Best Newsletter Tools to Collect and Send

Best Newsletter Tools to Collect and Send

If you want to build a reliable audience and actually reach them, choosing the right newsletter tool matters. I’ve tested lots of platforms and, after a few mistakes and a few wins, I can tell you which options make collecting emails and sending newsletters simple, effective, and even a little fun.

Why the tool you pick matters

Some people think any email app will do. But in reality, your tool affects deliverability, ease of list building, how well your templates look on mobile, and whether you can automate away repetitive work. Whether you’re a creator, small business owner, or marketer, the right platform can save hours every week.

What I look for in a newsletter tool

• Easy opt-in forms and popups, so you can collect emails without friction
• Good deliverability and analytics
• Automation and segmentation for smarter sends
• Affordable pricing that scales with growth
• Beautiful templates and mobile-ready designs

Top tools to collect emails and send newsletters

1. Mailchimp — beginner-friendly and full-featured

Mailchimp is often the first platform people try, and for good reason. It has intuitive signup forms, drag-and-drop email builders, and solid reporting. If you want to get started quickly, Mailchimp covers the basics well. It also integrates with most website builders and ecommerce platforms.

2. ConvertKit — made for creators

ConvertKit focuses on creators and solopreneurs. I like its visual automation builder and simple forms that don’t require a designer. ConvertKit’s tagging and segmentation are powerful once your list grows, and their Creator Pro features make monetization easier.

3. Substack — newsletter-first publishing

Substack is great if you want a built-in audience and paid subscriptions. It’s less customizable than traditional ESPs (email service providers), but it simplifies publishing and payments. Use Substack if your primary goal is to publish essays and build a paying subscriber base quickly.

4. MailerLite — affordable, clean, and effective

MailerLite strikes a nice balance between price and features. Their form builder and landing pages are straightforward, and the free tier is generous. If you value simplicity and affordability, MailerLite is worth trying.

5. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) — strong automation and SMS

Brevo offers advanced automation workflows and SMS capabilities in one place. It’s a good pick if you want multi-channel campaigns and solid transactional email functionality. Pricing is based on emails sent rather than subscribers, which can be an advantage for some use cases.

6. HubSpot — all-in-one for growth teams

HubSpot is ideal if you want email combined with a CRM and marketing automation. It’s more enterprise-oriented and pricier, but the integration with sales and support tools is unmatched if you need a full customer platform.

7. Campaign Monitor — beautiful templates

Campaign Monitor shines for designers who want pixel-perfect templates. Its visual builder is powerful and it has solid segmentation. If brand appearance is a top priority, this one’s worth a look.

How to choose the right tool for you

Picking the best newsletter tool depends on your goals. Here’s a quick guide:

• If you’re just starting and want free tools: try MailerLite or the free plan on Mailchimp.
• If you’re a creator building an audience: ConvertKit or Substack are purpose-built for that flow.
• If you need CRM integration and sales alignment: consider HubSpot.
• If you want great deliverability and multi-channel options: Brevo or more advanced ESPs are better picks.

Personal example

I once ran a weekend workshop and collected 300 emails with a simple popup connected to MailerLite. Later, I moved the list to ConvertKit to take advantage of tagging and a welcome sequence that tripled my open rates over a few months. That combination of easy collection plus smarter sending made a big difference.

Tips to collect more emails (without being annoying)

• Offer a clear incentive: a checklist, short guide, or discount works well.
• Use short, friendly signup forms. Ask for email only—name optional.
• Place forms in a few spots: homepage, blog sidebar, footer, and a dedicated landing page.
• Test popups sparingly; time them for exit intent or after some scroll depth.
• Make your welcome email count: deliver the promised incentive immediately and set expectations for future emails.

If you want a deeper dive into strategy, check this internal resource on email marketing tips for best practices and templates.

Final thoughts — my quick recommendations

There’s no single “best” tool for everyone. But here’s a quick cheat sheet:

• Beginner & budget: MailerLite or Mailchimp
• Creators & monetization: ConvertKit or Substack
• Design-focused brands: Campaign Monitor
• Growth teams & CRM: HubSpot
• Multi-channel automation: Brevo

Pick one, stick with it for a few months, and focus on content that your subscribers actually want. The tool helps, but consistency and value are what grow a list. If you want, tell me what you’re building and I’ll recommend one platform and a simple setup you can implement this weekend.