Still trying to make Mailchimp work for your nonprofit organization? Here’s your sign to stop.
Though Mailchimp is a popular email marketing tool, it isn’t built for the unique challenges nonprofits face. The features you actually need—marketing automation, segmentation, workflows—not to mention meeting compliance requirements for nonprofit email marketing, often sit behind expensive paywalls.
What you need is a platform that works with you, not against your budget. That means generous free plans, real nonprofit discounts, and tools that simplify your outreach—not complicate it.
In this guide, I didn’t just pick cheap email marketing services or tools based on key features. I thought about nonprofit teams working in fundraising, advocacy, events, and outreach—and found email marketing tools that actually help.
If you’re ready to switch to something better (and cheaper), here are the 8 best Mailchimp alternatives for nonprofit email marketing efforts.
Disclaimer: This article evaluates the best Mailchimp alternatives for Nonprofits, including Sender, which our company owns. Email marketing platform comparisons for nonprofits are based on research, industry standards, and user feedback. No commissions are earned from links in this article.
Why Nonprofits Look for Mailchimp Alternatives?
When I started researching this for Mailchimp alternatives, one thing was clear—most nonprofits didn’t switch from Mailchimp out of curiosity. They switched out of frustration. And the reasons kept repeating, across Reddit threads, review sites, and blog posts.
Here are the top frustrations I found:
- Costs shoot up as you grow. A nonprofit on Reddit shared how their monthly bill jumped to $393 once their list hit 50,000 contacts, compelling them to waste time on consolidating the lists. This was after applying the nonprofit discount.
- Nonprofit discount feels like a joke. Mailchimp does offer a 15% discount, but compared to other platforms giving higher discounts (and even full-featured free plans, like Sender), it’s not enough to make a dent.
- You pay for inactive subscribers. Imagine losing a subscriber and still paying for them. That’s what happens when you’re using Mailchimp as your email service provider. They charge for all contacts, even the inactive ones. For cash-strapped nonprofits running digital marketing campaigns, it’s a serious challenge (Mailchimp).
- Segmentation is too limited. Many nonprofits need to run specific email marketing campaigns for donors, volunteers, or past attendees. But Mailchimp’s “60 groups per audience” limit blocks that kind of precise targeting (Reddit).
- Collaboration is frustrating. If your team includes volunteers or part-time help, you need collaboration to be smooth. But with Mailchimp, real-time content edits or shared approvals aren’t seamless—it slows things down, as shared by a user on Reddit.
- Volunteer management integrations. Mailchimp doesn’t include any built-in volunteer tracking or scheduling tools, leaving nonprofits to rely on outside CRMs or manual workarounds to manage volunteer data (Reddit).
- Peer-to-peer fundraising support. Unlike platforms built for nonprofits, Mailchimp doesn’t offer tools for peer-to-peer campaigns, meaning organizations miss out on supporter-driven fundraising without adding another platform.
- Grant reporting features. Mailchimp has no functionality for tracking or reporting on grants, forcing nonprofits to juggle separate systems to meet funder requirements.
- Advocacy campaign tools (petition integrations, etc.). For groups looking to run petitions or advocacy drives, Mailchimp comes up short—there are no native tools to support this kind of campaigning.
Key Features Nonprofits Should Look For
If you want to pick a tool for affordable email marketing for nonprofits, you first need to understand that every email tool is not built for the unique way nonprofits operate.
If you’re switching from Mailchimp, here’s what actually makes a difference:
- Discounts for nonprofits. Look for the best email marketing for nonprofits with a special, heavily discounted or free pricing plan. Every dollar wasted on subscribing to a Mailchimp pricing plan can go back into your cause.
- Donation & fundraising integrations. The ability to plug into tools like PayPal, Stripe, or donation platforms makes it easier to run campaigns, track contributions, and manage all your donor data in one place.
- Automation & segmentation. Powerful automation capabilities help send the right message to the right people—whether it’s donors, volunteers, or event attendees. Since many nonprofits rely on volunteer communication platforms, choosing a tool that integrates smoothly with them can save countless hours.
- Customizable email templates. Pre-made nonprofit newsletter templates, event invites, and donation asks to help you get started faster and save money on building a design team.
