Best B2B Email Marketing Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 15 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Leads slipping through the cracks? Campaigns taking too long to launch? B2B email marketing can feel like a mess of clunky workflows, scattered templates, and inconsistent follow-ups. The right B2B email marketing software streamlines it all so you can build smarter email marketing campaigns, stay on message, increase lead generation, and nurture your existing leads down the sales funnel. After 10+ years in the trenches, I’ve tested and ranked the top B2B email marketing tools to help you cut through the noise and pick the one that fits.
Why Trust Our Software Reviews
We’ve been testing and reviewing marketing software since 2022. As marketing managers ourselves, we know how critical and difficult it is to make the right decision when selecting software. We invest in deep research to help our audience make better software purchasing decisions.
We’ve tested more than 2,000 tools for different marketing use cases and written over 1,000 comprehensive software reviews. Learn how we stay transparent & check out our software review methodology.
Best B2B Email Marketing Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top B2B email marketing software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
Tool | Best For | Trial Info | Price | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Best for drag-and-drop email builders | Free plan available | From $9/month | Website | |
2 | Best for AI-driven automation workflows | 14-day free trial + free demo available | From $9.99/month (billed annually) | Website | |
3 | Best for budget-friendly email marketing | Freemium version available | From $8/month | Website | |
4 | Best for built-in CRM and audience tools | 30-day free trial + free plan available | From $13/month | Website | |
5 | Best for marketing automation | Free plan available | From $15.60/month (billed annually) | Website | |
6 | Best for developer-friendly automation | 14-day free trial | From $100/month | Website | |
7 | Best for small business email lists | Free demo available | From $12/month (billed annually) | Website | |
8 | Best for AI-powered optimization | 14-day free trial + free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
9 | Best for AI-powered cross-channel communication | Free demo available | Pricing upon request | Website | |
10 | Best for managing multiple brands | Freemium version available | From $2/1000 contacts/month | Website |
-
Eloqua
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3 -
Optimizely
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.2 -
Uberflip
This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.4.3
Best B2B Email Marketing Software Review
Below are my detailed summaries of the best B2B email marketing software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a detailed look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
MailerLite is a digital marketing platform built to help teams design and send emails, manage subscribers, and track campaign performance. It’s designed for small businesses, creators, and marketers who want more control over how their emails look and behave.
Why I picked MailerLite: The drag-and-drop editor gives you total control over email layout without writing any code. You can easily move elements like images, text blocks, and buttons around to match your brand’s style. There are content blocks for videos, social links, and product features that your team can plug in with one click. You’ll also find ready-made templates that are easy to tweak if you need a faster option.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a built-in AI writing assistant, email campaign approval flows, and a brand kit for saving logos and colors. There’s also a landing page builder with heatmap tracking. Your team can use auto resend to send follow-up emails to people who didn’t open the first time.
Integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, WordPress, Stripe, Zapier, Squarespace, Facebook, PayPal, PrestaShop, and Magento.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- AI helps write content quickly
- Brand kit keeps styling consistent
- Easy to design multi-column layouts
Cons:
- Email signup forms can feel rigid
- A/B testing has basic setup options
SendX is an email marketing software designed for businesses seeking effective campaign automation and audience growth. It serves small to medium-sized enterprises with tools for automating email sequences and growing email lists.
Why I picked SendX: Its AI-driven automation workflows set it apart, offering advanced tools for creating personalized email outreach. The proprietary deliverability engine ensures your emails reach the inbox, enhancing engagement rates. With features like smart popups and interactive emails, SendX focuses on audience growth and high deliverability. These capabilities make it a reliable choice for businesses looking to improve their email marketing efforts.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced segmentation that allows you to target specific audience groups effectively. The platform's WYSIWYG email editor makes designing emails straightforward and intuitive. Additionally, SendX provides detailed analytics to help you track campaign performance and make informed decisions.
Integrations include Zapier, Shopify, WordPress, Stripe, WooCommerce, PayPal, Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Analytics, and Slack.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Responsive customer support
- Interactive email features
- AI-driven automation workflows
Cons:
- Learning curve for beginners
- No phone support
EmailOctopus is an email marketing platform tailored for businesses seeking affordable and simple solutions. It serves small to medium-sized enterprises by providing tools for creating, sending, and automating email campaigns.
