Klaviyo has been the go-to email marketing platform for ecommerce stores, but it's not the only option.
With pricing starting at $45 per month and a recent price increase of up to 25%, many merchants are exploring alternatives that offer similar features without the premium price tag.
The good news? There are plenty of capable platforms that can handle your email marketing, automation, and SMS needs.
Some even offer features Klaviyo doesn't, like built-in CRM tools or more generous free plans.
Let's look at seven top Klaviyo alternatives worth considering for your ecommerce business.
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Why merchants look for Klaviyo alternatives
Klaviyo is a solid platform, but several factors drive merchants to explore other options.
Pricing concerns top the list. Klaviyo's paid plans start at $45 per month for just 1,500 contacts. For a store with 25,000 contacts, you're looking at roughly $400 per month. That's a significant expense for growing businesses.
The free plan is limited. You get only 250 contacts and 500 emails per month. Compare that to alternatives like Sender, which offers 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails on their free tier.
Complexity is another pain point. Klaviyo's feature-rich interface can overwhelm small teams. Users often mention a steep learning curve when setting up automations or segmenting their audience.
Support quality varies. While Klaviyo offers support, some users report slow response times. The free plan only includes 60 days of email support, which leaves new users figuring things out on their own.
Finally, deliverability issues have been reported. Some merchants see emails landing in spam folders, with open rates dropping significantly after switching to Klaviyo.
What to look for in a Klaviyo alternative
Before diving into the options, let's establish what matters when evaluating alternatives.
Ecommerce integrations are non-negotiable. Your email platform needs to sync seamlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, or BigCommerce. Look for deep integrations that pull in order data, product catalogs, and customer behavior.
Automation capabilities should include abandoned cart recovery, welcome series, and post-purchase follow-ups. The best platforms offer visual workflow builders that make creating these automations straightforward.
Pricing scalability matters. A platform that's affordable at 1,000 contacts might become expensive at 50,000. Check how pricing scales as you grow.
Ease of use affects your team's productivity. A platform with a gentler learning curve means faster time to value.
Deliverability rates impact your bottom line. Look for platforms with strong sender reputations and tools to help your emails reach inboxes.
Customer support quality varies widely. 24/7 live chat can be a lifesaver when you're launching a campaign and hit a snag.
SMS marketing is increasingly important. Many platforms now offer SMS alongside email, often at a lower combined cost than Klaviyo.
Quick comparison: Klaviyo alternatives at a glance
Here's how the seven alternatives stack up on key metrics:
Top 7 Klaviyo alternatives reviewed
1. Omnisend
Best for: Ecommerce stores wanting a true Klaviyo competitor
Omnisend is built specifically for ecommerce, with deep Shopify integration that rivals Klaviyo's. It combines email, SMS, and web push notifications in a single platform.
Key features:
- Visual automation builder with pre-built ecommerce workflows
- 250+ email templates designed for online stores
- Customer lifecycle stage mapping
- 24/7 live chat and email support on all paid plans
- Product picker for inserting products directly into emails
- Popups, signup forms, and landing pages
Pros:
- Lower price point than Klaviyo (starts at $16 vs $45)
- More email templates included
- Better customer support availability
- Ecommerce-focused features throughout
Cons:
- Fewer automation workflow templates than Klaviyo
- Smaller integration ecosystem
Pricing: Starts at $16 per month for 500 contacts. The free plan includes 250 contacts and 500 emails per month. Annual billing saves 30%.
Source: Omnisend pricing
2. Brevo
Best for: Budget-conscious businesses wanting CRM + email
Formerly Sendinblue, Brevo offers an all-in-one marketing platform that includes email, SMS, WhatsApp, and sales tools. The generous free plan makes it attractive for startups.
Key features:
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Marketing automation workflows
- Built-in CRM (included in all plans)
- Landing page builder
- Live chat and appointment scheduling
- A/B testing on Standard plan and above
Pros:
- Very affordable starting at $9 per month
- Generous free plan: unlimited contacts, 300 emails per day
- CRM included at no extra cost
- Strong SMS and WhatsApp capabilities
Cons:
- Less ecommerce-specific than Klaviyo
- Smaller template library than competitors
Pricing: Starts at $9 per month. The free plan allows unlimited contacts with a 300 email per day limit. Annual billing saves 10%.
