Quick Summary: MailerLite pricing starts with a free plan for up to 500 subscribers and 12,000 monthly emails. Paid plans begin at $10/month for the Growing Business tier, with Advanced plans offering unlimited emails and premium features. Annual billing saves 10%, while nonprofits receive 30% off all plans.
MailerLite has built a reputation as one of the more affordable email marketing platforms. But the pricing landscape shifted significantly between 2024 and 2025, leaving some users frustrated and others hunting for alternatives.
The company reduced its free plan subscriber limit from 1,000 to 500 in September 2025. Community discussions reveal users saw price increases exceeding 50% when upgrading to paid tiers. So what exactly does MailerLite cost now, and which plan actually makes sense for different business sizes?
Current MailerLite Pricing Structure
According to the official MailerLite pricing page, the platform offers four distinct plan types: Free, Growing Business, Advanced, and Enterprise. Each tier scales based on subscriber count rather than email volume.
The pricing follows a straightforward model. As subscriber lists grow, monthly costs increase proportionally across all paid tiers.
MailerLite Free Plan Details
The free plan covers up to 500 active subscribers with a cap of 12,000 emails every 30 days. This represents a significant reduction from the previous 1,000-subscriber limit that existed before September 2025.
Free tier users get access to unlimited audiences, embedded forms, and one website. Landing pages are limited to 10, while paid plans offer unlimited landing pages. The drag-and-drop editor, rich-text editor, and basic automation features come included at no cost.
But wait. The free plan restricts users to a single seat, meaning only one person can access the account. Teams need paid plans for multi-user collaboration.
Growing Business Plan Pricing
Starting at $10/month for up to 500 subscribers, the Growing Business plan removes most free tier restrictions. Users get three seats, unlimited websites and landing pages, plus 24/7 email and live chat support.
Monthly email sends remain unlimited across all subscriber counts. The plan includes Facebook integration, auto-resend to unopened campaigns, and promotional pop-ups. Costs scale based on subscriber count, with specific pricing available through MailerLite’s pricing calculator. Annual billing reduces these costs by 10%.
Advanced Plan Features and Costs
The Advanced tier adds unlimited user seats, custom user permissions, and priority support. Premium features include smart sending, custom HTML editor, and promotional tools that Growing Business lacks.
Advanced plan pricing starts higher but offers the most features per dollar for larger lists. According to EmailTooltester’s March 2026 analysis, Advanced plans make economic sense for businesses with over 10,000 subscribers who need multiple team members accessing the platform.
Account holders also receive 15% off Google Workspace subscriptions—a perk absent from lower tiers.
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Recent Price Changes That Matter
The September 2025 free plan reduction caught many users off guard. According to EmailOctopus (published Sept 4, 2025), MailerLite previously allowed 1,000 subscribers on the free tier, reduced to 500 subscribers in September 2025.
Some users in online communities reported frustrations about price increases. Community discussions suggest that existing customers experienced significant price impacts during renewal periods, not just new signups.
These changes mirror industry trends. Most email marketing platforms tightened free tier restrictions between 2023 and 2025 as customer acquisition costs rose. MailerLite wasn’t alone in this shift, though the magnitude surprised long-time users.
How MailerLite Pricing Compares to Competitors
MailerLite positions itself as budget-friendly compared to Mailchimp. For 500 subscribers, competitor pricing varies, with MailerLite’s Growing Business plan starting at $10/month for comparable features.
For larger lists, MailerLite pricing remains competitive against Mailchimp according to industry comparisons. That represents meaningful cost savings for similar functionality.
| Platform | 500 Subscribers | 2,500 Subscribers | Free Plan Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | $10/month | Starting at $10/month+ | 500 subscribers |
| Mailchimp | Varies | Varies | 500 contacts |
| Constant Contact | Varies | Varies | No free tier |
| Brevo | Free eligible | Varies | Unlimited contacts |
Brevo offers unlimited contacts on its free plan but caps monthly email sends at 300. For high-volume senders with smaller lists, MailerLite’s 12,000 monthly emails often provides better value.
Hidden Costs and Discount Opportunities
MailerLite charges in USD, with potential currency conversion fees for international customers. Taxes apply based on location—something the official pricing page notes but doesn’t itemize upfront.
Real talk: the 10% annual discount adds up. A $10/month plan becomes $108/year instead of $120 when paid annually. For the Growing Business tier at 5,000 subscribers ($50/month), annual billing saves $60.