Why I picked EmailOctopus: It's ideal for budget-conscious teams that need effective email marketing without high costs. The platform's customizable templates and drag-and-drop editor simplify campaign creation. Audience segmentation and automation features help you target your emails better. Its affordability and ease of use make it a preferred choice for many businesses.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include customizable templates that let you design your emails easily. The drag-and-drop editor simplifies the creation process, making it accessible for any team member. Automation tools are available to set up sequences that engage subscribers without extra effort.
Integrations include Zapier, Shopify, WordPress, Squarespace, WooCommerce, Mailchimp, Google Analytics, Slack, Stripe, and Typeform.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automation for email sequences
- Easy-to-use interface
- Affordable for small businesses
Cons:
- Fewer integrations than competitors
- Limited advanced features
Mailchimp is a marketing platform that helps businesses create, send, and analyze email campaigns and automated customer journeys. It’s used by teams that want to build branded communications and manage contact lists from one place.
Why I picked Mailchimp: You can set up custom-coded automations using Mailchimp’s developer tools and APIs, which gives your team flexibility beyond standard templates. It includes a journey builder where you can add branching logic, time delays, and actions triggered by behavior or tags. There’s support for transactional emails and webhooks, so you can respond to specific customer actions. If your team includes a developer, you’ll have the tools to go deeper into customization.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include send time optimization, content optimizer reports, and campaign benchmarking. Your team can also use dynamic content blocks to personalize emails. There’s a tool for managing customer tags and predictive segmentation.
Integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, Squarespace, Zapier, Stripe, QuickBooks, Salesforce, Canva, WordPress, and Eventbrite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Webhooks support live event automation
- Developer API allows deep customization
- Supports advanced conditional email triggers
Cons:
- Automation takes time to test fully
- Interface can feel clunky when customizing
GetResponse is a B2B email marketing software that supports businesses in growing their audience and automating marketing efforts. It serves various industries by providing tools for email campaigns, landing page creation, and content monetization.
Why I picked GetResponse: It's tailored for teams needing robust email marketing automation. Features like email marketing, automation workflows, and eCommerce integrations align with its automation focus. The platform's ability to create personalized newsletters and advanced workflows helps enhance customer engagement. Additionally, content monetization tools such as online courses and premium newsletters add value for users.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include landing page builders that simplify creating engaging pages. The email marketing tools allow you to design personalized newsletters for your audience. Advanced automation workflows help you target and engage your customers effectively.
Integrations include Shopify, WordPress, PayPal, Stripe, WooCommerce, Salesforce, HubSpot, Zapier, Magento, and Pipedrive.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Includes landing page builders
- Offers advanced automation workflows
- Supports content monetization
Cons:
- Limited design customization
- Can be overwhelming for beginners
Customer.io is a messaging automation platform designed to help tech-savvy teams send data-driven communications. It’s built for companies that want tight control over when and how messages are delivered across channels like email, push, and SMS.
Why I picked Customer.io: You can trigger emails based on real-time data passed through a custom API, which gives your developers a lot of flexibility. Your team can build complex workflows using conditional logic, delays, and branching paths. There’s also a built-in code editor to customize messages with Liquid logic and dynamic content. For teams that like working closely with the code, this setup gives you full control over personalization.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a visual workflow builder, transactional message support, and a built-in SMS tool. You can use conversion tracking to see which workflows drive results. There’s also a tool for creating and managing user profiles based on live event data.
Integrations include Segment, RudderStack, Amplitude, Snowflake, Mixpanel, mParticle, Sentry, Slack, Salesforce, and Looker.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Liquid templates offer deep customization
- Visual flow editor feels intuitive for dev teams
- Built-in support for transactional messaging
Cons:
- API errors require manual troubleshooting
- Writing Liquid takes time to learn
Constant Contact is an email marketing platform built for entrepreneurs, small teams, and growing businesses. It helps users create and send professional emails, manage contact lists, and track results from one dashboard.
