18 Best Cloud Marketing Software Reviewed In 2024
Best Cloud Marketing Software Shortlist
Here's my pick of the 10 best software from the 18 tools reviewed.
Our one-on-one guidance will help you find the perfect fit.
Navigating the fast-paced world of marketing can be tough. With constant changes and endless tasks, your team needs tools that make life easier. That’s where cloud marketing software comes in. It helps you manage campaigns, gather insights, and connect with your audience effortlessly.
In my experience, choosing the right software can make all the difference. I’ve independently tested and reviewed various options to bring you an unbiased list of the best picks. You’ll find insights on features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.
Whether you’re looking to boost productivity or enhance collaboration, this guide aims to address your challenges and provide solutions tailored to your needs.
Need expert help selecting the right tool?
With one-on-one help, we guide you to your top software options. Narrow down your software search & make a confident choice.
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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.
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Best Cloud Marketing Software Summary
This comparison chart summarizes pricing details for my top cloud marketing software selections to help you find the best one for your budget and business needs.
| Tools | Price | |
|---|---|---|
| Maropost | From $251/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Zoho Marketing Automation | From $14/month (billed annually) | Website |
| Salesforce Marketing Cloud | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Google Marketing Platform | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Snowflake | Pricing upon request | Website |
| HCL Marketing Cloud | Pricing upon request | Website |
| SAP Emarsys Customer Engagement | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Sailthru | Pricing upon request | Website |
| Nielsen | Pricing upon request | Website |
| CloudOffix | Pricing upon request | Website |
Compare Software Specs Side by Side
Use our comparison chart to review and evaluate software specs side-by-side.
Compare SoftwareHow to Choose Cloud 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 can grow with your team. Look for solutions that accommodate increasing data volumes and user numbers without performance issues. |
| Integrations | Check if the tool integrates with your existing systems like CRM and analytics platforms to keep workflows smooth and data synced. |
| Customizability | Consider how much you can tailor the software to fit your specific needs, from dashboards to reporting features. |
| Ease of Use | Look for user-friendly interfaces that save time on training and let your team focus on strategy rather than learning new tools. |
| Budget | Assess total costs, including hidden fees for add-ons or extra users, to ensure it fits your financial constraints. |
| Security Safeguards | Verify that the software complies with data protection standards relevant to your industry to keep your information safe. |
Best Cloud Marketing Software Reviews
Below are my detailed summaries of the best cloud marketing software that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer an in-depth look at the key features, pros & cons, integrations, and ideal use cases of each tool to help you find the best one for you.
Maropost is a cloud-based marketing platform tailored for businesses seeking to enhance their email marketing efforts. It serves companies that prioritize effective communication with their audience through email campaigns and customer engagement strategies.
Why I picked Maropost: Maropost is designed specifically for businesses focusing on email marketing. It offers advanced email automation, allowing your team to schedule and manage campaigns effortlessly. The platform's segmentation tools also help target specific audience groups effectively. Additionally, it provides detailed analytics to track the success of your email campaigns, aligning perfectly with the need for impactful email marketing strategies.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include powerful campaign management tools that let you create and execute marketing strategies across various channels, data analytics features that provide insights into customer behavior and campaign performance, and customer journey mapping to enhance engagement efforts.
Integrations include Salesforce, Shopify, Magento, WordPress, Mailchimp, HubSpot, Google Analytics, Microsoft Dynamics, Slack, and Zendesk.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Detailed campaign analytics
- Effective audience segmentation
- Strong email automation
Cons:
- Complexity in the initial setup
- Requires technical expertise
Zoho Marketing Automation is a tool for small businesses to manage campaigns and automate marketing tasks. It offers solutions for email marketing, lead generation, and customer engagement, providing value by simplifying complex marketing processes.
Why I picked Zoho Marketing Automation: Zoho Marketing Automation is tailored for small businesses that need straightforward marketing automation without the bells and whistles. The software’s drag-and-drop journey builder makes creating customer journeys easy. Its lead scoring feature also helps prioritize prospects, while the real-time analytics allow you to track campaign performance effectively.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include automated lead nurturing, which helps you follow up with leads efficiently, behavior-based segmentation which allows you to target audiences based on specific actions, and A/B testing to optimize your marketing efforts.
