists.

Cumbersome form creation and management

Small Business Owner

It's also a small gripe, but editing forms takes a bit longer than it should, as you have to click through a few screens to finally save your updated form.

Content Creator

I tried embedding a form in my free Wordpress website but it didn't work even after the Mailerlite helpdesk also tried.

40% of reviewers feel negative about MailerLite’s forms. Reviewers find the form builder unintuitive and slow to load, requiring multiple clicks to accomplish simple tasks. They say customization options are limited, with restrictions on layout, URL redirects, and integration with external platforms. Some users report difficulties embedding forms on websites or managing them within WordPress, while others mention confusing navigation and lack of granular control. Users think these challenges make form setup and management less efficient.

Challenging account and domain processes

When you signup for Mailerlite's team takes 2-4 days to activate your account, so you can not use it instantly, you have to wait for their approval, I waited for 3 days :) and the website integration process is also strict.

58% of reviewers feel negative about MailerLite’s account and domain management. Reviewers report difficulties with the account approval process, which can be lengthy and sometimes lacks clear communication. They say domain authentication and DNS setup are often confusing, requiring technical knowledge that not all users possess. Some users experience unexpected account suspensions or challenges with multiple domains, while others mention frustration with two-factor authentication and login procedures. Users think these hurdles can hinder onboarding and ongoing use.

Recurring bugs and usability problems

coach

Sometimes something goes wrong and it took me and my VA quite some headache why it was not working.

Menopause Wellness & Weight Loss Coach

Sometimes there are glitches - there's an ongoing one that hasn't been resolved for several months.

41% of reviewers feel negative about MailerLite’s bugs and issues. Reviewers mention encountering glitches, such as problems with automation branches, login difficulties, or dashboard confusion. They say some technical issues persist without timely resolution, leading to frustration. Some users report that troubleshooting can be challenging, especially when documentation is lacking or support is slow to respond. Users think these recurring problems disrupt workflow and can make the platform feel unreliable at times.

Efficient real-time chat assistance

owner

Their chat feature response is always prompt and very helpful with real time solutions and links for more info.

Director

I just googled and found you guys-- And then I struggled to put the Holiday letter together and very angrily started chatting with the help folks--and OMG they were so helpful--almost non-stop for many hours--and I got my mailing put together and was proud of it and sent it out.

93% of reviewers feel positive about MailerLite’s chat support. Reviewers appreciate being able to reach knowledgeable support agents within minutes, often receiving immediate and practical solutions. They say the live chat is staffed by real people who are patient and helpful, making problem-solving less stressful. Some users report that chat support is available 24/7 and is a key reason for choosing or staying with MailerLite. Users think prompt, effective chat assistance is invaluable during time-sensitive tasks or technical challenges.

Beginner-friendly setup process

Interior designer

MailerLite is easy to use for everybody. When I need help, I check tutorial videos or contact support which is always ready to help.

96% of reviewers feel positive about MailerLite’s setup process. Reviewers appreciate the abundance of clear, step-by-step tutorials and video guides that make onboarding straightforward, even for those with little technical experience. They say the intuitive interface and well-organized help resources reduce confusion and make it easy to get started. Some users report that the process is quick and accessible, allowing them to deploy campaigns or train others with minimal effort. Users think the setup experience is especially supportive for beginners, thanks to the comprehensive educational materials.

Flexible email automation features

94% of reviewers feel positive about MailerLite’s email automation. Reviewers appreciate the range of automation options, such as autoresponders, trigger-based workflows, and subscriber segmentation. They say the intuitive automation builder saves time and enables personalized engagement with subscribers. Some users report that integrations with websites and other platforms streamline lead generation and onboarding, while others find the automation tools effective for managing customer journeys and improving open rates. Users think these features are essential for scaling their marketing efforts efficiently.

Comprehensive email marketing tools

Equestrian Mindset Coach

It has made email marketing accessible to me at a low cost while I grow my business while still providing me with all of the tools I need

Founder / Leader

It provides a no-nonsense, cost-effective, and robust platform for email marketing and subscription management.

96% of reviewers feel positive about MailerLite’s email marketing capabilities. Reviewers appreciate the platform’s affordability, ease of use, and robust set of features for managing campaigns, subscriber lists, and analytics. They indicate that having all essential tools in one place simplifies campaign management and segmentation. Some users report that detailed analytics help them refine strategies, while others find the integration options and real-time monitoring particularly beneficial. Users think MailerLite is especially valuable for small businesses and beginners, as it provides essential functions without overwhelming complexity or high costs.

