Best Email Marketing Software for Shopify Stores 2024
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Table of Contents
- Quick Picks: Best Email Marketing Software for Shopify
- How We Evaluated These Email Marketing Tools
- Detailed Reviews
- Comparison Table
- Buying Guide: What to Look for in Shopify Email Marketing Software
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Bottom Line
Running a Shopify store without proper email marketing is like leaving money on the table. Email marketing generates an average ROI of $42 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most profitable ways to nurture your customer relationships and boost sales.
The best email marketing software for Shopify needs to do more than just send newsletters. It should integrate seamlessly with your store, sync customer data automatically, and help you recover abandoned carts while building lasting relationships with your audience.
Quick Picks: Best Email Marketing Software for Shopify
- klaviyo - Best overall for advanced segmentation and automation
- mailchimp - Best for beginners with its user-friendly interface
- omnisend - Best for omnichannel marketing campaigns
- constant-contact - Best for small businesses wanting simplicity
- sendinblue - Best value for growing stores on a budget
How We Evaluated These Email Marketing Tools
We tested each platform’s Shopify integration, automation capabilities, and ease of use over several months. Our evaluation focused on how well each tool handles e-commerce specific features like abandoned cart recovery, product recommendations, and customer segmentation based on purchase behavior.
Detailed Reviews
klaviyo - Best Overall for Advanced E-commerce Marketing
Key Features:
- Deep Shopify integration with real-time data sync
- Advanced segmentation based on purchase behavior
- Predictive analytics and customer lifetime value tracking
- A/B testing for all campaign elements
- Pre-built e-commerce email flows
Klaviyo stands out as the most sophisticated email marketing platform for serious Shopify merchants. Its integration goes far beyond basic contact syncing – it pulls in detailed customer behavior data, purchase history, and browsing patterns to create incredibly targeted campaigns.
The platform’s segmentation capabilities are unmatched. You can create segments based on predicted customer lifetime value, purchase frequency, or even specific products viewed. This level of detail lets you send highly personalized emails that actually drive sales, not just opens.
However, this power comes with complexity. New users often feel overwhelmed by the interface, and pricing can get expensive quickly as your list grows. Klaviyo works best for established stores with dedicated marketing resources who can take advantage of its advanced features.
mailchimp - Best for Beginners and Small Stores
Key Features:
- Intuitive drag-and-drop email builder
- Free plan for up to 2,000 contacts
- Basic automation workflows
- Solid Shopify integration
- Comprehensive analytics dashboard
Mailchimp remains the go-to choice for Shopify store owners just getting started with email marketing. Its interface is genuinely user-friendly, and you can have your first campaign running within minutes of connecting your store.
The platform handles essential e-commerce functions well, including abandoned cart emails and post-purchase follow-ups. While it doesn’t offer the advanced segmentation of Klaviyo, it provides enough targeting options for most small to medium-sized stores.
The main drawbacks are limited automation options on lower-tier plans and less sophisticated e-commerce analytics. As your business grows and your email marketing needs become more complex, you might outgrow what Mailchimp offers.
omnisend - Best for Omnichannel Marketing
Key Features:
- Email, SMS, and push notifications in one platform
- Visual automation workflow builder
- Advanced segmentation with RFM analysis
- Built-in landing page creator
- Comprehensive e-commerce reporting
Omnisend excels at creating cohesive marketing campaigns across multiple channels. If you want to combine email marketing with SMS and push notifications, this platform makes it seamless.
The automation builder is particularly impressive, with a visual interface that makes complex workflows easy to understand and modify. You can create sophisticated customer journeys that adapt based on how people interact with your messages across different channels.
Pricing can be confusing with separate charges for email and SMS credits, and the learning curve is steeper than simpler platforms. But for stores ready to embrace omnichannel marketing, Omnisend offers excellent value.
constant-contact - Best for Simple, Effective Email Marketing
Key Features:
- Straightforward email templates designed for e-commerce
- Reliable deliverability rates
- Basic automation including welcome series and cart abandonment
- Live chat and phone support
- Social media integration
Constant Contact focuses on doing email marketing fundamentals exceptionally well rather than overwhelming users with advanced features. Their e-commerce templates are clean and mobile-responsive, and the Shopify integration handles all the essentials without complications.
What sets them apart is customer support – you can actually talk to a human when you need help. This makes them ideal for business owners who want reliable email marketing without becoming email marketing experts.
The platform lacks advanced segmentation and automation options that more sophisticated stores require. But for straightforward email campaigns and basic automation, Constant Contact delivers consistent results.
sendinblue - Best Value for Growing Stores
Key Features:
- Generous free plan with unlimited contacts
- Email and SMS marketing included
- Marketing automation workflows
- Built-in CRM functionality
- Transactional email capabilities
Sendinblue offers impressive functionality at budget-friendly prices. Their free plan allows unlimited contacts (limited by daily send volume), making it perfect for new stores building their email lists.
The platform includes both email and SMS marketing in most plans, plus a basic CRM to track customer interactions. The automation features cover all essential e-commerce scenarios, from welcome sequences to win-back campaigns.
