Quick Answer
60-second read
Both platforms compete directly on price, but the details differ in ways worth knowing. A recent MailerLite change is worth flagging: its free plan was reduced from 500 subscribers/12,000 emails to just 250 subscribers/2,500 emails per month in 2026 — EmailOctopus’s free plan (2,500 subscribers, 10,000 emails/month) is now meaningfully more generous. Where MailerLite pulls ahead is built-in feature depth: a full website builder, more landing page templates, and a broader automation editor, all included even on lower tiers. EmailOctopus stays minimalist by design and adds its AWS SES Connect option for high-volume senders, which MailerLite doesn’t offer.
Free plan available
This comparison was last updated July 2026, with pricing verified directly on emailoctopus.com and mailerlite.com, including MailerLite’s June 2026 pricing update. EUR conversions use 1 USD = ~€0.8442 (ECB) and should be treated as approximate — always confirm current rates before subscribing.
EmailOctopus vs MailerLite at a Glance
| Category | EmailOctopus | MailerLite |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 2,500 subscribers, 10,000 emails/month | 250 subscribers, 2,500 emails/month (reduced in 2026) |
| Entry paid (500 contacts) | ~$10/month (~€8.44) | ~$12/month (~€10.13), Comfort |
| Higher tier | Pro scales by contact count | Power — ~$25/month starting, unlimited sending |
| Website/landing page builder | Basic — 1 landing page free, more on Pro | ✅ Full website builder + more templates, included |
| High-volume sending | ✅ EmailOctopus Connect (AWS SES) | ❌ Not available |
| Automation depth | Basic | More built-out automation editor |
| Aggregate rating | 4.8/5 Capterra, 4.2/5 G2 | ~4.6/5 across platforms |
Free Plans: A Recent Shift Worth Knowing
This is worth flagging clearly because it’s a genuine, recent change: MailerLite reduced its free plan in 2026 from 500 subscribers/12,000 emails per month down to 250 subscribers/2,500 emails per month. EmailOctopus’s free plan (2,500 subscribers, 10,000 emails/month) is now significantly more generous by comparison — ten times the subscriber allowance and four times the email volume. If you’re choosing based on the free tier alone, EmailOctopus currently has the clear edge, a reversal from how these two platforms used to compare.
Where MailerLite Wins
MailerLite includes considerably more built-in functionality even on lower tiers: a genuine website builder (not just landing pages), a broader template library, and a more developed visual automation editor. For small businesses that want website, landing pages, and email all from one platform without stitching together separate tools, MailerLite’s included feature depth is a real advantage EmailOctopus’s minimalist approach doesn’t match.
Where EmailOctopus Wins
Beyond the currently-more-generous free tier, EmailOctopus’s real structural advantage is Connect — its direct Amazon SES integration for high-volume senders, letting you pay close to AWS’s raw sending rate (~$0.10 per 1,000 emails) instead of standard per-subscriber pricing. MailerLite has no equivalent option. If your list is large and growing, or you specifically want infrastructure-level control over sending, EmailOctopus’s ceiling is meaningfully higher on cost efficiency at scale.
Who Wins for Your Use Case
MailerLite wins for: small businesses that want a website, landing pages, and email marketing bundled into one platform with more built-in design flexibility, and don’t mind the smaller free tier.
EmailOctopus wins for: anyone prioritizing the most generous free tier currently available between the two, pure email-focused simplicity, or high-volume senders who can take advantage of Connect’s AWS SES pricing.
Try EmailOctopus Free
2,500 subscribers, 10,000 emails/month. No credit card required.
Start Free with EmailOctopus →Frequently Asked Questions: EmailOctopus vs MailerLite
Which has a better free plan: EmailOctopus or MailerLite?
EmailOctopus, currently. After MailerLite reduced its free plan in 2026 to 250 subscribers and 2,500 emails per month, EmailOctopus’s free plan (2,500 subscribers, 10,000 emails per month) became significantly more generous by comparison — a reversal from how these platforms used to compare on free-tier value.
Does MailerLite have more features than EmailOctopus?
Yes, in terms of built-in functionality — MailerLite includes a full website builder, a broader template library, and a more developed automation editor, even on lower-priced tiers. EmailOctopus stays deliberately minimalist, focused on core email sending, with its main structural advantage being the AWS SES Connect option for high-volume senders.
Is EmailOctopus cheaper than MailerLite?
At the 500-subscriber tier, EmailOctopus (~$10/month, ~€8.44) is slightly cheaper than MailerLite’s Comfort plan (~$12/month, ~€10.13). Combined with EmailOctopus’s more generous free tier, it’s the more budget-friendly option overall for most small lists, though the gap is smaller than EmailOctopus’s comparison against Mailchimp.
Can EmailOctopus build a full website like MailerLite?
Not to the same extent. EmailOctopus includes basic landing pages and forms, but not a full website builder — MailerLite’s website builder is more developed and included even on lower tiers. If you need an actual website (not just landing pages) built into your email platform, MailerLite has a clear advantage.
Related Resources
- 📊 EmailOctopus Review 2026 — Full hands-on review of EmailOctopus specifically
- 🎯 MailerLite Review — Full hands-on review of MailerLite specifically
- ⚡ EmailOctopus vs Mailchimp — The comparison EmailOctopus positions itself against directly
- 🔀 EmailOctopus vs Brevo — Pure email vs multichannel marketing
