Best 4 Newsletter Platforms

📸 by Justine Anweiler, Newsletter Prototype, 2025.

I love to prototype digital platforms, SEO hacks, and content creation trends 🤓

So, when I started Longevity Elixirs (my newsletter) back in December 2024 – I began an intensive experiment to determine the best newsletter platform on the market.

I tested 6 of the top newsletter platforms [Mailchimp, Flodesk, MailerLite, Cyberimpact, Kit (previously ConvertKit), and Squarespace] to see which was the easiest to use, had the best design features, and provided the most value. Using my newsletter template, I recreated the design in each platform to evaluate key factors like usability, design interface, template designs and bang-for-your-buck to see who provided the best service.

For more context watch my two-part Instagram series here (Part 1 & Part 2).

My Top Picks are . . .

🥇 Best Overall Platform | $0-20/month USD → MailerLite **** WINNER ****

• easy-to-use design interface 

• looks and feels like ChatGPT

• affordable
  

🥈 Best Design & Want to Splurge | $0-60/month USD → Flodesk

• easy-to-use design interface 

• top-notch design templates

• expensive (even with a discount code)
  

🥉 Best for Canadian Anti-Spam Regulations | $0-50/month CDN → Cyberimpact

• basic features but easy to use

• best for regulation-specific businesses
  

🥉 Best for All-in-one-place | $7-68/month USD → Squarespace

• easy-to-use and intuitive interface

• excellent design templates

• glitches 😕
  

Those that didn’t make the cut ✂️ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

→ Kit (aka ConvertKit) | $0-59/month USD:

• excellent for pop-up forms with email automation containing downloadables

• difficult to navigate
  

→ Mailchimp (My least favourite) | $0-30/month USD:

• clunky user interface

• basic design capabilities

• original platform
  

→ Web hosting platforms: I haven’t spent much time on other web hosting platforms like Kajabi ($$$$), Shopify, Wix or WordPress but I imagine they are comparable to Squarespace in the sense that their newsletter feature is an add-on, not a primary function.

Article FAQs generated by ChatGPT:
1. Which newsletter platform is best for beginners with no design or tech experience?
For beginners with no design or tech experience, MailerLite is the best option. It has:

• A simple, drag-and-drop editor that makes designing emails easy.

• Affordable pricing (with a free plan available).

• Intuitive interface that feels similar to using ChatGPT.

• Basic automation features that are beginner-friendly but still effective.

If design is a priority and you’re willing to pay a bit more, Flodesk is another beginner-friendly option with stunning templates. However, it lacks advanced automation features and is more expensive than MailerLite.

2. How do the automation features compare across these platforms?
Automation is crucial for things like welcome sequences, email funnels, and scheduled campaigns. Here’s how the platforms compare:

• Best for automation: Kit (ConvertKit) → Ideal for creators who want to send downloadables, segment audiences, and set up advanced email sequences.

• Decent automation for the price: MailerLite → Has basic automation tools (like welcome sequences) that are easy to set up.

• Limited automation: Flodesk & Cyberimpact → Flodesk offers visually appealing email sequences but lacks deep automation tools. Cyberimpact focuses on compliance rather than advanced marketing automation.

• Worst for automation: Mailchimp & Squarespace → Mailchimp has clunky automation, and Squarespace’s email features are basic compared to standalone newsletter platforms.

For creators who rely on automation, ConvertKit (Kit) is the best, but for a balance of affordability and ease, MailerLite is a solid choice.

3. What makes Mailchimp the least favourite, and are there any scenarios where it might still be a good choice?
Mailchimp was one of the first email marketing platforms, but it has fallen behind due to:

• A clunky, outdated interface that feels harder to navigate than newer alternatives.

• Basic design templates that aren’t as visually appealing as Flodesk or MailerLite.

• Limited free plan (other platforms offer better free-tier options).

4. When might Mailchimp still be a good choice?

• If you already have historical data and subscriber lists on Mailchimp, switching may not be worth the hassle.

• If you’re looking for basic email marketing without advanced automation needs.

• If you need integration with other tools (Mailchimp connects with many third-party apps).

However, in most cases, MailerLite, ConvertKit, or Flodesk are better choices depending on your needs.