Responsive and helpful support

Videographer

The ease at which I've been able to create these assets has been fantastic - and when I've hit a roadblock and asked Customer Support for assistance the responses I've received have been very prompt and detailed - providing sufficient information - including annotated screenshots - to help me resolve my issue quickly and efficiently.

President

Every customer support rep knew their stuff, and supporting documents were clearly laid out and explained for steps to optimize whatever we were doing. And support is 24/7 with very fast response in Chat.

94% of reviewers feel positive about MailerLite’s customer support. Reviewers appreciate the fast response times, knowledgeable staff, and willingness to provide detailed, step-by-step assistance. They say support is available even for free users and often goes beyond expectations to resolve issues. Some users report that the human touch and friendly attitude of the support team build confidence, while others highlight the value of having access to real people who genuinely address their concerns. Users think reliable support is crucial for troubleshooting and learning.

Operations

I have it linked to my store, for sales, linked to a landing page to capture emails, and the auto sequence works great.

Deliverability has also been solid, and the platform includes extras like landing pages, popups, and even a website builder without needing additional tools.

Especilist in Institutional Culture

It has some usefull social media management and help with that with some tools that join your campaigns and others landing pages with your own followers from your social media channels.

Although essential, a few years ago they updated their software significantly from Mailerlite Classic to the newer Mailerlite, but users who had emails/automations in Mailerlite Classic could not transfer most of their work across, so had to redo it manually in the newer system.

Office Manager

It's a little simple looking in the unpaid version, there are customisable options but the templates are hard to completely brand the way we want to.

The features (landing pages x10, email automations and HTML editors) and support for the cost is fantastic compared to other, better known competitors.

director

You have an automation that uses the email you made in the campaigns. But all future edits you wanted to do in that automation, it needs to be done in automation and not in the saved copy you made earlier.. wot?

Owner

After my automation triggered their algorithm, they banned my account, despite the fact that I followed all their terms of use. When I reached out to customer support, I got a generic, copy-paste response, and they never replied to my follow-up.

I pay the same rate as someone emailing their list daily or weekly, but only keep in touch maybe once per quarter unless I'm launching something.

Founder, Publisher, and Chief Editor

I liked everything least. But *LEAST* of the least I liked how they took away the "free 1,000 subscribers" tier which we—a NONPROFIT publisher—needed to thrive (for God's sake, we send a total of 2,500 emails PER YEAR), without warning and without a transition plan of any kind.

Manager

MailerLite’s intuitive interface, robust customization, powerful automation, affordable pricing, and detailed analytics make it a top choice for businesses seeking an effective and user-friendly email marketing solution.

UI UX designer

The interface is clean, the navigation is intuitive, and the workflow feels well-designed from a UX perspective.

Also, the emails are responsive on every device, I can track clicks as I send the emails over and update the subscriber base via CSV

Admin

The drag-and-drop editor makes it quick to design professional campaigns, and the automation tools are powerful yet simple to set up.

Head of Marketing

Clean UX/UI design, sufficient formatting options for newsletters, easy email automation and group segmentation.

Owner and Lead Designer

MailerLite has been a great addition to my tech stack for managing my e-mail marketing for launches and campaigns.  

Later, when preparing to send the next batch (~500 emails), our account was terminated for an alleged Terms of Service violation.

The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive and allows for customization of templates to fit my brand's aesthetic.

Mailerlite becaome my choice because of how simple it was to set up automations, how it was designed to scale with my paying subscriber list, and how easy it was to implement.

Author

Then, when I got really good at it, I started using it to do PA work for other authors to handle their Newsletters on their accounts(still do this now) and I love how fun it is to play with new design ideas.

The emial management and email templates are very easy to use, and have strong power to reach more peoplo and make grow your audience and database that is crucial for those who want to earn money with - for example - courses, webinars, mentoring and so one.

The one issue I am having is that when creating tailored emails with html they is often an issue in preparing the content.

Community Manager

You can build beautiful campaigns, segment your list, and run automations without needing a full tech team.

Social Media Manager

MailerLite support is very quick to respond because they respond not beyond 12 hours by mail whether you are a free or business plan user.

Communications Consultant

The platform is simple but effective, and the interface is much cleaner than other similar tools( i.e. Smore, Constant Contact)

owner, designer, webdeveloper

Sometimes it shows UK-based customers (with UK domain emails) as USA-based and that is confusing and makes me doubt the data.

