CourseEmailStack

Free email plans for course creators, and where each one stops

8 of the 14 platforms we cover have a free plan, and 6 of those can run an automated welcome sequence without paying. Every figure was read off the vendor's own pricing page between 9 and 24 September 2026. The order is by what the plan can do, never by what a vendor pays us.

Starting free is cheap to try and costly to leave once your list is big. If you expect to outgrow the cap, see what each one costs as the list grows before you build on it.

The free plans, and where each one stops

The subscriber cap is the least useful number here. What matters is how each plan stops you, because that is what you hit first.6 of the 14 can automate a welcome sequence without paying, and that is usually the wall people meet before the subscriber one.

  • Sender
    2,500free subscribers
    YesEmail automation is listed on the free plan
    Where it stopsA smaller name with a smaller integration list. Check it connects to your course platform before you commit.
    Start free
  • EmailOctopus
    2,500free subscribers
    YesConfirmed on the free plan, but capped: up to 3 sequences with up to 5 steps each, and only a single trigger per sequence. Pro raises this to up to 3 triggers and up to 650 steps.
    Where it stopsFewer features than the others by design. Good if you only need to send, thin if you need funnels.
    Start free
  • Systeme.io
    2,000free subscribers
    YesThe free plan includes 1 automation rule and 1 workflow. Paid plans raise the cap: 10 rules/5 workflows on Startup, 100/20 on Webinar, unlimited on Unlimited.
    Where it stopsThe free plan holds one course only, and takes 0% on sales, which is rare.
    Start free
  • Brevo
    100,000free subscribers
    YesAutomation is included free for up to 2,000 unique contacts entering your active automations. Once that limit is reached, no more contacts can enter
    Where it stopsSending is the limit, not your list. The free plan stops at 300 emails a day, so a campaign to more than 300 people has to be resent by hand, 300 a day, and free emails always carry the Sent with Brevo logo. On its three smallest paid tiers, passing 500, 1,500 or 2,500 contacts moves you up a tier automatically and the price rises.
    Start free
  • MailerLite
    250free subscribers
    Yes3 automations included free
    Where it stopsTheir logo stays on your emails until you pay.
    Start free
  • Omnisend
    250free subscribers
    YesAutomation included, but 500 sends is tight
    Where it stops500 free emails a month is roughly 2 sends to a 250-person list.
    Start free
  • Kit
    10,000free subscribers
    NoSequences need the Creator plan
    Where it stopsDigital product sales carry a 3.5% + 30c fee on every plan.
    Start free
  • beehiiv
    2,500free subscribers
    NoAutomations need the Scale plan
    Where it stopsYou cannot sell anything from the free plan: paid subscriptions and digital products both need a paid plan.
    Start free

No free plan at all: ActiveCampaign, GetResponse, AWeber, Flodesk, Moosend, Constant Contact. Trials only, so budget from day one.

Read off each vendor's own pricing page between 9 and 24 September 2026.

Not sure a free plan is enough?

The free plan that fits depends on your list size, whether you sell a course, and how soon you need automation. Answer 5questions and we will name one.

Find your stackAll 14 platforms