Why I picked Constant Contact: It offers a simple way to manage and grow your email list without needing any prior experience. You can create branded emails using pre-designed templates, automate welcome emails, and schedule recurring messages. The platform includes a contact list management tool that lets you upload spreadsheets, segment contacts, and track engagement over time. There’s also an easy drag-and-drop editor so your team doesn’t need a designer.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include subject line A/B testing, click segmentation, and event email automation. You’ll also get access to email list growth tools like QR codes and text-to-join. The reporting dashboard gives you a quick look at open and click rates to help improve performance.
Integrations include Shopify, WooCommerce, Salesforce, QuickBooks, Eventbrite, Canva, WordPress, Etsy, Vimeo, and Stripe.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Strong deliverability rates
- Automated event email sequences
- Built-in signup form builder
Cons:
- Can’t create multi-step automation paths
- No custom reporting builder
Braze is a customer engagement platform tailored for businesses that need to enhance their email marketing strategies through AI-driven optimization and personalized experiences. It serves companies looking to boost customer engagement and drive revenue with dynamic and tailored messaging.
Why I picked Braze: It excels in AI-powered optimization, allowing your campaigns to automatically adjust for maximum engagement and conversions. Real-time triggers and dynamic personalization are key features that enhance message effectiveness. The platform's scalability supports businesses of all sizes, ensuring reliable deliverability and dedicated support. Additionally, Braze offers comprehensive subscriber insights and flexible segmentation to tailor your communication effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an intuitive drag-and-drop editor that speeds up campaign creation by up to 85%. The platform provides robust analytics and experimentation tools to refine your email strategies. Real-time triggers and dynamic personalization ensure that your messages resonate with your audience.
Integrations include Salesforce, Shopify, Segment, Slack, Amplitude, mParticle, Mixpanel, Adjust, AppsFlyer, and Kochava.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive subscriber insights
- Supports multi-channel integration
- Dynamic personalization
Cons:
- No phone support
- Requires technical setup
Iterable is an email marketing software designed for businesses that require customer-centric messaging and enhanced privacy. It caters to various industries by providing scalable solutions for effective communication and engagement.
Why I picked Iterable: Its AI-powered cross-channel communication is crucial for brands looking to create personalized customer experiences. Features like advanced audience segmentation and flexible data integration ensure that your messages are tailored and impactful. Iterable Insights offers customizable reporting, allowing you to easily track and optimize campaign performance. Its emphasis on privacy and compliance makes it suitable for enterprise-level deployment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include a drag-and-drop campaign builder that simplifies lifecycle marketing. Advanced audience segmentation allows you to target your messages precisely. Iterable Insights provides customizable reporting tools to visualize and analyze your campaign performance.
Integrations include Shopify, Salesforce, Marketo, Segment, Google Analytics, Slack, Twilio, Zendesk, Facebook, and Snowflake.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Suitable for enterprise-level deployment
- Emphasis on privacy and compliance
- AI-powered cross-channel communication
Cons:
- Limited design customization
- High starting price
BigMailer is a B2B email marketing software designed for agencies, enabling the management of multiple brands and email campaigns from a single platform. It primarily serves small businesses and online retailers, focusing on efficient workflow management and real-time engagement targeting.
Why I picked BigMailer: It excels in managing multiple brands, which is vital for agencies handling diverse clients. Features include unlimited brand management and customizable email templates. The platform supports both promotional and transactional emails, offering flexibility in your email marketing strategy. Automation integrations further enhance its efficiency, making it a versatile tool for your team.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include the ability to manage unlimited brands, which is ideal for agencies with diverse clients. Customizable email templates allow you to maintain brand consistency across campaigns. Real-time engagement targeting helps you reach your target audience with precision, improving the effectiveness of your emails.