- Compliance & security. With donor data involved, being GDPR compliant and strong security practices are non-negotiable. Choose tools that take privacy seriously, especially if you’re working internationally.
- Ease of use. If volunteers or small teams are involved, the tool must be intuitive. A clean, no-fuss interface can save hours of training and reduce mistakes.
8 Best Mailchimp Alternatives for Nonprofits in 2025
Ready to switch? I handpicked the best Mailchimp alternatives that actually work for nonprofits—with better pricing, smarter email marketing features, and tools built for impact.
Here are the top dedicated email marketing tools you should look at:
Sender — Best Value Email Platform for Non-Profits
⭐️ Trusted by 180,000+ businesses worldwide.
If you’re after the perfect balance of simplicity, power, and generosity, you can stop looking—Sender is the best email marketing for small nonprofits solution that you can find.
For starters, Sender offers everything you need to build relationships, drive engagement, and keep your supporters in the loop. During my time with it, I found that it didn’t overwhelm any of my colleagues, nor did I feel we exceeded our modest budget at any point.
Discount: 25%;
Sender Pricing: Starts at $7/month for 1,000 subscribers + 12,000 monthly emails;
Free plan: Available for up to 2,500 subscribers + 15,000 monthly emails.
Another feature that will be appreciated by any non-profit is that this email marketing software offers a generous free plan that beats other email marketing tools’ freemium plans by a wide margin.
Unlike tools that hide key features behind paywalls, Sender’s free plan gives you access to almost everything. It’s the best tool for free email marketing for charities when you need to grow your list without thinking of costs. The paid plans have a 25% discount for nonprofits, making Sender a tool with the most nonprofit-friendly pricing plans in the market.
I also found the segmentation feature to be as solid as it gets. You can easily tag, group, and manage your supporters. Pre-designed templates, popup builders, and real-time reporting features make it one of the best email marketing platforms for nonprofits.
All in all, if you’re managing volunteer updates or running regular donation drives, Sender is the ideal choice—it automates backend tasks that would otherwise require third-party add-ons or a staff member with technical know-how.
Standout Features
- Generous free plan. Send up to 15,000 emails monthly to 2,500 contacts with access to all core + most of the advanced features;
- Visual automation builder. Set up automated welcome sequences or donation reminders using premade workflows and a visual builder—no tech help needed;
- Landing page builder. Create customizable landing pages to showcase campaigns, collect donations, or grow your email list without needing a designer or developer;
- Efficient segmentation. Group donors, volunteers, or partners to send hyper-relevant messages to the right people, at the right time;
- Form & popup tools. Capture emails through popups and embedded signup forms that match your nonprofit’s website easily.
Mailchimp vs Sender
Unlike Mailchimp’s restrictive free plan, Sender offers higher subscriber and email limits (up to 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails/month). You can build full marketing automation workflows and use segmentation from day one using the free plan. This makes it a powerful free email marketing tool that you can use even when you don’t have the budget.
While Mailchimp often feels bloated or built for agencies, Sender keeps it simple and focused. For nonprofits that want to get started quickly, it offers premium features and affordable scaling options without having to worry about your budget.
Constant Contact — Beautiful Visual Content & Non-Profit Discounts
Constant Contact, another standout email marketing service, is a great fit for nonprofits that regularly host events, send donor updates, or rely on volunteers to manage campaigns.
I found Constant Contact to be built to keep things simple—even if you’re not “techy”. And that’s exactly why it works so well for nonprofit organizations.
Discount: 20% off with 6-month prepay; 30% off with 12-month prepay;
Constant Contact Pricing: Starts at $12/month for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 emails/month;
Free plan: Not available. 30-day free trial available.
Using Constant Contact felt refreshingly effortless. There’s a drag-and-drop editor for emails, landing pages, and forms—all the essentials you need to create stunning campaigns and email invitations under one roof.
Its event management tools are worth mentioning, too. You can build sign-up pages, thank-you follow-ups, and donor welcome emails without needing a full CRM, which is a feature plenty of great email marketing tools are lacking today.
Finally, Constant Contact offers discounts for nonprofits (20-30%) on its paid plans. That kind of affordability, combined with its ease of use and donor engagement features, makes it a useful email marketing software for smaller teams running on heart and hustle.
