Quick outline so we don’t ramble too far
- What beginners actually need from email marketing software
- A short, practical shortlist of beginner friendly tools
- How to pick one without overthinking it
- Tiny setup tips that save hours later
- Common beginner mistakes and how to sidestep them
Email marketing can feel weirdly old school, like fax machines or conference calls with bad hold music. And yet, it still works. Really well. If you’re new, the hardest part isn’t writing your first email. It’s choosing software that doesn’t make you feel like you need a computer science degree and a double espresso to send a newsletter.
So let’s keep this simple, conversational, and grounded in what you’ll actually do week to week. Because once you pick a tool, you’ll live in it. And if it’s clunky, you’ll avoid it. If it’s friendly, you’ll send more, learn faster, and probably sell more too.
What beginners really need from email software
Here’s the thing. Most platforms can send emails. That’s not the hard part. The beginner pain points are usually these:
- You want to build an email list without messing up your website
- You need templates that don’t look like a 2009 coupon
- You want automation, but only the simple kind
- You need clear analytics that tell you what happened
- You don’t want to pay a lot before you’ve even proven this channel works
Also, you want the platform to be forgiving. Beginners make “normal human” mistakes. Like importing a CSV with a weird column name. Or forgetting to set a from name. Or sending a test email to the whole list (yes, it happens).
So when I say “best email marketing software for beginners,” I mostly mean software that helps you avoid those facepalm moments.
The shortlist that won’t overwhelm you
You’ll see a million rankings online. Some are useful. Some feel like they were written by a robot who’s never tried to format a button.
Below are tools that are popular for a reason, with plain language pros and cons, and a good fit for first timers.
Mailchimp if you want familiar and straightforward
Mailchimp is the name people blurt out when you say “email marketing.” It’s like asking for a tissue and getting handed a Kleenex. For beginners, that brand familiarity matters. You don’t feel lost right away.
Why beginners like it Mailchimp’s editor is friendly. You can drag and drop blocks, change colors, add images, and get a decent looking email without wrestling with code. It also has a big library of help articles and tutorials, which is handy when you’re stuck at 11 pm wondering why your logo looks blurry.
Where it can feel tricky Mailchimp gets expensive as your list grows. Also, some features sit behind higher plans, so you might bump into “upgrade to use this” messages sooner than you’d like.
Good fit for
- Creators sending a newsletter
- Small businesses starting with monthly promos
- Anyone who wants a familiar interface and lots of tutorials
MailerLite if you want clean design and less fuss
MailerLite is often the tool people switch to after they realize they don’t need a giant enterprise platform. It’s lighter, cleaner, and frankly, kind of calming.
Why beginners like it The interface feels modern without being confusing. Templates look sharp. Landing pages and sign up forms are easy to build. And the automation builder is simple enough that you can make a welcome series without feeling like you’re wiring a spaceship.
A small tradeoff Some advanced segmentation and reporting features aren’t as deep as the heavyweight tools. But as a beginner, you may not miss them. Not yet.
Good fit for
- Bloggers, coaches, and solo business owners
- Local businesses that want nice emails fast
- People who want solid value without extra noise
ConvertKit if you’re a creator who sells ideas
ConvertKit has always leaned toward creators, like writers, YouTubers, podcasters, and course sellers. If your business is built on content and trust, ConvertKit’s approach makes sense.
Why beginners like it It’s built around tagging and simple automation. You can set up a lead magnet, connect a form, and send a short sequence without getting tangled up. It also makes it easy to sell digital products, which is a big deal if you’re testing a paid newsletter, templates, or a mini course.
The mild contradiction ConvertKit is simple, but it can feel “different” if you’re used to list based systems. At first you might think, wait, where are my lists? Then you get used to tags and realize it’s actually cleaner.
Good fit for
- Creators selling digital products
- People who want easy automations and tagging
- Anyone building a personal brand style newsletter
Brevo if you want email plus text messages
Brevo used to be called Sendinblue, and it’s a strong choice if you want more than email. It mixes email marketing with SMS and some light CRM features, so it can feel more “businessy,” but still manageable.
Why beginners like it You can start with basic newsletters, then add SMS later for reminders or flash sales. If you run appointments, events, or promotions, that combo can be useful.
What to watch The interface has a lot going on. Not chaotic, but it’s not as minimal as MailerLite. Give yourself an hour to click around and get comfortable.
Good fit for
- Service businesses that want reminders
- Small ecommerce brands doing promos
- Anyone curious about mixing email and SMS
Constant Contact if you want hand holding and local business vibes
Constant Contact has been around forever, and it shows in a good way. It’s popular with nonprofits, community groups, and local businesses. Think newsletters for a chamber of commerce, a yoga studio schedule, or a school fundraiser.
Why beginners like it Support and onboarding are strong. The tool feels like it wants you to succeed even if you’re not “techy.” Event marketing features can also be a plus.
