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If you’re here, there’s a good chance you’ve either used Klaviyo or seriously considered it, and something didn’t sit right.
Maybe it was the pricing, the way you’re charged for unsubscribed contacts, or the way the UI makes simple tasks feel like a 7-click ordeal. Maybe it was the feeling that you’re paying for features you don’t need yet.
You’re not alone, darling.
In 2025, more ecommerce marketers, founders, and email strategists are reevaluating their options. And while Klaviyo still dominates the conversation, it’s far from the only fish in the sea.
We’ll break down exactly how to choose the right email platform and then dive deep into the top Klaviyo alternatives for ecommerce in 2025: compare their features, pricing, and workflows, and help you skip hours of digging through review sites or Reddit threads.
We did the homework, so you don’t have to.
Let’s get started.
How to Choose the Right Email Marketing Tool in 2025
If you're trying to pick an email platform in 2025, you've probably noticed one thing: they all claim to be the best. Best for ROI, best for automations, best for your “brand journey” (whatever that means.)
But here’s the thing: the best tool is the one that fits how you actually run your business, your budget, your team size, your goals. That’s it.
Before we get into the top Klaviyo alternatives, let’s get clear on what to actually look for:
1. Pricing logic
Some platforms charge you based on how many people are on your list, even if you’re not emailing all of them. Others charge based on how many emails you actually send. That distinction matters more than you think.
Quick math: If you’ve got 10,000 contacts but typically segment your sends to 6,000 of them, list-based pricing (like Klaviyo) still charges you for all 10,000. Tools like Brevo or Bento only charge based on actual email volume, so you’re not stuck paying for people you don’t even message.
2. User interface
Some platforms look sleek until you try to build your second automation and get stuck in click-loop hell. Others look basic but actually work. You want the second kind.
3. SMS support
If you’re planning to run cart recovery or promo flows across both email and SMS, make sure the platform doesn’t treat SMS marketing like a bolt-on with its own confusing rules and surprise fees.
4. Automation features
Most platforms let you set up welcome flows and winbacks. The real test of good ecommerce automation is how easy it is to tweak things later without feeling like you're disarming a bomb every time you edit a step.
5. Store integration
You shouldn’t have to mess with APIs to pull in purchase history or customer tags. If it doesn’t sync your store cleanly out of the box, skip it.
6. Customer support
Whether it's an email not sending, or your abandoned cart flow breaking right before a launch, bad support turns minor issues into major time sucks. Read the reviews, check response times, and don’t assume live chat actually means live.
Before jumping into the tools, it’s worth checking out some email marketing examples from real brands. It’ll give you a better feel for what strong emails actually look like in inboxes.
The Best Klaviyo Competitors in 2025
You’ve seen the criteria, you know what matters, now let’s get into the ecommerce marketing tools that actually serve. These are the platforms people are switching to when Klaviyo starts feeling overpriced, overbuilt, or just not the right fit:
1. Omnisend
Omnisend is one of the most mentioned Klaviyo alternatives for ecommerce for a reason. It gives you email, SMS, and web push in one clean package without the sticker shock. For ecommerce teams that want solid automation, easy segmentation, and built-in SMS without jumping through pricing hoops, it hits a lot of the right notes.
- Email, SMS, and web push all included
- Prebuilt automations for cart, browse, welcome, and post-purchase
- Drag-and-drop editor with A/B testing and form builder
- Shopify integration is smooth and quick
- 24/7 customer support (rare in this space)
Reddit users often praise it for being easier to use than it looks and for not nickel-and-diming you at the entry level. Many say it’s a relief after trying to untangle Klaviyo’s UX or dealing with rising costs. That said, there are some caveats.
As your contact list grows, Omnisend’s pricing starts to catch up to competitors like Drip or even Klaviyo, especially if you’re sending across multiple channels. Some users also noted that Klaviyo still wins when it comes to templates and integrations, especially if you’re running a more complex setup with lots of apps in the mix.
One common frustration: if you don’t log in for six months, your account could be deleted. Not ideal for seasonal sellers or side projects you might not touch every month.
“Way more affordable at first, but once we scaled, we actually switched back to Klaviyo.” – A real user, I promise
Pricing:
Free for up to 250 contacts. Paid plans start at ~$11/month, with SMS credits and all major features included. Pro users get unlimited email sends and bonus SMS credits each month.