Marketing Consultant

I also like the easy site builder which allows me to create landing pages and automations fast for my audience.

Président

After checking that everything on my end was indeed complying with their policies and with GDPR : I emailed them inquiring for explanations and proving that I complied.

The templates can get some upgrading to give businesses options to build templates with more text.

The only negative is that I don't seem to be able to end another automation from an automation, like "in automation B, add action to end automation A". Or maybe it's possible, but I haven't figured out how.

Mailerlite is a wonderful place to send emails to my lists and make forms and pop-ups.  

MailerLite has proven sufficient for us with getting out our weekly newsletters, building a mailing list, and doing so at a competitive price.

It is really easy to create emails and contact forms in this tool. When they decided that it is no longer free for under 1000 contacts, they gave an offer for 30% off.

Co-creator

It appears to have the features that I need for a small subscriber base (180) and no budget (I run a non-profit website).

The popup builders are versatile and simple to set up. And the templates are broadly varied enough to suit pretty much any marketing campaigns you'd need for any business.

The learning curve is steep and the end result takes me 3x - 4x the amount of time it took me on Constant Contact to do the exact same thing.  

Mailer

I’ve set up automated emails based on what my subscribers do (like clicking on a link), and it’s helped keep my audience engaged.

Digital Marketing Specialist

Reporting is a bit basic if you need deep insights into what subscribers are doing beyond opens and clicks.

Executive VA

MailerLite offers a clean, intuitive interface and robust automation features that make email marketing efficient and easy to manage.

The landing pages are easy to create, and they offer a ton of templates, so you don't have to create something from nothing. When you integrate MailerLite with other programs it is easy to do.

The drag-and-drop editor allows me to quickly design professional emails without any technical expertise.

Its great, i can manage to send my Campaings easy and have forms to get suscribers in wordpress.

Membership Director

You can't copy paste text with multiple new lines without making some trouble.

Head honcho

I’ve been surprised at how robust the system is - Email templates, reporting, grouping, social media.

A bit confusing when some emails need to be deleted manually if you have multiple lists.

The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive, and customer support is fast and effective when support is needed.

Whe I did run inot a probelm I couldn't resolve, the cutomer service came to the rescue in a timely fashion. When all is said and done what MailerLIte provides will be worth the money.

Founder and CEO

initial setup was a bit clunky but i guess that was not a mailerlite problem but more of a domain (DNX) setting issue

Marketing manager.

It has limited templates. although it offers templates, the selection isn’t as large compared to some other email marketing tools.

From recipients: no spam complaints, no abusive response, normal engagement .

Email Management

Email Automation

Landing Pages

Drag and Drop

Email Campaigns

Templates

Automation

Subscribers

Email Marketing

Reviewers feel MailerLite’s email marketing capabilities are straightforward, making it easy to design, send, and track campaigns. Users highlight the drag-and-drop editor, customizable templates, and segmentation options as valuable aspects. They report that MailerLite integrates well with websites and eCommerce platforms, enabling targeted campaigns. Users say analytics on open and click rates help them refine messaging. They appreciate MailerLite’s free plan for beginners, though some mention design options can be limited compared to other platforms. Of the 67 MailerLite users who gave detailed accounts of their use of Email Marketing, 94% rated this feature as important or highly important.

Payment and Refunds

Freelancers

Small Business

Large Enterprises

Mid-size Business

Google Workspace

Google Workspace is a suite of applications from Google which offers a number of tools to communicate and collaborate with colleagues, store files, and manage data from all devices.

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Outlook is a personal information manager from Microsoft which helps users communicate, manage schedules & find what they need quickly & easily

Thunderbird is an on-premise email management platform designed to help businesses securely handle, search, organize, archive, and filter email conversations from within a unified platform. The Mail Account Setup Wizard allows professionals to set up existing user accounts with information, such as email address, name, and password.


Search/Filter

Spam Blocker

Alerts/Notifications

Signature Management

Archiving & Retention

By industry, Thunderbird reviewers are most commonly professionals in information technology and services (15%). The most frequent use case for Thunderbird cited by reviewers is email management (100%).

Most reviewers indicate that Thunderbird provides excellent value for money, as they appreciate its free and open-source nature with no paywalls. Some reviewers feel its free features rival paid alternatives, despite lacking certain advanced options.

Thunderbird is an email management program offering key features such as inbox management and search/filter capabilities, among others.

MailerLite vs Thunderbird Comparison (2026)

MailerLite

Thunderbird

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives