Flodesk vs listmonk (2026)

The prettiest emails in the business — against — Free, self-hosted newsletter and mailing-list manager. 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: FlodeskThe prettiest emails in the business — scored 4.1/5. 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.

Flodesk 🏆listmonk
Free planNoYes: free software, you pay your own server and SMTP costs
Paid fromFlat monthly rate (historically $35/mo, unlimited subscribers)Free software; you supply hosting and an SMTP/SES provider
Free trial30 daysNone
Automations✓✗
Landing pages✓✗
Paid subscriptions✗✗
Ecommerce features✗✗
Our score4.1/53.5/5

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

Choose listmonk if…

  • You're primarily developers and technical teams
  • Free and open source with no subscriber limits
  • You can live with: you must host it and set up smtp and deliverability yourself
Ready to try Flodesk?Using our link supports independent reviews like this one — at no extra cost to you.
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Ready to try listmonk?Check current pricing and terms on the official site.
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Flodesk vs listmonk: FAQ

Flodesk or listmonk — which is better in 2026?

For most people matching Flodesk's strengths (designers, photographers, boutiques), Flodesk is the stronger choice — it scores 4.1/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose Flodesk for designers, photographers, boutiques, and listmonk for developers and technical teams.

Is Flodesk cheaper than listmonk?

Flodesk has no permanent free plan (Flat monthly rate (historically $35/mo, unlimited subscribers)), while listmonk has a free plan (Free software; you supply hosting and an SMTP/SES provider). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.

Can I switch from Flodesk to listmonk (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.