Picking an email marketing tool is a big decision for any business. You need something that fits your budget and is easy to use. Two popular options Flodesk vs MailerLite.
Both are good, but they serve different needs. This comparison breaks down Flodesk vs MailerLite from every angle. Furthermore, we will look at pricing, features, and who each platform is right for your business. By the end, you will know which is better: MailerLite or Flodesk.
A Quick Look at Flodesk and MailerLite
Before diving into the main differences, here’s what each platform offers.

MailerLite is a feature-packed platform known for its value and powerful automation tools. Additionally, it offers a generous MailerLite free plan perfect for small business owners. Most importantly, it’s great for businesses focused on growth and easy email marketing.

On the other hand, Flodesk takes a different approach. Instead of focusing on features, it prioritizes beautiful email templates and simple user experience. Consequently, it’s perfect for creative businesses who want amazing emails without technical effort.
The Main Differences Between Flodesk and MailerLite
When comparing Flodesk vs MailerLite, the main difference is their priority. MailerLite gives you more tools for your money, while Flodesk gives you better design and simplicity.
Therefore, think about what matters more. Do you need advanced features like MailerLite landing pages and complex automations? Or do you want professionally designed emails with minimal work? Your answer guides your choice in the Flodesk vs MailerLite debate.
How They Handle Pricing
Their pricing models are completely different approaches to email marketing costs.
MailerLite uses standard tiered pricing. Your cost goes up as your list grows. However, its biggest advantage is the robust MailerLite free plan for up to 1,000 subscribers. This makes MailerLite pricing very appealing for new businesses.
In contrast, Flodesk pricing uses simple flat-rate pricing. You pay one price regardless of subscriber count. While this becomes great for large lists, the monthly cost is higher initially than MailerLite’s plans.
Furthermore, when asking “is Flodesk worth it,” the answer depends on your list size and design priorities.
Design and Templates
This is where the platforms show their true colors and different philosophies.
Flodesk templates are stunning, modern, and easy to customize. You can create on-brand emails quickly using the intuitive drag-and-drop editor. This makes it perfect for Flodesk for creative businesses.
Meanwhile, MailerLite templates are more functional. You have more options to choose from. However, they require more tweaking to achieve high-end looks. The focus is on variety rather than aesthetics.
Consequently, if beautiful email templates are your priority, Flodesk wins. But if you need variety and don’t mind customization, MailerLite works better.
Automation Capabilities
When comparing MailerLite automation vs Flodesk automation, there’s a clear difference in complexity.
MailerLite automation wins on power. You can build detailed workflows with multiple steps and conditions. This makes it ideal for nurturing leads and audience segmentation.
Conversely, Flodesk automation is simpler. It uses a visual workflow builder that’s easy to understand. While perfect for basic welcome sequences, it lacks depth for sophisticated campaigns.
Complete Feature Comparison Table
| Feature | Flodesk | MailerLite |
| Pricing | $38/month flat-rate pricing | MailerLite free plan + $10+/month tiered pricing |
| Free Plan | โ No | โ Up to 1,000 subscribers |
| Email Templates | โ 50+ beautiful email templates | โ 100+ functional designs |
| Drag-and-Drop Editor | โ Visual & intuitive | โ Powerful but complex |
| Automation | โ ๏ธ Basic visual builder | โ Advanced multi-step |
| Landing Pages | โ Not available | โ MailerLite landing page builder |
| Analytics | โ ๏ธ Basic Flodesk analytics | โ Detailed insights |
| Best For | Flodesk for creative businesses | MailerLite for small business |
A Closer Look at Flodesk
Flodesk is built for visual appeal and ease of use above everything else.
What’s good about Flodesk:
- Templates are stunning and easy to use
- Editor is extremely user-friendly
- Flat-rate pricing benefits large lists
- Perfect for on-brand emails
What’s not as good:
- More expensive to start
- Basic automation features
- Simple Flodesk analytics
Who should use Flodesk? Best for bloggers, designers, and creative businesses. Choose it if beautiful emails are your main goal without technical hassle.
If youโre curious about how Flodesk stacks up against other creative-friendly tools, check out ourย Flodesk vs Mailchimp for Solopreneursย comparison for more insights
A Closer Look at MailerLite
MailerLite is built for growth, functionality, and excellent value.
What’s good about MailerLite:
- Generous MailerLite free plan
- Advanced automation features
- Built-in MailerLite landing pages
- Superior value for price
What’s not as good:
- Less modern template designs
- Interface can feel cluttered
Who should use MailerLite? Perfect for MailerLite for small business and marketers. Choose it if you need complete feature toolbox for growth.
Pricing Breakdown
Let’s discuss actual numbers for informed decisions.
MailerLite pricing starts with a free plan for 1,000 subscribers. Paid plans begin around $10/month with tiered pricing as you grow.
Flodesk pricing is flat-rate $38/month regardless of list size. This flat-rate pricing stays constant whether you have 100 or 100,000 subscribers.
For lists under 15,000 people, MailerLite is almost always cheaper. According to HubSpot’s email marketing research, businesses with smaller lists benefit more from tiered pricing when starting. Flodesk becomes cost-effective only for very large lists.
Migration Guide: How to Switch
Whether switching to Flodesk or moving to MailerLite, here’s how to switch platforms smoothly.
Moving to MailerLite: First, export subscriber list as CSV. Then, import to Flodesk using their upload process. Next, rebuild automations using MailerLite’s workflow builder. Finally, set up MailerLite landing pages.
Switching to Flodesk: Initially, export your data from current platform. Subsequently, import to Flodesk using simple upload. Then, rebuild automations using visual builder. Lastly, recreate designs using beautiful email templates.
Pro Tip: Run both platforms parallel for 1-2 weeks before canceling old service.
Which One Should You Choose?
This Flodesk vs MailerLite comparison shows the best choice depends on your needs.
Choose Flodesk if: You prioritize beautiful email templates above all else. You have large lists where flat-rate pricing makes sense. You don’t need advanced automation. You’re asking “is Flodesk worth it” and design is main concern.
Choose MailerLite if: You want best value for money. You need powerful automation and MailerLite landing page builder features. You’re starting out and can use MailerLite free plan. You’re comparing which is better: MailerLite or Flodesk for advanced features.
As noted by Campaign Monitor’s email marketing benchmarks, success often depends more on choosing the right tool for your business rather than selecting the most feature-rich option.
Frequently Asked Questions
ย No, Flodesk does not have a free plan. It offers a free trial, but no permanent free tier like MailerLite free plan.
Yes. MailerLite includes built-in MailerLite landing page builder and website builder. Flodesk does not have this feature.
Yes, MailerLite free plan is very robust. It includes most core features for up to 1,000 subscribers permanently.
MailerLite is better for beginners on tight budgets because of a comprehensive free plan. Flodesk is better for beginners wanting the simplest design experience and don’t mind monthly fee.
