Last updated on March 14th, 2025 at
So, you’re stuck between Flodesk vs MailerLite for your email marketing? You’re not alone! It’s like being torn between two great options, and you’re wondering which one will be the perfect fit for your business. Both platforms are popular and offer cool features, but which one’s the best for you?
Whether you’re just getting started with email marketing or thinking of making a change, this guide is here to help you make sense of it all. We’ll break down what each platform offers, compare them side by side, and help you choose the right one for your needs.
Ready to find out which platform is a better match for you? Let’s dive in and figure it out!
Flodesk vs Mailerlite: At a Glance
| Feature | MailerLite | Flodesk |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use | Winner: Very easy to use, especially for beginners with a user-friendly interface. | Lose: Slightly more complicated for beginners with a steeper learning curve. |
| Templates & Design | Winner: A wide variety of templates that are easy to customize with a drag-and-drop editor. | Lose: Fewer templates, though they are visually appealing. |
| Customization | Winner: Provides full design control, including custom HTML and CSS. | Lose: Limited customization options with less flexibility. |
| Monetization Tools | Winner: Offers strong e-commerce tools, including selling products directly. | Lose: Focuses on digital products only with limited options. |
| Audience Engagement | Winner: Strong personalization features, including advanced email triggers. | Lose: Simpler engagement tools, mainly focusing on emails and sign-up forms. |
| List Management | Winner: Advanced segmentation and automatic list updates, making it easy to manage subscribers. | Lose: Simpler list management with fewer segmentation options. |
| Automations | Winner: Robust automation features for all plans, allowing for complex workflows. | Lose: Basic automation with fewer triggers, limiting flexibility. |
| Analytics & Reporting | Winner: Offers detailed reports and tracking, including geolocation and click-mapping. | Lose: More basic reporting, lacks detailed tracking for social media metrics. |
| Pricing | Winner: Affordable with a free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers and lower paid plan options. | Lose: Higher pricing, no free plan for large lists, and more expensive paid options. |
Quick Overview of MailerLite
MailerLite stands out for being easy to use, affordable, and offering advanced features like automations, detailed reporting, and extensive list management, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes.
Quick Overview of Flodesk
Flodesk shines with beautiful email designs and an intuitive interface but falls short in areas like advanced automation, list management, and pricing for larger businesses.
Final Verdict
MailerLite is the winner due to its user-friendly interface, better customization, advanced tools for list management, and affordable pricing. Flodesk is great for those focused on aesthetic designs and selling digital products, but it lacks the more advanced features MailerLite offers.
Email Editor: Crafting Your Perfect Message
Flodesk
Flodesk is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple and clean interface that makes email creation easy for beginners. You can quickly customize pre-made templates with its drag-and-drop editor—no coding skills needed. It’s perfect for those who want to create professional-looking emails without any hassle.
However, Flodesk does have some limitations. You can’t change the overall structure of the templates, which might feel restricting if you’re looking for more creative freedom. While the templates are visually appealing, the lack of flexibility may be a dealbreaker for some users.
Flodesk also provides a distraction-free workspace, helping you stay focused on your content without too many extra features getting in the way.
MailerLite
MailerLite offers more flexibility, giving you a broader range of features to customize your emails. The drag-and-drop editor is easy to use, but it allows for more advanced design options, including surveys, carousels, and custom HTML. If you want to get more creative with your email designs, MailerLite offers the tools to do so.
Though the MailerLite editor isn’t as sleek as Flodesk’s, its broader feature set and customization options give it an edge. Additionally, MailerLite tracks all changes you make, allowing you to easily undo actions, which makes experimenting with designs much less stressful.
MailerLite’s landing page editor is also a little harder to find, as it’s tucked under the “Campaigns” section. But once you get the hang of it, it’s straightforward and helps you create effective landing pages.
My Opinion
Here’s the key takeaway: MailerLite wins because it offers more flexibility and customization options, making it a better choice for users who need greater control over their designs. Flodesk may be easier to use, but its lack of structural flexibility limits its appeal to those who want more creative freedom.
Winner: MailerLite takes the win due to its broader set of features and customization options.
Flodesk: 0 – MailerLite: 1
Design and Flexibility: Who’s Got the Creative Edge?
MailerLite
MailerLite takes the lead here for those who want more design flexibility. With over 100 pre-built templates available (even on the free plan), MailerLite allows you to jump in quickly without having to design everything from scratch. These templates are mobile-friendly and can be easily customized to match your branding using a straightforward drag-and-drop editor. If you’re feeling extra creative, MailerLite lets you dive into the code with custom HTML and CSS to make deeper changes.
