Contents
hide
Free vs Paid Comparison 2025
Email marketing remains one of the most cost-effective communication channels for nonprofits and churches, delivering an impressive $42 return for every dollar spent. With email accounting for 15% of all nonprofit revenue and the nonprofit industry achieving an email open rate of 28.59% (surpassing the average of 21.33% for other industries), email marketing is essential for organizational growth and donor engagement.
Top Free Email Marketing Platforms for Nonprofits and Churches
1. MailerLite – Best Overall Value for Nonprofits
MailerLite stands out as the top choice for nonprofits, offering exceptional value through both free and paid plans.
Free Plan Features:
- Up to 1,000 subscribers
- 12,000 emails per month
- Unlimited email automation workflows
- Drag-and-drop email builder
- Landing pages and signup forms
- Email support
Nonprofit Benefits:
- 30% discount on all paid plans
- Access to premium features during 30-day trial
- Unlimited segmentation capabilities
- Professional templates included
Pricing After Free Plan:
- Growing Business: $21/month for 1,000 subscribers (after 30% nonprofit discount)
- Advanced features: $28/month for 2,500 subscribers
2. Sender – Most Generous Free Plan
Sender offers the most generous free plan limits among all email marketing platforms.
Free Plan Features:
- Up to 2,500 subscribers (highest free tier limit)
- 15,000 emails per month
- Email automation with unlimited segmentation
- Drag-and-drop editor with templates
- 24/7 chat support
- SMS opt-in collection
Nonprofit Benefits:
- 25% discount for nonprofits
- No daily sending limits
- Free analytics and reporting
Pricing After Free Plan:
- Standard: $14/month for 2,500 subscribers with 30,000 emails
3. Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) – Unlimited Contacts
Brevo offers a unique pricing model ideal for organizations with large contact lists but infrequent sending.
Free Plan Features:
- Unlimited contacts
- 300 emails per day (9,000 monthly)
- Email automation and segmentation
- SMS and WhatsApp campaigns
- Transactional emails
- Built-in CRM
Nonprofit Benefits:
- 15% discount on Enterprise plan
- Pay per email sent, not per contact
- Flexible usage-based pricing
Pricing After Free Plan:
- Starter: $26/month for 5,000 emails
4. Mailchimp – Industry Leader with Limitations
Despite being well-known, Mailchimp has significant limitations for nonprofits.
Free Plan Features:
- Up to 500 contacts (very limited)
- 1,000 emails per month
- Basic templates and automation
- Simple reporting
Drawbacks for Nonprofits:
- Only 15% nonprofit discount (lowest among competitors)
- Charges for unsubscribed contacts
- Expensive scaling as subscriber list grows
- Limited free plan features
Pricing After Free Plan:
- Standard: $20/month for 500 subscribers
Church-Specific Email Marketing Solutions
1. Breeze ChMS – All-in-One Church Solution
Features:
- Church management software with integrated email marketing
- Member management and donation tracking
- Flat fee pricing: $72/month for unlimited emails
- Built specifically for churches
2. WorshipTools Community – Free Church Communication
Features:
- Completely free email communication for churches
- Share announcements, prayer requests, newsletters
- Web-based platform with easy message creation
- Mass communication and individual messaging capabilities
3. Mailmeteor – Gmail Integration
Features:
- Works directly from Gmail accounts
- Simple mass email solution for churches
- Rated 4.9/5 by users
- Affordable pricing for church budgets
Free vs Paid Email Marketing: Key Differences
Free Plan Limitations
Subscriber Limits:
- Most platforms: 500-2,500 subscribers
- Email limits: 1,000-15,000 monthly emails
- Daily sending restrictions on some platforms
Feature Restrictions:
- Limited automation workflows
- Basic templates only
- Platform branding on emails
- Minimal customer support
- Basic analytics and reporting
Automation Limitations:
- Fewer trigger options
- Limited workflow complexity
- Restricted segmentation capabilities
Paid Plan Advantages
Enhanced Features:
- Advanced automation workflows
- A/B testing capabilities
- Advanced segmentation
- Custom branding removal
- Priority customer support
Scalability:
- Unlimited or higher email sending limits
- Advanced analytics and reporting
- Integration capabilities
- Multi-user access
Professional Tools:
- Landing page builders
- Advanced form creation
- E-commerce integrations