Source: Brevo pricing
3. Mailchimp
Best for: Small businesses wanting an all-in-one marketing suite
Mailchimp has evolved from a simple email tool to a full marketing platform. Now owned by Intuit, it offers AI features, website building, and social media scheduling alongside email marketing.
Key features:
- AI-powered content creation with Intuit Assist
- Customer journey builder for automation
- Website builder included
- Social media scheduling
- 300+ integrations
- A/B testing and multivariate testing
Pros:
- Comprehensive feature set beyond email
- Intuitive interface with guided setup
- Strong brand recognition and trust
- Good free plan for getting started
Cons:
- Pricing jumps quickly as your list grows
- Less ecommerce-focused than Klaviyo
- Support can be slow on lower tiers
Pricing: Starts at $13 per month for 500 contacts. The free plan supports up to 250 contacts and 500 sends per month. Annual billing saves 15%.
Source: Mailchimp pricing
4. ActiveCampaign
Best for: Businesses prioritizing marketing automation
ActiveCampaign is known for having some of the most powerful automation capabilities in the industry. With over 180,000 businesses using the platform, it's a proven choice for sophisticated marketers.
Key features:
- 950+ pre-built automation recipes
- Multi-step marketing automation
- CRM with sales automation
- Predictive sending and conditional content
- 1,000+ integrations
- Site and event tracking
Pros:
- Best-in-class automation capabilities
- Deep segmentation options
- Extensive integration ecosystem
- Excellent deliverability rates
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve than simpler tools
- Can become expensive at scale
- Less ecommerce-native than Klaviyo
Pricing: Starts at $15 per month for 1,000 contacts. All plans include a 14-day free trial. Higher tiers unlock more automation actions and users.
Source: ActiveCampaign pricing
5. Sender
Best for: Fast-growing ecommerce on a budget
Sender offers robust email marketing features at a fraction of Klaviyo's cost. With over 180,000 companies using the platform, it's proven for businesses of all sizes.
Key features:
- Email newsletters and automation workflows
- Landing pages and signup forms
- SMS messaging
- Product recommendations
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- 24/7 email and live chat support
Pros:
- Very affordable with plans starting at $7 per month
- Generous free plan: 2,500 subscribers, 15,000 emails
- Easy to use drag-and-drop editor
- Good deliverability rates
- Free migration service
Cons:
- Smaller template library than established competitors
- Fewer native integrations
Pricing: Starts at $7 per month. The free plan includes 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails monthly. Annual billing offers significant savings.
Source: Sender pricing
6. MailerLite
Best for: Creators and small businesses wanting simplicity
MailerLite focuses on ease of use while still offering powerful features. It's particularly popular among creators, bloggers, and small businesses who want to get started quickly.
Key features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop editor
- Website and blog builder
- Email automation workflows
- Ecommerce integrations
- A/B testing and multivariate testing
- AI writing assistant
Pros:
- Very user-friendly interface
- Affordable pricing starting at $10 per month
- Good free plan with 500 subscribers
- Fast, responsive support
- Ability to sell digital products
Cons:
- Limited advanced features compared to enterprise tools
- Fewer ecommerce-specific features than Klaviyo
Pricing: Starts at $10 per month. The free plan supports 500 subscribers and 12,000 emails per month. Annual billing saves 10%.
Source: MailerLite pricing
7. Drip
Best for: Ecommerce brands focused on segmentation
Drip is built specifically for ecommerce with powerful segmentation and personalization features. It's designed to help online retailers understand and engage their customers based on behavior.