For landing pages, MailerLite offers a variety of free templates, which can be adjusted for different purposes, from sign-up forms to promotional pages. Plus, with its wide range of content blocks, including surveys and carousels, MailerLite is a solid choice for those looking for more advanced design features.
Pros:
- 100+ pre-built templates, even on the free plan.
- Customizable landing page templates and sign-up forms.
- HTML/CSS support for deeper customization.
- Mobile-optimized templates.
Cons:
- Many templates are eCommerce-focused, so options for newsletters can be limited.
- Slightly steeper learning curve compared to Flodesk for beginners.
Flodesk
Flodesk, on the other hand, is all about style and simplicity, with a focus on stunning, ready-to-use templates that make your emails stand out instantly. The platform offers beautiful designs with themes like Welcome, Thank You, and special ones like Make Money and Share News. You can easily personalize these templates using custom fonts, colors, and graphics, but you’re somewhat limited when it comes to full customization.
While Flodesk’s templates are gorgeous and customizable, it doesn’t offer as much freedom for advanced users. You won’t be able to add custom HTML code or fully control the structure of your emails, which could be a drawback if you want total design flexibility.
Pros:
- Stunning, ready-to-use templates with a focus on aesthetics.
- Easy-to-use editor for quick email creation.
- Great for those who prioritize beautiful design without the hassle.
Cons:
- Limited design flexibility compared to MailerLite.
- No custom HTML embedding.
- Fewer customization options if you need more control over layout and structure.
Winner: MailerLite
MailerLite wins this round thanks to its flexible design options and deeper customization. It gives you the ability to control every detail, whether through drag-and-drop editing or custom coding. While Flodesk shines with its stunning templates, MailerLite is the better option for users looking for flexibility and variety in their designs. If you’re looking for more control and the ability to create unique, fully customized emails, MailerLite has the upper hand.
MailerLite: 2 – Flodesk: 0
Forms and Landing Pages: Which One Gives You More?
MailerLite
When it comes to creating forms and landing pages, MailerLite offers a solid, all-around solution. You can create pop-ups, inline forms, and landing pages with ease. The free plan gives you access to one landing page template, but if you upgrade to a paid plan, you unlock over 200 professionally designed templates. Plus, MailerLite offers a drag-and-drop builder that makes the whole process super simple, even for beginners.
A standout feature is MailerLite’s ability to build a website and integrate forms—something you won’t find in most email marketing tools. If you’re looking to sell digital products, MailerLite also has Stripe integration, so you can easily sell through your landing pages. And let’s not forget the unsubscribe page builder, which helps you gather feedback from users who opt out, providing valuable insights for future campaigns.
Pros:
- Wide range of forms: pop-ups, embedded forms, and landing pages.
- 200+ templates for landing pages (on paid plans).
- Website creation and form integration.
- Stripe integration for selling digital products.
- Unsubscribe page builder with feedback surveys.
Cons:
- Free plan includes only one landing page template.
Flodesk
Flodesk also delivers a good selection of forms and landing pages. You can create pop-ups, inline forms, and landing pages, with easy customization options. One of Flodesk’s newer features, the Link in Bio form, stands out. This is designed for capturing email addresses directly from your social media audience. It offers customizable features like logo blocks, unlimited links, and automatic subscriber segmentation, making it a great tool for building an email list from your followers.
However, Flodesk doesn’t offer a website builder or direct website integration like MailerLite. You can embed forms using HTML code, which is simple but less flexible than MailerLite’s seamless website integration. Flodesk’s landing pages are visually stunning, but there are fewer templates to choose from than what MailerLite offers, especially if you’re looking for more advanced customization.
Pros:
- Pop-ups, inline forms, and customizable landing pages.
- Unique Link in Bio form for building an email list via social media.
- Easy HTML code for embedding forms.
- Beautiful, ready-to-use templates.
Cons:
- No website builder or direct website integration.
- Fewer customizable templates compared to MailerLite.
- No integration for selling products like MailerLite’s Stripe feature.
Winner: MailerLite
In this category, MailerLite takes the edge. While Flodesk offers some unique features, such as the Link in Bio form and stunning templates, MailerLite gives you more tools overall. With its ability to build websites, integrate forms seamlessly, and sell products directly through landing pages, MailerLite provides more flexibility and value for businesses looking for a complete solution.
MailerLite: 3 – Flodesk: 0
List Management: Which One Helps You Keep Your List in Check?
