Best AI email marketing tools for small business
For most small businesses, MailerLite is the best place to start: it has a free plan, and its paid plans include an AI writing assistant from US$12 a month. Mailchimp suits owners who want a well-known name with AI features built into its Standard plan, and Brevo is worth a look if you also want to send SMS and transactional emails.
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The picks at a glance
| Tool | Best for | Free plan |
|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | Best value | 250 subscribers |
| Mailchimp | Familiar name | Under 250 contacts |
| Brevo | Email plus SMS | 300 emails a day |
Prices are each maker’s regular list price in US dollars, read on the date shown. We never convert currencies. All three price paid plans by list size or sending volume.
1. MailerLite: best value
Why it stands out. The free plan includes up to 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails a month, automations, signup forms, a website, and a landing page. Comfort, from US$12 a month, adds the AI writing assistant, smart sending, and the full subject line generator. Power, from US$25 a month, adds unlimited emails, automations, and seats, plus 24/7 live chat support. Every new account gets 14 days to try paid features, with no credit card.
Watch out. On the free plan, sending locks once you pass 250 active subscribers. The price rises with your list, and Comfort caps monthly emails based on your subscriber tier.
2. Mailchimp: best-known name
Why it stands out. Mailchimp is free for under 250 contacts. Its Standard and Premium plans include generative AI features at no additional cost, plus up to 200 automation flows. Mailchimp also offers Intuit Assist, an AI helper in beta, on some plans. Standard comes with a 14-day free trial and a personalized onboarding session.
Watch out. The free plan allows only 500 sends a month (250 a day), 1 seat, and no email scheduling, and it keeps Mailchimp branding. The Essentials plan doesn’t include the generative AI features. Paid prices depend on your list size, and the page we checked didn’t show them without choosing a contact count.
3. Brevo: best for email plus SMS
Why it stands out. Brevo’s free plan lets you send up to 300 emails a day once your account is approved, with no credit card. The Starter plan includes an AI content generator for subject lines and email copy, and Standard adds AI send-time optimization, A/B testing, and unlimited automated workflows. Every plan includes transactional email. Brevo also sells SMS credits and pay-as-you-go email credits that don’t expire.
Watch out. SMS credits cost extra. The page we checked didn’t show plan prices without choosing a sending volume, and the "Sent with Brevo" footer is removed only on paid plans.
How to choose
- Small list, tight budget? Start with MailerLite’s free plan.
- Want AI writing help? MailerLite Comfort, Mailchimp Standard, and Brevo Starter all include it.
- Need texts too? Brevo handles email and SMS in one place.
- Price your real list size. All three charge more as your list or sending grows, so check the price at the size you expect next year.
Questions people ask
What is the best AI email marketing tool for small business?
For most small businesses, MailerLite. It has a free plan for up to 250 subscribers, and paid plans with an AI writing assistant start at US$12 a month (checked October 2026).
Is there a free email marketing tool with AI?
Partly. MailerLite’s free plan includes a limited subject line generator and one use of its AI landing page builder. Mailchimp’s generative AI features need a Standard or Premium plan.
Does Mailchimp have AI?
Yes. Mailchimp’s Standard and Premium plans include generative AI features at no additional cost, and it offers Intuit Assist (beta) on some plans.
Can I send SMS with an email marketing tool?
Yes. Brevo sells SMS credits on top of its plans, and Mailchimp offers SMS as an add-on to paid plans in select countries.
Related pages
- Tool pages: Mailchimp · MailerLite
- Mailchimp alternatives
- Writing & marketing tools for small business
- Best AI tools for small business owners
- Best AI website builder for small business
- How we pick
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