Integrations include Zoho CRM, Salesforce, Google Analytics, Slack, Mailchimp, Shopify, Zendesk, Eventbrite, SurveyMonkey, and QuickBooks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Real-time analytics for performance tracking
- Easy drag-and-drop journey builder
- Effective behavior-based segmentation
Cons:
- Steep learning curve for new users
- Limited advanced features
Salesforce Marketing Cloud is an advanced marketing platform tailored for large enterprises. It handles everything from customer engagement to personalized marketing campaigns, making it ideal for businesses with extensive marketing needs.
Why I picked Salesforce Marketing Cloud: Salesforce Marketing Cloud caters to large enterprises that need a wide range of marketing solutions. It provides advanced customer segmentation, allowing your team to tailor messages effectively. Additionally, the software’s Journey Builder lets you create personalized customer experiences, while its data management capabilities help manage vast amounts of customer data efficiently.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include predictive analytics that helps you anticipate customer behavior and optimize campaigns, an email studio with sophisticated email marketing tools, and a social studio to manage your social media presence across multiple platforms.
Integrations include Salesforce CRM, Google Analytics, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Adobe Analytics, Marketo, Shopify, HubSpot, Slack, Zendesk, and Tableau.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Scalable for large enterprises
- Extensive campaign customization
- Predictive analytics capabilities
Cons:
- Limited real-time support
- Steep learning curve
Google Marketing Platform is an advanced tool designed for businesses looking to integrate their marketing efforts with powerful analytics. It serves marketing teams focused on data-driven strategies and precise audience targeting.
Why I picked Google Marketing Platform: Google Marketing Platform is renowned for its exceptional analytics integration, which is important for data-driven marketing. The platform includes Google Analytics, which offers detailed insights into user behavior. Its data studio feature also provides customizable reporting, and the tag manager simplifies tracking code deployment.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced campaign management tools that let you optimize marketing efforts across channels, audience segmentation capabilities that allow for precise targeting based on user data, and supported media planning and buying to help streamline advertising processes.
Integrations include Google Ads, Google Analytics, Google Data Studio, Google Tag Manager, Salesforce, HubSpot, Adobe Analytics, Microsoft Dynamics, Facebook Ads, and Twitter Ads.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Effective media planning tools
- Simplified tag management
- Customizable reporting options
Cons:
- Demands significant data management
- Requires technical expertise
Snowflake is a cloud-based data platform designed for marketing teams that require scalable data storage and advanced analytics. It serves businesses needing to manage large volumes of data efficiently while gaining insights for marketing strategies.
Why I picked Snowflake: Snowflake provides scalable data storage solutions, which is essential for businesses handling significant data volumes. The platform’s architecture supports real-time data processing, while its data-sharing capabilities allow seamless collaboration within your team. Additionally, Snowflake’s analytics features enable you to derive actionable insights from complex data sets, supporting data-driven marketing strategies.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include powerful data warehousing that allows you to store and manage extensive datasets effectively, real-time analytics tools to support instant data processing and reporting, and extensive data-sharing capabilities to ensure smooth collaboration across departments.
Integrations include Tableau, Microsoft Azure, AWS, Google Cloud Platform, Salesforce, DataRobot, Looker, Alteryx, Informatica, and Talend.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Seamless data sharing within teams
- Extensive data warehousing capabilities
- Efficient real-time data processing
Cons:
- Complex initial setup
- Requires technical expertise
HCL Marketing Cloud is a marketing automation platform that delivers data-driven business insights. It primarily serves marketing teams looking to enhance their decision-making processes through detailed analytics and customer data management.
