The Truth About "Free" Email Marketing

Let's be honest: there's no truly free email marketing platform that will grow with your business. Every "free" plan has severe limitations designed to push you to paid tiers. The question is: which platform gives you the best value?

⚠️

Mailchimp's "Free" Plan Reality

Only 500 contacts, 1,000 emails/month, and Mailchimp branding on every email. No automation, no A/B testing, and limited support. You'll outgrow it almost immediately.

The Real Question
Free vs Best Value—They're Different

Instead of hunting for "free," consider: What gives you the best return on a small investment? HiMail.ai's $29/month includes WhatsApp marketing (worth $50+ elsewhere), unlimited users, and no restrictive limits.

Free Options Compared

Here's what you actually get with free email marketing plans:

Feature Mailchimp Free Brevo Free HiMail.ai Trial
Contacts
 500 Unlimited 10,000
Emails/Month
 1,000 300/day 25,000
WhatsApp
 No Limited 5,000/mo
Automation
 No Basic Full
Branding Removed
 Mailchimp badge Brevo badge Clean emails
Support
 Email only (30 days) Email only Chat + Email
Duration
 Forever (limited) Forever (limited) 14 days (full access)

Your Real Options

$0
forever, very limited
  • 500 contacts only
  • 1,000 emails/month
  • No automation
  • Mailchimp branding
  • No WhatsApp
$29
per month, full features
  • 2,500 contacts
  • 12,500 emails/month
  • Full automation
  • No branding
  • WhatsApp included

The Math That Matters

Let's say you get just one extra customer per month from having WhatsApp marketing (98% open rates vs email's 20%). If that customer is worth even $50, HiMail.ai pays for itself. Most businesses see much higher returns.

When Free Actually Makes Sense

A free plan might work if you:

  • Have fewer than 500 contacts and no growth plans
  • Send simple newsletters only (no automation needed)
  • Don't mind competitor branding on your emails
  • Only serve US customers (no WhatsApp needed)
  • Are testing email marketing as a concept

You should invest in paid if you:

  • Plan to grow beyond 500 contacts (you'll pay soon anyway)
  • Need automation to save time and convert better
  • Want professional emails without competitor branding
  • Have international customers (WhatsApp is essential)
  • Value your time more than $29/month
Why HiMail.ai at $29
  • 5x more contacts than Mailchimp free
  • WhatsApp marketing included
  • Full automation capabilities
  • No competitor branding
  • Unlimited team members
Mailchimp Free Limits
  • Only 500 contacts
  • No WhatsApp at all
  • No automation
  • Mailchimp logo on emails
  • 1 user only

Frequently Asked Questions

Does HiMail.ai have a free plan?

HiMail.ai offers a 14-day free trial with full access to all features—no credit card required. While there's no permanent free tier, the trial gives you enough time to test everything including WhatsApp marketing and decide if it's right for your business.

What's the cheapest HiMail.ai plan?

HiMail.ai Starter is $29/month and includes 2,500 contacts, 12,500 emails, WhatsApp messaging, full automation, and unlimited team members. It's designed to be affordable for small businesses while including features that would cost extra elsewhere.

Why is WhatsApp important if I just want email?

WhatsApp achieves 98% open rates vs email's 20%. Even if you don't think you need it now, having it available means you can reach customers who aren't opening emails. It's especially valuable if you have any international customers.

What are the best truly free alternatives?

If you must stay free, Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) offers unlimited contacts with 300 emails/day. MailerLite offers 1,000 subscribers with 12,000 emails/month. Both have limitations and branding. For anything serious, expect to pay $10-30/month.

Can I migrate from Mailchimp free?

Yes! You can export your contacts from Mailchimp and import them to HiMail.ai easily. We offer migration assistance to help you set up automations and get started quickly.