- CRM functionality
Cost Comparison: Top Platforms for Different Subscriber Levels
| Platform | 1,000 Subscribers | 2,500 Subscribers | 5,000 Subscribers | Nonprofit Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MailerLite | $21/month | $28/month | $35/month | 30% |
| Sender | Free | $40/month | $75/month | 25% |
| Brevo | $26/month* | $26/month* | $26/month* | 15% |
| Mailchimp | $38.25/month | $51/month | $85/month | 15% |
| Constant Contact | $12/month | $35/month | $70/month | 20-30% |
*Brevo pricing based on email volume, not subscriber count
SEO Optimization Strategies for Email Marketing Content
Content Integration
Blog-to-Email Strategy:
- Repurpose high-performing blog content into email campaigns
- Create email digest roundups of best content
- Link back to website content to drive traffic
SEO-Email Synergy:
- Use email to promote valuable content assets
- Build backlinks through email outreach campaigns
- Drive quality traffic to SEO-optimized pages
Content Distribution:
- Share infographics, whitepapers, and guides via email
- Include social sharing buttons to amplify reach
- Create downloadable resources to collect email addresses
Technical SEO Considerations
Email Authentication:
- Implement proper SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records
- Use consistent sending domains
- Maintain sender reputation through list hygiene
Content Optimization:
- Write compelling subject lines (avoid spam triggers)
- Use professional email design
- Include clear unsubscribe options
Best Practices for Nonprofit Email Marketing in 2025
Audience Segmentation
Key Segments:
- Donors (current, past, major donors)
- Volunteers (active, potential, past)
- Board members and stakeholders
- Event attendees
- Newsletter subscribers
Personalization Strategies:
- Segment by donation history
- Geographic targeting
- Interest-based content
- Engagement level segmentation
Content Strategy
Email Types:
- Newsletters: Regular updates on activities and impact
- Fundraising campaigns: Donation drives and appeals
- Event invitations: Fundraisers and volunteer opportunities
- Thank you emails: Donor appreciation and recognition
- Impact reports: Demonstrating donation effectiveness
Engagement Tactics:
- Storytelling with beneficiary stories
- Visual content including photos and videos
- Clear calls-to-action for donations or volunteering
- Social proof and testimonials
Automation Workflows
Essential Automations:
- Welcome series for new subscribers
- Donor nurturing sequences
- Event reminder campaigns
- Re-engagement campaigns for inactive subscribers
- Thank you sequences for donors
Performance Benchmarks for Nonprofits and Churches
Industry Benchmarks:
- Open Rate: Nonprofits average 28.59% (ranging from 40.04% to 54.54% depending on platform)
- Click-Through Rate: 3.29% average for nonprofits
- Click-to-Open Rate: 10.2% for nonprofit emails
- Welcome Email Open Rate: 80% average (202% higher than regular campaigns)
Revenue Impact:
- Email marketing accounts for 15% of nonprofit revenue
- Average of $78 raised per 1,000 fundraising emails sent
- 74% of new subscribers expect welcome emails after joining
Recommendations by Organization Size
Small Churches/Nonprofits (Under 500 contacts)
Best Choice: MailerLite or Sender free plans
- Start with free plans to establish email marketing
- Focus on building subscriber base
- Utilize automation features for efficiency
Medium Organizations (500-2,500 contacts)
Best Choice: MailerLite paid plan with 30% nonprofit discount
- Superior value with unlimited sending
- Advanced features for growing needs
- Excellent customer support
Large Organizations (2,500+ contacts)
Best Choice: Brevo for high-volume, low-frequency sending
- Pay-per-email model is cost-effective
- Unlimited contacts
- Advanced CRM integration
Churches with Full Management Needs
Best Choice: Breeze ChMS or WorshipTools Community
- All-in-one church management solution
- Integrated member management
- Specialized church features
Email marketing success for nonprofits and churches in 2025 depends on choosing the right platform that balances features, cost, and scalability. While free plans offer excellent starting points, organizations should plan for growth and consider the long-term value of investing in paid plans with nonprofit discounts. The key is matching platform capabilities with organizational needs while maintaining focus on donor engagement, volunteer recruitment, and mission advancement.
