The Best Email Marketing Software Options on the Market in 2024

Source: Pexels

Did you know that over 80% of businesses use email marketing? It’s no wonder email marketing is one of the most effective ways to acquire and retain customers.

But what if you could take your email marketing to the next level? What if you could have complete control over your email marketing platform without having to rely on a third-party provider?

That’s where self-hosted email marketing software comes in. With self-hosted email marketing software, you have complete control over your data, branding and delivery. You can also take advantage of advanced features that you won’t find with traditional email marketing platforms.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the best self-hosted email marketing software on the market. We’ll compare the features so you can find the perfect solution for your needs.

Let’s dive in.

What Is Self-Hosted Email Marketing Software?

A self-hosted email marketing software is a software application that you install on your own server. This gives you more control over the software and your data. 

It allows you to run your email marketing campaigns from your server instead of using a third-party service such as Mailchimp.

Key Aspects to Consider When Choosing the Best Self-Hosted Email Marketing Software

• Customization Options: Look for software that allows extensive customization of email templates and content to reflect your brand identity.
• User-Friendly Interface: Opt for a platform with an intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface, minimizing the learning curve for efficient campaign management.
• Security Features: Look for software with advanced security measures to protect your email campaigns and subscriber data from potential threats.
• Scalability: Consider the scalability of the software to accommodate the growth of your subscriber base.
• Cost Efficiency: Evaluate the cost structure, including any one-time purchase fees and ongoing expenses.
• Integration Capabilities: Check for compatibility with other tools and services your business uses, such as CRM systems and analytics platforms.
• Analytics and Reporting: Prioritize platforms that offer comprehensive analytics and reporting tools.
• Support and Updates: Choose software with a responsive support team to assist with technical issues and inquiries.

5 Best Self-Hosted Email Marketing Software

1. MailWizz

MailWizz is a self-hosted email marketing software that offers businesses a unique combination of cost-effectiveness, customization and user-friendliness. 

MailWizz is written in PHP and uses MySQL to store its data, making it suitable for both beginners and experts. Let’s have a look at what it has to offer.

Pros

Pricing plans shown as of January 15th, 2024 and subject to change at the time you're viewing this article.

• Affordable: MailWizz pricing is based on a one-time license fee, which means that businesses pay a one-time fee to access the software. The absence of recurring payments can be a budget-friendly option if your email marketing strategy includes sending large volumes of emails.
• Easy to Use: Its simple interface lets you create and manage newsletters without confusion.

• Full-Featured: MailWizz is a feature-rich email marketing tool that’s still affordable. You can access a multitude of features without additional costs, as seen in other newsletter platforms.
• Customizable: MailWizz allows businesses to create branded email templates that reflect their image and style. It also offers the flexibility to modify templates to meet specific campaign requirements.  
• Developer-Friendly: There’s a large community of developers who have created many themes and extensions that you can use with the software.  Written in modern PHP and using MySQL as its database, it can run in any web hosting account. 
• Third-Party Integrations: You can integrate MailWizz with many third-party services, such as Amazon SES, Sendgrid and Mailgun. It also integrates with regular SMTP servers to ensure your emails are reliably delivered.
• High Volume Sending Capability: MailWizz efficiently handles large volumes of emails for extensive outreach.
• AI Assistance: There’s an integrated AI assistant to help you craft effective and engaging email campaigns.
• Regular Updates: MailWizz stays current with new features and improvements through regular updates.
• Top-Notch Support: If you encounter technical challenges, MailWizz provides support to help resolve issues promptly. They go above and beyond to help their customers, even with issues not directly related to MailWizz.

Cons

• Technical skills required: Setting up MailWizz for best results might be a bit tricky and needs technical know-how. However, there’s excellent customer support to help you out.

2. Mautic

Mautic is a self-hosted email software that allows businesses to create email campaigns. 

You can also design newsletters, automate email marketing via the use of "autoresponders," and view and analyze statistics related to your email marketing campaigns. Here are some of it’s pros and cons:

Pros

• Free and Open-Source: It is a free and open-source email marketing service that is available to everyone.
• Feature-Rich: It offers a comprehensive set of features, including marketing automation, lead tracking and social media integration, enhancing its utility for business.
• Cost-Efficient: As an open-source solution, Mautic can be a cost-effective choice, particularly for smaller businesses looking for robust marketing automation without hefty licensing fees.
• Integration Capabilities: It supports integration with various third-party tools and services, enhancing its compatibility with existing business systems.