Why I picked HCL Marketing Cloud: HCL Marketing Cloud excels in providing data-driven insights that enhance marketing strategies. The platform offers advanced analytics to track customer journeys and campaign performance, while its real-time data dashboards help your team make informed decisions quickly. Additionally, its segmentation tools allow precise targeting, making it a great choice for data-focused marketing teams.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include powerful data visualization tools that help you understand complex data at a glance, customer journey mapping features that allow for detailed tracking of customer interactions, and automated campaign management to streamline your marketing efforts.
Integrations include IBM Watson, Microsoft Azure, Salesforce, Google Analytics, Adobe Experience Manager, Marketo, SAP, Oracle NetSuite, Slack, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Automated campaign management
- Effective journey mapping tools
- Rich data visualization options
Cons:
- Initial configuration challenges
- Complex data setup
SAP Emarsys Customer Engagement is a platform tailored for businesses aiming to enhance customer loyalty through personalized interactions. It serves marketing teams looking to foster long-term relationships with customers by delivering targeted and meaningful experiences.
Why I picked SAP Emarsys Customer Engagement: SAP Emarsys Customer Engagement excels in building customer loyalty, which is important for businesses wanting to maintain engagement. The platform’s AI-driven personalization allows your team to customize interactions based on user behavior. Its cross-channel marketing capabilities also ensure consistent messaging across different platforms. Plus, the analytics tools provide insights into customer engagement, supporting your loyalty-building efforts.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced segmentation that helps target specific customer groups with precision, automated campaign management tools to streamline marketing efforts, and real-time data analytics that offer insights into customer interactions and campaign performance.
Integrations include Salesforce, Adobe Experience Cloud, Microsoft Dynamics 365, Shopify, Magento, Google Analytics, Facebook Ads, Instagram, SAP Commerce Cloud, and Oracle NetSuite.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Supports loyalty-building strategies
- Advanced segmentation capabilities
- Comprehensive customer analytics
Cons:
- Limited customization flexibility
- Complex setup process
Sailthru is a cloud-based marketing platform that excels at delivering personalized messaging to enhance customer engagement. It’s designed for businesses that aim to tailor their communication to individual customer preferences and behaviors.
Why I picked Sailthru: Sailthru’s strength lies in personalized messaging, which is important for businesses looking to engage users on a personal level. Its predictive analytics help your team anticipate customer needs. The platform's user profiles also allow for detailed customer tracking, while its automation tools enable targeted messaging based on user behavior.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include advanced email marketing tools that let you create dynamic content, audience segmentation to enable precise targeting of customer groups, and strong reporting tools that provide insights into campaign performance and customer engagement.
Integrations include Magento, Shopify, Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Salesforce, Zendesk, WordPress, Marketo, HubSpot, and Facebook Ads.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Dynamic email content creation
- Detailed user profiles
- Strong predictive analytics
Cons:
- Steep learning curve
- Initial setup complexity
Nielsen is a platform designed for businesses that need accurate audience measurement to inform their marketing strategies. It serves companies looking to understand consumer behavior and media consumption patterns for better-targeted campaigns.
Why I picked Nielsen: Nielsen excels in audience measurement, which is essential for businesses that rely on data-driven insights. The software provides advanced metrics on media engagement, helping your team make informed marketing decisions. Its capabilities in segmenting demographics also allow for precise audience targeting. Additionally, Nielsen’s data collection methods ensure that you have reliable and actionable insights for your campaigns.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include real-time data analytics that helps you track consumer behavior across different platforms, demographic insights that let you target specific audience segments effectively, and media planning tools to assist in optimizing your advertising strategies by understanding media consumption patterns.
Integrations include Salesforce, Google Analytics, Adobe Analytics, Microsoft Azure, Oracle NetSuite, SAP, Tableau, IBM Watson, Hootsuite, and HubSpot.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive media metrics
- Detailed demographic insights
- Reliable audience measurement
Cons:
- Demands significant data management
- Complex setup process
CloudOffix is a cloud marketing platform designed to integrate customer relationship management with marketing functions. It caters to businesses looking to unify their sales and marketing efforts for better customer engagement and streamlined operations.