Standout Features
- Event campaign builder. Promote events, manage RSVPs, and send reminders, all from the same dashboard;
- Donor email sequences. Automate thank-you notes, impact updates, re-engagement emails, and other donor retention email strategies with ease;
- Event ticketing capabilities. Sell tickets online, track registrations, and securely process payments with built-in event management tools;
- Nonprofit pricing deals. Constant Contact offers steep discounts (up to 20-30%) for verified nonprofit accounts;
- Form & landing page builder. Easily create popups or landing pages to collect emails before or after an event.
Mailchimp vs Constant Contact
Unlike Mailchimp, Constant Contact doesn’t charge for unsubscribed contacts or overwhelm you with features you won’t use. Its simple interface and nonprofit discount alone make it worth the switch.
For nonprofits that need email + event tools in one place—Constant Contact keeps things refreshingly straightforward. If you’re running weekly email updates, donation drives, or onboarding sequences, Constant Contact is worth checking out.
“Constant Contact is extremely user-friendly, making it simple to have messaging reach a wide audience. It is also useful for efforts outside of regular email campaigns, serving as a ticket platform for events, etc.”
— User review on G2
MailerLite — Best Storytelling Templates
MailerLite is perfect for nonprofits that believe in sharing their story through newsletters, volunteer updates, or impact reports.
One of my favorite features? MailerLite’s templates don’t just look great, but stay reusable across email campaigns and landing pages.
Discount: 30%;
MailerLite Pricing: Starts at $9/month for up to 500 contacts + unlimited emails;
Free plan: Available for up to 1,000 contacts + 12,000 monthly emails.
When I tested MailerLite, one thing stood out immediately—it’s made with people in mind who care about minimalism and consistency more than flashy design extras or overly complex features.
For instance, the email builder has a user-friendly interface and offers full flexibility to create branded templates for small nonprofit teams without touching a line of code.
If you’re regularly creating event invites, donation drives, or monthly impact newsletters, its template library, with dozens of professionally designed campaigns, and the reuse design feature will save you hours.
One of the first things I did with MailerLite was create a branded newsletter layout. It didn’t take me more than 10-15 minutes. Then I reused it across multiple campaigns with a few content swaps, which felt almost too effortless. There’s even a website builder and landing page builder with drag-and-drop functionality.
Overall, MailerLite is an astounding Mailchimp alternative—covering the essentials without the extra frills of higher-priced platforms, and offering nonprofits a generous 30% discount on all paid plans.
Standout Features
- Reusable email templates. Build once, reuse later approach saves time and is great for fundraising email templates, recurring newsletters, and donation updates;
- Landing page builder. Quickly spin up event pages or campaign landing pages with matching brand visuals;
- Multi-language support for international nonprofits. Create and send campaigns in different languages, segment donors by preference, and ensure accessibility for international audiences;
- Custom brand styling. Global settings help lock in fonts, colors, and button styles to keep branding consistent;
- Clean user interface. Even first-time users can navigate the editor easily, which is great for part-time or volunteer help.
Mailchimp vs MailerLite
Where Mailchimp can feel clunky and bloated, MailerLite focuses on what nonprofits actually need: great-looking emails, consistent branding, and no fuss. And unlike Mailchimp, you’re not charged extra for ‘unsubscribed contacts’ or premium templates.
If you’re telling stories often—to donors, supporters, or volunteers—MailerLite gives you the creative flexibility and the tools to do it the right way. And if minimalism is your vibe, you should look at the platform, as it offers a 30% discount on paid plans to nonprofits.
“MailerLite is reasonably priced and easy to use for a small business, non-profit, or blogger that doesn’t need all the bells and whistles of some of the more expensive email marketing services.”
— User review on G2
AWeber — Simplicity and Cost-Effectiveness
After spending some time with AWeber, I found it to be a solid pick for nonprofits running paid events, workshops, or selling digital fundraising materials like ebooks.
Discount: 3 months for free + 25% discount after that;
AWeber Pricing: Starts at $13/month for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 monthly emails;
Free plan: Not available.
I tested AWeber for multiple fundraising scenarios, like launching a dummy digital fundraising product and promoting a workshop. In both cases, the platform made setup straightforward, ready to take care of signups and follow-ups as soon as it’s launched.
Its landing page builder also deserves a shoutout, as it helped me create beautiful pages without touching code.