Integrations include Zapier, Shopify, WordPress, Salesforce, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Pipedrive, Slack, WooCommerce, and Mailchimp.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Provides real-time targeting
- Supports promotional emails
- Manages unlimited brands
Cons:
- No phone support
- Requires some technical setup
Other B2B Email Marketing Software
Here are some additional B2B email marketing software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
B2B Email Marketing Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best B2B email marketing software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like improving lead scoring, lead nurturing and enhancing email deliverability. I also used the following framework to keep my evaluation structured and fair:
Core Functionality (25% of total score)
To be considered for inclusion in this list, each solution had to fulfill these common use cases:
- Send bulk emails
- Automate email sequences
- Track email opens and clicks
- Manage subscriber lists
- Segment audiences
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Advanced personalization options
- AI-driven analytics
- Customizable email templates
- Multi-channel campaign management
- Predictive sending
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface
- Easy navigation
- Clear layout
- Simple customization
- Minimal learning curve
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Interactive product tours
- Access to webinars
- Comprehensive templates
- Supportive chatbots
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- Availability of live chat
- 24/7 support options
- Access to a knowledge base
- Response time
- Quality of help resources
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing
- Features offered at each price tier
- Scalability of plans
- Transparency of pricing
- Discounts for annual billing
Customer Reviews (10% of total score)
To get a sense of overall customer satisfaction, I considered the following when reading customer reviews:
- Overall satisfaction ratings
- Feedback on ease of use
- Comments on customer support
- Reports on reliability
- User testimonials on features
How to Choose B2B Email Marketing Software
It’s easy to get bogged down in long feature lists and complex pricing structures. To help you stay focused as you work through your unique software selection process, here’s a checklist of factors to keep in mind:
Factor | What to Consider |
Scalability | Ensure the software grows with your business. Look for platforms that handle increased email volumes and user accounts without performance issues. |
Integrations | Check if it connects with your CRM, eCommerce, and other tools your team uses daily. Seamless data flow is crucial for efficient operations. |
Customizability | Evaluate the level of customization in email templates and workflows. Tailor solutions to fit your brand's unique needs and enhance engagement. |
Ease of Use | Consider the user interface and learning curve. A tool that's user-friendly for your team to adopt will save time and increase productivity. |
Budget | Review pricing plans to ensure they fit your budget. Consider both upfront costs and long-term value, including any hidden fees or discounts for annual billing. |
Security Safeguards | Ensure the software complies with data protection regulations like GDPR. Look for encryption and secure data storage to protect customer information. |
Analytics | Look for detailed reporting features that provide insights into campaign performance. This helps you make data-driven decisions for your marketing strategy. |
Customer Support | Check the availability and quality of support. Responsive customer service can be vital when you encounter issues or need assistance. |
Trends in B2B Email Marketing Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different B2B email marketing software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-driven personalization: AI is being used to tailor email content based on user behavior and preferences. This trend helps increase engagement and conversion rates by delivering relevant content. Vendors like Mailchimp are incorporating AI to enhance personalization.
- Interactive emails: Emails with interactive elements like surveys, polls, and forms allow users to engage directly within the message. This feature reduces the need for external links and improves user experience.
- Omnichannel marketing: Integrating email with other digital channels like SMS and social media provides a unified customer experience. This trend helps businesses reach audiences across multiple platforms, enhancing overall engagement.
- Advanced analytics: Real-time analytics and insights are becoming essential for optimizing campaigns. Tools now offer detailed reports on open rates, click-throughs, and conversions to help marketers make informed decisions.
- Focus on data privacy: With increasing regulations, vendors are prioritizing data security and compliance. Features like GDPR compliance and encryption are becoming standard to protect user data and build trust.
What Is B2B Email Marketing Software?
B2B email marketing software is a tool designed to help businesses communicate and engage with other businesses through email campaigns.
These tools are generally used by marketing professionals, sales teams, and business development managers to nurture leads and maintain customer relationships. Automation, personalization, and analytics features support efficient campaign management and provide insights into customer behavior. Overall, these tools help businesses increase their reach, improve engagement, and drive conversions.
Features of B2B Email Marketing Software
When selecting B2B email marketing software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Automation: Automates repetitive tasks like sending follow-up emails, saving time and ensuring timely communication.
- Personalization: Customizes email content based on recipient data, increasing engagement by making emails more relevant.
- Analytics: Provides insights into campaign performance with metrics like open rates and click-throughs, helping refine strategies.