Bottom line:
Omnisend is a great choice if you’re running a lean team, want good automation out of the box, and don’t want to pay extra for SMS. Just make sure to check the pricing tiers once you start growing.
2. ActiveCampaign
If you want full control over your email automations, ActiveCampaign is one of the most flexible platforms out there. It’s powerful, highly customizable, and comes with a built-in CRM, but you’ll need some patience (and a few workarounds) to get the most out of it.
- Visual automation builder with deep logic and tagging
- Native integrations with Shopify, Woo, and BigCommerce
- Good for multi-step journeys, lead scoring, and personalization
- CRM, SMS, and landing pages built in (depending on plan)
- Competitive pricing for the feature set
Some users love ActiveCampaign for the flexibility, especially when paired with tools like Zapier. Others hit friction with bugs, inconsistent UX, and support that’s become slower over time. The recent removal of live chat has definitely rubbed some users the wrong way, and if something breaks, you may be stuck waiting on email replies.
The platform has been doubling down on AI features lately, but the core experience can still feel a bit scattered. Expect a learning curve if you’re coming from something simpler like Omnisend or MailerLite.
There have also been complaints about inflated open rates and occasional deliverability dips. These issues may be tied more to changes in spam filters and email security than to ActiveCampaign specifically, but it’s something to be aware of.
Pricing:
Starts at $15/month for basic features, but most ecommerce users will want the Plus or Pro plan ($49–$79/month and up). Pricing scales with contacts, and features like CRM or predictive content are only included at higher tiers.
Bottom line:
ActiveCampaign is a strong option if you need advanced automations and granular control, but it’s not for everyone. If you want something that’s simple and smooth out of the box, you might hit some bumps here. But if you’re willing to dig in and build custom flows, it’s one of the most capable platforms on this list.
3. Mailchimp
Mailchimp has been around forever and for a lot of brands, it’s where their email journey started. It’s known for its clean interface, beginner-friendly setup, and huge library of email templates. If all you need is to send solid-looking campaigns to a few segments, Mailchimp still gets the job done.
- Easy drag-and-drop builder with hundreds of templates
- Automation for welcome flows, abandoned carts, and promos
- Basic segmentation and reporting
- Integrates with most ecommerce platforms
- GDPR-compliant, with built-in consent tools
Mailchimp still gets points for usability, especially for newer marketers or teams that don’t want to deal with complex automation builders. But lately, longtime users have started voicing frustration. Customer support has taken a hit, possibly due to outsourcing, and delays in getting issues resolved are becoming more common.
There’s also the growing issue of feature gating. Tools that used to be included in standard plans (like more advanced automations or inbox reply routing) have been pushed to higher tiers. Some users also report weird limitations, like not being able to easily send recent emails to new subscribers, which feels like an odd oversight in 2025.
Pricing:
Free for up to 500 contacts, but anything more advanced (automation, reporting, journeys) pushes you into the $20–$350/month range quickly.
Bottom line:
Mailchimp still works if you need something simple and fast, especially for small lists or light email programs. But it hasn’t kept pace with more ecommerce-specific platforms, and the support decline makes it a harder sell for growing brands. If you're serious about segmentation, SMS, or automations beyond the basics, it’s probably time to move on.
4. Bento
Bento is one of the newer names on this list, and a quietly impressive one. Built by a solo founder who actually listens to users, Bento combines solid deliverability, fast support, and a developer-friendly feature set that keeps getting better.
- Email, tagging, forms, automations, and analytics in one place
- Fast UI, clean UX, and great performance
- Excellent deliverability
- Flat, usage-based pricing
- API and Zapier support for custom workflows
Users love the responsiveness of the founder, the pace of updates, and the fact that it “just works” without trying to do too much. It's become a go-to for people switching off of ActiveCampaign or HubSpot when those tools start to feel bloated or overpriced.
Pricing:
Pricing starts at $30/month for up to 3,000 users, with $0.01 per additional user after that. There’s also a free plan that includes up to 100 users and 100 emails per day. Great for testing the waters without pressure.
Bottom line:
If you’re a solo founder, dev-friendly team, or just want a lean, well-supported email tool that’s easy to scale with, Bento is worth a serious look. It won’t overwhelm you with features you don’t need, but it delivers on what matters.