I also liked how it used a tag-based system to group donors and trigger follow-up emails automatically. Basically, it helped me automate emails, such as sending event details and download links on autopilot.
If your nonprofit is trying to manage RSVPs, sell entries to events, or handle donor follow-ups all in one place, AWeber is your best bet. Add that 3-month free paid plan and a 25% nonprofit discount after that, and it’s an offer that’s hard to beat.
Standout Features
- Event registration pages. Create landing pages for workshops or fundraisers with integrations to payment gateways;
- Automated donor emails. Send targeted thank-you emails or deliver valuable content on autopilot using tags and campaign automation;
- AI writing assistant. Get AI features to write email copy, landing page content, to speed up campaign creation;
- End-to-end workflows. Create automated workflows and event-to-email sequences without any external tools or integrations needed.
Mailchimp vs AWeber
Mailchimp often requires moving to a higher plan to take full advantage of advanced features like landing page templates, payment gateways, and automations. AWeber brings it all into one flow—with better support and a much friendlier pricing model for nonprofits.
With fewer billing surprises—like not charging for unsubscribed contacts—it’s far easier to predict and control spending over time. If your nonprofit hosts events or runs workshops, AWeber’s built-in tools and hands-off automations make it far easier to manage than Mailchimp.
“AWeber drag and drop builder is one of the top-class and easy-to-use features. Also, they provide lots of beautiful already customized email templates for use. Setting up all things is very easy because of its clean and easy-to-understand UI.”
— User review on G2
Brevo — Affordable Automation & Multi-Channel Engagement
Brevo is a CRM-first email marketing platform for nonprofits that offers advanced automation features, multichannel communication (email, SMS, WhatsApp), and comes with a handy free plan, too.
Discount: 15%;
Brevo Pricing: Paid plans start at $8/month for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 monthly emails;
Free plan: Available for up to 500 contacts + 5,000 emails/month.
When I tested Brevo, what stood out immediately was the visual automation builder. It took just minutes to set up a donor journey—from donation form integration to welcome emails all ready to be rolled out.
What I liked most, though, was being able to manage it all in one place, even sending web push notifications and automated follow-ups on WhatsApp and SMS right from the same dashboard.
If you’re part of a registered NGO, Brevo offers a 15% discount on its paid plans, which start at a budget-friendly $8/month. The platform is a great Mailchimp alternative for nonprofit organizations juggling multiple campaigns across platforms without stretching their budget.
Standout Features
- Multi-channel campaigns. Engage donors across email, SMS, WhatsApp, and Facebook—all from one dashboard;
- Visual automation flows. Easily set up donor journeys or event workflows with a drag-and-drop builder;
- Generous free plan. Send 300 emails/day for free, which is perfect for small campaigns or early-stage outreach;
- Board member collaboration tools. Allow multiple users to access the same account with shared inboxes and team permissions, making it easier to coordinate campaigns (though not tailored specifically for board governance);
- Centralized conversation dashboard. Get a unified dashboard to keep an eye on conversations across email, SMS, WhatsApp, and social media inboxes.
Mailchimp vs Brevo
In the Brevo vs Mailchimp showdown, the oldtimer might win on brand recognition, but Brevo outshines it in terms of value. While Mailchimp keeps automation and multichannel tools behind higher-tier plans, Brevo includes them early—even on free and low-cost plans. And where Mailchimp charges for unsubscribed contacts, Brevo offers storage for unlimited contacts (on higher plans).
For nonprofits that want more than just emails—SMS marketing, WhatsApp updates, or cross-channel campaigns—Brevo is far more powerful. Their dedicated NGO support and pricing offer a great alternative to Mailchimp for nonprofits today.
“Paying by number of emails per month rather than the number of subscribers we have is perfect for us since we don’t send a whole lot of emails despite having a sizable subscriber list. It has saved us over $20 a month, which may not sound like a lot, but is considerable for a non-profit NGO such as ourselves.”
— User review on G2
GetResponse — All-in-One Solution for Campaigns & Webinars
GetResponse is the swiss army knife of email marketing tools—it offers email marketing, donor onboarding, landing pages, live webinars, etc., in one place. It’s especially great for growing organizations managing multiple touchpoints with limited resources.
