How we make this list: we compare pricing pages, product documentation and public user reviews. Rankite is independent; if a vendor ever pays for a featured spot, that listing is clearly labeled Partner.
Key takeaways
- Mailchimp ended its recurring 15% nonprofit discount in 2023; new nonprofits now get a one-time discount, which changed the value math for the whole category.
- Nonprofit discounts elsewhere are real and recurring: check each vendor's current terms, because percentages and eligibility change.
- Brevo charges by email volume rather than contacts, which suits nonprofits with large but infrequently mailed lists.
- The cheapest list price is not the cheapest tool: contact-based pricing punishes list growth, so model your list at 12 months out.
Quick comparison
| Tool | Best for | Starting price | Free plan |
|---|
 Mailchimp | Maximum integrations | $13 per month (Essentials) | Yes |
 Constant Contact | Events plus phone support | $12 per month (Lite) | Free trial (30 days) |
 Brevo | Volume-based pricing with email plus SMS | See website | Yes |
 MailerLite | Affordable automation | $12 per month (Comfort) | Yes |
 GetResponse | Email plus webinars | $19 per month (Starter) | Free trial (30 days) |
 Moosend | Low-cost automation | See website | Free trial (30 days) |
 ActiveCampaign | CRM-powered donor journeys | See website | Free trial (14 days) |
 HubSpot | Free CRM with marketing tools | See website | Yes |
 EmailOctopus | Budget basics with a generous free plan | $9 per month | Yes |
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We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Starting price$13 per month (Essentials)
Free planYes
Mailchimp remains the default email platform by ecosystem size: if a donor CRM, event tool or website builder integrates with anything, it integrates with Mailchimp. The automation builder handles multi-step donor journeys, and the free plan covers small lists getting started.
The nonprofit math changed in 2023 when Mailchimp ended its recurring 15% nonprofit discount for new accounts; verified nonprofits now get a one-time discount instead. Combined with contact-based pricing that charges for unsubscribed contacts until you archive them, growing nonprofits often find cheaper alternatives. Check the current discount terms on Mailchimp's own nonprofit page before budgeting.
What we like- The largest integration ecosystem
- Deep multi-step automation
- Free plan for small lists
Watch out for- Recurring nonprofit discount ended
- Contact-based pricing counts unsubscribes until archived
- Costs jump sharply with list growth
Starting price$12 per month (Lite)
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Constant Contact is the nonprofit specialist among the generalists. The event marketing tools handle the fundraiser lifecycle, invitations, registrations, reminders, follow-up surveys, in one place, and live phone support matters for teams where the email person changes every year. Plans start at $12 a month for Lite, and verified nonprofits can get up to 30% off on annual plans.
The trade-offs are the annual prepayment the discount requires, which strains tight cash flow, and no permanent free plan. For the nonprofit that runs events and wants a human on the phone, Constant Contact justifies the premium.
What we like- Built-in event marketing for fundraisers
- Live phone and chat support
- Nonprofit discount up to 30% on annual plans
Watch out for- No permanent free plan
- The discount requires annual prepayment
- Pricier than leaner rivals at scale
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
Brevo's pricing model is the reason to look: it charges by emails sent rather than contacts stored, so a nonprofit with 50,000 contacts that mails monthly pays far less than on contact-based platforms. Email, SMS and a basic CRM come in one account, which suits donor reminders and event follow-ups.
The vendor's pricing page did not render a verifiable figure in our check, so confirm the current plan prices directly. The free tier's 300-emails-a-day cap limits real campaigns. For the large-list, low-frequency mailer, Brevo's model is the cheapest honest structure in email.
What we like- Charges by email volume, not contacts
- Email plus SMS plus CRM in one
- Generous contact limits on paid plans
Watch out for- Pricing not published in a simple figure on the page we could verify
- Free tier capped at 300 emails a day
- Automation depth trails specialists
Starting price$12 per month (Comfort)
Free planYes
MailerLite is the value pick for nonprofits that want real automation without enterprise pricing. The interface is clean, the automation builder handles welcome sequences and donor anniversaries, and a 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans (verify current terms) makes the paid tiers genuinely cheap. The Comfort plan starts at $12 a month.