- Segmentation: Allows targeting specific groups within an audience, ensuring messages are relevant to each segment.
- A/B testing: Tests different email versions to see which performs better, optimizing content and strategy.
- Drag-and-drop editor: Simplifies email design, making it easy to create visually appealing emails without coding skills.
- Data privacy compliance: Ensures adherence to regulations like GDPR, protecting customer data and building trust.
- Real-time reporting: Offers immediate insights into campaign performance, enabling quick adjustments to improve results.
- Multi-channel integration: Connects with other digital platforms like social media, providing a cohesive marketing strategy.
- Dynamic content: Adjusts email content in real-time based on user interactions, enhancing personalization and engagement.
Benefits of B2B Email Marketing Software
Implementing B2B email marketing software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved engagement: Personalized emails increase relevance and capture attention, leading to higher engagement rates.
- Time efficiency: Automation of tasks like follow-ups and scheduling saves time, allowing your team to focus on strategy.
- Data-driven decisions: Analytics provide insights into campaign performance, helping you make informed decisions to optimize outcomes.
- Targeted communication: Segmentation features ensure messages reach the right audience, enhancing the effectiveness of your campaigns.
- Enhanced design flexibility: Drag-and-drop editors allow for easy creation of visually appealing emails without needing technical skills.
- Regulatory compliance: Data privacy features help you adhere to regulations, protecting customer information and building trust.
- Consistent branding: Multi-channel integration ensures your branding is consistent across platforms, strengthening your overall marketing strategy.
Costs and Pricing of B2B Email Marketing Software
Selecting B2B email marketing software requires an understanding of the various pricing models and plans available. Costs vary based on features, team size, add-ons, and more. The table below summarizes common plans, their average prices, and typical features included in B2B email marketing software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for B2B Email Marketing Software
Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
Free Plan | $0 | Basic email sending, limited templates, and basic analytics. |
Personal Plan | $5-$25/ user/month | Email automation, custom templates, and basic segmentation. |
Business Plan | $30-$75/ user/month | Advanced segmentation, A/B testing, and enhanced analytics. |
Enterprise Plan | $100+/ user/month | Custom integrations, dedicated support, and advanced personalization capabilities. |
B2B Email Marketing Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about B2B email marketing software:
How does email marketing work for B2B?
Email marketing in B2B is all about connecting with professionals directly through their inboxes. You’re not selling to just anyone; in B2B, you build relationships, share valuable info, and show the people who work for the businesses you’re selling to how your product or service can help them do their jobs better.
What is the 80/20 rule in email marketing?
The 80/20 rule suggests that a large portion of your results come from a small portion of your effort. In email marketing, this might mean focusing on the 20% of campaigns that drive 80% of your engagement. It’s about prioritizing strategies that yield the best results.
How often should you send B2B marketing emails?
Most email subscribers prefer to receive weekly emails. However, it’s important to consider your audience’s preferences and experiment to find the right frequency. Monitoring open rates and engagement can help you adjust your strategy for better results.
How long should a B2B marketing email be?
The ideal length for a B2B SaaS marketing email is typically between 50 and 125 words. This keeps your message concise and ensures that your audience can quickly grasp the key points without losing interest.
What are the best practices for B2B email segmentation?
Effective segmentation involves grouping your email list based on criteria like industry, job role, or past interactions. This helps you deliver more relevant content, increasing engagement and conversion rates. Use data insights to refine your segments over time and send targeted emails.
How can I improve my B2B email deliverability?
Improving email deliverability involves maintaining a clean email list, using verified domains, and creating engaging content that avoids spam triggers. Regularly monitor your email metrics to identify and address any issues that might affect deliverability.
Related Marketing Software Reviews
If you’re looking to sharpen your workflows, it’s worth exploring marketing automation tools built specifically for each channel or function. The right-fit platform can eliminate manual work, boost efficiency, and help your marketing team move faster with less guesswork:
Best Marketing Automation Software
Best Email Marketing Analytics Tools
What's Next?
Ready to grow? Subscribe to The CMO newsletter to stay on top of trends and get the latest tips, resources, and guides from our community of seasoned marketing leaders straight to your inbox.