Four platforms most Australian small businesses look at, priced at the three list sizes that matter, from each pricing page on 3 October 2026.
By the Desk editorLast checked 3 October 20263 min read
The short answer
For a list under 250, use a free plan: Mailchimp, MailerLite and Brevo all have one. At 2,500 contacts the monthly price ranges from US$33 (MailerLite Comfort) to A$114 (Campaign Monitor Essentials). Brevo charges by emails sent, not contacts, from A$12 for 5,000 emails a month.
| Platform and plan | 500 contacts | 2,500 | 10,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mailchimp Essentials | A$18.93 | A$65.53 | A$160.17 |
| Mailchimp Standard | A$29.12 | A$87.37 | A$196.58 |
| Campaign Monitor Lite | A$19 | A$72 | A$180 |
| Campaign Monitor Essentials | A$47 | A$114 | A$277 |
| MailerLite Comfort | US$12 | US$33 | US$89 |
| MailerLite Power | US$25 | US$49 | US$129 |
| Brevo Starter | A$12 a month for 5,000 emails; price rises with emails sent | ||
| Brevo Standard | A$25 a month for 5,000 emails; price rises with emails sent | ||
Monthly billing, as shown on each platform's pricing page on 3 October 2026. Annual billing is cheaper on most. GST may be added for Australian businesses. MailerLite prices in US dollars; the others in Australian dollars. General information, not a quote.
The order changes with list size. MailerLite is the cheapest of the four at every size here, but bills in US dollars, so the Australian price moves with the exchange rate. Campaign Monitor's Lite plan caps sends at five times your list each month; its Essentials plan and Mailchimp's plans allow more. Brevo is the odd one out: contacts are unlimited and you pay for emails sent, which suits a big list you email rarely.
Free plan under 250 contacts (500 sends a month)
Spam Act: it gives every send an unsubscribe link; you still need consent for each address and must honour unsubscribes within 5 working days.
Spam Act: it gives every send an unsubscribe link; you still need consent for each address and must honour unsubscribes within 5 working days.
Free plan up to 250 subscribers
Spam Act: it gives every send an unsubscribe link; you still need consent for each address and must honour unsubscribes within 5 working days.
Free plan: up to 300 emails a day
Spam Act: it gives every send an unsubscribe link; you still need consent for each address and must honour unsubscribes within 5 working days.
There is no single best. Three questions decide it:
For a business with customers who chose to hear from it, yes: a list is the one audience no platform can take away. The cost is the subscription plus your time, and the main legal duty is the Spam Act's three rules: consent, say who you are, and an unsubscribe that works. The Spam Act in plain English.
It depends on list size and features. On price alone, MailerLite was cheapest at 500, 2,500 and 10,000 contacts on 3 October 2026, in US dollars. Mailchimp and Campaign Monitor price in Australian dollars.
Mailchimp's free plan covers up to 250 contacts and 500 sends a month, with Mailchimp branding on emails.
MailerLite's free plan covers up to 250 subscribers, and its Comfort plan was US$12 a month for 500 subscribers. Brevo's free plan allows up to 300 emails a day.