Why People Consider Sender Alternatives
Sender is genuinely one of the most affordable email marketing platforms. Their free tier (2,500 subscribers, 15,000 emails/month) is among the most generous in the industry. Their paid plans run 30-40% cheaper than competitors like Mailchimp.
So why look elsewhere?
SaaS-Specific Features
Sender is built for general email marketing. If you run a SaaS business, you might want features like native Stripe integration, MRR-based segmentation, or automated emails triggered by billing events. Sequenzy is built specifically for software companies with these features built in.
Unified Transactional + Marketing
Sender focuses on marketing emails. If you want password resets, order confirmations, and marketing campaigns in one unified platform with consistent branding and analytics, alternatives like Sequenzy or Brevo handle both.
Different Pricing Models
Sender charges by subscribers. If you have a large list but send infrequently, Brevo's pay-per-email model might be cheaper. If you want truly unlimited contacts, Brevo offers that on all paid plans.
No Landing Pages
Sender doesn't include a landing page builder. If you need landing pages for lead generation without additional tools, MailerLite, GetResponse, or ConvertKit include them.
What Sender Does Well (Be Honest)
Before switching, acknowledge where Sender genuinely wins:
- Pricing: 30-40% cheaper than comparable platforms
- Free tier: 2,500 subscribers and 15,000 emails is very generous
- SMS marketing: Included in the platform (many competitors don't offer this)
- E-commerce integrations: Shopify and WooCommerce support with product blocks
- Templates: 1,600+ email templates
- GDPR compliance: EU data hosting available
The Alternatives, Honestly
If you run a SaaS company: Sequenzy
Sequenzy is built specifically for software companies. Native Stripe OAuth integration syncs your customers automatically. AI generates email campaigns and sequences. Transactional + marketing in one platform.
The trade-off: No free tier, no SMS marketing, no e-commerce integrations. Sequenzy is focused on SaaS - if that's not you, Sender is probably better.
If you want landing pages: MailerLite
MailerLite includes landing pages, website builder, and good automation at a reasonable price. Clean interface, solid deliverability.
The trade-off: Strict approval process (some businesses get rejected), more expensive than Sender at scale.
If you want SMS + email: Brevo
Brevo (formerly Sendinblue) includes SMS marketing, unlimited contacts, and transactional email support. Pay-per-email model can be cheaper if you send infrequently.
The trade-off: Interface feels dated, support can be slow.
If you run an e-commerce store: Omnisend
Omnisend has deep Shopify/WooCommerce integration with pre-built e-commerce workflows, product recommendations, and SMS. Built specifically for online stores.
The trade-off: Overkill for non-e-commerce, gets expensive at scale.
If you're a content creator: ConvertKit
ConvertKit is designed for bloggers, YouTubers, and podcasters. Simple tagging, visual automation, creator-focused features.
The trade-off: Limited e-commerce features, basic templates, expensive for advanced features.
If budget is everything: EmailOctopus
EmailOctopus is similarly affordable to Sender with a 2,500 subscriber free tier. Simple, focused on newsletters.
The trade-off: Even more limited than Sender - basic automation, no SMS, no landing pages.
The Cost Reality
At 10,000 subscribers:
| Platform | Monthly Cost | Free Tier | SMS | E-commerce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sender | ~$49/mo | 2,500 subs | Yes | Yes |
| Sequenzy | $49/mo | Trial only | No | No |
| EmailOctopus | $36/mo | 2,500 subs | No | No |
| Brevo | ~$25/mo* | 300/day | Yes | Yes |
| MailerLite | $73/mo | 1k subs | No | Limited |
| Omnisend | ~$59/mo | 250 contacts | Yes | Deep |
*Brevo charges by emails, not subscribers
When Sender Is Still the Right Choice
Sender wins if:
- Budget is your top priority
- You need SMS marketing included
- You run an e-commerce store with basic needs
- The generous free tier covers your list size
- You value their large template library
- GDPR compliance with EU hosting matters
Don't switch just because something seems shinier. Sender is a legitimate platform with good deliverability and genuinely affordable pricing. But if you need SaaS-specific features, unified transactional email, or landing pages, the alternatives above fill those gaps.
Use our email validator tool to verify your list quality, and check our SPF checker and DKIM checker to ensure your email authentication is configured correctly.