The limits are ecosystem depth and template variety on the free plan. For the small nonprofit that will grow into automation, MailerLite is the balanced choice between free-tool simplicity and Constant Contact's premium.
What we like- Clean, modern interface
- 30% nonprofit discount on paid plans
- Solid automation at a low price
Watch out for- Template library thinner on the free plan
- Per-contact pricing scales with list growth
- Fewer native integrations than Mailchimp
Starting price$19 per month (Starter)
Free planFree trial (30 days)
GetResponse stands out for nonprofits that run webinars: donor education sessions, volunteer training and virtual fundraisers run on the same platform as the email list. The Starter plan at $19 a month includes unlimited monthly sends, and a 50% nonprofit discount is reported through TechSoup, which would make it one of the cheapest paid options if you qualify.
Verify the discount's current terms, since TechSoup-mediated offers change. For the nonprofit whose calendar includes regular webinars, the bundled value is real; for email-only shops, simpler tools cost less.
What we like- Webinars built into the platform
- 50% nonprofit discount reported via TechSoup
- Unlimited monthly sends on Starter
Watch out for- The discount route runs through TechSoup verification
- Webinar features add cost if unused
- The interface is busy
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (30 days)
Moosend competes as the budget automation tool: multi-step workflows, segmentation and landing pages at prices aimed at small organizations, with a nonprofit discount reported on paid plans. The credit-based plans suit seasonal senders like annual-gala nonprofits that mail heavily a few months a year.
Our pricing-page check did not surface a verifiable plan figure, so confirm pricing directly with the vendor. For the small nonprofit that wants automation logic without Mailchimp's bill, Moosend is the quote to get.
What we like- Strong automation at a low price point
- Nonprofit discount reported
- Simple credit-based options for seasonal senders
Watch out for- Pricing page did not render a verifiable plan figure
- Smaller company with a thinner ecosystem
- Template library is adequate, not rich
Starting priceSee website
Free planFree trial (14 days)
ActiveCampaign is the power tool: automation that reacts to donor behavior across email, site visits and CRM pipeline stages, with lead scoring and conditional journeys the simpler tools cannot express. For the nonprofit with a dedicated marketing staffer running sophisticated donor cultivation, nothing else here matches it.
It is overkill for the monthly-newsletter organization, and our pricing check did not yield a verifiable figure, so get the quote. For the data-driven fundraising team, the depth justifies the complexity.
What we like- The deepest automation in this list
- CRM built in for donor pipeline management
- Nonprofit discount reported
Watch out for- Pricing not published in a verifiable figure on the page checked
- Overkill without a dedicated marketing staffer
- The learning curve is real
Starting priceSee website
Free planYes
HubSpot's nonprofit case starts with the free CRM: donor records, pipelines, activity tracking and reporting at no cost, which no other free plan here matches. The marketing tools layer on from free to enterprise, and nonprofit discounts apply to paid tiers. For the nonprofit building a real donor database rather than just a mailing list, the free CRM is the foundation.
The pricing page did not render a verifiable figure in our check, and paid tiers escalate quickly. Commit to HubSpot for the CRM; buy the marketing tiers only when the free tools run out.
What we like- Free CRM for donor management is genuinely good
- Marketing tools scale from free to enterprise
- Nonprofit discounts on paid tiers
Watch out for- Pricing page did not render a verifiable figure
- Costs escalate steeply at higher tiers
- The platform rewards full-ecosystem commitment
Starting price$9 per month
Free planYes
EmailOctopus is the minimalist's choice: email campaigns, simple automation and landing pages at the lowest prices in this list, with a free plan covering 2,500 contacts. For the small nonprofit that sends a monthly newsletter and an occasional appeal, it does the job without ceremony.
The ceiling is capability: advanced automation, deep segmentation and rich integrations are not here. For budget-first basics, EmailOctopus is the cheapest credible option.