MailerLite
When it comes to managing your list of subscribers, MailerLite offers a comprehensive set of tools to help you stay organized and streamline your email marketing. The platform allows you to create dynamic segments and static groups. Dynamic segments automatically add subscribers who meet specific criteria, making it perfect for sending targeted emails based on behaviors or actions. On the other hand, static groups are manually managed, and subscribers can join multiple groups based on their interests.
MailerLite’s automation features take it up a notch by allowing you to manage contacts based on their actions. For example, you can automatically move a subscriber from one group to another when they make a purchase or add them to a segment after they engage with your content. This flexibility makes it easier to maintain a well-organized and responsive email list.
However, there’s a small hiccup. While MailerLite uses “groups” to manage contacts, they refer to them as “tags,” which can be a bit confusing. Still, the platform offers great segmentation options and automation to manage lists effectively.
Pros:
- Dynamic segments and static groups for targeted list management.
- Automation features for moving contacts based on actions.
- No extra charges for subscribers in multiple groups.
Cons:
- Lacks a proper “tagging” feature, confusingly calling groups ‘tags.’
Flodesk
Flodesk also lets you manage your list through segments, which you can create manually by uploading subscriber information or automatically based on how subscribers opt in through website forms. However, segmenting and removing subscribers can be a bit tricky. If you want to move a subscriber from one segment to another, you have to add them to the new segment first before removing them from the old one. This can be a bit cumbersome and less intuitive compared to MailerLite’s approach.
The good news is that, like MailerLite, Flodesk only counts each subscriber once, regardless of how many segments or groups they belong to. This makes pricing a lot fairer, as you’re only charged once for each contact, no matter how they’re categorized.
Pros:
- Segmentation through manual uploads or website forms.
- Fair pricing by counting each subscriber only once.
Cons:
- A bit more complicated to remove subscribers from segments.
- Less flexible than MailerLite in managing contacts.
Winner: MailerLite
MailerLite takes the win here for its more flexible and efficient list management system. While Flodesk offers basic segmentation, MailerLite provides a much more comprehensive solution with dynamic segments, automated contact management, and better control over list organization. If list management is important to you, MailerLite offers a clearer and more intuitive approach.
MailerLite: 4 – Flodesk: 1
Email Automations: Which One Lets You Work Smarter, Not Harder?
MailerLite
When it comes to email automations, MailerLite definitely has the upper hand. It allows you to set up automated emails based on actions like email opens, clicks, or even custom fields and segments. If you’re looking to run A/B tests, MailerLite’s got you covered—let you test different subject lines and content to see what works best.
The best part? MailerLite makes automation available even on the free plan, so everyone can start setting up automations without needing to pay for a premium subscription. While MailerLite’s automation is solid, it’s worth noting that some users might find it a bit basic for more sophisticated needs, especially if you’re running an e-commerce business that requires more advanced triggers and actions.
Pros:
- Automations based on actions like opens, clicks, and custom fields.
- A/B testing for subject lines and content.
- Automation available on the free plan.
- Flexible and easy-to-use.
Cons:
- Lacks some advanced triggers needed for complex workflows.
Flodesk
Flodesk, on the other hand, is not the strongest contender when it comes to automations. While it does offer basic workflows, such as Welcome Emails and Sales Sequences, its automations are very simplistic. You can only set up one trigger event—when a subscriber is added to a segment—and that’s pretty much it.
While this works for basic email flows, Flodesk falls behind when it comes to advanced triggers or actions, like updating subscriber details or more complex workflows. For users looking for deeper automation control, Flodesk might leave you wanting more.
Pros:
- Simple workflows for basic email automation.
- Easy-to-use for beginners.
Cons:
- Limited to only one trigger (subscriber added to segment).
- Lacks advanced automation actions and triggers.
Winner: MailerLite
MailerLite takes the crown in the email automation category. Although it’s not the most feature-rich compared to other advanced tools, it still offers far more flexibility than Flodesk, with better trigger options and A/B testing capabilities. If automation is key to your strategy, MailerLite will be the more powerful and versatile option.
MailerLite: 5 – Flodesk: 1
E-commerce: Who’s Ready to Sell?
Flodesk
Flodesk has its own e-commerce offering, Flodesk Checkout, which is designed specifically for selling digital products and services. If you’re all about selling digital goods, Flodesk Checkout gives you a sleek and user-friendly checkout experience that integrates smoothly with your Flodesk email marketing account. The whole process, from checkout to delivery, is beautifully customizable to match your brand.