Nonprofits qualify for a 30% discount across all paid plans. According to official documentation, organizations must provide proof of nonprofit status through the contact page. This stacks with the annual billing discount for maximum savings.
MailerSend Transactional Pricing
MailerLite operates a separate product called MailerSend for transactional emails and SMS. MailerSend’s free plan includes 500 emails; paid plans begin at stated rates for higher volumes, with email verification credits included.
This differs from MailerLite’s marketing email pricing. Businesses needing both marketing campaigns and transactional messages pay separately for each service.
Which MailerLite Plan Makes Sense
For email lists under 500 subscribers sending fewer than 12,000 monthly messages, the free plan covers essential needs. Solopreneurs, bloggers, and early-stage creators fit this profile.
Growing Business works for small businesses scaling past free tier limits. The three-seat allowance accommodates small teams, while unlimited emails support frequent campaigns. Costs remain predictable as lists grow.
Advanced plans justify their premium when organizations need extensive team collaboration. Unlimited seats, custom permissions, and priority support matter more to agencies and enterprises than budget-conscious startups.
Enterprise plans involve custom pricing negotiations. The official site recommends contacting sales for dedicated support, custom integrations, and service-level agreements.
Payment Methods and Billing Cycles
MailerLite accepts credit cards and PayPal according to official documentation. Payment information lives in Account settings under the Plan and billing page.
Billing cycles run monthly or annually. The platform auto-upgrades accounts when subscriber counts exceed plan limits—something that caught some users by surprise based on community discussions.
The 14-day free trial applies to paid plan features. Users can test Advanced tier capabilities before committing to monthly charges. No credit card required for the free plan itself.
When MailerLite Pricing Doesn’t Work
MailerLite’s subscriber-based pricing penalizes businesses with large, less-engaged lists. A company with 10,000 inactive subscribers pays the same as one with 10,000 highly engaged contacts.
High-volume senders with small lists might find better value elsewhere. Brevo’s unlimited contacts but email-capped model suits different use cases than MailerLite’s unlimited emails but subscriber-capped approach.
The recent price increases pushed some long-term users toward alternatives. Community discussions mention EmailOctopus, Moosend, and Brevo as migration destinations for budget-sensitive operations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does MailerLite cost per month?
MailerLite offers a free plan for up to 500 subscribers. Paid plans start at $10/month for the Growing Business tier. Costs scale based on subscriber count, with annual billing providing a 10% discount across all tiers.
Did MailerLite increase prices in 2025?
Yes. MailerLite reduced the free plan subscriber limit from 1,000 to 500 in September 2025. Some existing customers reported renewal price increases exceeding 50% when upgrading or renewing paid plans during this transition period.
What’s included in the MailerLite free plan?
The free plan covers 500 subscribers, 12,000 monthly emails, unlimited audiences, one website, 10 landing pages, embedded forms, and basic automation. Users get one seat with email support but lack 24/7 live chat access.
Is MailerLite cheaper than Mailchimp?
MailerLite generally offers competitive pricing compared to Mailchimp for comparable features and subscriber counts. For similar functionality at various subscriber levels, MailerLite represents meaningful cost savings.
Does MailerLite offer nonprofit discounts?
Yes. Nonprofits receive a 30% discount on all paid plans after submitting proof of nonprofit status. This discount applies to both monthly and annual billing, and can combine with the 10% annual payment discount.
Can I upgrade or downgrade MailerLite plans?
Accounts can upgrade or downgrade anytime through Account settings. MailerLite automatically upgrades accounts when subscriber counts exceed current plan limits. Downgrades require manual action and take effect at the next billing cycle.
What’s the difference between MailerLite and MailerSend pricing?
MailerLite handles marketing emails with pricing based on subscriber count. MailerSend focuses on transactional emails and SMS, pricing by email volume. These are separate products with distinct pricing structures.
Final Verdict on MailerLite Pricing
MailerLite remains competitively priced compared to industry leaders like Mailchimp and Constant Contact. The platform delivers solid value for small to medium businesses prioritizing unlimited email sends over extensive integrations.
But the September 2025 free plan reduction and reported price increases signal a platform maturing beyond its ultra-budget roots. Users locked into lower legacy pricing faced sticker shock during renewals.
For businesses just starting with email marketing, the free tier still provides meaningful capability. Growing operations should budget for Growing Business tier costs and factor in the 10% annual savings when planning expenses.
Ready to test MailerLite? The 14-day trial on paid features lets teams evaluate premium capabilities before committing. Compare current pricing on the official MailerLite website against specific subscriber counts to calculate actual monthly costs.
