Email Platforms Ranked: Why We Bet on HighLevel (and 4 Honourable Mentions)

Email still wins. Despite TikTok, Threads, and whatever launches tomorrow, inbox ROI refuses to die averaging $36 back for every $1 you spend in 2025 .
But which platform multiplies that dollar fastest for a scrappy small business? We pitted five heavy-hitters against each other and pulled no punches.

The 5-Minute Verdict

1. HighLevel

   • Best For: All-in-one growth stacks

   • Why It Shines: Native CRM, deep automation, built-in SMS & calling

   • Where It Lags: Interface can feel “SaaS-Swiss-army-knife” for newbies

2. MailerLite

   • Best For: Budget newsletters

   • Why It Shines: Clean UI, lowest base price

   • Where It Lags: Limited conditional workflows, no SMS

3. ConvertKit

   • Best For: Creators & bloggers

   • Why It Shines: Tag-based segmentation, tip-jar monetisation

   • Where It Lags: No native CRM, SMS via Zapier only

4. ActiveCampaign

   • Best For: Mid-market B2B

   • Why It Shines: Powerful visual automations, predictive sending

   • Where It Lags: SMS extra, price climbs fast with contacts

5. Klaviyo

   • Best For: E-commerce brands

   • Why It Shines: Shopify magic, product feeds, SMS flows

   • Where It Lags: Costly for non-e-com, weaker CRM layer

Scorecard Breakdown (0-5 scale)

*published May 2025, lowest monthly tier with core automations enabled.

1. HighLevel

   • Automation Depth: 5

   • Built-In CRM: 5

   • Native SMS: 5

   • Price / 5 k Contacts*: $97 USD Per Month

2. MailerLite

   • Automation Depth: 3

   • Built-In CRM: 2

   • Native SMS: 0

   • Price / 5 k Contacts*: $39 USD Per Month

3. ConvertKit

   • Automation Depth: 4

   • Built-In CRM: 1

   • Native SMS: 0

   • Price / 5 k Contacts*: $59 USD Per Month

4. ActiveCampaign

   • Automation Depth: 5

   • Built-In CRM: 3

   • Native SMS: 3

   • Price / 5 k Contacts*: $135 USD Per Month

5. Klaviyo

   • Automation Depth: 4

   • Built-In CRM: 2

   • Native SMS: 5

   • Price / 5 k Contacts*: $150 USD Per Month

Quick-Glance Recommendation

1. If you need one login for CRM + email + SMS

   • Choose: HighLevel

   • Why: All growth tools in one platform

2. If you just want cheap newsletters

   • Choose: MailerLite

   • Why: Lowest cost, no bells-and-whistles

3. If you monetise a creator audience

   • Choose: ConvertKit

   • Why: Best tagging & paid subscriber features

4. If you sell mid-ticket B2B services

   • Choose: ActiveCampaign

   • Why: Visual automations + lead scoring

5. If you run Shopify at scale

   • Choose: Klaviyo

   • Why: Deep product & purchase sync, SMS