Why I picked CloudOffix: CloudOffix provides an integrated CRM solution that enhances collaboration between sales and marketing teams. The platform's customer journey mapping allows you to track interactions effectively. Its lead management system also ensures that potential clients are nurtured properly, while the unified dashboard gives an advanced view of customer data to support informed decision-making.
Standout features & integrations:
Features include an intuitive project management tool that helps coordinate tasks efficiently, a customer feedback management feature that lets you gather insights directly from clients, and automation capabilities to reduce repetitive tasks, freeing up your team's time for strategic planning.
Integrations include Microsoft Outlook, Google Workspace, Slack, Shopify, Zapier, QuickBooks, Trello, Mailchimp, HubSpot, and Asana.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Unified data dashboard
- Effective lead management
- Strong CRM integration
Cons:
- Limited advanced features
- Limited customization options
Other Cloud Marketing Software
Here are some additional cloud marketing software options that didn’t make it onto my shortlist, but are still worth checking out:
- Oracle Marketing
For cross-channel campaigns
- Adobe Experience Cloud
For creative marketing
- CleverTap
For mobile app engagement
- Canto
For digital asset management
- Ceros
For interactive content creation
- Airship
For push notifications
- Ayrshare
For social media automation
- Supermetrics
For marketing data integration
Cloud Marketing Software Selection Criteria
When selecting the best cloud marketing software to include in this list, I considered common buyer needs and pain points like data integration challenges and campaign management efficiency. 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:
- Email marketing
- Campaign management
- Customer segmentation
- Analytics and reporting
- Social media management
Additional Standout Features (25% of total score)
To help further narrow down the competition, I also looked for unique features, such as:
- Customizable dashboards
- AI-driven insights
- Omnichannel marketing capabilities
- Advanced personalization options
- Automated workflow management
Usability (10% of total score)
To get a sense of the usability of each system, I considered the following:
- Intuitive interface design
- Easy navigation
- Minimal learning curve
- Clear documentation
- Responsive design for mobile use
Onboarding (10% of total score)
To evaluate the onboarding experience for each platform, I considered the following:
- Availability of training videos
- Step-by-step setup guides
- Interactive product tours
- Access to templates and resources
- Webinars and live training sessions
Customer Support (10% of total score)
To assess each software provider’s customer support services, I considered the following:
- 24/7 support availability
- Multiple support channels
- Access to a knowledge base
- Personalized support options
- Fast response times
Value For Money (10% of total score)
To evaluate the value for money of each platform, I considered the following:
- Competitive pricing plans
- Flexible subscription options
- Discounts for long-term contracts
- Cost vs. feature set
- Scalability of pricing tiers
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
- Commonly reported issues
- Praise for specific features
- Feedback on customer support
- User recommendations
Trends In Cloud Marketing Software
In my research, I sourced countless product updates, press releases, and release logs from different cloud marketing software vendors. Here are some of the emerging trends I’m keeping an eye on:
- AI-Driven Personalization: AI is making it easier to deliver personalized marketing messages as it analyzes customer data to tailor content, improving engagement. For example, some vendors use AI to personalize email subject lines based on user behavior.
- Voice and Visual Search Optimization: As voice and visual searches rise, more tools are incorporating features to optimize content for these searches. This helps businesses reach customers who prefer using voice assistants or image searches to find products.
- Privacy-Focused Features: With growing data privacy concerns, many platforms now offer stronger privacy controls and data management tools. These features help businesses comply with regulations like GDPR, building trust with their customers.
- Advanced Analytics and Insights: New analytics features are providing deeper insights into customer journeys. They allow marketers to understand complex data patterns and predict future behavior, enhancing decision-making.
- Cross-Channel Marketing Integration: There’s a shift towards integrating all marketing channels into a single platform. This trend supports consistent messaging and easier management of campaigns across email, social media, and more.
What Is Cloud Marketing Software?
Cloud marketing software is a set of online tools that help businesses manage and automate their marketing efforts. They are generally used by marketing professionals, including digital marketers and marketing managers, to improve efficiency and reach their target audiences effectively.
