EmailOctopus vs Flodesk (2026)

Dirt-cheap email for growing lists — against — The prettiest emails in the business. Same table, same scoring system, clear verdict.

Affiliate disclosure: Critingo is reader-supported. If you sign up through links on this page we may earn a commission — it costs you nothing extra and never changes our verdicts. We verify pricing and terms regularly, but they change often: always confirm on the vendor's site before buying.

Our pick: EmailOctopusDirt-cheap email for growing lists — scored 4.2/5. The right choice still depends on what you need; the table below shows exactly where they differ.

Head-to-head

Pricing and terms last verified 31 October 2026 — vendors change them often.

EmailOctopus 🏆Flodesk
Free planYes: up to 2,500 subscribersNo
Paid fromPaid typically from around $8/moFlat monthly rate (historically $35/mo, unlimited subscribers)
Free trialNone30 days
Automations✓✓
Landing pages✗✓
Paid subscriptions✗✗
Ecommerce features✗✗
Our score4.2/54.1/5

Choose EmailOctopus if…

  • You're primarily price-sensitive list builders
  • Among the cheapest paid plans anywhere
  • You can live with: fewer features: no landing pages, limited automation

Choose Flodesk if…

  • You're primarily designers, photographers, boutiques
  • Flat price with UNLIMITED subscribers — rare and valuable at scale
  • You can live with: no permanent free plan
Ready to try EmailOctopus?Using our link supports independent reviews like this one — at no extra cost to you.
Try EmailOctopus
Ready to try Flodesk?Using our link supports independent reviews like this one — at no extra cost to you.
Try Flodesk

EmailOctopus vs Flodesk: FAQ

EmailOctopus or Flodesk — which is better in 2026?

For most people matching EmailOctopus's strengths (price-sensitive list builders), EmailOctopus is the stronger choice — it scores 4.2/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose EmailOctopus for price-sensitive list builders, and Flodesk for designers, photographers, boutiques.

Is EmailOctopus cheaper than Flodesk?

EmailOctopus has a free plan (Paid typically from around $8/mo), while Flodesk has no permanent free plan (Flat monthly rate (historically $35/mo, unlimited subscribers)). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.

Can I switch from EmailOctopus to Flodesk (or back)?

Yes. Subscribers export as CSV/JSON from either platform and import into the other. Automation sequences usually need rebuilding — map your tags and forms before migrating.