Downside Pricing can be higher than newer tools with similar basics. But for some people, support and simplicity are worth paying for.
Good fit for
- Local businesses and community orgs
- Nonprofits sending updates and donation drives
- Teams that want help setting things up
ActiveCampaign if you want to grow into serious automation
Okay, this one is a bit of a curveball for beginners. ActiveCampaign is more advanced. But I’m including it because some beginners already know they want automation, CRM features, and customer journeys that go beyond a welcome email.
Why it can still work for beginners The templates and automations are powerful, and there’s a big education library. If you’re willing to learn gradually, you won’t outgrow it quickly.
Why you might skip it for now It can feel like too much tool. If you’re only sending a monthly newsletter, you’ll be paying for horsepower you don’t use.
Good fit for
- Businesses with a sales pipeline
- Agencies and B2B teams
- People who want serious automation later
So which one should you choose
Honestly, the “best” tool depends on what you’re trying to do in the next 90 days, not the next five years. Beginners get stuck because they shop for a forever platform. You don’t need forever. You need the next step.
Here’s a simple way to decide:
If you want the easiest start with clean design, pick MailerLite. If you’re a creator selling digital products, pick ConvertKit. If you want a widely known tool with lots of guides, pick Mailchimp. If you want email plus SMS, pick Brevo. If you want training wheels and support, pick Constant Contact. If you already know you want complex automation, pick ActiveCampaign.
And yes, it’s okay to switch later. People act like switching email platforms is like moving house. It’s more like reorganizing a closet. Slightly annoying, totally doable.
A quick reality check about pricing
Most email tools price by subscriber count. That means your bill rises as your list grows. Which is fair, but it can sneak up on you.
A tiny digression that matters: don’t obsess over list size. A smaller list that trusts you beats a huge list that forgets who you are. If 300 people open your emails and click, you’re doing better than a list of 10,000 ghosts.
When you compare tools, look for:
- Cost at your current list size
- Cost at the next tier up
- Whether automation is included or locked behind upgrades
- Whether you pay extra for multiple users
Features that matter more than you think
Some features sound boring, but they save you later.
A good form builder
You’ll need sign up forms for your website, landing pages, or link in bio pages. If the form builder is clumsy, you’ll procrastinate, and your list won’t grow. Simple as that.
Deliverability tools
Most platforms claim good deliverability. Still, look for basics like domain authentication support (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). You don’t have to become a deliverability nerd, but you do want your emails to land in inboxes, not the promotions tab abyss.
Automation that feels human
As a beginner, start with two automations:
- A welcome email (or welcome series)
- A simple follow up after someone downloads a freebie
That’s it. Fancy flows can come later.
Reporting you can understand
Open rates, click rates, unsubscribes. Keep it simple. If the reports feel like reading a tax document, you’ll ignore them. And that’s a shame because small tweaks, like changing a subject line style, can lift results fast.
A simple setup plan for your first week
If you’re starting from zero, this is a sane path that won’t melt your brain.
1. Create your account and set your from name and email 2. Connect your domain authentication if the tool guides you through it 3. Build one sign up form and put it somewhere obvious 4. Write a welcome email that sounds like you 5. Send your first newsletter to a small group, even if it’s ten people
A small note that sounds obvious but isn’t: send the welcome email from a real person name, not “No Reply.” No one builds trust with a no reply address. It feels cold, like a locked door.
Common beginner mistakes that are totally normal
You’re going to make a few mistakes. Everyone does. Still, it helps to know what to avoid.
Writing like a brochure
Your email isn’t a billboard. It’s closer to a note you’d send a colleague, or a friend who asked for a recommendation. Keep it warm. Keep it clear. And yes, you can sell. Just don’t sound like you swallowed a catalog.
Sending too often or not often enough
This is funny because both can be true. If you send daily out of nowhere, people will bail. If you send once every six months, they’ll forget you. Pick a rhythm you can sustain. Weekly, every other week, or monthly all work if you show up consistently.
Ignoring the plain text look
Not every email needs banners and buttons. Some of the best performing emails look like they were typed quickly, because they feel personal. Test both styles. You might surprise yourself.
Overbuilding automation
It’s tempting to map a whole customer journey with ten branches. But your first goal is sending consistent emails people actually read. Then you can add complexity.
A final nudge before you choose
Picking email marketing software is like picking a notebook. You want one that opens easily, doesn’t fall apart, and makes you want to write. The fanciest one isn’t always the one you use.
So choose a tool that feels friendly. Get your first form live. Send your first welcome email. And let the learning happen as you go, because that’s how it usually works in real life.
If you want the simplest answer, it’s this: start with MailerLite or Mailchimp, unless you’re a creator who already knows ConvertKit fits your style. Then send something this week. Not perfect. Just real.