Cons

• Steep Learning Curve: Users might find Mautic challenging to set up and navigate, especially when creating email campaigns for those without prior experience.
• Resource-Intensive: Running Mautic may require substantial server resources, potentially causing performance issues or increased hosting costs for some users.
• Limited support options: While there’s a community, official support options for Mautic may be limited compared to some proprietary marketing automation platforms.
• Updates and Stability: Some users have reported issues with software updates causing complications.
• User Interface: The user interface, while functional, may not be as intuitive as some other marketing automation platforms, potentially impacting user experience.
• Email-Sending Capacity: Mautic is best suited for low to mid-volume senders. 

3. Sendy

Sendy is a self-hosted software platform that allows an email marketing business to send newsletters, manage subscriber lists, and track campaign performance. 

Sendy is suitable for various users, particularly those who prioritize cost-effectiveness and have some technical proficiency. Here are some of its benefits and drawbacks:

Pros

• Cost-Effective: Sendy is a one-time purchase tool, offering cost savings compared to subscription-based models.
• Amazon SES Integration: It seamlessly integrates with Amazon Simple Email Service(SES), providing a scalable and cost-efficient solution for email delivery.
• User-Friendly Interface: Sendy features a user-friendly interface, making it accessible for users with varying levels of technical expertise.

Cons

• Self-Hosted Setup: Configuring Sendy for optimal use requires a self-hosted setup, which may be challenging for users with limited technical skills.
• Dependency on Amazon SES: While it integrates with Amazon SES, users rely on the stability and features provided by this external service.
• Lack of Built-in Templates: Sendy lacks ready-made email templates, unlike several other platforms. This means you must find or craft your HTML templates.
• Limited Support Options: Support for Sendy may be primarily community-driven, and users may have to rely on forums and documentation for assistance.

4. Octeth

Octeth is an on-premise email marketing software that offers businesses a range of features to create and manage their email marketing campaigns. Here are some advantages and disadvantages of using Octeth as an email marketing platform:

Pros

• Comprehensive Features: Octeth boasts a rich array of tools, catering to the diverse needs of businesses.
• Intuitive User Interface: The platform offers a user-friendly interface, ensuring accessibility for individuals with different levels of technical expertise.
• Integration Capabilities: It facilitates seamless integration with diverse third-party tools.

Cons

• Technical Expertise Required: Octeth is an on-premise tool, meaning you need technical expertise to install and maintain the software.
• Limited Support: While Octeth offers customer support, it is limited to software-related issues. You need to have your own IT support team to handle any issues related to your hosting environment.
• Limited Email Builder: The email builder is not as intuitive as it could be, and the design of the templates is not very impressive.
• Limited Integrations: Octeth does not have as many integrations as some other email marketing platforms.

5. Dada Mail

Dada Mail is an open-source email marketing solution designed for simplicity and effectiveness. It is an open-source solution, meaning it provides flexibility to its users to modify and adapt the software as they’d like. Here are the key points about Dada Mail:

Pros

• List Management: It facilitates efficient list management, allowing you to organize and segment subscribers for targeted communication.
• Template Customization: You can customize email templates to align with your brand, ensuring a consistent and professional appearance.
• Automation Features: It includes automation features, allowing you to schedule and automate email campaigns for efficiency.

Cons

• Steep Learning Curve for Beginners: If you have limited technical expertise, you might find the initial setup and customization process challenging.
• Design Constraints: Customizing email templates may have limitations, restricting intricate design options for some users.
• Smaller Community: The user community of Dada Mail is smaller compared to more widely adopted email marketing platforms, potentially affecting the availability of shared knowledge and experiences.
• Scalability Concerns: Dada Mail might face challenges handling large-scale email marketing needs, impacting scalability for your growing businesses.

Why MailWizz Is Your Best Choice

When it comes to newsletter platforms, finding the perfect fit comes down to your unique needs. If you crave a blend of proven reliability, flexibility, powerful features, and top-notch support, MailWizz stands out.

• A Decade of Trust: MailWizz’s 10+ years in email marketing speaks volumes about its reliability and the trust it has earned from a diverse user base.
• Comprehensive Features: Dive into advanced analytics, detailed reports, customizable templates, and a feature-rich toolkit. MailWizz caters to both simple and sophisticated campaigns, allowing you to scale up as your needs evolve.
• Adaptable to Your Needs: Whether you’re a small startup or a corporate giant, MailWizz's flexibility ensures it molds to fit your unique requirements seamlessly.
• Support That Shines: Behind every great service is stellar support. MailWizz’s responsive and helpful customer support offers peace of mind, especially for newcomers to email marketing or self-hosted platforms.

Explore the demo to see why MailWizz stands out as a simple yet powerful choice for your newsletter needs.