Key features like AI-driven personalization, advanced analytics, and cross-channel integration support enhanced customer engagement and better decision-making. Overall, these tools provide businesses with the ability to execute marketing strategies more effectively and adapt to changing market demands.
Features of Cloud Marketing Software
When selecting cloud marketing software, keep an eye out for the following key features:
- Email Marketing Automation: Automates the process of sending personalized emails to customers, saving time and increasing engagement.
- Customer Segmentation: Allows marketers to divide their audience into specific groups for targeted messaging, improving relevance and effectiveness.
- Analytics and Reporting: Provides insights into campaign performance and customer behavior, helping teams make informed decisions.
- Cross-Channel Integration: Enables consistent messaging and management of campaigns across various platforms like email and social media.
- AI-Driven Personalization: Uses artificial intelligence to tailor content based on user behavior, enhancing customer engagement.
- Real-Time Data Processing: Supports instant analysis and reporting, allowing for quick adjustments to marketing strategies.
- Privacy Controls: Offers tools to manage customer data securely, ensuring compliance with privacy regulations.
- Advanced Personalization Options: Allows marketers to customize interactions based on detailed customer profiles, enhancing user experience.
- Automation of Workflows: Simplifies repetitive tasks, freeing up time for strategic planning.
- Omnichannel Marketing Capabilities: Supports marketing efforts across multiple channels, providing a unified customer experience.
Benefits of Cloud Marketing Software
Implementing cloud marketing software provides several benefits for your team and your business. Here are a few you can look forward to:
- Improved Efficiency: Automation of tasks like email marketing and data analysis frees up time for your team to focus on strategy.
- Better Targeting: Customer segmentation and AI-driven personalization ensure that your messages reach the right audience, increasing engagement.
- Enhanced Insights: Analytics and reporting tools provide valuable data on customer behavior and campaign performance, helping you make informed decisions.
- Consistent Messaging: Cross-channel integration and omnichannel capabilities allow for unified communication across multiple platforms.
- Increased Adaptability: Real-time data processing lets your team quickly adjust strategies based on current trends and customer responses.
- Stronger Compliance: Privacy controls help manage customer data securely, ensuring adherence to regulations.
- Personalized Experiences: Advanced personalization options allow your team to tailor interactions, creating a more engaging customer journey.
Costs and Pricing of Cloud Marketing Software
Selecting cloud 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 cloud marketing software solutions:
Plan Comparison Table for Cloud Marketing Software
| Plan Type | Average Price | Common Features |
| Free Plan | $0 | Basic email marketing, limited analytics, and minimal support. |
| Personal Plan | $5-$25/user/month | Email automation, customer segmentation, and basic reporting. |
| Business Plan | $30-$75/user/month | Advanced analytics, cross-channel integration, and personalization. |
| Enterprise Plan | $100+/user/month | Customizable dashboards, AI-driven insights, and dedicated support. |
Cloud Marketing Software FAQs
Here are some answers to common questions about cloud marketing software:
What are the data extension limits for marketing cloud?
Data extensions in marketing cloud have limits to ensure efficient processing. Typically, extensions should have fewer than 30 million rows and 10+ columns. This helps maintain performance and ensures data extracts are completed successfully. To manage larger datasets, consider using row-based data retention and staging data in new extensions.
Is marketing cloud a CRM?
Marketing cloud functions as both a CRM and a digital marketing platform. It enables marketers to manage customer relationships while executing marketing campaigns. This dual functionality allows you to track customer interactions and tailor marketing efforts for better ROI.
How many marketing cloud EIDS can be connected to Salesforce CDP?
Each Salesforce data cloud instance can connect to one marketing cloud engagement instance or a single EID. This setup includes all associated business units, ensuring a streamlined approach to managing customer data across platforms.
How do you use cloud marketing?
Using cloud marketing involves several strategic steps. First, identify your niche within the cloud services market. Then, define your target audience and highlight cost benefits. Choose initial marketing methods carefully, and prepare to address potential objections from prospects.
What's Next?
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