6. MailerLite
MailerLite is a fan favorite for brands that want solid email marketing without the heavy price tag. It’s clean, intuitive, and generous with its free and lower-tier plans, especially compared to tools like Mailchimp or Klaviyo. If your focus is basic automations, landing pages, and newsletters, it’s one of the easiest ways to get started.
- Simple drag-and-drop builder with clean templates
- Automations, forms, landing pages, and surveys included
- Free tier supports basic workflows and subscriber management
- Integrates with Shopify, Woo, and other platforms
- Known for fast setup and a beginner-friendly interface
MailerLite tends to win over users switching from bloated tools, especially Mailchimp. It feels lighter, simpler, and more focused on just doing email well. But it’s not all smooth sailing: a chunk of Reddit threads are filled with activation headaches and random account suspensions. Deliverability can also be hit-or-miss, especially with Outlook, and support response times vary.
The recent pricing update also ruffled feathers. Some users feel the new costs don’t match the current feature set, and a few longtime fans are quietly checking out Klaviyo alternatives like Brevo or ActiveCampaign.
Pricing:
Pricing starts at $9/month for 500 subscribers with unlimited emails. The free plan covers up to 1,000 subs and 12,000 emails/month (limited features). Advanced features kick in at $18/month.
Bottom line:
MailerLite is a solid pick for small teams or solo founders who want clean design, core automation features, and generous pricing, especially when just starting out. But if you’re running mission-critical campaigns, rely heavily on Outlook deliverability, or want fast, consistent support, the cracks might start to show as you grow.
7. Drip
Drip is a favorite among ecommerce brands that want sharper segmentation, advanced automation, and a visual builder that doesn’t make you want to throw your laptop across the room. It's built specifically for ecommerce, so everything from pre-built workflows to revenue tracking is designed with stores in mind.
- Clean visual editor with flexible automation paths
- Strong tagging and segmentation logic
- Revenue tracking baked into every workflow
- Popups and onsite forms included
- Integrates well with Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce
Drip is often recommended when you're ready to graduate from the basics. Reddit users call it “Klaviyo without the bloat”: still powerful, but easier to navigate. The email builder is slick, the data layer is deep, and it nails the balance between ease of use and customization. That said, it’s not perfect.
Some users say support has slowed down, and deliverability can dip if you don’t warm up properly. There’s also no built-in SMS, so you’ll need a third-party tool if that’s part of your stack. But if you care about smart automations and seeing actual revenue impact from your emails, Drip delivers.
Pricing:
Starts at $39/month for up to 2,500 people, with unlimited email sends and access to features like dynamic segments, 50+ workflows, and A/B testing. Free 14-day trial included.
Bottom line:
Drip is built for ecommerce brands that want more than newsletters. If you’re focused on conversion-first emails, clear insights, and personalization that actually makes sense, this one deserves a spot on your shortlist.
Conclusion
Klaviyo might still be the default for ecommerce email marketing, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for your business in 2025. If the pricing feels inflated, the UI too clunky, or the features mismatched with your current needs, it might be time to explore a better fit.
For lean teams that want built-in SMS and push without extra fees, Omnisend is a strong contender. ActiveCampaign is ideal for those who need powerful automation and don’t mind a steeper learning curve. MailerLite and Bento offer simplicity, affordability, and surprising depth, especially for startups and solo founders. And Drip stands out for ecommerce teams that want clean segmentation, powerful workflows, and visibility into what actually drives revenue.
In the end, the best platform is the one that matches your growth stage, your team’s workflow, and the kind of results you’re trying to drive.
Take the time to trial, test, and choose intentionally because your email tool should feel like a growth lever, not a source of friction.
FAQ
Is Klaviyo still worth it in 2025?
For some brands, yes, especially if you’re already deep into its ecosystem and using features like predictive analytics or advanced integrations. But if you’re paying for features you rarely touch, or struggling with the interface and support, it might not be the best fit anymore. Many ecommerce teams are finding better value and faster workflows with newer platforms.
What’s the cheapest email tool with automation + SMS?
Omnisend is your best bet. It offers both email and SMS on the free plan, with prebuilt automations and solid ecommerce features. MailerLite is also affordable, but SMS isn’t included out of the box.
Can I migrate from Klaviyo easily?
Yes, most platforms offer migration help, especially Drip, Omnisend, and Bento. You can usually import contacts, templates, and automation flows with minimal friction. Just make sure to warm up your new sending domain if you're switching email addresses too.