Discount: 50%;
GetResponse Pricing: Starts at $15/month for up to 1,000 contacts + unlimited emails;
Free plan: Available for up to 500 contacts + 2,500 monthly emails.
During my time with it, I realized why many users claim GetResponse is so great for running multiple non-profit campaigns at once. Not only does it combine automation, event management, and donor engagement features into a single streamlined platform, it also offers a fully-fledged CRM that helps to nurture potential clients.
What I really liked about GetResponse is how flexible it is (at least when you get the hang of it). You can build your own templates, segment your audience, and set up re-engagement emails without much effort.
The webinar feature also proved to be a valuable tool—it worked smoothly for hosting live donor sessions and even volunteer training.
While it’s not the cheapest option on this list, it sweetens the deal with a 50% discount on all paid plans. This makes GetResponse one of the most powerful Mailchimp alternatives for non-profits you can find today.
Standout Features
- Built-in webinars. Host donor meetings, volunteer orientations, or workshops without switching platforms;
- AI-powered builder. Get a ready-made funnel—emails, forms, and landing pages—from a simple questionnaire;
- Segmentation and list management. Use tags and segments to tailor follow-ups by donor behavior and event attendance;
- Form + Page Builder. Embed pop-ups and lead forms into your website with automation tied to each action.
Mailchimp vs GetResponse
Where Mailchimp stops at emails, GetResponse helps you build an entire donor engagement system. From automated welcome journeys to full-blown webinars, everything is built-in—no need to duct tape third-party tools. Mailchimp also loses big points in the GetResponse vs Mailchimp debate due to weak segmentation, with fewer tagging options and rigid automation flows.
GetResponse lets you tailor donor journeys, set re-engagement paths, and even remove inactive users to save cost and boost deliverability. If you’re serious about digital donor engagement and want a system that grows with you, GetResponse offers far more flexibility, especially for content-heavy or event-based nonprofits.
“It’s a great e-mail marketing software at a great price for non-profit ministries. It also tracks activity, so you can see which contacts are paying more attention to your e-mails.”
— User review on G2
Moosend — Cost-Effective, Simple Yet Powerful Automation
If you’re running a nonprofit and want email automation without blowing your budget, Moosend is hard to ignore.
It’s quietly becoming a favorite among lean teams who need solid workflows, clean design, and smart reporting tools without paying a premium price. And it doesn’t take much to see why.
Discount: 25%;
Moosend Pricing: Starts at $7/month for up to 500 contacts + unlimited emails;
Free plan: Not available. 30-day free trial available.
I first tested Moosend with regular email campaigns, how it handles automated post-event emails, and engagement tracking. In each case, it felt intuitive and efficient, giving me clear insights without needing extra tools or complicated setups—a few areas where Mailchimp struggles.
Meanwhile, its automation builder is as simple as it gets. You pick your triggers, events and it’s all ready to be launched. All features (including automation, landing pages, unlimited emails) are available even on the lowest-paid plan with no strings attached.
While deliverability hasn’t been its strongest point in the past, I found Moosend to be a decent Mailchimp alternative for creating responsive donor and volunteer communication.
Standout Features
- Affordable automation access. Even at its lowest tier, Moosend delivers some of the best automation workflows for nonprofits without locking features behind premium plans;
- Nonprofit discount. Get a 25% nonprofit discount when you pay for its annual plan as a nonprofit;
- Workflow builder. Easily set up post-donation emails, welcome flows, or event reminders;
- Collaboration-ready. Built-in comment mode helps teams review and finalize campaign designs faster.
Mailchimp vs Moosend
Mailchimp’s lower-tier plans limit what you can automate, which doesn’t help when your nonprofit’s fundraiser success depends on follow-ups. Moosend, on the other hand, gives you full automation freedom upfront, even if you’re just starting.
On top of that, Moosend doesn’t charge extra just to schedule or segment emails. While Mailchimp can feel bloated with upsells, Moosend keeps things clean, focused, and cost-friendly. It’s not for massive lists, but for nonprofits under 10K contacts, it checks most boxes, giving Moosend an upper hand in the Moosend vs Mailchimp standoff.
“Moosend lets me quickly and easily create an email campaign and send it to over 3000 subscribers with ease and it’s very affordable especially for us being a non-profit we have to watch every penny. Before Moonsend our emails were boring to look at and it took a long time to send emails about. Moosend has solved all of that.”
