listmonk vs MailerLite (2026)
Free, self-hosted newsletter and mailing-list manager — against — The best value all-rounder. 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.
Head-to-head
Pricing and terms last verified 31 October 2026 — vendors change them often.
| listmonk | MailerLite 🏆 | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes: free software, you pay your own server and SMTP costs | Yes: up to 1,000 subscribers |
| Paid from | Free software; you supply hosting and an SMTP/SES provider | Paid typically from around $10/mo for 1,000 subscribers |
| Free trial | None | None |
| Automations | ✗ | ✓ |
| Landing pages | ✗ | ✓ |
| Paid subscriptions | ✗ | ✗ |
| Ecommerce features | ✗ | ✓ |
| Our score | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 |
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
Choose MailerLite if…
- You're primarily small businesses that want max value
- Consistently the cheapest reputable option for small lists
- You can live with: fewer advanced growth features than beehiiv/kit for creators
listmonk vs MailerLite: FAQ
listmonk or MailerLite — which is better in 2026?
For most people matching MailerLite's strengths (small businesses that want max value), MailerLite is the stronger choice — it scores 4.5/5 on our four-factor score. But "better" depends on you: choose listmonk for developers and technical teams, and MailerLite for small businesses that want max value.
Is listmonk cheaper than MailerLite?
listmonk has a free plan (Free software; you supply hosting and an SMTP/SES provider), while MailerLite has a free plan (Paid typically from around $10/mo for 1,000 subscribers). Vendors reprice several times a year — check both pricing pages before deciding.
Can I switch from listmonk to MailerLite (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.