MailerLite vs Systeme.io
Both are on our shortlist for course creators. They part company on a couple of things that matter more than the monthly price.
MailerLite 
Systeme.io Which one, for whom
- Starting out with no budget MailerLite MailerLite can run an automated welcome sequence on its free plan. Systeme.io cannot, so a new subscriber hears nothing from you until you pay.
- A list already in the thousands Systeme.io Systeme.io stays free to 2,000 subscribers against MailerLite's 250.
Side by side
| MailerLite | Systeme.io | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | 250 subscribers | 2,000 subscribers |
| Free sends | 2,500 emails/mo | Unlimited emails |
| Welcome sequence on free | Yes | Not confirmed |
| Paid from | $12/mo | $17/mo |
| At 5,000 subscribers | $44.10 | $17 |
| At 25,000 subscribers | $161.10 | $97 |
| The catch | Their logo stays on your emails until you pay. | The free plan holds one course only, and takes 0% on sales, which is rare. |
Figures read off each vendor's own pricing page on 5 September 2026. Where a row says not published, that vendor does not state a price at that list size and we will not invent one.
Getting your list back out
MailerLite
Cancel any time without penalty. Their terms describe still being able to log in, export and migrate your data after a plan lapses.
Systeme.io
You can export contacts to CSV yourself at any time. We could not find their cancellation terms at the usual addresses, so treat the rest as unchecked.
Try either one
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MailerLite Best free plan for a real welcome sequence
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Start free on MailerLite Read the full MailerLite breakdown Systeme.io Course hosting, funnels and email on one free plan
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Start free on Systeme.io Read the full Systeme.io breakdownMailerLite vs Systeme.io, answered
- Is MailerLite or Systeme.io better for an online course?
- Neither is better outright, and anyone who says so is guessing on your behalf. MailerLite if you are starting out with no budget. Systeme.io if you are a list already in the thousands.
- Which of MailerLite and Systeme.io has the better free plan?
- Systeme.io allows more free subscribers (2,000 against 250). A bigger allowance is not automatically the better plan: check the welcome sequence row above, because that is where the two usually part company.
- Can I move from MailerLite to Systeme.io later?
- Yes, and you should assume you will. Export your list before you cancel anything, and keep the tag that says who bought from you. We wrote the order of operations up separately.
Moving between them? Read the switching guide first, or answer four questions to check neither of these is the wrong shortlist.