Key features:
- Behavior-based automation
- Revenue attribution and dashboards
- Multi-channel marketing (email, SMS, social)
- Advanced segmentation
- Pre-built workflows for common ecommerce scenarios
- 90+ integrations
Pros:
- Ecommerce-focused from the ground up
- Powerful segmentation capabilities
- Revenue tracking and attribution
- Strong Shopify integration
Cons:
- Higher starting price at $39 per month
- No free plan (only 14-day trial)
- Can be complex for beginners
Pricing: Starts at $39 per month for up to 2,500 contacts with unlimited email sends. All plans include a 14-day free trial.
Source: Drip pricing
How to choose the right Klaviyo alternative
With seven solid options, how do you pick the right one? Here's a decision framework based on your specific needs.
Choose Omnisend if you want the closest Klaviyo alternative with better pricing and 24/7 support. It's the natural switch for Shopify stores.
Choose Brevo if budget is your top concern and you want CRM functionality included. The free plan is genuinely usable for small lists.
Choose Mailchimp if you want an all-in-one marketing platform beyond just email. The AI features and website builder add real value.
Choose ActiveCampaign if advanced automation is your priority. No other platform matches its workflow capabilities.
Choose Sender if you're growing fast and need affordable scaling. The free plan is one of the most generous available.
Choose MailerLite if simplicity and ease of use matter most. It's the gentlest learning curve of the bunch.
Choose Drip if you need powerful ecommerce segmentation and revenue tracking. The higher price reflects deeper analytics.
Making the switch from Klaviyo
Migrating email platforms can feel daunting, but most alternatives offer free migration services to help. Here's what to plan for:
Export your data before canceling Klaviyo. Download your contact lists, segments, and suppression lists. Save your email templates as HTML if you want to reuse them.
Recreate your automations in the new platform. Most tools offer pre-built ecommerce workflows that speed this up significantly.
Set up tracking and integrations early. Connect your ecommerce platform and verify that purchase data is flowing correctly.
Test deliverability before sending to your full list. Start with a small segment to ensure your emails reach inboxes.
Consider running both platforms briefly during the transition. This prevents gaps in your marketing while you verify everything works.
Find the best email platform for your store
The right email marketing platform depends on your specific needs, budget, and technical comfort level. Klaviyo remains a strong choice for many stores, but it's far from the only option.
Each alternative we've covered offers a compelling mix of features and pricing. Start with free trials to test the interface and see which feels most natural for your workflow. Pay attention to how quickly you can set up your first automation and how responsive support is when you have questions.
Remember, the best platform is the one you'll actually use consistently. A tool with slightly fewer features that your team enjoys using will drive better results than a feature-rich platform that sits unused.
Ready to explore your options? Most of these platforms offer free trials or generous free plans, so you can test before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Klaviyo alternatives offer the best free plan?
Sender offers the most generous free plan with 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails per month. Brevo allows unlimited contacts with 300 emails per day. Both are genuinely usable for small businesses just starting out.
Are there any Klaviyo alternatives specifically built for Shopify stores?
Omnisend and Drip are both built specifically for ecommerce with deep Shopify integrations. They offer pre-built workflows for abandoned carts, welcome series, and post-purchase follow-ups that work out of the box.
What Klaviyo alternatives include CRM functionality?
Brevo includes a built-in CRM at no extra cost on all plans. ActiveCampaign offers CRM with sales automation on higher-tier plans. Both can replace separate CRM tools for small to medium businesses.
Which Klaviyo alternatives offer both email and SMS marketing?
All seven alternatives covered offer SMS marketing. Omnisend, Brevo, and Drip have particularly strong SMS capabilities with automation and two-way messaging features.
How do Klaviyo alternatives compare on deliverability rates?
Most established alternatives like ActiveCampaign, Mailchimp, and Omnisend maintain strong sender reputations. Campaign Monitor claims a 99% delivery rate. The key is following email best practices regardless of platform.
Can I migrate my Klaviyo automations to another platform?
Most platforms like Sender, Omnisend, and ActiveCampaign offer free migration services. While automations need to be rebuilt, their teams will help transfer your contacts, templates, and data. Pre-built ecommerce workflows make setup faster than starting from scratch.