You can create discount codes, add customers to your email segments after they make a purchase, and use special e-commerce email templates like gift guides or countdown offers to boost sales. However, keep in mind that Flodesk Checkout is limited to certain countries and doesn’t offer the full range of e-commerce features. If you’re expecting complex automation or more robust e-commerce tools, you may find Flodesk lacking.
Flodesk Checkout is connected to Stripe, so you’ll only be paying their standard fees, but note that integrating Flodesk with platforms outside Shopify requires using Zapier, which can be a bit tricky.
Pros:
- Beautiful, easy-to-use checkout pages.
- Customizable sales and delivery pages.
- Integrates easily with Shopify.
- Works with Stripe for payment processing.
Cons:
- Limited to digital products only.
- Available in only select countries.
- Lacks advanced e-commerce automations and features.
MailerLite
MailerLite, on the other hand, goes above and beyond with its e-commerce features. It offers seamless integrations with platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, Prestashop, and BigCommerce. With these integrations, you can set up automated buyer journeys, including cart abandonment emails and personalized product recommendations based on previous purchases.
MailerLite also lets you build your own e-commerce site directly from the platform, a great option if you’re just starting out or don’t have a website yet. Their e-commerce newsletter templates are a bonus, providing pre-designed options that you can easily tailor to suit your brand. Selling digital products or subscriptions is a breeze with MailerLite’s landing pages and Stripe integration.
For those looking for a complete e-commerce email marketing strategy, MailerLite offers more robust options, especially when you need automation, product promotions, and integration with a variety of platforms.
Pros:
- Integrates seamlessly with Shopify, WooCommerce, and more.
- Automated buyer journeys and cart abandonment reminders.
- Build an e-commerce website directly on the platform.
- Wide range of e-commerce email templates.
- Stripe integration for selling digital products and subscriptions.
Cons:
- Doesn’t offer the same elegant design options as Flodesk for checkout pages.
Winner: MailerLite
MailerLite takes the point here. While Flodesk Checkout is a solid option for selling digital products, MailerLite offers a more complete set of e-commerce features, including integrations with multiple platforms, automated buyer journeys, and even the ability to build an entire e-commerce site. For small business owners and entrepreneurs looking to expand their e-commerce efforts, MailerLite is the better choice.
Flodesk: 2 – MailerLite: 6
Reports: Who Tracks Your Success Better?
MailerLite
MailerLite gives you a clear and simple dashboard to see how well your emails are doing. You can check things like how many people opened your email, clicked on links, or unsubscribed. It even lets you compare results over different periods to see what’s working.
For those running an online store, MailerLite also tracks ecommerce activity if you’re using platforms like Shopify or WooCommerce. It even shows click-maps and geolocation, so you can see exactly where your clicks are coming from!
Pros:
- Easy-to-read dashboard.
- Compares results over time.
- Tracks ecommerce data for Shopify and WooCommerce.
- Shows click and location data for deeper insights.
Cons:
- Doesn’t track social media activity.
Flodesk
Flodesk offers a clean and colorful reporting dashboard with graphs and charts, making it easy to see how well your emails are performing. You can check basic things like opens, clicks, and conversions, but it doesn’t have the extra features like click-maps or geolocation that MailerLite offers.
It’s great if you want quick insights, but it’s not as detailed as MailerLite’s reporting.
Pros:
- Simple and visually appealing reports.
- Tracks opens, clicks, and conversions easily.
Cons:
- Lacks advanced features like click-maps and geolocation.
- No social media tracking.
Winner: MailerLite
MailerLite takes the win here with its more detailed reporting tools, especially for those who want deeper insights into their email campaigns or run an online store.
Flodesk: 3 – MailerLite: 7
Pricing: Which One Fits Your Budget?
Flodesk
Flodesk keeps it simple and straightforward with just two pricing plans. The Email plan costs $38/month and gives you unlimited emails and subscribers, making it perfect if you want to grow your list without worrying about extra costs. If you need ecommerce features, their Email + Ecommerce plan is $64/month. They also offer annual discounts to save even more.
Pros:
- Easy, flat-rate pricing.
- Unlimited emails and subscribers on the basic plan.
- Simple upgrades if you need ecommerce features.
Cons:
- No free plan available.
MailerLite
MailerLite’s pricing follows the traditional scaling model, where the cost depends on how many subscribers you have. They offer four plans: Free, Growing Business, Advanced, and Enterprise.
- The Free plan is great for those with under 1,000 subscribers, offering 12,000 emails per month but with some limitations.
- The Growing Business plan starts at $15/month for 500 contacts, offering unlimited emails and more features.