— User review on G2
Campaign Monitor — Best for Automated Email Journeys
Last but not least, Campaign Monitor, an email marketing solution built for simplicity. Its journey-based email automation will be appreciated by any nonprofit that needs to engage supporters consistently.
Discount: 15%;
Campaign Monitor Pricing: Starts at $12/month for up to 500 contacts + 2,500 emails/month;
Free plan: Not available. 30-day free trial available.
When I tested Campaign Monitor, I found the journey builder refreshingly intuitive. It doesn’t feel overwhelming, even for someone with no tech skills or expertise. While its drag-and-drop flows, behavioral triggers, and dynamic content make it easy to personalize outreach campaigns.
So whether it’s sending thank-you notes to donors, re-engagement emails, or event invitations, the platform makes it easy to add a personal touch to every message.
And even though its nonprofit discount (15% off) is as minimal as Mailchimp’s one, it still helps to start creating those email campaigns without going overboard on budget.
Standout Features
- Donor journey builder. Build multi-step donor email campaigns with ease using a visual automation builder tool;
- CRM integrations. Sync supporter data with third-party tools like Kindful or other integrations with popular nonprofit CRMs to keep your donor records accurate;
- Personalized campaigns. Use dynamic content to send personalized emails based on donor behavior or attributes;
- AI writer. Write engaging email copy with the help of built-in AI tools to speed things up.
Mailchimp vs Campaign Monitor
Where Mailchimp feels overly rigid for nonprofit use, Campaign Monitor feels designed for meaningful engagement. Its automation workflows aren’t hidden behind expensive paywalls and are far easier to build. The templates are cleaner, and the user journey logic is more intuitive, especially for recurring fundraising events or volunteer campaigns.
For nonprofits wanting to focus more on mission and less on managing tech, Campaign Monitor outranks Mailchimp in the Campaign Monitor vs Mailchimp debate with a more mission-aligned approach.
“For my animal rescue, we don’t have a lot of extra budget for marketing or PR. Campaign Monitor made it simple to get a communication stream going with our subscribers and it has helped us raise incremental funds when we have a special case or urgent situation. It is a great vehicle for us to reach our community.”
— User review on G2
Email Marketing Platform Price Calculator
Figuring out which email marketing tool matches your subscriber list, budget, and feature wishlist can be a headache. That’s why we made Sender’s price calculator—so you can quickly find the plan that makes the most sense for you.
Alternatives for Nonprofits — Quick Comparison Table
Need to quickly compare all the bulk email services for your nonprofit? Here’s a short table of all the discounted email services for nonprofits with their key features.
| Tool | Best For | Free Plan | Nonprofit Discount | Key Features |
| Sender | Nonprofits wanting to scale outreach on budget | Up to 2,500 subs and 15,000 emails/mo | Yes. 25% | Generous free plan, automation builder, smart segmentation, email+SMS |
| Constant Contact | Nonprofits focused on events | 30-day trial only | Yes. 20-30% | Branded templates, event RSVP tools, drag-and-drop editor, CRM tools |
| MailerLite | Story-driven campaigns for fundraisers or volunteers | Up to 1,000 subs and 12,000 emails/mo | Yes. 30% | Stunning templates, intuitive builder, automation, forms |
| AWeber | Simple tools for lean teams or local NGOs | Up to 500 subs and 3,000 emails/mo | Yes. 25% | Landing pages, ecommerce forms |
| Brevo | Affordable automation & multi-channel engagement | Up to 500 subs and 5,000 emails/mo | Yes. 15% | Multi-channel campaigns (email/SMS/WhatsApp), automation flows, team inbox |
| GetResponse | All-in-one solution with webinars & automation | Up to 500 subs and 2,500 emails/mo | Yes. 50% | Built-in webinars, AI funnel builder, segmentation, landing page/forms |
| Moosend | Cost-effective, simple yet powerful automation | 30-day free trial only | Yes. 25% | Full workflow automation on all plans, collaboration-ready, reporting |
| Campaign Monitor | Automated donor journeys & personalized campaigns | 30-day free trial only | Yes. 15% | Donor journey builder, CRM integrations, dynamic personalization, AI writer |
