Email marketing tools use several genuinely different pricing models, and understanding how each works is necessary to calculate true cost accurately for your specific list size and sending pattern, rather than comparing headline prices in the abstract.
A business with a large, low-engagement list that only sends monthly might genuinely save money under a per-send model, while a business with a smaller but very actively engaged list sending daily might do better under per-contact pricing — the 'cheaper' model depends entirely on your specific pattern.
Estimate your actual list size and typical monthly send volume, then calculate cost under each provider's specific pricing model using those real numbers, rather than relying on general reputation for being 'cheap' or 'expensive.'
There is no universally cheapest model — it depends entirely on your specific list size and sending frequency, making a direct calculation for your situation more useful than a general assumption.
Often yes, unless actively removed, which makes regular list hygiene directly relevant to controlling cost under per-contact pricing models.
No, feature fit and automation needs should be weighed alongside pricing model, since the cheapest option under your specific pattern may not be the best functional fit.
If you want help calculating true email marketing cost for your business, talk to our team.
Calculate true cost under each pricing model using your actual list size and send frequency, not the model that sounds cheapest in the abstract — a per-send model can be far cheaper than a per-contact model for a large but infrequently-emailed list, and vice versa.
Written by Fibvo — Bengaluru and Erode, India — working with clients in other time zones. Questions, or think we have it wrong? Tell us.
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