Growing a blog into a business or community takes more than publishing great content — it takes building relationships. Email automation lets you nurture those relationships with minimal manual effort, helping you welcome new subscribers, deliver content consistently, and boost engagement and conversions.
But if you’re a small blog on a budget, paying for advanced email software may feel premature. The good news? There are powerful free email automation tools that help small blogs get started with email campaigns without spending a dime.
This beginner‑friendly guide covers the best free email automation tools for small blogs, what they offer, and how to choose the one that fits your needs.
Why Email Automation Matters for Small Blogs
Before we dive into tools, let’s quickly explain why email automation matters:
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Build trust: Automated welcome emails make a strong first impression.
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Stay consistent: Schedule emails ahead of time without manual sending.
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Increase engagement: Follow‑ups keep readers engaged with your content.
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Grow revenue: Automation unlocks sequences that convert into sales, sign‑ups, or downloads.
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Save time: Do more with less effort — once the workflow is set up, it runs on its own.
For small blogs with limited time, automation isn’t a luxury — it’s a time‑saving strategy that accelerates growth.
1. MailerLite — Generous Free Plan With Automation
Best for: Bloggers who want easy workflows and email design tools
MailerLite stands out as one of the most beginner‑friendly email automation platforms with a generous free tier.
Free Plan Features:
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Up to 1,000 subscribers
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Unlimited email sends
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Basic automation workflows
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Drag‑and‑drop email builder
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Landing pages and pop‑up forms
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Audience segmentation and reporting
Top Automation Uses:
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Welcome email series for new subscribers
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Drip campaigns tied to blog categories
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Birthday or timed follow‑ups
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Tag‑based automations (e.g., new lead → tag → send sequence)
Why it’s great:
MailerLite’s automation builder is visual and intuitive, making it ideal for bloggers who have never used email automation before.
2. Mailchimp — Easy Start and Familiar Interface
Best for: Bloggers who want a simple, trusted platform
Mailchimp is one of the most well‑known email tools, and its free plan is suitable for beginners.
Free Plan Features:
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Up to 500 subscribers
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1,000 email sends per month
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Basic automations (e.g., welcome email)
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Simple templates and campaign builder
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Audience segmentation and performance analytics
Top Automation Uses:
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Welcome sequences for new subscribers
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Abandoned signup follow‑ups
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Basic event triggers (e.g., joining a list)
Why it’s great:
Mailchimp is especially beginner‑friendly thanks to its onboarding tutorials and simple automation triggers. It’s a good entry point before scaling to more advanced tools.
3. Sendinblue — Unlimited Contacts, Conditional Automation
Best for: Bloggers with growing lists who send frequently
Sendinblue takes a slightly different approach: there’s no contact limit on the free plan, but send volume is limited daily.
Free Plan Features:
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Unlimited contacts
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Up to 300 email sends per day
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Automation workflows with triggers
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SMS marketing options (paid add‑on)
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Advanced segmentation
Top Automation Uses:
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Welcome workflows
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Behavior‑based automation (e.g., clicked link → send follow‑up)
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Segmented newsletters
Why it’s great:
Unlimited contacts are rare on free email plans. If you expect your list to grow beyond typical free limits, Sendinblue lets you collect subscribers without worrying about list caps.
4. Moosend — Simple Automation & Reporting
Best for: Bloggers focused on automation and analytics
Moosend’s free tier includes automation workflows and detailed analytics, giving beginners tools that feel more advanced than most free options.
Free Plan Features:
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Up to 1,000 subscribers
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Unlimited emails
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Automation workflows
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Reporting and tracking
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Signup forms
Top Automation Uses:
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Welcome series
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Segmented automations based on actions
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Timed follow‑ups (e.g., 3‑day series after signup)
Why it’s great:
Moosend includes automation beyond basics, yet keeps the interface approachable for beginners.