- The Advanced plan starts at $30/month, with extras like pop-ups and HTML editing.
- Enterprise plans are for businesses with over 100,000 subscribers, and pricing is customized.
MailerLite also offers annual discounts, with 15% off, which makes it a good option for growing businesses.
Pros:
- Free plan for beginners.
- Scales with your business as you grow.
- 15% discount on annual plans.
Cons:
- Pricing increases as your list grows, so it can get expensive.
Winner: Flodesk
Flodesk wins for simplicity with its flat-rate pricing, making it easy to budget for email marketing, especially for businesses with growing lists. While MailerLite offers more flexibility, Flodesk’s easy-to-understand pricing is great for those who want no surprises.
Flodesk: 4 – MailerLite: 8
Conclusion: Why MailerLite is the Best Choice for Your Email Marketing
After looking at Flodesk vs MailerLite, MailerLite stands out as the better option for most businesses.
MailerLite offers more options, especially in email design, managing your list, and automating tasks. While Flodesk has nice designs, MailerLite gives you more templates, the ability to edit the code, and better tools for sorting your subscribers, making it ideal for businesses that need more control over their emails.
When it comes to cost, MailerLite is cheaper and has a free plan with paid plans that grow with your needs. Flodesk charges a flat monthly fee, which may not be the best for businesses that are just starting or growing quickly.
MailerLite also does a better job at managing your list with smart ways to group people based on actions they’ve taken and sending emails automatically. Flodesk’s tools for this are more basic and not as flexible.
For businesses that sell online, MailerLite works great with popular online stores like Shopify and WooCommerce. It also has helpful features like sending reminders for abandoned carts or promoting products. Flodesk’s e-commerce features are mostly limited to selling digital products, so it’s not the best if you’re selling physical items.
MailerLite also gives you better reports that help you see how your emails are doing, while Flodesk only offers basic info.
Key Takeaways:
- MailerLite gives you more control and options for emails and automations.
- MailerLite has affordable pricing and a free plan.
- MailerLite offers better tools to manage and sort your list.
- MailerLite works well with online stores like Shopify and WooCommerce.
- MailerLite gives you more insightful reports for improving campaigns.
In conclusion, MailerLite is the best choice for businesses looking for a cheaper, flexible, and feature-rich email tool. It’s perfect for businesses that want to grow their list, send smart emails automatically, and sell products online.
Flodesk vs Mailerlite: FAQs
1. What is better than Flodesk?
In my experience, if you’re looking for better deliverability than Flodesk, I recommend trying ActiveCampaign, MailerLite, Moosend, or Mailchimp. These platforms generally have higher success rates when it comes to ensuring your emails land directly in the inbox instead of getting stuck in the spam folder. If deliverability is a top priority, one of these might be a great choice to explore.
2. Can I use Flodesk for free?
Flodesk doesn’t have a free plan, but they do offer a 30-day free trial that lets you explore all of their features without needing to enter your credit card details. After the trial, the pricing is straightforward: it costs $38/month (or $420/year) for unlimited emails and subscribers, along with full access to all features.
3. How much is MailerLite?
MailerLite offers a range of plans depending on your number of subscribers and email needs. Here’s a breakdown:
- Free Plan: 0-1,000 subscribers, 12,000 emails per month (Free)
- Paid Plan: 0-1,000 subscribers, Unlimited emails (Costs $10/month)
- Paid Plan: 1,001-2,500 subscribers, Unlimited emails (Costs $15/month)
- Paid Plan: 2,501-5,000 subscribers, Unlimited emails (Costs $30/month)
You can choose the plan that best fits your needs based on the size of your email list!
4. How many free emails can I send with MailerLite?
With MailerLite’s free plan, you can send up to 12,000 emails per month to your first 1,000 active subscribers. If you require more features or have a larger subscriber base, you can upgrade to one of their paid plans, which provide increased email limits and additional features.
5. Is MailerLite worth it?
Yes, MailerLite is definitely worth it for many users. It’s affordable, easy to use, and offers great customer support along with powerful email marketing features. However, it’s not perfect and may not be the best option compared to other email platforms out there. But if you’re looking for a budget-friendly, user-friendly solution with solid features, MailerLite is a great choice.
6. Flodesk vs MailerLite: Which is Better?
If you’re looking for beautiful designs and simplicity, Flodesk is a great choice. However, MailerLite offers more flexibility, a free plan, and advanced features like automation and detailed analytics. While Flodesk is ideal for quick, aesthetic emails, MailerLite stands out for its affordability and customization options. If you’re after more control and better pricing, MailerLite is the way to go.