Interface design feels somewhat dated compared to newer platforms, and the Shopify integration isn’t as deep as specialized e-commerce tools. However, the combination of features and pricing makes Sendinblue an excellent choice for cost-conscious store owners.
drip - Best for Data-Driven E-commerce Marketing
Key Features:
- Sophisticated customer tagging and segmentation
- Revenue attribution for email campaigns
- Advanced automation workflows
- Deep Shopify data integration
- Comprehensive analytics and reporting
Drip positions itself as an e-commerce CRM that happens to do email marketing exceptionally well. The platform captures detailed customer data from Shopify and uses it to create highly targeted campaigns based on purchase behavior, browsing history, and customer lifecycle stage.
The automation workflows are powerful and flexible, allowing you to create complex customer journeys that adapt based on real-time behavior. Revenue tracking is particularly strong – you can see exactly how much money each campaign and automation generates.
The interface can feel overwhelming for newcomers, and pricing is on the higher end. Drip works best for established stores with substantial email lists who want to maximize revenue from their email marketing efforts.
convertkit - Best for Content-Driven Stores
Key Features:
- Simple automation workflows called “sequences”
- Tag-based subscriber organization
- Landing page and form builders
- Basic e-commerce integrations
- Clean, distraction-free interface
ConvertKit excels for Shopify stores that use content marketing to drive sales. If you run a blog, create educational content, or build your audience through lead magnets, this platform makes it easy to nurture subscribers into customers.
The tag-based system is intuitive – instead of managing complex segments, you simply tag subscribers based on their interests or actions. This makes it easy to send relevant content without getting lost in complicated automation rules.
However, ConvertKit lacks advanced e-commerce features like detailed purchase behavior tracking or sophisticated product recommendation engines. It’s better suited for stores that sell through relationship-building rather than aggressive promotional campaigns.
Comparison Table
| Platform | Starting Price | Free Plan | Advanced Automation | SMS Marketing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Klaviyo | $20/month | Yes (limited) | Excellent | Yes | Advanced users |
| Mailchimp | Free | Yes | Good | No | Beginners |
| Omnisend | $16/month | Yes (limited) | Excellent | Yes | Omnichannel |
| Constant Contact | $20/month | No | Basic | No | Simplicity |
| Sendinblue | Free | Yes | Good | Yes | Budget-conscious |
| Drip | $39/month | No | Excellent | No | Data-driven stores |
| ConvertKit | $29/month | No | Good | No | Content creators |
Buying Guide: What to Look for in Shopify Email Marketing Software
Shopify Integration Depth
The best platforms sync more than just contact information. Look for tools that pull in purchase history, browsing behavior, and product data. This deeper integration enables personalized product recommendations and behavior-triggered campaigns that significantly outperform generic newsletters.
Automation Capabilities
Essential automations for e-commerce include welcome series, abandoned cart recovery, post-purchase follow-ups, and win-back campaigns. Advanced platforms offer more sophisticated triggers like browsing behavior, purchase anniversaries, or predicted churn risk.
Segmentation and Personalization
Basic demographic segmentation isn’t enough for e-commerce success. Your email platform should segment customers based on purchase behavior, lifetime value, engagement levels, and product preferences. This enables you to send relevant messages that drive sales rather than spam complaints.
Deliverability and Analytics
High deliverability rates ensure your emails reach customer inboxes, while detailed analytics help you optimize campaigns. Look for platforms that provide delivery rates, engagement metrics, and revenue attribution so you can measure real business impact.
Scalability and Pricing
Consider how pricing scales with your list size and sending volume. Some platforms charge per contact, others per email sent, and some combine both. Factor in your expected growth when evaluating long-term costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which email marketing platform integrates best with Shopify?
Klaviyo offers the deepest Shopify integration, syncing detailed customer behavior data, purchase history, and product information in real-time. This enables highly personalized campaigns based on specific customer actions and preferences.
Can I use free email marketing software for my Shopify store?
Yes, both Mailchimp and Sendinblue offer robust free plans suitable for new Shopify stores. Mailchimp allows up to 2,000 contacts, while Sendinblue offers unlimited contacts with daily sending limits.
How important is SMS marketing for Shopify stores?
SMS marketing can significantly boost engagement and sales, with open rates typically above 90%. Platforms like Omnisend and Sendinblue include SMS capabilities, allowing you to create coordinated email and text campaigns for maximum impact.
What’s the difference between email marketing and marketing automation?
Email marketing involves sending campaigns to your subscriber list, while marketing automation sends targeted messages based on specific triggers or customer behaviors. All modern platforms include basic automation, but advanced tools like Klaviyo and Drip offer sophisticated workflow capabilities.
How much should I expect to pay for email marketing software?
Costs vary widely based on list size and features needed. Basic plans start around $10-20 monthly, while advanced platforms can cost $100+ for larger lists. Most platforms offer tiered pricing that scales with your subscriber count and feature requirements.
Should I choose a general email platform or e-commerce-specific tool?
E-commerce-specific platforms like Klaviyo and Omnisend offer superior Shopify integration and retail-focused features like abandoned cart recovery and product recommendations. General platforms work for basic needs but lack specialized e-commerce capabilities.
Bottom Line
Klaviyo remains the top choice for serious Shopify merchants who want maximum customization and advanced analytics. Its deep integration and sophisticated segmentation capabilities justify the higher price for stores focused on email marketing growth.
For beginners or budget-conscious store owners, Mailchimp and Sendinblue provide excellent starting points with generous free plans and essential e-commerce features. You can always upgrade as your needs become more sophisticated.
The key is choosing a platform that matches your current skill level and budget while offering room to grow. Start with the basics – abandoned cart recovery and welcome sequences – then expand into more advanced strategies as you gain experience and see results.