Sources
- https://www.emailtooltester.com/en/blog/email-marketing-platforms-for-nonprofits/
- https://moosend.com/blog/best-email-marketing-services/
- https://zapier.com/blog/free-email-marketing-software/
- https://www.sender.net/blog/mailchimp-alternatives-for-nonprofits/
- https://www.emailvendorselection.com/nonprofit-email-marketing/
- https://clickydrip.com/is-mailerlite-free-for-nonprofits-is-there-a-nonprofit-discount/
- https://www.sender.net/blog/cheap-email-marketing/
- https://www.brevo.com/blog/best-email-marketing-services/
- https://encharge.io/church-email-marketing-software/
- https://www.churchsupportaustralia.com/the-best-email-marketing-platforms-for-churches-in-2025-enhance-outreach-engagement/
- https://www.connect-ministries.com/cm-blog/2025/5/1/7-free-church-mark-resources-cmmhy
- https://easysendy.com/use-case-for-churches/
- https://www.brevo.com/sendinblue-enterprise-for-ngos/
- https://competitors.app/email-marketing-stats/
- https://mailmeteor.com/email-marketing/churches
- https://www.brevo.com/blog/email-marketing-for-nonprofits/
- https://www.worshiptools.com/en-us/docs/146-communications
- https://www.worshiptools.com/en-us/docs/147-cm-templates
- https://www.worshiptools.com
- https://www.worshiptools.com/help/thread/6214941698686976
- https://www.worshiptools.com/en-us/docs/159-cm-sms
- https://www.softwareadvice.com/church/breeze-chms-profile/
- https://www.ortecadscience.com/email-automation-for-nonprofits/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCIz_bqs6qo
- https://www.mailerlite.com/blog/compare-your-email-performance-metrics-industry-benchmarks
- https://www.nptechforgood.com/101-best-practices/email-marketing-statistics-for-nonprofits/
- https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/average-email-open-rate-benchmark
- https://www.webfx.com/blog/marketing/email-marketing-benchmarks/
- https://www.avidai.com/blog/nonprofit-email-marketing-statistics/
- https://www.biblicalleadership.com/blogs/are-church-emails-worth-the-effort/
- http://www.eggzack.com/article/2025-05-20-email-tool-showdown-comparing-zero-cost-and-paid-platforms.html
- https://gettingattention.org/average-nonprofit-email-open-rate/
- https://www.emailtooltester.com/en/blog/email-marketing-platforms-for-nonprofits/
- https://moosend.com/blog/best-email-marketing-services/
- https://zapier.com/blog/free-email-marketing-software/
- https://www.sender.net/blog/mailchimp-alternatives-for-nonprofits/
- https://www.emailvendorselection.com/nonprofit-email-marketing/
- https://clickydrip.com/is-mailerlite-free-for-nonprofits-is-there-a-nonprofit-discount/
- https://www.sender.net/blog/cheap-email-marketing/
- https://www.brevo.com/blog/best-email-marketing-services/
- https://encharge.io/church-email-marketing-software/
- https://www.churchsupportaustralia.com/the-best-email-marketing-platforms-for-churches-in-2025-enhance-outreach-engagement/
- https://www.connect-ministries.com/cm-blog/2025/5/1/7-free-church-mark-resources-cmmhy
- https://easysendy.com/use-case-for-churches/
- https://www.brevo.com/sendinblue-enterprise-for-ngos/
- https://competitors.app/email-marketing-stats/
- https://mailmeteor.com/email-marketing/churches
- https://www.brevo.com/blog/email-marketing-for-nonprofits/
- https://www.worshiptools.com/en-us/docs/146-communications
- https://www.worshiptools.com/en-us/docs/147-cm-templates
- https://www.worshiptools.com
- https://www.worshiptools.com/help/thread/6214941698686976
- https://www.worshiptools.com/en-us/docs/159-cm-sms
- https://www.softwareadvice.com/church/breeze-chms-profile/
- https://www.ortecadscience.com/email-automation-for-nonprofits/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCIz_bqs6qo
- https://www.mailerlite.com/blog/compare-your-email-performance-metrics-industry-benchmarks
- https://www.nptechforgood.com/101-best-practices/email-marketing-statistics-for-nonprofits/
- https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/average-email-open-rate-benchmark
- https://www.webfx.com/blog/marketing/email-marketing-benchmarks/
- https://www.avidai.com/blog/nonprofit-email-marketing-statistics/
- https://www.biblicalleadership.com/blogs/are-church-emails-worth-the-effort/
- http://www.eggzack.com/article/2025-05-20-email-tool-showdown-comparing-zero-cost-and-paid-platforms.html
- https://gettingattention.org/average-nonprofit-email-open-rate/
- https://www.mailerlite.com/mailerlite-for-nonprofits
- https://sendpulse.com/knowledge-base/email-service/general/free-email-services
- https://www.mailmodo.com/guides/email-marketing-roi-statistics/
- https://get.tithe.ly/lp/church-management
- https://www.auctria.com/blog/email-marketing-campaigns-for-nonprofits-dos-and-don-ts/
- https://churchtechtoday.com/how-to-increase-your-email-open-rate-for-church-communications-directors-part-1/
- https://ecosend.io/blog/why-are-free-email-plans-bad