What we like- Free plan covers 2,500 contacts
- Paid plans from $9 a month
- Simple and fast to learn
Watch out for- Automation is basic
- Fewer integrations
- The simplicity is the ceiling
How we chose
We focused on platforms nonprofits actually evaluate in 2026, verified each product exists today, and used only vendor-published pricing captured in October 2026. Where a vendor's pricing page did not render a verifiable figure, the listing says so. Nonprofit discount terms change frequently; we describe them as reported and advise verifying current terms on each vendor's site rather than treating any percentage as permanent.
The discount picture, honestly
Nonprofit discounts range from none to 50%, and the terms matter more than the percentage. Mailchimp's discount is one-time for new accounts. Constant Contact's headline discount requires annual prepayment. GetResponse's runs through TechSoup verification. Some require 501(c)(3) documentation submitted before purchase and cannot be applied retroactively.
Read the terms before choosing on discount alone. A 30% discount on an expensive platform can cost more than full price on a cheap one: at 5,000 contacts, Mailchimp after discount has been reported around $85 a month while leaner alternatives cover the same list for $30 to $40. Model your list size at twelve months, apply the discount you actually qualify for, then compare.
Two pricing models dominate email, and the choice matters more than the logo. Contact-based pricing (Mailchimp, MailerLite, Constant Contact) charges by list size: every subscriber costs money whether you mail them or not, which punishes list growth and rewards list hygiene. Volume-based pricing (Brevo) charges by emails sent: a huge list mailed rarely costs little.
Match the model to your mailing pattern. The nonprofit with 40,000 contacts and a monthly newsletter is cheaper on volume-based pricing. The nonprofit with 3,000 engaged donors mailed weekly may be cheaper contact-based. And on contact-based platforms, archive unsubscribed contacts promptly: several platforms charge for them until you do.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best free email marketing for nonprofits?
EmailOctopus (2,500 contacts free), MailerLite (1,000 contacts free), Brevo (300 emails a day free) and HubSpot (free CRM plus free marketing tools) all offer real free tiers. Match the free plan's limits to your list size and send frequency.
How do nonprofit discounts work?
Most require proof of nonprofit status, usually a 501(c)(3) determination letter or local equivalent, submitted before purchase. Terms vary: some are recurring, some one-time, some require annual prepayment, some run through TechSoup. Always verify current terms on the vendor's own nonprofit page.
Is Mailchimp still good for nonprofits?
It depends on list size. The platform is strong, but the recurring nonprofit discount ended for new accounts and contact-based pricing scales steeply. Small lists on the free plan are fine; growing lists should compare discounted alternatives before committing.
How much should a nonprofit pay for email marketing?
Small nonprofits can operate free. At 5,000 contacts, expect roughly $9 to $40 a month on budget platforms after nonprofit discounts, versus $60 to $100+ on the premium platforms. Model your list at twelve months out, because growth is where the bills diverge.
Do we need a CRM or just email software?
If fundraising means tracking donor relationships, gifts and pipelines, you need CRM functionality: HubSpot's free CRM or ActiveCampaign's built-in CRM. If email means newsletters and announcements, a pure email tool suffices. Many nonprofits need both and should choose accordingly.
What about deliverability for nonprofit senders?
Shared-IP deliverability is standard on all these platforms and fine for legitimate senders. What matters more is list hygiene: confirmed opt-in, prompt unsubscribes, regular engagement, and authenticated sending domains. No platform fixes a purchased list.
Sources we checked (9)
- https://mailchimp.com/pricing/
- https://www.constantcontact.com/pricing
- https://www.brevo.com/pricing/
- https://www.mailerlite.com/pricing
- https://www.getresponse.com/pricing
- https://moosend.com/pricing/
- https://www.activecampaign.com/pricing
- https://www.hubspot.com/pricing/marketing
- https://emailoctopus.com/pricing
Is your product missing or out of date?
We review this list regularly. Vendors can request a listing, send updated pricing or ask about featured placement.
Shihab Mia · Founder, Rankite
Shihab has spent more than a decade helping SaaS and e-commerce brands grow through search. He writes Rankite's software buying guides from pricing pages, documentation and public user reviews. More about Shihab.