5. HubSpot Email Marketing — CRM + Automation Combo
Best for: Bloggers who want CRM features with email automation
HubSpot’s free email marketing and CRM bundle is powerful for bloggers who want to track contacts and interactions tightly.
Free Plan Features:
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Up to 1,000 email sends per month
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Contact management and tagging
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Basic automation workflows
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Email templates and scheduling
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Dashboard and performance insights
Top Automation Uses:
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Welcome and nurture sequences
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Contact lifecycle automations
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CRM‑triggered workflows (e.g., visited page → email)
Why it’s great:
HubSpot is ideal if you plan to grow beyond email — the built‑in CRM makes it easy to track readers, leads, and conversions in one place.
6. Benchmark Email — Simple Welcome Automations
Best for: Bloggers who want a clean editor and quick setup
Benchmark’s free plan focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
Free Plan Features:
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Up to 500 subscribers
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Unlimited emails
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Drag‑and‑drop editor
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Basic automation sequences
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Signup forms and tracking
Top Automation Uses:
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Welcome series
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Re‑engagement follow‑ups
Why it’s great:
Benchmark’s intuitive UI makes setting up welcome sequences and simple automations fast, which is perfect for beginners.
Quick Comparison: Free Email Automation Tools
| Tool | Free Subscribers | Email Sends | Automation | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | 1,000 | Unlimited | Yes (good) | Beginner automation + forms |
| Mailchimp | 500 | 1,000/mo | Yes (basic) | Simplicity & brand recognition |
| Sendinblue | Unlimited | 300/day | Yes (conditional) | Growing lists |
| Moosend | 1,000 | Unlimited | Yes (advanced) | Analytics + workflow |
| HubSpot | Unlimited* | 1,000/mo | Yes (CRM‑based) | Blogger + CRM |
| Benchmark | 500 | Unlimited | Yes (basic) | Quick welcome flows |
*HubSpot’s free CRM stores unlimited contacts, but email send limits apply per month.
Tips for Beginner Email Automation
📌 Start With a Welcome Series
Your first automated sequence should be simple: welcome subscribers, thank them for joining, and set expectations about what you’ll send and how often.
📌 Segment Early
Even basic segmentation (e.g., interests, blog category preference) increases engagement and open rates.
📌 Use Clear CTAs
Your automation emails should have a clear call‑to‑action (e.g., “Read the latest post,” “Download the guide,” “Reply to let me know”).
📌 Monitor Key Metrics
Track opens, clicks, and unsubscribes — these help you refine your automation for better performance.
📌 Stay Compliant
Always include unsubscribe links and collect consent to stay compliant with CAN‑SPAM and GDPR rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use free email automation for e‑commerce?
Yes — but most free plans have limitations. For full e‑commerce automation (abandoned carts, purchase follow‑ups), you may need a paid plan eventually.
Which tool is best for bloggers with no experience?
MailerLite and Mailchimp are most friendly for absolute beginners thanks to simple interfaces and step‑by‑step setup guides.
Do free email tools support mobile‑friendly emails?
Yes. Most free platforms offer responsive templates that look good on phones and desktops.
Can I migrate to a paid plan later?
Absolutely. All tools listed allow exporting lists and upgrading to more advanced automation features as you grow.
Final Thoughts
Email automation doesn’t have to be intimidating or expensive — especially for small blogs just getting started. The tools above empower you to set up welcome series, drip campaigns, and segmented sequences without hiring a developer or paying a premium.
Start with a simple sequence (like a welcome email), then gradually add more advanced workflows as your audience grows. Choose a tool based on your subscriber capacity and automation needs:
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MailerLite for balanced features
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Mailchimp for simplicity
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Sendinblue for unlimited contacts
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Moosend for advanced workflows
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HubSpot for CRM integration
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Benchmark for easy welcome flows
By automating the right workflows, you’ll save hours every week and build stronger audience relationships — the heart of successful blogging in 2026 and beyond.